What is the PBSE Grad Council?
The Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (PBSE) Council is a scientific community dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable research training environment for graduate students in PBSE at University of California – Santa Cruz (UCSC)
The PBSE Council provides the architecture to advocate for graduate student input in developing long-term policies that address collective challenges in graduate education in PBSE.
Aim 1: Create a community to ensure that all students feel welcome, valued, and included.
Aim 2: Enhance access and representation of graduate students in matters that affect graduate students.
Aim 3: Promote inclusion and diversity within PBSE.
Student representative roles
Develop long-term policy and event-based solutions to problems facing graduate students and departments
Attend faculty meetings, Graduate Advisory Committee meetings, and PBSE Executive Committee meetings, as appropriate
Provide resources to graduate students who are having trouble and look for systemic solutions to their problems
Faculty advisor roles
Meet quarterly with PBSE council, hear about innovative ideas and projects
Provide feedback on projects and feasibility
Advocate for PBSE Council projects with departments if necessary
Support students in their pathways to funding department-wide events and projects
Outcomes of our work
Increase representation of graduate students in matters that impact them
Help students introduce novel ideas that help the graduate program
Enhance communication and connections between PBSE departments
Increase accountability and communication between grad students and faculty
Create a space of trust and rapport for students and faculty of PBSE
Uplift graduate students and make sure they feel supported, valued, and welcome in the scientific community