Travis Dixon - Internal President, GSA of UCSB
Graduate Student Newsletter, November 1996
On Tuesday, November 5 the voters of California approved Proposition 209 by a 54% to 46% margin. Before and since this vote, there have been various levels of activity and inactivity at the University of California in protest of 209's implementation.
On October 8, the Graduate Students Association voted to condemn Proposition 209 largely because the General Council felt that the Proposition was detrimental to achieving the twin goals of diversity and excellence at the UC. Some members of our community wonder why GSA would take a stand on such a controversial, political issue. In addition, they argue that GSA is supposed to be the voice of all graduate students and some graduate students support Proposition 209. So why take a position at all?
First, GSA has an obligation to take a stance on any issue that may have an impact on graduate education at UCSB or the University in general. Proposition 209 is such an issue. One of the things that this proposition may do is limit financial aid for underrepresented students in graduate programs across campus. Most of this aid is used to increase the numbers of women and people of color in various disciplines at UCSB. For this reason and others, Proposition 209 is not just a political issue, it is an educational issue. GSA's purpose and mission is to represent and express opinions on all such issues, particularly educational issues which may negatively affect graduate students.
Second, GSA is a representative body of graduate students. The GSA Executive Council consists of graduate students elected in an open meeting in which all graduate students are welcome to vote. However, the Executive Council does not make GSA policy. The General Council makes such policy as specified in the GSA Constitution. Accordingly, each department is entitled to at least one representative and possibly more depending on the number of graduate students in a each department. These departmental representatives make up the General Council. It is up to the graduate students in each department to elect and send representatives to the GSA.
It is up to the students in each department as well as their GSA Departmental Representative(s) to formulate departmental positions and present them to General Council. This is how policy is typically created. However, if there are no representatives from a particular department then the voice of that department will never be heard. Policy can only be made by those who choose to participate. Indeed we WANT participation. When the GSA vote on 209 occurred, it was decided to make the meeting open so that every concerned student could speak their mind. In the final tally there were two abstentions but no formal opposition to the condemnation of 209.
Because Proposition 209 has ramifications for the University it will continue to be an important issue. Discussions of implementation have already on have already begun and GSA will continue to represent graduate students in all of these forums. My strong suggestion is that each of you attend GSA General Council meetings to hear updates and that you become involved. Involvement is the only way that your voice will be heard.