On behalf of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) Committee, I am thrilled to announce that the APA Bylaws Amendment “Voting Privileges and New Membership Category for Graduate Students” has passed, securing 68.4% of votes in favor despite the pro-con statement! As a result of this vote, APA graduate student members will soon be eligible to vote for elections for APA President-Elect and Board Members-at-Large, bylaw amendments, and apportionment ballots. This is a huge victory for graduate student members and the Association during a tumultuous year.
As APAGS, we would like to share our gratitude with student leaders who joined with us in spreading the word about this historic vote by sharing it on social media, advocating with your Divisions and State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Associations, and encouraging your faculty, advisors, and colleagues to vote yes to enfranchise graduate students in APA. This vote could not have passed without you!
The overwhelming support and encouragement from our Association community led APAGS to bring this bylaw amendment to a vote again this year. We would like to recognize the amazing support and say a heartfelt thank you to our allies across the Association and beyond. Thank you to the APA Board of Directors, the Council Leadership Team, the Council of Representatives, numerous APA boards and committees, the APA presidential candidates, and the National Latinx Psychological Association. A special thank you to Divisions 9, 10, 15, 17, 29, 32, 35, 37, 40, 41, 44, 45, and 54 and Arizona, the District of Columbia, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, Connecticut, Oregon, and Washington SPTAs who have publicly supported this bylaw amendment! We would not be celebrating without you!
I cannot overstate the importance of this bylaw amendment and what it means for graduate students and the future of APA. This change means that we will have a more inclusive, diverse, informed, and engaged APA moving forward. Student voices are critical as we seek to prepare the discipline and profession of psychology for the future.
Our Membership Office has advised us that creating a new membership category for students will appear on 2022 new member and renewal applications. Masters and doctoral students will need to be members for one year before receiving voting privileges as early as 2023. When this happens, students can vote in elections for APA President-Elect and Board Members-at-Large, and on bylaw amendments and apportionment ballots.
Again, I am so pleased to share this news with you. Our enthusiasm for APA’s future is renewed and our desire to strengthen APA through our voices has increased! Please feel free to reach out to me or our staff if you have any questions.
Yours in solidarity,
Blanka Angyal, M.A, M.Ed., Ed.S.
2020 APAGS Chair