GPSO Annual Events

GPSO Traditions

The GPSO has a set calendar of events oriented towards building the graduate student community. In this regard, the GPSO Programming Committee plans a diverse schedule of academic and social events aimed at enhancing graduate student life on the IUB campus. In addition to new programming each year, GPSO is pleased to offer a series of annual events which have become GPSO traditions. These traditions include the annual:

• New Graduate and Professional Student Orientation
• Graduate Student Survival Week
• The Graduate Student Valentine's Day Dance
• Graduate Student Appreciation Weekend and Grad Bash

New Graduate and Professional Student Orientation

Held in the lobby of the H B Wells Library, 'Get Oriented @ IU' is GPSO's annual orientation for new graduate and professional students. Organized in partnership with the University Graduate School and IU Libraries, this event provides an excellent opportunity for numerous campus and community organizations to introduce their activities and resources to new graduate students. The principal goal of the information fair portion of orientation is to gather together the most important services, organizations, and activities that new graduate students need to know about in one convenient location. Other annual GPSO orientation events include the new graduate and professional student lunch held in the Woodlawn shelter at nearby Bryan Park. This is a family and pet friendly event, with food provided courtesy of the GPSO.

Graduate Student Survival Week

Organized in partnership with several campus departments and organizations, Survival Week event activities are planned to offer support to graduate students in the areas of health and wellness, money matters, and professional development. Social events are also included to encourage graduate students to meet individuals from other departments.

The Graduate Student Valentines Day Dance

A popular graduate student tradition, the Graduate Student Valentines Day Dance is held in an intimate venue and includes free food, dancing, and live music. In the past GPSO has engaged qualified swing dancers to provide instruction before the band begins a danceable program of jazz and swing standards from the Great American Songbook.

Graduate Student Appreciation Weekend

GPSO is happy to provide this series of programs and activities to recognize the incredible efforts and achievements of graduate and professional students on the IUB campus. These events are primarily social in nature and culminate in the annual GPSO Grad Bash. Initially started as the garden party, the Grad Bash draws students from nearly every graduate department for an evening of music, dancing, and free food.