Welcome to GSA!
William & Mary’s Graduate Student Association (GSA) is a student-led organization that brings together graduate students from the various academic departments and graduate programs of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. GSA seeks to support and enrich graduate student life by representing Arts & Sciences graduate students in dialogues with campus administrators and organizations, and by providing opportunities for social networking and academic development.
About Us
Membership in the GSA is open to all graduate and post-baccalaureate unclassified students studying within the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Leadership is provided by the Executive Council, which consists of seven elected officers and representatives elected from each graduate department or program within the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. GSA members represent a wide spectrum of academic disciplines, including the natural and life sciences, computer sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
Mission Statement
GSA’s mission statement outlines five primary purposes for the organization. These include the following: (1) To advance the academic and social interests of graduate students of the college; 2) To assist in governing matters of honor violations within the graduate school; (3) To select eligible graduate students for college committees in which graduate representation is necessary; 4) To advance the recognition and integration of graduate students at the college; and 5) To provide a forum for the dissemination of information and ideas to the college and the community.
Governing Docs
GSA is governed by a constitution, last amended in May 2023. This document can be found here.
Graduate Research Symposium
In partnership with the Office of Graduate Studies, GSA hosts the Graduate Research Symposium, an annual two-day conference providing students in the Graduate School with the opportunity to present their research. Check out the past events.
Socials
The GSA hosts several morning and evening social events each semester (usually three of each) that are open to all Arts and Sciences graduate students. These socials are the perfect place to meet students from other departments and programs, keep up with upcoming events around campus, or speak directly with GSA representatives. Socials are well attended, attracting 40-60 people per event. As hubs for the Arts and Sciences graduate body, these events are instrumental in fostering a sense of community and solidarity among students.
Evening socials cycle between different bars and restaurants in Williamsburg - usually those that are close to campus for ease of access. Typical venues include Brickhouse Tavern (Scotland Street), Green Leafe (Scotland Street), and Precarious Beer Project (S Henry Street). Graduate students also occasionally host socials. The GSA pays for food at these events while individual graduate students pay for their own beverages. They are held three times per semester starting at 6pm.
Morning socials are held at the Graduate Commons in the Earl Gregg Swem Library from 9:30am to 11:30am: the space is opened for graduate students to mingle over free bagels, toast, fruit, nutrition bars, coffee, tea, and various other spreads, including vegan and gluten-free options. These are held three times per semester and are themed to the season (Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, etc.).
