ESP Graduate Student Association
Fall 2021 Orientation Documents
Overview
The ESP-GSA is a GMU organization, open to all graduate students in the ESP department as well as any graduate student interested in environmental science and environmental policy. Download a membership application and join today! The ESP-GSA also puts together the Graduate Student Handbook for ESP, a very useful resource. This is the updated version (February 2017).
Our Goals
- To foster a sense of community
- To increase communication within the ESP department and with other GMU departments
- To advocate for graduate student interests and concerns
- To provide a unified voice for members
- To provide extracurricular activities and have fun!
- To provide special academic events relevant to student interests
- To showcase graduate student achievements
- To foster graduate student and faculty interaction
Contact the ESP GSA
Email questions to the GSA President: cgray21@gmu.edu
GSA President: Chelsea Gray
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Esther Peters
Social media:
This is for CURRENT Environmental Science and Policy and Biology graduate students to express their concerns, suggestions, or any thoughts/ideas they may have regarding their graduate experience.
Your comments can remain anonymous and we will not share identifying details with anyone in the department without your express permission.
GSA Committee 2020-21
President: Chelsea Gray
Vice President: Sarah Weber
Secretary: Daya Hall-Stratton
Treasurer: Sam Mohney
Student Rep: Megan Gisonda
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Esther Peters
ESP-GSA Dues
Dues: $10 per semester; $20 for full year
Please submit this membership form electronically to espgsa@gmu.edu or in person to any member of the ESP-GSA board.
We accept membership dues by cash or check. You may submit forms and dues in person to any member of the ESP-GSA board, mail them to our new address, or place them in our department mailbox.
New Mailing Address
To pay dues by check, please make checks out to “George Mason University” and write “ESP-GSA” in the memo line. You can drop forms and checks off at the ESP main office (during business hours) or mail checks to:
ESP-GSA
George Mason University
MS 5F2
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Travel Grants
What is it?
Up to $250 in financial assistance for ESP-GSA members to attend a conference.
Rules for ESP-GSA Conference Travel Grant applications
ESP-GSA will review applications for Conference Travel Grants in October and April of every year. Applicants must apply before travel and will not be reimbursed until after returning from travel. Students who receive funding are responsible for managing the travel reimbursement process and filling out paperwork in a timely manner (with our help if needed) or else funding will not be provided.
Who is eligible?
Current ESP-GSA members, who have paid dues for the current semester before the application deadline, who are in good standing with the Association and with the University, and who will attend a conference or workshop in support of their academic progress (e.g. giving a talk, poster, or workshop). Preference will be given to active GSA members who have attended at least one event in the past year.
To apply please no later than the following deadlines:
For conferences occurring during the Fall semester and over winter break, apply by April 1.
For conferences occurring during the Spring and Summer semesters, apply by October 1 .
To apply, please send an email to the current ESP-GSA President and Treasurer. In the body of the email include only the following information: name of applicant, conference name, whether you will be presenting a poster or talk, and dates of the conference.
New applicants will be given priority over repeat applicants. Applicants presenting research are given priority.
How can I apply?
- Fill in the travel grant application form and submit required supporting documentation AND
- Email your application to the current ESP-GSA Treasurer AND cc to espgsa@gmu.edu to ensure that your application is promptly received.
Consider applying so the ESP-GSA can help fund your conference travel!
*Note that additional funding for GMU students is available through the Graduate Student Travel Fund. http://gstf.gmu.edu/
Professional membership awards
Current and active GSA members are encouraged to apply for a professional membership award. Applications will be reviewed in October and April each year. This award will provide funding for one year of membership or a maximum of $40. Preference will be given to students that are interested in applying to a grant through the professional membership organization and/or intending to register for more than one year at a discounted rate. Applications will be reviewed by the board, and applicants will be notified of their status within a week of the deadline.
Deadlines
Spring Semester: April 15
Fall Semester: October 15
To apply, please complete the form and email it to espgsa@gmu.edu and CC the current president and treasurer.
Catering for Thesis/Dissertation defenses
Defending soon? It is customary for students defending to provide food and beverages at their thesis defense, and we want to help! Current and active GSA members that are defending their master’s or doctoral thesis are encouraged to inquire about our catering services. These services are provided on a first come basis and we anticipate funding for up to 5 people each semester. Funding is contingent upon approval from the Student Funding Board.
To apply, please complete the catering application form and email it to espgsa@gmu.edu and CC the current president and treasurer. The deadline to apply will vary by applicant, as applications are due at least 2 months prior to the defense date.