GSCP serves to represent members’ interests to other bodies and organizations, not only within the Department of Psychology, but also within the larger university. The general membership elects representatives to several committees and bodies throughout the department and university. Through these representatives, concerns and issues can be raised and addressed.
In general the GSCP is aimed at helping to foster counseling specific growth and support opportunities. As of right now, the counseling students are under the umbrella of Graduate Psychology Students, which aim to provide support for students in general. However, specific issues around growth in diversity, counseling materials, and record keeping (including an internet tracking systems needed for our client lists, internship sites/impressions, and general counseling program support material) is lost for counseling students within the GPS. Thus, our intentions are to provide the support for the department's students by helping to obtain speakers and materials to foster professional growth SPECIFIC for counseling students, as well as an organized body to help maintain and make available necessary information to students throughout the generation.
GSCP is also planning to reach out to alumni by establishing a database and mentorship program, so that new and old students can maintain ties with the program and each other. This is hoped to increase the personal and professional development of students through someone who has worked in the field for some time.
And finally, GSCP plans on providing a social outlet for counseling students and their unique schedules, obligations, and stresses. As the three psychology programs vary with coursework and obligations, a time to allow for counseling students to have time set aside with their schedules in mind is hoped to reduce the stress and meet the interaction needs of the students. Though other plans (as can be seen in the constitution) have been made for GSCP, these are the top priorities for the first few years. It is hoped through these issues that counseling student growth, morale, and general connection will improve as a result of it.