Rice University Graduate Student Association records

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.