Welcome to Graduate and Professional Student Council

Graduate & Professional Student Council (GPSC)

“Your voice. Your community. Your resources at the University of Arizona.”

GPSC represents over 11,000 graduate and professional students at the University of Arizona. We advocate, fund, and connect students to resources that support academic, professional, and personal success.

 

Our Mission

  • To promote the academic, economic, and social aims of the graduate and professional students of the University of Arizona.
  • To establish effective communication among graduate students and professional students.
  • To facilitate communication within the University and with other organizations.

GPSC Cap and Gown

 

GPSC Cap and Gown Rental Program

The Graduate and Professional Student Council provides a free Cap and Gown Rental Program for graduating students. Our aim is to provide our community with an opportunity to celebrate their hard work without the full financial burden typically associated with convocation ceremonies. 
 
Interested students please email gpsc@email.arizona.edu

GPSC Advocacy Survey

Have Your Voice Heard!

We’re collecting feedback from graduate and professional students to strengthen our advocacy efforts.

Take the GPSC Student Survey

Your input will guide how we represent you to University leadership and improve resources for all students.

Subject: GPSC Opposes the Higher Education Compact

Date: Oct 16th, 2025

Dear University of Arizona Community,

The University of Arizona, alongside 8 other universities, has been asked to sign a “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” (referred to as the Compact) as a condition for prioritization of federal funding. GPSC has received extensive feedback from graduate and professional students—an overwhelming majority expressing opposition—and recognizes the anxiety, confusion, and frustration this proposal has created.

This Compact includes provisions that would significantly alter the governance and undermine the operational autonomy of public universities, imposing federal oversight mechanisms inconsistent with the principles of institutional and shared governance. The Compact threatens the core purpose and mission of the University of Arizona. 

GPSC affirms academic freedom, shared governance, and institutional autonomy in decision-making. Furthermore, we reject the Compact for the following key reasons:

  • It represents government overreach that endangers academic freedom, shared governance, and institutional independence.

  • It would harm international, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and other marginalized students by restricting expression, limiting representation, and creating unsafe conditions.

  • It risks damaging the University’s reputation, faculty and student trust, and long-term research excellence in exchange for uncertain short-term financial gains.

  • It uses federal funding as leverage for political compliance, undermining democratic principles and the university’s values of inclusion, integrity, and free inquiry. 

The General Council of GPSC has voted to oppose the Compact with a resolution vote of 16-Yes, 3-No, 0-Abstain.

Be it resolved, the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) opposes the Compact and calls on President Garimella, University Leadership, and the Arizona Board of Regents to reject the

Compact.

In Service and Solidarity,

The Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC)

 

Subject: GPSC Call to Action: Higher Education Compact

Date: Oct 7th, 2025

Dear University of Arizona Community,

As many of you have learned, the University of Arizona, alongside 8 other universities, have been asked to sign a “Higher Education Compact” as a condition for continued prioritization of federal funding; declining to sign may result in reduced access to these funds. GPSC understands that this request may be creating anxiety and confusion in our community, especially among our graduate and professional students. Please submit your comments on this compact here.

GPSC respectfully calls on the university to provide clear, transparent, timely, and comprehensive information regarding the compact, the review process, and the timeline for decision-making. We believe that open communication not only builds trust but also strengthens our community’s ability to navigate complex issues together. 

GPSC is calling for: 

​​University leadership to host a university-wide non-partisan conversation involving students, faculty, and staff on the implications of the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education for our community, finances, and academic freedom. This dialogue should welcome diverse perspectives, grounded in data and evidence, to foster civic understanding, peaceful engagement, and collective reflection on what is best for our university as a whole. It is imperative that the voices of community stakeholders–students, faculty, and staff not only be heard by leadership but also directly guide and inform action.

A stable and trusting community relationship is essential as we move forward. Responding to policy changes carries significant responsibility, and such decisions are best addressed collectively rather than solely by leadership. We encourage the involvement of students, faculty and staff organizations, shared governance bodies, campus units, as well as community partners in contributing to this discussion. 

We wish to reaffirm the university’s commitment to academic freedom, and to safeguarding shared governance and institutional decision-making from undue external influence. Universities should have the ability to shape their own policies to protect their missions and communities. Regardless of political perspectives, universities should not be placed under the threat of funding withdrawal for declining to adopt externally proposed legislation.

 

We recognize that the process of evaluating and responding to policy proposals and changes can be complex and, at times, unpredictable. GPSC welcomes your input, as well as your thoughts or concerns you wish to share. Thank you.

 

In Service,

The GPSC Executive Board

 

 

Subject: GPSC Call to Action - International Students and Scholars Visa, Education, and Safety

Date: Sep 25th, 2025 / gpscpresident@arizona.edu

Dear University of Arizona Community,

Multiple bills have recently been introduced that would drastically change the visa situation for international students and scholars, including those on F-1 and H-1B visas. These proposed changes would negatively affect not only our international colleagues and friends, but also domestic students and researchers seeking opportunities to study and conduct research abroad.

The United States has long been a global hub for international education, attracting high-caliber students and scholars who make significant contributions to U.S. education, the economy, and society. According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), international students and scholars play a vital role in strengthening U.S. higher education and advancing innovation. Importantly, international students do not replace the American workforce—they help create jobs and expand opportunities for Americans.

“International students accounted for 6% of the total U.S. higher education population and, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, contributed more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023. The experience of studying in the United States not only shapes the lives of individuals, but the future of our interconnected world,” said Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. “The ties formed between U.S. and international students today are the basis of relationships for future business and trade, science and innovation, and government relations.”, IIE Open Door Report, 2024

Below is a list of recent proposed changes that are open for public comments. We kindly ask for your support in safeguarding the well-being of international students and scholars, and preserving the vital value of international education and exchange:

  1. The DHS has proposed to end "duration of status" (D/S) for international students that require completion by a fixed date without accounting for the extended duration of programs such as PhDs, which often exceed four years, or the possibility of needing extensions. This could upend the international student and exchange visitor experience in this country—miring them in academic inflexibility, uncertainty, and bureaucratic delays—while saddling institutions and government agencies with senseless administrative burdens.

  2. The recent disruption to scheduling F, J, and M visa interviews, ongoing issues with visa appointment availability, and a June 4 executive order banning nationals from 19 countries threaten the arrival of international students and scholars on U.S. campuses.

  3. We have recently learned that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) intends to cut FY2025 funding for at least two dozen Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) program awards totaling approximately $100 million. Act now to urge your member of Congress to press OMB to release the funds for these essential and time-honored exchange programs.

  4. The president’s fiscal 2026 budget raises serious concerns for federal international education programs. To grow our economy, equip our workforce with global skills, and safeguard U.S. national security, it is critical to urge members of Congress to protect and fully fund these programs at the Departments of State and Education.

  5. Placing "restriction on entry" of certain (H-1B) nonimmigrant workers and a new $100,000 fee and ending OPT.

GPSC IS ASKING FOR:

  1. Clear and timely communication from University leadership regarding any proposed changes that could affect the status or programs of international students and scholars.

  2. Active departmental outreach to international students and scholars, including regular check-ins and ensuring they have access to all available resources and support. It is essential that our international community feels supported and valued.

  3. Ensure that safety measures are in place.

  4. Provide legal support and information on immigration issues including clear instructions on how to respond to SEVIS status change or visa revocation.

  5. Public engagement by submitting comments urging Congress to reject these harmful bills. 

Please see below for where you can submit a public comment, and take a moment to learn more about the process of submitting one, here: "submitting comments". For anonymous comments, please see here: "submitting anonymous comments".

We recognize that the process of addressing policy changes can be complex and unpredictable. We welcome your input on potential bill amendments, as well as any other thoughts or concerns you may have. Thank you so very much for supporting our colleagues and friend international students and scholars.

Graduate & Professional Student Council Executive Board

The University of Arizona