Students may also miss opportunities because information is not communicated effectively among schools and departments within the University. The Dean of the Graduate School, Lewis Siegel, has begun efforts to standardize practices between departments in the Graduate School. This type of reform is critical to the success of future graduate and professional students. Greater things can be achieved if we all work together and share information on successful practices. This year GPSC will strive to become an advocate for graduate and professional students' rights at Duke by reaching out to student governments within schools and departments.
Communication is the key.
In past years, few students have viewed GPSC as the direct connection to University officials and the Board of Trustees. Over the summer GPSC participated in the orientation festivities of both the Graduate School and Fuqua School of Business. At these functions, we were able to personally explain the role of GPSC as an umbrella governing organization and present ways in which students may get involved in GPSC and the Duke community. We emphasized the key role of the Duke connection in the students' success at the University. We hope to build a foundation for connections in the Divinity School, the Medical Center, the Law School, and Nicholas School of the Environment.