It’s hard to believe that fall
break is just a few weeks away. Man I tell ya, this semester is flying by! How
have your classes been going? My classes have been very interesting. This is my
first semester in the field for credit and I am enjoying myself a great deal. I
hope the semester is treating everyone well.
Recap of the first half of the semester:
Besides all of the non-school
related, yet intellectually stimulating, things I have been doing (HAHA) I have been working with GSA a lot. Recently
a law was passed that graduate student interest rate will now fluctuate
depending on the economy. The interest rate for graduate student loans can go
up as high as 9.5% whereas undergraduate student loans cannot surpass 8.25%. Well
this is just not acceptable for graduate students. We already have loans from
our undergraduate degree and a good portion of us have families and bills that
need to be taken care of. So, an organization called the National Association
for Graduate Professional Students (NAGPS) had an opportunity to represent and
advocate for graduate students. The event is called LAD or Legislative Action
Days. I went with the organization to Washington DC and spoke with
representatives for Senator Casey and Toomey. My cohort and I spoke about the
interest rate amendment as well as some other pressing graduate student issues
that need to be addressed. It was an extremely nerve wrecking but awesome
experience. Until this past year I did not know, nor cared to know, anything
about politics. I felt that my voice did not matter and I shouldn’t waste my
time because everyone is out for self. LAD helped me voice my concerns as a
graduate student and feel comfortable doing so.
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| LAD Participants |
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| After a Judicary meeting regarding immigration (excuse the quality) |
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| PA State Flag |
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| PA NAGPS representatives WCU, Carnegie Melon, and PITT |
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| GSA President and myself outside of Senator Casey's office |
If anyone is interested in
participating in LAD please comment below and I will share more information.
LAD happens twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. I recommend
anyone interested in politics or simply learning more about the laws being
passed concerning graduate students.
Other
than that my Practicum site has been amazing! I was able to return to the high
school I graduated from and it is so interesting to be on “the other side”. We
hosted a college fair for juniors and seniors last week which had a great
turnout. I have also been meeting with students, learning about procedures, had
a couple parent meetings, among other things. I have been learning a lot from
my site and am anticipating the remainder of the semester.
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| The cake for the college representatives at the college fair |
One
last thing before I go. THE FIRST GSA SOCIAL OF THE SEMESTER IS THIS
FRIDAY!!!!! It will be at Landmark Americana in West Chester in the basement.
The event is from 6pm-8pm and there will be a DJ as well as free food and
non-alcoholic beverages (cash bar as well). The first 20 people get a
DOORBUSTER!! BEAT ME THERE! It will be a great time and I will be sure to take
plenty of photos to post later.
-Danielle
