GPSA president chooses to lead rather than roll over

Editor,

Joseph Garcia came to the office of the presidency to expand the scope of GPSA and increase the stature of this body. In the past, which is obvious from some posts to our Listserv, most graduate and professional students believed the only purpose of GPSA was to disperse money either to individuals in the form of travel and research grants or money to run graduate student organizations.

Garcia had a vision for the office, and he has worked to achieve his goal. His vision was to make GPSA a body that deliberated and passed legislation that was calculated in the decisions of UNM, the city of Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico. A GPSA resolution is now a state law, the city of Albuquerque is tapping into the wealth of expertise housed on campus, and we have been asked by the administration to discuss and offer recommendations on issues that will impact UNM.

When, in the past, has a sitting state senator or a sitting city councilor attended a GPSA meeting? When, in the past, has a UNM vice president prepared and delivered a 30-minute presentation to GPSA? Our organization is gaining

stature, and when we lobby the

administration and government on behalf of graduate students, our voice is being heard. We can create an office that is a strong advocate for graduate students and a place they can come to when they have problems with the administration, faculty, advisers, committee chairs, staff and financial aid or any other concerns they might have on and off campus.

All other levels of government have constituent services, and GPSA is now creating its own brand of constituent service. Garcia's choice to lead rather than roll over created enemies because his vision and achievements deviate from the "way we have always done it." The status quo becomes ingrained when people who lack vision struggle to come to grips with their fading power, and this is the face of the opposition. The pathetic accept the status quo; the leader changes it.

If students want GPSA to digress and once again become nothing more than a piggy bank, then vote to recall Garcia. Those who are working to elevate the office will leave the debate because GRD, ST and SRAC grants are trivial compared to the potential that must exist in an organization led by graduate and professional students.

Isaac Padilla

Chairman of GPSA

Finance Committee