Graduate Student Association
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

About the GSA

The UNC-CH J-School GSA was established in August of 1995, and was approved for official University recognition in September of 1995. The Association was founded as a social, academic and pre-professional organization serving graduate students in UNC's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. There are 76 charter members. The mission of the GSA is described in some detail below:

Charter and Constitution of the UNC-CH J-SCHOOL GSA

September 1st, 1995

We, the graduate students enrolled in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, seek to establish and maintain an organization that caters to the social, academic, and professional interests and needs of any and all M.A. and Ph.D. candidates who are currently pursuing graduate degrees in Mass Communication and/or any related disciplines or fields.

It is the primary function of this organization--The UNC-CH J-School G.S.A.--to facilitate social interaction among Mass Communication graduate students and cultivate strong interpersonal relationships among all affiliated members. It is initially anticipated that the organization's principal activities will include (but not be limited to) the following:

1. Planning and coordinating social events for all members.
2. Holding discussions and debates involving timely issues in the field of Mass Communication.
3. Assisting with the formation of study groups.
4. Working with the faculty to provide ongoing career counseling to students.
5. Forming intramural teams to compete in various University intramural activities.
6. Designing workshops that assist students in developing specialized professional skills.
7. Inviting guest speakers to speak with interested students.
8. Scheduling field trips to a variety of cultural events and points of interest.
9. Holding fund-raising events to financially support organizational activities.
10. Diligently serving any additional interests and/or needs of the J-School graduate student population.

While engaging in these and other proposed activities, we will constantly seek to do all that we can to contribute in every way possible to the welfare, success, and intellectual growth of all of our members, as well as the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the University as a whole, and the entire University community. Our activities will always be open to any and all students and faculty members of the University, and we will always encourage all students interested in the fields of Journalism and Mass Communication to be actively involved with our organization.

In forming this organization with the intent of seeking recognition as an official campus group, we hereby agree to always abide by all guidelines, rules, and regulations that have been or will be set forth by the University in conjunction with approval and acknowledgement of individual organizations as officially recognized campus groups.

Faithfully signed,

________________________Date_____

Gregory Mark Makris
Chair, UNC-CH J-School GSA
Organizing Committee

_________________________Date_____

Dr. Margaret Blanchard
Director of Graduate Studies
Faculty Sponsor

Copyright 2004 Graduate Student Association