{"id":4744,"date":"2026-06-05T18:02:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T18:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/gsa\/?page_id=4744"},"modified":"2026-06-12T12:40:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T12:40:46","slug":"about-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/gsa\/about-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"

Graduate Student Association<\/h1>

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is a government body maintained by and for the graduate students of the University with the purpose of enhancing the academic, intellectual, and social opportunities of its members<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is a government body maintained by and for the graduate students of the University with the purpose of enhancing the academic, intellectual, and social opportunities of its members. Officers and members of the GSA Senate, elected annually from the entire graduate student body, distribute GSA funds to graduate students and other qualifying groups, organize social events, and serve as graduate student representatives on University-wide committees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every graduate student at URI donates to the funds of the GSA through the student activities fee. All GSA programs; events; activities; and decisions are managed by the GSA Senate and executive board as mandated by the GSA Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GSA Constitution<\/h2>

The GSA constitution contains the most important rules of the GSA. It explains the capacity, and responsibilities of the Graduate Student Association<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Learn More<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

GSA By-Laws<\/h2>

The Graduate Student Association By-Laws document contains several crucial policies for governing GSA as well as different graduate student committees<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Learn more<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Executive Board 2026 – 2027<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Executive Board (referred to as “the cabinet”) is the governing body responsible for carrying out the GSA’s day-to-day operations and executing policies set by the Senate. It is led by the President<\/strong>, who serves as the chief executive officer, spokesperson, and financial overseer, with the Vice President<\/strong> stepping in when needed and managing committee formation and external partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabinet members are nominated by the President and Vice President and confirmed by the Senate. While they hold voting power within cabinet meetings, they do not vote during regular Senate meetings. A quorum of at least three members is required for cabinet decisions, and members can be removed by a unanimous vote of the rest of the cabinet if they fail to carry out their duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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President<\/h2>

Dakota Hunter<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Linkedin<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vice President<\/h2>

Nicholas Labriola<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Linkedin<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Past President<\/h2>

Justin Watkins<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Linkedin<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Senate 2026-2027<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Legislative Branch<\/strong> holds all voting power on legislation during regular Senate meetings. It is led by a Speaker of the Senate<\/strong>, who chairs meetings, manages agendas, and ensures parliamentary procedure is followed. Senators<\/strong> represent their respective departments, and serve on at least one committee. Legislation can take the form of bills (specific actions) or resolutions (formal statements), and requires sponsorship by a committee or five senators before being voted on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legislature oversees nine standing committees:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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