Question 1

Who does the Graduate Assembly actually represent, and how does representation work?

Accepted Answer

The GA represents all graduate and professional students at UC Berkeley. Each academic unit (department, group, or program) is entitled to 1 delegate per 100 graduate students (or fraction thereof). Delegates vote on funding, resolutions, and Executive Board elections at monthly Delegate Assembly meetings.

Question 2

What kinds of money can graduate students or student groups get from the GA?

Accepted Answer

The GA offers several funding streams: GRSO Funding for registered student organizations (up to $2,000/semester), a Professional Development Award (up to $500/year), a Grad Student Parent Travel Award (up to $500/year), Independent Organizer Funding for DEI projects (up to $1,000/project), a Mutual Aid Fund for emergencies, and named scholarships including the Gabriel Trujillo Memorial Fieldwork Scholarship ($6,000) and Sylvia Bracamonte Memorial Scholarship.

Question 3

What does the Campus Affairs Vice President actually do, and is it a paid role?

Accepted Answer

The Campus Affairs Vice President (CAVP) monitors campus policies, appoints graduate students to campus committees, oversees the Faculty Mentor Awards, and advocates on behalf of graduate students to campus administrators. The role is compensated at $2,025/month for approximately 15 hours of work per week.

Question 4

Can I get involved with the GA without running for elected office?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can become a department delegate, join an internal committee (Campus Affairs, Equity and Inclusion, Finance, Funding, Rules, or Mentorship Awards), serve as a representative on a campus administrative committee, or get involved with one of the GA's nine advocacy projects covering issues like graduate parent needs, minority student advocacy, wellness, and international/undocumented students.

Question 5

What are the GA's current advocacy priorities?

Accepted Answer

The 2025-2026 Advocacy Agenda focuses on five areas: Rising Costs and Basic Needs; Equity, Safety, and Belonging; Political Climate and Advocacy; Transparency and Accountability; and Building an Accessible and Engaged Graduate Assembly.

GA Campus Affairs Vice President