The Graduate Student Council (GSC) approved funding for six student-led organizations, including a year’s worth of support for the Science Bus, a volunteer-based science tutoring group for elementary school children, at their Monday meeting. Councilors, however, rejected a proposed “Aerospace and Defense Founders Mixer” hosted by the Stanford Graduate Founders, with some council members citing ethical concerns. 

Ashwin Kumar, the treasurer of the Science Bus and third-year Ph.D. student in biomedical physics, told councilors that his group “gather[s] volunteers” in order to “provide a hand-on program for elementary students” with the goal of introducing them to “experimental science.” The proposed budget accommodated funding for lesson-plans, quarterly volunteer orientation dinners, advertising and food to encourage background check attendance.  

The committee initially raised concerns about allocating money for an event aimed at encouraging volunteers to complete background checks, given that the meeting is only open to group members. Ultimately, the GSC agreed to provide the full amount requested as these volunteer positions are open to all graduate students. They also recommended that the Science Bus apply for an annual grant next year, consistent with clarifications made about GSC funding guidelines during the last meeting. 

Other events that gained funding included a discussion on food culture hosted by the Stanford Salon of Philosophy and Science, the Brazilian Student’s Association’s Fall BBQ and the Stanford Taiwanese Student Association’s post-midterm hike and boba hangout. The latter two groups were both encouraged to apply earlier for funding via the Bechtel International Center in the future. The two groups were also told they must advertise to all students to align with the GSC bylaws. 

The GSC postponed discussions surrounding the implications of rejecting Stanford Graduate Founders funding application to next week’s meeting. GSC Co-Chair and fourth-year chemistry Ph.D student Emmit Pert said “the GSC should always vote in favor of their own issues” and that they “have no obligation to provide funding.”

Andy Yin, treasurer of the GSC and third-year mathematics Ph.D. student, added that “just because [the proposal] is in line with our guidelines, doesn’t mean we have to vote yes.” 

Pamela Barrera MFA ’25 noted that funding rejections can be a “learning opportunity for [student-led organizations].”