GPSC DEI Committee
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Graduate Professional Student Congress believes that cultural and socioeconomic inequities prevent brilliant minds from reaching their full potential. We believe everyone deserves equal treatment no matter what race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, politics, visible or hidden disability a person may identify as or with. Inequality exists and the only way to overcome inequity is by facing inequality head-on, to remove the barriers that underrepresented people struggle against, and to provide a fair and equitable world in which people of all cultures and identities can participate. Diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and policies are a benefit to the University of Arkansas’ students and the members of the DEI Committee are devoted to upholding these social and academic values.
GPSC Grad Life Committee
The Graduate Student Life Committee is dedicated to creating an engaging, inclusive community for the whole of our graduate student body, extending this culture of inclusion into our work at the campus level. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to our GPSC values. We believe that our choices should reflect the vast diversity and individuality of our graduate students that we are elected to serve. We believe this is the key to a sound, whole, and successful student support system. We believe diverse voices should be elevated, with representation and inclusivity intentionally and naturally integrated into our work. We embrace differences and diversity of identity, background, race, nationality, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, parental status, family status, experience, and thought. By promoting these values, we strive to create a well-rounded, positive graduate student experience that encourages a sense of belonging and promotes representation of all students’ individual, unique identities.
GPSC Facilities Committee
The Graduate Student Congress Facilities Committee is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for all graduate students. Our mission is to create welcoming and accessible spaces that empower every student to excel. By advocating for campus facilities to meet diverse needs and ensuring representation, we foster an environment where all voices are valued. Through these efforts, we strive to establish an atmosphere where equity is upheld, differences are embraced, and inclusion is paramount.
GPSC Finance Committee
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are pivotal principles that significantly impact the work of the finance committee within the Graduate and Professional Student Congress at the University of Arkansas. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and financial situations of graduate students, the committee plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities. By incorporating these principles, the committee strives to create a financial environment that supports students from all walks of life, promotes fairness in funding allocations, and fosters an inclusive community where every graduate student’s financial concerns are heard and addressed. Having a central DEI office contributes to a more stable, harmonious, and supportive academic experience. It enables our institution to provide specific resources and to be intentional and iterative with policies across the various colleges on campus. Most importantly it is a display of the university’s dedication to embracing all perspectives and identities for current and prospective stakeholders.
GPSC Academic & Teaching Committee
The Academic and Teaching Committee of the Graduate Professional Student Congress believes equality is crucial in promoting a safe, supportive learning environment for people of varying abilities, ages, races, ethnicities, religious affiliations, genders, sexualities, political stances, or socioeconomic status. To create such learning environments, we support providing whatever accommodations necessary to promote equality in ways that are accessible to all learners. The Academic & Teaching Committee is devoted to using inclusive practices that create a feeling of belonging, safety, and support for all students at the University of Arkansas.
GPSC Health Committee
The Health Committee of the Graduate Professional Student Congress firmly believes all students have a right to learn and self-actualize to their best potential. We seek to advocate for the social equity and inclusion of all students, and to bridge access and resources to all students for their mental well-being and wellness at the University of Arkansas. Our committee strives to meet the health and wellness needs of our community of graduate and professional students who are unique in their backgrounds, experiences, and identities while holding diverse needs based on their academic aspirations and environments. The GPSC Health Committee holds DEI crucial to students’ success and wellness at the University of Arkansas.
GPSC Parliamentary & Procedures Committee
The Policies and Procedures Committee is committed to fostering diversity by ensuring that all voices, perspectives, and backgrounds are actively welcomed and respected in every aspect of our policies and procedures. Equity lies at the core of our values, and we strive to create an inclusive environment where every graduate student has equal access to opportunities, resources, and support, regardless of their socioeconomic status or identity. In line with our commitment to inclusion, we actively seek input from underrepresented groups to shape our policies, ensuring that a wide range of experiences and needs are taken into consideration. Our committee promotes diversity through regular presentation of reports that reflect various cultures, ethnicities, genders, and abilities, fostering a sense of belonging within our graduate student community. We continuously assess and update our policies and procedures to address any barriers to participation, and we remain dedicated to collaborating with campus organizations and experts to further enhance our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.