GAPSA elects new chairperson for fall

Says group hasSays group hasrevived and willSays group hasrevived and willmaintain momentum The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly held elections for new officers at last week's final meeting of the year, electing fourth-year Physics graduate student and former GAPSA Vice Chairperson of Student Affairs Alex Welte as the new chairperson. Welte will replace second-year Wharton graduate student Victor Prince. Nominations for the eight positions were taken over the course of two weeks. Each candidate was allowed to present a brief speech to the general assembly prior to voting. Welte inherited the symbol of power from the outgoing chairperson, a navy blue Penn tie. "The tie is for all the meetings and committees you have to sit on," Prince said. Welte said GAPSA has revived a great deal since last year. He added that he hopes to maintain this momentum for the upcoming year. Welte also spoke of the wealth of opportunities he hopes GAPSA will pursue. "I can't imagine anything better about this year," Prince said, concluding his year as GAPSA chairperson. "Alex will do a great job." The other big topic on the meeting's agenda was Governor Tom Ridge's proclamation of the week of April 8 to 12 Graduate and Professional Students Appreciation Week for the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. According to Prince, the proposal was sent by GAPSA to the governor more than a month ago. GAPSA also contacted neighboring universities asking them to support GAPSA's resolution. Those who attended the meeting were delighted with the proclamation. "We're very happy," GAPSA Special Projects Chairperson and second-year Social Work student Koli Banik said. First-year Wharton graduate student Steve Parikh said he agreed. "Graduate students don't get appreciated much by the administration," Parikh said. "It's good to get some recognition." Prince admitted to being anxious about whether the governor would approve the request for a graduate student appreciation week. "We were worried," Prince explained. "I had to keep calling and needle the governor's staff." Graduate and Professional Students Appreciation Week is part of a nation-wide effort by the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students to gain recognition for graduate and professional students. Pennsylvania and eight other states have declared similar proclamations. GAPSA threw a party for Penn graduate and professional students at Amtrak's 30th Street Station last Thursday to celebrate the governor's proclamation. Also at last week's meeting, Brian Huey, a third-year Engineering graduate student, clinched the position of first vice chairperson, while first-year Dental student Heidi Tarshis became the new Special Projects vice chairperson. Parikh was elected vice chairperson for Student Affairs. All three winners were active on GAPSA as representatives from their individual schools. Both fourth-year Engineering graduate student Venkat Krovi and Engineering graduate student Bryron Kim were re-elected to their former positions as Communication vice chairperson and Graduate Interschool Student Activities Council vice chairperson, respectively. Only two new people joined the board. Next year's Nominations and Policy vice chairs are first-year Wharton graduate student Lisa Chu and Engineering graduate student Sanjay Udani.