Mission and History

The UW Graduate & Professional Student Senate represents the 12,000 graduate and professional students at the University of Washington. Over 120 elected or appointed students represent each of the graduate and professional degree granting schools, departments, and programs. GPSS exists to improve all aspects of graduate and professional student life at the University of Washington in every way possible. GPSS considers all matters that directly influence or affect the graduate and professional student body as valid interest and deliberation.

The Graduate & Professional Student Senate was founded in 1967 to provide a separate focus and voice for the interests of graduate and professional students at the University of Washington.  Prior to its founding, all students were represented by the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW), founded in 1906.  As interests between the ASUW and GPSS have become more specialized, GPSS has established itself as an organization devoted to serving as a platform for issues related to graduate and professional student life.  The two entities formally became two autonomous organizations – effectively, two student governments – in April of 1976.  While the ASUW still represents all students, GPSS represents only graduate and professional student interests.

GPSS represents 60 different schools, departments, and programs at the University of Washington, granting two senators for each.  Senators are expected to attend two meetings per quarter, and to represent their fellow students on an internal GPSS committee or a university committee.  Some senators do both.  GPSS has four elected officers: a president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary.  They are supported by a staff of eight.  GPSS has eight internal standing committees in addition to the full Senate through which it conducts its business: the Executive, Judicial, Legislative Steering, Finance and Budgeting, Elections, Travel Grants, Graduate Program Review, and Dispute Resolution Advisory.

GPSS actively supports graduate and professional students and builds community among them with weekly, monthly and yearly publications, as well as social events throughout the year.  GPSS advocates on behalf of students for more childcare access for student parents, improved healthcare access for students, and affordable and predictable tuition.  Moreover, GPSS involves graduate students in regular reviews of their programs and works on their behalf to ensure that graduate and professional students are supported in their studies.  In addition, GPSS supports diversity programming to enhance and encourage an economically and culturally diverse campus.

GPSS initiated an annual Higher Education Summit in 2007 in order to bring together academics, policymakers, and practitioners for one day to discuss issues important to higher education in general and graduate & professional students in particular.  Each Summit has taken up a different and salient topic related to contemporary issues in higher education in Washington State.

In 2007, GPSS brought together non-profit education stakeholders, state legislators, and business leaders to discuss how graduate education is a crucial part of Washington’s economy.  In 2008, lawmakers and city, county and state government policymakers joined GPSS, students and non-profit leaders to discuss the economic, social and medical health of Washington State and its citizens.  For the 2010 Summit, GPSS will be focusing on the federalization of higher education. Lawmakers, administrators from the UW and peer institutions, students and policy experts will meet to develop creative solutions to the challenges facing higher education funding in these difficult economic and budget climates.