Volunteer with Us!
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GAU Needs you!
GAU works because we do. We rely on volunteers for GAU to advocate for all of us and raise our voices in URI.
We welcome volunteers of all departments and capacities.
You can email us or volunteer here.
Open Positions
Short descriptions of open positions are below. If there are other ways you would like to volunteer with us, please reach out. Once we receive your interest form, we'll contact you with more information for each position and a casual interview.
Department Representative
Estimated hours per week: 1-3
Description: The Graduate Assistants United (GAU) at the University of Rhode Island (URI) is a vital union that advocates for the rights, benefits, and well-being of graduate assistants. As a GAU Departmental Representative, you are to serve as the essential link between your department’s graduate assistants and the union’s leadership. This role combines advocacy, recruitment, outreach, and event organization, all aimed at strengthening the voice and community of graduate assistants at URI.
Communications Liaison
Estimated hours per week: 1-2
Description: The role of the communication liaison is to ensure that GAU is as connected as possible to URI’s many graduate students and their concerns. As a large public institution, being connected with the unique happenings of each department is a difficult, but important task. To help GAU best understand the graduate student experience within each department, a department communications liaison position has been created to serve as a first line of contact between GAU and any given department.
It will be the liaison’s job to inform GAU leadership of any departmental updates that will affect bargaining unit members, or of any concerns that students in the department have regarding their own department or the university overall. The communications liaison will also be expected to answer questions and respond to information requests from the GAU communications officer.
Graduate Student Advocacy Committee Member
Estimated hours per week: 1-5
Description: The Graduate Student Advocacy Committee is committed to supporting the University of Rhode Island graduate student community by ensuring access to essential resources, support, and opportunities. We aim to empower graduate students in order for them to succeed academically, professionally, and personally through advocacy, education, and collaboration.
Committee Roles:
Secretary-Treasurer -- Ensures transparent documentation and financial oversight, enabling GSAC to function ethically and efficiently.
Event Manager -- Leads all GSAC programming efforts that build community and enhance graduate student experiences.
Ad-Hoc Members -- Take on temporary, defined roles that support GSAC initiatives or one-time projects.
Housing Actions
We are working to improve housing accessibility for GAs! Actions may include contacting lawmakers, attending local planning board meetings, speaking with community members on housing issues, communicating with Housing Committee members.
RIPTA (Public Transport) Actions
We are working to protect and expand public transport! Actions may include contacting lawmakers, attending planning meetings, speaking with community members on the impact of public transportation.