More socials are being planned for the fall and spring and a variety of locations and themes are being considered. Custom Academic Regalia Many UNC-CH graduates have asked about purchasing custom academic regalia, mostly for ceremonial wear in their roles as faculty members. In response to these requests, Student Stores has placed two designs in their main display window. The GPSF requested that graduate students be allowed to give input about design selection. In response to our request, the Faculty Council and the administration set up a website to gather input.
Voting is slated to start at the beginning of the semester.
The UNC system has been asked by the NC Legislature to author a proposal for a tuition grant program for NC residents. The task force has been considering many factors, including whether or not such a program should include graduate and professional students. The GPSF webpage has been redesigned through a joint effort of GPSF Webmaster Danielle Borasky and GPSF Cabinet member Jennifer Schupp. The GPSF has initiated conversations with administrators about the possibility of creating University-sponsored awards to reward professors who are exceptional mentors to their graduate students. The topic of how to provide incentives to professors to spend more time mentoring graduate students will be discussed at the first GPSF Senate meeting on September 7th in room 100 of Hamilton Hall.