GPSA president steps down

New committee searches for replacement, presents options at next meeting

Former+GPSA+President+Ralph+Chikhany+has+been+receiving+treatment+for+the+past+six+weeks+and+is+doing+better.+Members+of+GPSA+expressed+their+support+of+Chikhany+and+desire+to+continue+their+vision.

ALYSSA STANFIELD | DAILY EVERGREEN FILE

Former GPSA President Ralph Chikhany has been receiving treatment for the past six weeks and is doing better. Members of GPSA expressed their support of Chikhany and desire to continue their vision.

MADYSEN MCLAIN, Evergreen roots editor

Due to medical reasons, the GPSA president stepped down from his position on Jan. 1.

“I’m not a quitter, I fight a lot and I pursued a lot but there’s just circumstances that were beyond my control,” Ralph Chikhany, former GPSA president, said.

Chikhany said they made the decision over Thanksgiving break after dealing with medical issues. They have received medical treatment for the past six weeks and Chikhany is getting better.

“We completely support his decision,” Andrew Gillreath-Brown, GPSA communications chair, said.

Veneice Guillory-Lacy, GPSA executive vice president, said a new nomination committee will be created with volunteers from the senate to collect applications for the open president position.

She said the internal affairs committee updated the bylaws to know what to do if an executive member steps down again.

Gillreath-Brown said only those who have been involved in GPSA in some capacity can be nominated. He said the committee’s goal is to present the nominees at the next meeting on Jan. 27.

Guillory-Lacy said in the meantime, the executive members have taken on some of Chikhany’s responsibilities while they search for a new president.

“We’re going to continue to do what we’ve been doing which is serving graduate students, and making sure that we are providing everything that you can think of,” she said.

Chikhany said there were a few main projects from last semester they are most proud of. The projects include revamping the entire constitution and bylaws to make sure the GPSA roles were more equitable. Another project included giving out $20,000 in grants to graduate students to fund their research. Each student is eligible for $500.

Chikhany also said they helped create a better Graduate Writing Center, which involved moving the location to CUE 402G and purchasing new equipment. The new center launches Monday.

“He’s a good planner and I think he set out to do a lot of great things at the beginning of his term,” Guillory-Lacy said. “I think with graduate studies, it can be a lot. I just wish them the best.”

Chikhany will graduate in May with a doctorate in Math.