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Rice University Graduate Student Association records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 280
Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a variety of materials related to the Rice University Graduate Student Association, including awards, constitution and bylaws, correspondence, meeting minutes, lease/contract information, floor plans, surveys, reports, rosters, memorabilia, and event, election, subcommittee, and financial documents. This material begins in 1925 and continues through 2011, although the bulk of information starts in the mid-1980s.

Dates

  • 1925 - 2019

Creator

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish from this material must be facilitated through the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical and Historical

The Graduate Student Association of Rice University was first initiated by a group of graduate students led by George Forristall and accompanied by Dean Pfeiffer on March 17, 1969. Interested in solving the typical problems a graduate student faces, this group of students drafted a constitution and submitted it to the Campus Executive Committee for approval. Soon after, the Graduate Student Association Council first met on April 22, 1969.

In 1984 Rice University acquired a motel and converted it into a residential space for graduate students, and in the 1990s the students began to petition for many changes concerning the inadequacy of their Graduate House. Through their efforts, aided by Professor Linda Driskill and Professor Robert L. Patten, the House was transformed into a "College" for all graduate students and included social services, such as counseling, employment fairs, and parties.

Today the Graduate Student Association's "mission is to enrich the graduate student experience and to represent, support, and promote graduate student interests and values." The organization "provides programs and services aiding in recruitment and retention of graduate students, represents the graduate student interests to the University administration, and builds a strong sense of community both on and off campus." Please see gsa.rice.edu for more information and explore the archive's collection to see the struggles and triumphs of the Graduate Student Association.

Extent

9 Linear Feet (22 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains a variety of materials related to the Rice University Graduate Student Association, including awards, constitution and bylaws, correspondence, meeting minutes, lease/contract information, floor plans, surveys, reports, rosters, memorabilia, and event, election, subcommittee, and financial documents. This material begins in 1925 and continues through 2019, although the bulk of information starts in the mid-1980s.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This material was transferred to the Woodson Research Center primarily in 1996 and earlier as well as in September 2001. Anna Saikin donated materials in 2012.
Title
Guide to the Rice University Graduate Student Association records, 1925-2019
Status
Completed
Author
Ann Cochran
Date
2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA