By Heather Connors

Become a Member!

The Graduate Student Assembly is the voice of graduate students at UMass Boston. Our last meeting of the semester will be held on Thursday, May 4 at 4:00 in the Student Life Conference Room (Campus Center, 3rd Floor). All graduate students are invited to attend!

We’re still looking for members for next year! We strongly encourage each graduate department to appoint at least one student to serve on the GSA. If you are interested in getting involved, please email the GSA and we will add you to our contact list.

Recognized Professional Association Information

Attention RPAs: the time to spend is now! The last day of the semester to spend money in RPA accounts will be Friday, May 6, 2005. Remember, beginning in October of next year, RPAs will no longer be allowed to have more than $500 in their accounts. So plan your parties and buy your supplies, but do it quickly! If you need to know how much money is in your account, please contact the GSA.

Graduating RPA officers should also be sure to discuss their RPA’s future with current members. Appointing new officers and sharing new contact information with the GSA will help ensure a smooth transition into next year!

Assistantship Postings

Still trying to figure out how to pay for school next year? Graduate assistantships for the 2005-2006 Academic Year are now being posted on the Employment Opportunities section of the UMass Boston homepage. Keep checking the website – new assistantships are being added each week!

Don’t Forget to Register for Classes or Pay your Program Fee!!!

Can you believe that it is already time to register for next semester’s classes? Fall 2005 Registration began on April 25 – register soon so you won’t have to pay a late fee! And if you are finished with classes and working on your dissertation, be sure to pay your Program Fee. The Program Fee form is available at the Registrar’s Office.

Professional Development Grants

Do you need extra money to travel to a professional conference this semester? The GSA administers the Professional Development Grant (PDG) program to assist graduate students with the economic burden of traveling to, and participating in, professional conferences and meetings. Grants of up to $400 are available to reimburse students presenting papers or posters, and grants of up to $300 are available for students attending conferences. Please refer to our website for application materials and guidelines. Note that all application materials must be submitted at least 30 days prior to travel to be eligible for review.

Looking for us?We are located on the 3rd floor of the Campus Center, in room 3404. For applications, forms, or more information on any of our programs please visit our website at www.gsa.umb.edu.