GSA Elections

The GSA Election season for four Executive Officer positions typically begins during at the end of Winter quarter and ends during Spring quarter. 

Referendum proposed by the student body are also voted on during the elections. Any change to student fees must be done by a majority of at least 10% of enrolled graduate students.

Positions

The GSA Elections are held each year for four positions: President, Vice President-Internal Affairs, Vice President-External Affairs, and Vice President-Academic Affairs. ​Here is a description of each officer’s duties and their estimated monthly stipends:

  • 2025-2026 estimated stipend: $1337/month for 12 months (Pending)

    Average Time Commitment: 15-20 hrs/week, Max: 25+ hrs/week.

    Duties:

    • Chief Executive Officer

    • Chairs, organizes, and coordinates all Cabinet meetings

    • Closely manages and oversees work of 10 cabinet members

    • Appoints all non-academic, non-stipended campus committees including executive search
      committees

    • Closely collaborates with: UCLA Student Affairs on student issues; UCLA Graduate Division,
      and ASUCLA Administration

    • Closely collaborates with all other UC Presidents and Student Regent on system-wide issues

    • Jointly responsible with the Vice President -- Internal Affairs for Central Office expenditures

    • Recommends a budget for the GSA Central Office annually in the Spring

    • Closely collaborates with Student Government Accounting on strategic planning of GSA
      expenditures

    • Meets weekly with GSA Administrative Representatives

    • Chairs, organizes and oversees meetings of the Appointments Board

    • Sits on: annual Student Regent selection committee; UCLA Foundation Board of Governors;

    • UCSA President's Council; Ad-Hoc ASUCLA Board of Directors'; Committees​

    • In addition to the above duties, all GSA Officers are encouraged to take on their own issues that fall within their domain.

    • All officers work closely together and regularly consult each other for feedback and assistance.

  • 2025-2026 estimated stipend: $1113/month for 12 months. (Pending)

    Average Time Commitment: 15-20 hrs/week, Max: 25+ hrs/week

    Duties:

    • Chairs, organizes, and coordinates all meetings of Assembly and Forum

    • Oversees Central office operations including staff and facilities

    • Works closely with all council presidents to insure proper council operation

    • Signs and verifies all council and student interest board requisitions in coordination with Student Government Accounting

    • Jointly responsible for Council expenditures with the Council Presidents

    • Jointly responsible with the President for Central Office expenditures

    • Acting President in their absence

    • Sits on Cabinet, Appointments Board, John Wooden Center Board of Governors, & Student Activities Center Board of Governors

    • Chairs the Graduate Student Resource Center Board and Student Interest Board​

    • In addition to the above duties, all GSA Officers are encouraged to take on their own issues that fall within their domain.

    • All officers work closely together and regularly consult each other for feedback and assistance.

  • 2025-2026 estimated stipend: $1113/month for 12 months

    Average Time Commitment: 15-20 hrs/week, Max: 25+ hrs/week. ​Estimates include travel 1-2 weekends/month (expenses covered)​

    Duties:

    • Representative of the GSA to the University of California Students Association (UCSA)

    • Representative of the GSA to the system wide Academic Senate

    • Conduct state and national lobbying efforts on behalf of graduate students

    • Liaison with National Association of Graduate and Professional Students

    • GSA representative to the UCLA Alumni Association

    • Sits on Cabinet, Forum, and Appointments Board

    • In addition to the above duties, all GSA Officers are encouraged to take on their own issues that fall within their domain.

    • All officers work closely together and regularly consult each other for feedback and assistance.

  • 2025-2026 estimated stipend: $1113/month for 12 months

    Average Time Commitment: 15 hrs/week, Max: 20+ hrs/week

    Duties:

    • Representative of the GSA to the UCLA Academic Senate

    • Sits on Graduate Council (every other Fri. 2-4pm)

    • May sit on Academic Senate Executive Board (every other Thu. 1-3pm)

    • Appoints and coordinates GSA representation on all Academic Senate committees

    • Works on all academic issues such as Academic Calendar and others

    • Liaison between students and departments/schools when dealing with academic issues

    • May assist students in Academic Conduct issues

    • Sits on Cabinet, Forum, and Appointments Board

    • In addition to the above duties, all GSA Officers are encouraged to take on their own issues that fall within their domain.
      All officers work closely together and regularly consult each other for feedback and assistance.

Election Application & Procedure

  • All registered graduate or professional students in good standing are eligible to run for one of the four positions listed above.

  • ​The GSA elections are conducted through MyUCLA and will utilize ranked-choice voting. Voters must be graduate or professional enrolled at UCLA at the time of voting.

  • Eligible applicants may only run for one of the four positions. The key components of the application are:

    • Declaration of candidacy and agreement to the rules and regulations put forth by the GSA Election Commissioner.

    • 25 signatures from currently enrolled graduate/professional student supporting your nomination.

    • Declaration of expenses relating to the applicant’s campaign.

    • A statement of candidacy in 150 words or less.

    The application must be emailed to the GSA Election Commissioner in its entirety by deadline specified in the application timeline.

  • Find this year’s application packet here.

Contact Us

Do you have a question relating to the GSA Elections? Reach out to the GSA Elections Commissioner!