QUICK GA NEWS!

The Graduate Assembly adopted the following three issues as its action agenda for the 2007-08 academic year,indicating the general foci of GA attention:

•access to health resources,
•reducing the cost of international student enrollment,and
•Teaching Excellence and Advising at California's Highest University System
(TEACH US).


Resolutions of note that have passed already this semester:

Directed Action Regarding the Academic Calendar of the University of California,
Berkeley: Significant Dates of Recognition for Oppressed Populations

WHEREAS we as graduate students in an institution of higher education value diversity and
attempt to be inclusive of underrepresented students;
WHEREAS the United Nations declares August 9th of every year to be International Day of the
World’s Indigenous People;
WHEREAS the State of California declares the fourth Friday of September as Native American
Day;
WHEREAS the City of Berkeley declares Indigenous People’s Day in replace of what was once
known as ‘Columbus Day’;
WHEREAS the month of November is declared by the federal government as American Indian
Heritage Month;and
WHEREAS October 11 is observed by members of the LGBTIQQ community as National
Coming Out Day;
THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the President of the Graduate Assembly shall advocate to
the campus administration of the University of California,Berkeley to recognize the above dates
onthe academic calendar.


Directed Action to Sign a Letter to Associate Vice Chancellor Ron ColeyRequesting
that the UC Berkeley Administration Temporarily Reduce the Class Pass Fee
by$1.50 per semester

WHEREAS the Class Pass fee passed via a student referendum in Spring 2005;
WHEREAS a portion of the Class Pass fee,as established in the Class Pass Fee Referendum,goes
to AC Transit,and,of that AC Transit portion,$1.00 per semester is for the specific purpose of
providing a service known as Translink (and another $.50 per semester goes to the required
Return-to-Aid);
WHEREAS the UC Berkeley Registrar has been collecting this $1.50 per semester since Fall
2006;
WHEREAS the Translink service has yet to be provided to students and,according to the
Director of Parking & Transportation,it will not be provided for at least another two years;and
WHEREAS students should not be paying for a service which they are not receiving.
THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that President of the Graduate Assembly empowered to take the
necessary actions in order to persuade the UC Berkeley administration to temporarily reduce
the Class Pass fee by $1.50 per semester,which includes sending a letter to Associate Vice
Chancellor Ron Coley.

For more information about Graduate Assembly goings on, visit the GA website at ga.Berkeley.edu