Last night's Graduate Student Council (GSC) elections marked the end of an era as Carlos Lopez, a graduate student in the Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies, stepped down after six years on the council--four as the group's president.
His successor, Ian Richmond, a graduate student in the Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures, was the council's vice president in 1998-99. Richmond and Lopez were the only two nominations for the office.
"We haven't had a real election in years," Lopez quipped.
About 30 students, administrators and the masters of Dudley House attended the council's annual elections in Lehman Hall.
The president-elect said he anticipated a busy year with the council.
"I'm looking forward to it, to continuing the work we did last year," Richmond said.
Richmond specifically emphasized his dedication to seeking better Faculty advising for graduate students.
In the wake of a number of graduate student suicides in the past few years, national media and the University have turned their attention to an advising system accused of overworking graduate students and giving them insufficient time with their supervisors.
The council, which is composed of with an annual budget of more than $50,000, has a number of various duties.
In addition to the Graduate Student Life Committee, which focuses on student services and resembles the Undergraduate Council, the GSC also represents all members of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in negotiations with the University.
Perennial initiatives have included a works for better financial support, transportation, access to athletic facilities, improved Faculty mentoring and campus safety and security.
In addition, the council has regular meetings with President Neil L. Rudenstine, GSAS Dean Christoph J. Wolff, and other University administrators.
"It's nice to get to know the deans of the...school on a more personal basis," Lopez said.
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