The Hispanic Studies Graduate Student Association (HIGSA) is formed by all the graduate students of the Department of Hispanic Studies. HIGSA's purpose is to facilitate the lives of the graduate students by addressing common concerns and promoting unity among graduate students. There is a small annual fee, payable at the beginning of the academic year in the fall.

The matters that HIGSA covers are related to the wellbeing of the graduate students. The association is in charge if taking care of the different propositions of the graduate students and addressing them to the different entities of the Hispanic Studies Department.

Activities

Welcome to New Students - HIGSA meets the new graduate students every Fall during students' orientation, and inform them about HIGSA purpose, the events held by HIGSA, and the annual membership fee. Attendance is mandatory.
Welcoming Party - It is a potluck party at the very beginning of the academic year for graduate students, professors, and their relatives.
End of Semester Party - The traditional party held at the end of the Fall semester is a potluck for graduate students, professors, and their relatives.

Workshops

Curriculum Vitae - It is to help all graduate students but especially those applying for a job at the upcoming MLA conference. A faculty member that has been recently at the MLA gives the workshop.
Portfolio - A lecture is given by a faculty member with experience in Teaching Portfolios.
Paper published - This workshop is very important for all students since having publications when applying for jobs is a must.
Master & Ph.D. Exams - In Spring term, graduate students are informed about what to expect on the exams. A faculty member shares his/her technique to study for these exams, including helpful ideas for making study sheet, time management, etc.
Masters Reading List - HIGSA keeps a list of books on reserve at the Young Library and check materials regularly. However due to library regulations, there is a limit of photocopies that can be placed on reserve.
Mock Interviews - This is very important for the graduate students applying for different jobs.
Meetings & Newsletter - Either the president or vice-president of HIGSA should attend faculty meetings, in which they can participate as a non-voting member, and then inform HIGSA members about relevant issues discussed in these meetings. To keep the other graduate students informed about those relevant issues, and also to keep up with the profesional work of the fellow colleagues and professors of the department, a publication (bulletin e-mail, etc) is done every semester.

Elections

HIGSA is responsible for running the elections for HIGSA and Sigma Delta Pi [SDP]. Around the second week of April, HIGSA president or vice-president should call for elections for next year new members.

The elected officers for HIGSA (Hispanic Studies Graduate Student Association) for 2008-09 are Osvaldo Di Paolo (President),  Lynn Celdrán (Vice-President), Alice Driver (Treasurer) and Krissie Butler (Secretary). The elected officers for Sigma Delta Pi are Alaina Houston (President), Ruth Brown (Vice President), Mahan Ellison (Treasurer), and David Hoopes (Secretary).