New Mexico State University’s Graduate School Council presented the third annual fall Graduate Student Town Hall. Hosted by the council itself, the event took place at Gerald Thomas Hall building on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.
The Graduate School Council advocates for graduate students at NMSU on a case-by-case basis to assist with funding and teaching for students’ academic endeavors.
The town hall sessions were created to offer a space where graduate students are able to voice their concerns to not only other students and organizations, but to NMSU administrators as well.
The sessions present the chance to amplify graduate students’ issues, suggestions and kudos but are not guaranteed immediate answers due to funding and pending proposals.
Provost and chief academic officer Dr. Alan Shoho attended the session and offered the students some words of encouragement to make the most out of their graduate studies.
“Graduate students are really important to us, and we want to offer the level of support we think that you deserve” said Dr. Shoho. “37 years ago, I was in your place,” he added.
Dr. Shoho also urged students to be patient and assured them that the council and school are committed to their well-being.
During the session, three commitments were predominant for this year. Faculty salaries, graduate assistantships and global opportunities are on top of the list.
The repeated concern for attendees was undoubtedly the graduate assistantships. Graduate students made it very clear that they, too, are employees and that is an issue of great concern among them.
Hannah Melick is part of the Graduate Workers United (GWU) or the Graduate Workers Union. During the session, she valiantly expressed her concern with the graduate student employment problematic.
“Graduate employees often drop out, make tough decisions between affording rent, food, and other bills, and are economically pressured to put their personal lives on hold in order to complete their degrees,” Melick said.
Graduate assistantships are allegedly offered to students that have more than nine credit hours but can’t be guaranteed due to a budget issue, as there is not enough awareness about the costs. During the town hall session, the increase in salary and opportunities for assistants and faculty was said to be at the top of the list of priorities, although this was a commitment from last year that has yet to succeed.
Regent Devasthali made clear that this is an issue of preeminence but that it is guided by “baby steps” and that there are still improvements to be made.
Some of the other concerns discussed during the meeting were employee parking, graduate student-only housing, high costs of international insurance retention of students and mental health among other concerns. All of which are looking to be improved in the near future for the graduate students of NMSU.
For more information the Graduate School Council, visit their webpage here.
