Legislation is one of the major ways that the GSA advocates for graduate students. There are three (technically four) types of legislation that the assembly considers:

  1. Resolutions (GR), which are
    1. Internal Resolutions; and
    2. External Resolutions.
  2. Bills (GB)
  3. Ordinances, which are:
    1. Affirmative Ordinances; and
    2. Negative or "regular" Ordinances.

Resolutions (GR)

Resolutions are grouped into two types: internal resolutions and external resolutions. The most common type of resolution are external resolutions.

Internal Resolutions

An internal resolution is, essentially, a written series of motions that the assembly agrees too. An internal resolution cannot take a stance on the GSA's behalf.

External Resolutions

An external resolution is a written statement of a position or policy on the GSA's behalf.

Joint Resolutions* (JR)

Joint resolutions are a type of legislation that was available to the LSOs until March 20, 2022. Joint resolutions were the manner by which all three LSOs could take a position on behalf of the UT student body. However, the Vice President for Student Affairs' office suspended the joint resolution process indefinitely. Prior JRs continue in effect; but no new JRs can be introduced, voted upon, or passed.

Bills (GB)

Bills are how the GSA amends its bylaws and enacts the budget.

Ordinances

Ordinances are akin to executive orders and, basically, equate to written rules and regulations issued by the executive department. The legislative department's equivalent to ordinances for its own internal administration is internal resolutions. 

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The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) is a sponsored student organization at the University of Texas at Austin and is the legislative student organization tasked with advocating for graduate students. The GSA neither speaks nor claims to speak on the University of Texas at Austin's behalf and the inclusion of any university branding marks, including the GSA's logo, does not constitute the university's endorsement of the GSA's position or advocacy. Despite being a sponsored university unit, the GSA is a student organization that represents only the students the GSA is authorized to and tasked with representing.