Delegate Assembly Orientation 2026

Office of the Internal Vice President

Agenda

• Call to Order
• Establishment of Quorum
• Motion: Adoption of the Agenda
• DA At-a-glance Resource
• Public Comment
• Presentations | Graduate Division
• Project, Workgroup, and Officer Updates
• Project Director Reports
• Budget Review
• Workgroup, Task Force & Graduate Council Reports
• Officer Reports
• Adjourn

Establishment of Quorum

A quorum of the Graduate Assembly for the purpose of doing business shall consist of twenty-five (25) percent of the voting members, being the Delegates or their Alternates, plus one (1) voting member.

Delegate 1: I motion to Adopt the Agenda

Delegate 2: I second the motion

IVP: There has been a motion and it has been seconded, all those in favor say “I”

Motion: Adoption of the Agenda

DA At-a-glance Resource

Resource to understand DA processes

2026-2027 President goals:

Reach More Students → Yearlong campaign to connect graduate students with GA resources.

Equity & Belonging → Support LGBTQ+, BIPOC, disabled, and diverse student communities.

Student Voice → Make GA leadership accessible and amplify student perspectives.

Support International & Immigrant Students

Advocate for and support students secure the resources they need to thrive.

Securing and protecting resources for the GA.

Chrissy Shively

President

“The President shall represent the Graduate Assembly where appropriate and as the Delegate Assembly or the Executive Board shall direct, but the President shall not speak or act on behalf of the Delegate Assembly except with the concurrence of that body.”

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President

– GA Bylaws

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Julio Ángel

Internal Vice President

“The Internal Vice President shall serve as chair for meetings of the Delegate Assembly."

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“The Internal Vice President shall coordinate the preparation of assembly meeting materials, the recruitment and orientation of new assembly members and the assignment of assembly members to internal Delegate Assembly Committees and Workgroups, subject to the process for appointments.”

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Internal Vice President

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– GA Bylaws

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natalia kempthorne-curiel

Campus Affairs Vice President

“The Campus Affairs Vice President shall monitor campus policies affecting graduate and professional students.”

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“The Campus Affairs Vice President shall appoint Graduate Assembly representatives to campus committees, subject to the process for appointments.”

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Campus Affairs Vice President

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– GA Bylaws

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harvir kaur

External Affairs Vice President

“The External Affairs Vice President shall monitor policies of the Regents and the President of the University of California, as well as policies and legislation of local, state, and federal governments, affecting graduate and professional students, and shall work on other issues as directed by the Delegate Assembly or Executive Board."

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External Affairs Vice President

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– GA Bylaws

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kaysie anderson

Vice President of Finance

“The Vice President of Finance shall proactively monitor all Assembly spending (including spending by the Executive Board and Projects) and make recommendations for any necessary budget and spending adjustments, and report on the status of the various endowment funds.”

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Vice President of Finance

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– GA Bylaws

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sanjali roy

Vice President of Equity and Inclusion

“The Vice President of Equity and Inclusion shall advocate for equity by providing, advocating for and supporting programs and services that lead to academic access and success for students, pathways to leadership and advancement for graduate and professional students, building equitable structures with campus partners, and closing opportunity gaps for our most marginalized groups.”

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Vice President of Equity and Inclusion

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– GA Bylaws

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Raymond Guo

Funding Officer

“The Funding Officer shall serve as chair of the Funding Committee.”

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“The Funding Officer, with the assistance of the Business Office, shall prepare for each round of funding allocation a report of Funding Committee recommendations and present it to the Delegate Assembly.”

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Funding Officer

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– GA Bylaws

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emiliano arizmendi-castilla

Rules Officer

“The Rules Officer, with the assistance of the Rules Committee, shall oversee and make recommendations regarding the status and upkeep of the Charter and these Bylaws, and shall work to ensure that all aspects of the Graduate Assembly comply with the Charter and these Bylaws.”

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Rules Officer

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– GA Bylaws

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Graduate Council Representatives

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Vivian Santos-Smith

Graduate Representative on Graduate Council

vsslam-2031@berkeley.edu

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Anguzu Keith Joshua

Graduate Representative on Graduate Council

keithanguzu@berkeley.edu

Jaykub Ferdinand Garcia Rafael

Graduate Representative on Graduate Council

jaykub@berkeley.edu

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“The Graduate Council Representatives and Alternate are responsible for informing the Graduate Council of the Academic Senate of positions taken by the Graduate Assembly on appropriate issues.”

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Graduate Council Representatives

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– GA Bylaws

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Professional Staff

• Pro staff work to support ASUC & GA student staff/elected officials

GA Business Staff (GABO)

Agenda

Introductions

GA Mission, Relations, and Structure

Delegate Assembly Meetings

Structure Delegate Responsibilities and Roles

Questions

GA Services

• Funding for graduate students
• Advocacy
• Committees, Student Projects, & Legislation
• Representation
• Delegate’s Meetings, Campus & External Partnerships

Funding:

• Up to $2,000 / semester / student org
• Up to $500 for professional development
• Up to $1000 for mutual aid
• Additional funding for travelling parents

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How does the Graduate Assembly accomplish this?

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Projects:

How does the Graduate Assembly accomplish this?

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EQUity & INCLUSION PRoJECTS

Disabled Students Advocacy Program (DSAP): Ruben Sahmeran

International & Undocumented Students Project (IUSP): Emmanuel Obeng

Graduate Minority Student Project (GMSP): Andre Green

Graduate Social Club (GSC): Diara Bagayeva & Alisha Bose

Graduate Student Parent Advocacy Project (GSPA): Ryanne Plaisance

Graduate Women’s Project (GWP): Assel Sakenkyzy

Sexual Orientation & Gender Advocacy (SOGA): Vanessa Nguyen

Trans & Gender Diverse Advocacy (TGDA): Jaime Geary

Women of Color Initiative (WOCI): Asha Hurreh

Graduate Assembly Projects

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• GA Projects: address the needs of graduate and professional students that are not served well or at all by the current programs and institutions at UC Berkeley
• Project Directors: hired to advocate and organize programming for their project

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• Formal Projects with Project Directors:
• Disabled Student Advocacy Project (DSAP)
• Graduate Minority Student Project (GMSP)
• Graduate Student Parent Advocacy (GSPA)
• Graduate Womxn’s Project (GWP)
• International & Undocumented Student Project (IUSP)
• Sexual Orientation & Gender Advocacy (SOGA)
• Trans & Gender-Diverse Advocacy Chair (TGDAC)
• Womxn of Color Initiative (WOCI)

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Graduate Assembly Relations:

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Office of the President

Board of Regents

Grad Students

Undergrad Student Government

Office of the Chancellor

Graduate Division

Graduate Diversity

Academic Senate

Berkeley

University of California

... and beyond

UCGPC

Graduate Assembly Relations:

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Graduate Assembly Structure :

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Executive Board

President – official spokesperson for GA, meets with administration

Vice Presidents

• Internal (IVP) – chairs Delegate Assembly meetings, manages GA internal operations
• Campus Affairs (CAVP) – oversees campus policy, meets with faculty leaders
• Equity & Inclusion (VPEI) – supports GA Projects, E&I efforts
• External Affairs (EAVP) – advocates at local, state, federal level
• Finance (VPoF) – manages GA finances and budget

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Officers and Graduate Council Representatives:

elected by and carries out the will of the Delegates

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• Appointed Officers
• Rules Officer – makes sure we follow our own rules; impartial member of GA
• Funding Officer – manages allocation of student group funding + other awards
• Graduate Council Representatives
• 3 reps, 1 alternative, and CAVP is ex officio
• Graduate Council (GC) is the Academic Senate committee responsible for the development and oversight of campus policies for graduate and professional education

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Offices and Affiliated Staff:

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Agenda

Introductions

GA Mission, Relations, and Structure

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Delegate Assembly Meetings

Delegate Responsibilities and Roles

Questions

HOW DO THEY WORK?

WHAT ARE RESOLUTIONS

HOW ARE RESOULITONS PROCESSED

Delegate Assembly Meetings

Delegate Assembly meetings are the first Thursdays of every month beginning at 5:30 pm.

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Dinner is provided at 5:00 pm.

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Note: attendance will be tracked and remote attendances will be limited to twice per semester

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HOW DO THEY WORK: Meeting Times

• Dinner: 5:00pm
• Start Time: 5:30PM

Delegate Assembly Meetings:

• September 10th 2026
• October 1st 2026 (Dinner at 4:00pm)
• November 5th 2026
• December 3rd 2026
• February 4th 2027
• March 4th 2027
• April 1st 2027
• May 6th 2027

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HOW DO THEY WORK: The Agenda

HOW DO THEY WORK: The Agenda

HOW DO THEY WORK: Roberts Rules

HOW DO THEY WORK: Roberts Rules

HOW DO THEY WORK?

WHAT ARE RESOLUTIONS

HOW ARE RESOULITONS PROCESSED

Delegate Assembly Meetings

What is a Resolution?

A resolution is a special kind of motion that contains an

• official position,
• standing policy, or
• directed action

(or some combination thereof) of the Graduate Assembly relating to some topic or issue.

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What is a Resolution?

Official Position:

• Short-term position of the GA
• In effect until situation is resolved or for one calendar year, whichever occurs first

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Standing Policy:

• Long-term position of the GA
• In effect until the time indicated in the Resolution or until terminated by a later Resolution

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Directed Actions:

• Delegates have the authority to direct any member of the GA
• Directed Actions can be tracked in the Resolution TOC

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Resolution Structure

WHEREAS

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RESOLVED

• Provides relevant context
• Makes an argument for why the later RESOLVED clauses are necessary / justifies the RESOLVED clauses’ claims

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• Takes positions or actions
• Says what the GA is doing
• Names whose responsibility it is to take action

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Example:

Resolution #1608-A:

Resolution in Support of Water Conservation Efforts

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Authored by: Oski (GA Delegate)

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WHEREAS

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in 2015, according to the US Geological Service, much of California was experiencing “exceptional drought;” and

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UC Berkeley consumes over one hundred acre-feet of water per year on landscaping alone; and

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California Assembly Bill AB-1868 is projected to reduce

aggregate water consumption in CA by 10% by 2020;

therefore be it...

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WHEREAS

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WHEREAS

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Example:

Resolution #1608-A:

Resolution in Support of Water Conservation Efforts

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Authored by: Oski (GA Delegate)

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RESOLVED

that the Graduate Assembly adopts a standing policy

supporting drought tolerant landscaping on campus; and be it further

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that the Graduate Assembly adopts an official position in

favor of California Assembly Bill AB-1868; and be it

further

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RESOLVED

Example:

Resolution #1608-A:

Resolution in Support of Water Conservation Efforts

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Authored by: Oski (GA Delegate)

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RESOLVED

that the Graduate Assembly directs the Vice President of

Finance to request a meeting with Assistant Vice

Chancellor for Physical & Environmental Planning, to

discuss the GA’s standing policy; and be it finally

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that the Graduate Assembly directs the External Affairs

Vice President to send a letter to California Governor Jerry Brown in support of California Assembly Bill AB-1868.

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RESOLVED

HOW DO THEY WORK?

WHAT ARE RESOLUTIONS

HOW ARE RESOULITONS PROCESSED

Delegate Assembly Meetings

Resolution Timeline:

Provide ADDITIONAL context &

answer questions

Receive

Feedback

Commit changes,

defend ideas

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Resolution Timeline:

Committee Referral

• Resolutions are referred to committee (1 or more) upon introduction for study and improvement prior to full consideration and voting
• How do resolutions get referred?
• At Delegate Assembly Meetings (1 month prior to voting)
• Found in Consent Agenda but can be amended prior to approval
• By the Executive Board (“Fast Track”)
• Up to 2 weeks prior to next Assembly meeting
• If a resolution is extremely time-sensitive, committee referral can be skipped by an “Assembly Exception”
• ¾ vote by Delegates will allow a resolution to be both introduced and considered for voting at the same meeting provided 1 week notice was provided

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Committee Referral

Internal Committees

• Rules Committee (Always)
• Campus Affairs
• Equity and Inclusion
• External Affairs
• Finance Committee
• Executive Board

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Workgroups

• Governance
• TBD: workgroups can be created at any time via resolution!

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Delegate Assembly Meeting #2 (Voting)

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• Resolutions are discussed, debated, amended, and voted on by Delegates at the Assembly meeting following committee referral
• Once a resolution has been introduced NO changes to the text can be made until approved by Delegates at Assembly meetings

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• Introduction by Author
• Committee chair's report on discussion and recommendations
• Suggested amendments by committees are considered first
• Delegates must motion to accept committee changes

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• Open Discussion and Debate
• Speakers talk either in support or oppositions to the resolution
• Can motion to pose additional amendments to resolution content and language
• Vote on Resolution as a whole- “Move to Call to Question”
• To delay vote: “Move to table” or “Move to refer back to committee”

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Run-of-show

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Delegate Responsibilities: Voting Rights

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• Every Delegate & Project Director gets voting rights in the Delegate Assembly, including:
• Voting on (select) motions when there’s been an objection
• Voting to approve resolutions
• Elections
• Each Spring, the GA selects new Officers for the following academic year.
• Alternate Proxy Votes
• An Alternate may vote in the Assembly as a proxy for a Delegate, ONLY if that Delegate is absent.

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Agenda

Introductions

GA Mission, Relations, and Structure

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Delegate Assembly Meetings

Delegate Responsibilities and Roles

Questions

Authority of the Delegate Assembly

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• Acts as legislative arm of the GA and the representative voice of graduate students on campus to administrators
• In its oversight of the GA, the Delegate Assembly
• Can overrule the Executive Board
• Controls the budget and funding for student organizations
• Can remove Officers and Project Directors (PDs)
• Can vote to change the GA Bylaws and Charter
• Can direct any Exec, Officer, PD, or Committee Chair to take action or issue a statement
• Can remove GA reps from committees

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ADVOCACY AND DEPT REPRESENTATION/COMMUNICATION

Delegate Delegate Responsibilities:

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Advocacy Agenda

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• “But what is the Graduate Assembly trying to accomplish this year?”
• These goals share a throughline and overarching theme: civic engagement. With all of our priorities for 2026-2027, we hope to build connections and foster engagement between graduate students, the GA, and the broader community.
• Affordability and Basic Needs
• Advocate for affordable housing, food, transit, and other basic needs.
• GA Financial Growth for Student Support.
• Promote current GA services and resources for Graduate Student well-being.
• Safety for International, Undocumented, and Non-Citizen Students
1. Monitor federal attacks on international, undocumented, and non-citizen students, and work with the administration to create institutional responses that uplift students and prioritize their physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Free Speech & Academic Freedom
• Support student activists by continuing education on Time, Place, and Manner guidelines.
• Ensure equal treatment of differing viewpoints.
• Build anti-hate counterprogramming and mental health resources.
• Student Engagement in Campus Resources
• Increase student awareness of GA resources.
• Demonstrate how government can create tangible quality-of-life improvements
• Procedure:
• Solicit feedback from campus and have a brainstorming session at the September Delegate Assembly meeting
• President and Exec Board synthesize recommendations into list of short- and long- term goals
• Delegates vote to approve Advocacy Agenda at October Assembly meeting

Department Representation

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• Delegates’ main responsibility is to be a liaison and representative for the students in their department.
• In between Assembly meetings they’re expected to:
• Engage with students in their departments to understand their concerns
• Hold student meetings to discuss thoughts on recent Campus policy changes and events
• Solicit feedback on resolutions

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Department Communication

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• In their role as GA liaisons, Delegates also bridge the Graduate Assembly to individual departments
• In between Assembly meetings they’re expected to
• Communicate GA actions with students in their departments
• Forward press releases & Delegate’s Digests to their departments
• Share public presentations and notes from Delegate Assembly meetings
• Delegate’s Digests: newsletter on GA or GA-affiliated programming, reports, meeting notices, etc. sent out every two weeks
• GA events calendar
• GA-affiliated programming will appear here, including Project events

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STUDENT INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP FUNDING

Delegate Delegate Responsibilities:

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Student Funding

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Funding Committee Procedures

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Student Funding Approval by Delegate Assembly

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COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION

Delegate Responsibilities & Roles

Options and Expectations

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• Committees allow Delegates to either be
• More involved in GA decision-making and advocacy (internal committees) or
• Involved in campus-wide advocacy (campus committees)
• Expectation and a requirement for all Delegates to sit on at least one committee (either internal or campus committee)

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Internal GA Committees

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• Internal committees are where Delegates can participate more hands on with GA executive officers and their advocacy
• Each committee has different responsibilities and power!
• Committee blurbs will be sent out after the Sept DA Meeting
• Committees include:
• Equity & Inclusion, Funding, Budget, Internal Affairs, Campus Affairs, External Affairs, Rules
• Workgroups:
• Governance Workgroup

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Campus Committees

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• Committee service provides grad students a seat at the table
• We advocate by bringing in the Grad & Professional Student prospectives by
• Shaping policy
• Protecting student welfare
• Influencing decisions regarding campus life
• Serving on administrative hiring searches
• 80+ Campus Committees with GA Reps
• Committee blurbs will be sent out after the Sept DA Meeting

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GA BUDGET

Delegate Responsibilities & Roles

AY 26-27 GA Budget Overview

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Sources

• Student Fees: $540 K
• Endowments: $ 400K
• Commercial Rev: $70 K
• Grants: $625 K

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Approved Budget: ~$1.3 M

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All details can be found here

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Agenda

Introductions

GA Mission, Relations, and Structure

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Delegate Assembly Meetings

Delegate Responsibilities and Roles

Questions

Thank you!