Executives 2007-08
 President: Kevin Speer
3rd year, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Ph.D.
The President of the Graduate Student Senate serves a unique role in guiding the enhancement of the advanced degree experience in facets ranging from the financial burden to personal growth. I would find such a role invigorating, and I hope that my previous involvement and existing connections with Case Western Reserve University administration would put me in an enabling position to make a difference that can be felt by every student, whether in the arts, sciences, humanities, or engineering.
Without specifically recognizing the numerous challenges that exist, among the forefront of my goals for next year's Senate would be to define and enforce the purpose of the faculty advisor in mentoring graduate students. The cause is crucial, as it can shape the student's entire career, which inherently carves the path for the student's and his/her family's lives. There is also a desperate need to work with administration, trustees, and students to create new ways of funding degrees in the arts, humanities, and sciences. And ultimately, I would hope to continue strengthening the voice of the GSS as previous Presidents have done so well.
 Vice President: Katherine Crispin
4th year, Geological Sciences Ph.D.
I have been a GSS senator for the past two years and, since last summer, I have served as an Executive Officer, representing the Math and Natural Sciences cost center. I worked very hard to try and reduce the new technology fee that will be assessed to all graduate students in the fall, meeting with many faculty and university administrators to voice our concerns (but, unfortunately, unable to revoke it). I have been working this past year on trying to obtain discounted RTA passes for graduate students, conducting surveys and speaking one-on-one with fellow graduate students to obtain feedback. I have been involved with the activities committee, organizing events for all graduate students to participate. For this coming year, I would like to foster a larger sense of community among all graduate students (and especially the senators), and see a renewed focus on helping the graduate students here at Case with issues they feel important. Specific issues I will continue to address are a reduced-fare RTA pass, competitive 3rd party health insurance options, and a couple additional small activities throughout the year. Another issue which I am planning to address is a graduate student "Bill of Rights" to be included in the Faculty Handbook, outlining standards of conduct and expectations between graduate students and their advisors, to foster a better working relationship for both.
 Treasurer: Olivier Arnoult
4th year Macromolecular Science and Engineering Ph.D
The Treasurer of the Graduate Student Senate serves a unique role in guiding the Graduate Student Senate regarding financial choices by suggesting different options and possibilities for the graduate students' activity fee to be used in the most efficient manner. My primary goal is to clarify the accounting of the GSS, to simplify procedures for payment and reimbursement, and to build a financial archive that could be used by the next generation of students.My previous experiences include the organization of different events and leading student groups. With the help of any student who want to build something durable, I will focus my time and energy on bringing Companies/Industries in contact with the Case Western Reserve University graduate students, to enhance interaction between students from different departments/schools, to offer graduate students a taste of a real-life working environment. Finally we will seek industrial/non profit organization partnership to organize professional and entrepreneurial seminar series and other events contributing to the professional development of graduate students.
 Corresponding Secretary : Jennifer Talley
5th year, Biology Ph.D.
As corresponding secretary for the GSS, I would focus on spreading the awareness of the actions of the GSS to the campus community. I have served as my department's senator for this last year and on the executive board in an at large position for the spring semester. I believe that the GSS can enhance the quality of the Case graduate student experience. To this position I will bring my considerable skills in photocopying, talking to people in person and on the phone in English, typing, finding the spell check button, and reliably sending email.
My general goals for next year's senate would include increasing awareness of GSS and its activities among the graduate student population at Case and fostering communication and networking between students of different departments. I look forward to being more involved with the development of the GSS newsletter and its distribution.
 Recording Secretary : Jose Gomez
5th year, Pharmacology Ph.D. program
I am currently serving as senator for the Medical School in the Graduate Student Senate. As senator I represent the GSS in in the faculty senate committee on research. Both, being part of the GSS as well as serving in in the faculty senate committee on research are great professional experiences. I was nominated to run for recording secretary of the GSS.
Goals for next year: If I am elected I will promote the GSS and the benefits it provides to the graduate student community, I will keep the GSS files and records of the meetings, and any other assignments the recording secretary is appointed by the GSS bylaws.
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