The Graduate Student Council (GSC) voted to pass the Joint Bill to Dissolve the Club Sports Funding Umbrella and Require Direct Team-Level Grant Applications for Transparency and Compliance at its Thursday meeting.
As a result of the bill, each club sport will apply directly to the Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU), rather than the club sports council, for funds using the annual and quick grant processes. However, the councillors acknowledged that current funding guidelines do not adequately support needs such as equipment, travel and competition fees.
The previous funding umbrella was initially instituted following complaints relating to Title IX compliance. In the past, the club sports council faced allegations that men’s teams were receiving more funding than women’s teams. The umbrella organization attempted to address this issue by shifting money between unrelated sports, creating confusion and budgetary inefficiency for clubs, according to Elena Vasilache, a fourth-year M.S. candidate. Council members also noted that the umbrella organization is not an elected body, meaning they don’t have the authority to make such major funding decisions on its own.
“[The club teams] were actually saying that they’re willing to forego the opportunity of getting more funds if it means that they can have a more stable funding year to year and at least know what to expect for the following year,” said GSC co-chair and third-year J.D. candidate Laurel Kim.
The council also discussed updates regarding Graduate Student Appreciation Week, which will take place from April 13-17. The week aims to celebrate graduate students across campus with a series of events coordinated by the vice provost for graduate education (VPGE).
The VPGE plans to host several anchor events, including a Three-Minute Thesis competition and department and program-based gatherings, such as faculty dinners and other social events involving food. The GSC is also working to plan its own event.
“I think it’s unique that we come from the student perspective, so I think we can kind of have something that maybe other departments might not have,” said third-year Ph.D. candidate Casey Chan.
The GSC also discussed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academics. To combat AI use on assignments and exams, professors are considering more oral exams, an electronics ban and an “engagement over attendance” attitude. Some law school professors are experimenting with exams that include an AI generated model answer to the question. Students are then tasked to identify the AI’s mistakes.
“Another thing that’s happening is heavier weighting towards finals. In many of these classes… roughly 75% of [a student’s] grade is determined in the final few weeks. So, it’s causing some issues in that respect right now,” said GSC diversity and advocacy chair Artem Arzyn ’26 M.S. ’26.