The Graduate Student Senate operates and achieves much of its work and service through committees. Each senator is required by the GSS constitution to be an active member of at least one committee. Each committee is led by chairpeople - sometimes more than one based on the size and reach of the committee. Committee chairs are responsible for the oversight of their committee including planning and organizing of events and communication with the Executive Council. Committee chairs schedule committee meetings and are the primary contact for events and opportunities that fall within their committee.

The great thing about GSS is that there are so many opportunities to be a major contributor to improving the graduate student experience at The University of Iowa. Nearly all events that GSS sponsors are a result of hard work of the various committees. Contact the appropriate committee chair to suggest ideas, volunteer your services, or to ask questions.

Graduate Student Teaching Committee (standing)

This committee creates, organizes, and holds three grad-student-only workshops. These workshops are led by experts from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, University Counseling Services, and the Center for Teaching. These workshops are designed to equip TAs to be more effective instructors and leaders at The University of Iowa and beyond. 2017 was the first year for this committee's work and the entire seminar series was developed with the hope that it can easily be refined and continued in the future.

International Student Committee (standing)

The International Student Committee helps to bring the questions and concerns from the international graduate student population to the Senate. They work with other organizations, including OISS (Office of International Student Scholars), to ensure The University is abreast of issues that specifically pertain to international students.

The International Student Committee also works closely with other committees to help diversify events and ensure that international involvement and understanding is a forefront issue of GSS. A more detailed description and a listing of events and meetings can be found on the International Student Committee page. Contact committee chair(s) for more information.

Jakobsen Committee (standing)

The Jakobsen Conference Committee is responsible for the hosting the annual James F. Jakobsen Research Conference. The Jakobsen Conference is a university-wide, multi-disciplinary conference that recognizes the work of graduate students by encouraging them to present their research and practice their performing skills while competing for various awards. A more detailed description and listing of events and meetings can be found on the Conference Committee page. Contact committee chair(s) for more information.

Service and Social Committee (standing)

The Service and Social Committee is in charge of planning events of philanthropic nature for the GSS and the graduate community as a whole. The committee also organizes graduate student social events in the interest of building and maintaining a graduate student community. A more detailed description and listing of events and meetings can be found on the Service and Social Committee page. Contact committee chair(s) for more information.

Travel Funds Committee (standing)

The Travel Funds Committee allocates funds from the Graduate College to graduate student applicants for the purpose of presenting their work at meetings, symposia, conferences, or other professional or academic gatherings. A more detailed description and listing of events and meetings can be found on the Travel Funds Committee page. Contact committee chair(s) for more information.

Graduate Student Voices Committee (standing)

The Graduate Student Voices Committee showcases graduate excellence on campus. A more detailed description and listing of events and meetings can be found on the Graduate Student Voices page. Contact committee chair(s) for more information.