Two candidates will offer their ideas about the graduate student government during three presidential candidate forums on campus this week.
Law students Aaron Kugler and Lorena Olmos will discuss their views on GPSA during forums that begin today in Room 217 of Mitchell Hall, from 2-3 p.m.
The next forum is Thursday from 12:30-1 p.m. in the Law School Forum and the final discussion is at Saturday's GPSA Council Meeting in the Willard Reading Room of Zimmerman Library at 9:30 a.m.
Graduate students head to the polls April 8-11 to vote on the next president and several constitutional amendments.
Departments can still apply to have ballot boxes placed in their offices, and several locations including the law school and Zimmerman Library will likely be used as central polling places.
Current President Rachel Jenks said that because GPSA seeks to represent students, their attendance at forums and at the polls is essential.
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"Student feedback is extremely important," she said. "I met with both candidates to give them an idea about what the job entailed, and they asked me, in not so many words, what the best way was to form their campaign agenda. I told them that they simply have to talk to students."
Jenks added that she tailored her goals to the concerns students raised during the summer and added that those needs change annually.
"Without student input, the president and council really are at a loss when it comes to figuring out how to best help students," she said. "My experience in office has been fantastic, and I think that the president tends to wear a lot of hats that change according to the person's strengths and interests - and, of course, student needs," Jenks said.
While the job description changes constantly, Jenks said a few responsibilities, including representing student needs on University committees and the Board of Regents, are constant.
"Sometimes it's easy for administrators to overlook some student concerns, and it really is up to the GPSA president to be in touch with what those concerns are and convey them to the administration," she said.
The president also can help students handle disputes on campus and act as an advocate when appropriate, Jenks said.
"It's just basically about acting in the interest of students," she said.
In addition to working with students, Jenks said the president also helps organize and maintain GPSA's offices and basic structure.
"You basically hire committee leadership and work to build the infrastructure that will support efforts to make changes on the students' behalf," she said. "It can all be a very overwhelming process but remains very rewarding."
Above all, Jenks encourages students to get involved in GPSA.
"It is important to be proactive if you hope to see things change," she said. "I know that we are all busy, but keeping yourself educated, telling GPSA leadership what you need and voting in this election can make all the difference in the world."
For more information about GPSA, visit its Web site at www.unm.edu/~gpsa or call its offices at 277-3803.
