GPSA executive members discussed recruiting graduate students for the upcoming general election during a meeting Thursday afternoon. 

Applications for the election opened Feb. 1 and will close at midnight Feb. 15.

Open positions include president, vice president, vice president of legislative affairs, senators and college representatives, GPSA President Jenn Johnson said. Both senate members and officers receive some form of scholarship or tuition waiver.

Senators serve for two semesters, both fall and spring, according to the GPSA website. Each member must follow certain expectations, like attending Senate meetings and serving on a committee. Those interested can apply through the newly implemented Presence website.

According to the website, the debate for president, vice president and college representative candidates will take place at 5:30 p.m. March 8 via Zoom. Graduate student voting will commence after 8 p.m. March 8 to 11:59 p.m. March 12.

James Dalton, GPSA vice president of legislative affairs, updated officers about the progress being made with bills in the legislative.

He said House Bill 1051 has made significant progress. If passed, the bill would include a full-time faculty member on the WSU Board of Regents, bringing the total number of members to 11 instead of 10. 

The bill was first read to the Washington House of Representatives on Jan. 11 and passed by majority on Jan. 21, Dalton said.

“House Bill 1051 is actually flying through,” he said. “It’s the furthest we’ve gotten on anything we’ve talked about with legislators.”