GPSG Durham Relations Committee

The GPSG Durham Relations Committee is a Standing Committee of the GPSG Senate. Led by the Director of Durham Relations, the Durham Relations Committee is charged with maintaining GPSG relationships with local Durham city officials and community members. The Durham Relations Committee is also charged with identifying opportunities for partnership and volunteership in Durham to enhance GPSG’s relationship with the local community.

Most notably, the GPSG Durham Relations maintains its key partnerships through the Durham CAN organization through the GPSG CAN chapter. Through GPSG CAN, GPSG participates in town halls to stay informed of and support local activism efforts. Examples of efforts include support of bilingual requirements / hiring for certain Durham employees, wage increases for Durham firefighters, and more.

For more information on how to get involved with the Durham Relations Committee, reach out to Direct of Durham Relations (Emily Magen).

2024 – 2025 Goals:

Director Priorities:

1. Increase Duke student voice and involvement in the local community.
2. Have GPSG representation at various meetings and events, such as: Durham CAN’s Affordable Housing Action Team; Duke’s Affordable Housing Council; Durham City Council and County Commissioner meetings.​
3. Attend at least three meetings per month – starting with Senators (who will commit to attending at least one meeting per month) and expanding to other members as recruitment efforts continue.

Programs:

1. PILOT program: Work with PILOT coalition members to include sustainable infrastructure as a funding goal.
2. GPSG Christmas Parade Float: Work with Duke University and student organizations to participate in Christmas holiday parade float.
3. GPSG Volunteer Events
4. Recruit program for students who are interested in Duke/Durham relations:

• Focus issues: affordable housing, the PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) program, Central Campus rezoning, GoPass.​
• Utilize audience segmentation strategy to recruit a diverse spread of at least ten new members for this effort: 1) GPSG and other Duke alumni; 2) PhD students; 3) dual-degree students; 4) other students.​
• Prioritize existing local initiatives for our members to get involved.​
• Include action steps in recruitment efforts to build a strong foundation.

2023 – 2024 Accomplishments:

1. Assembled GPSG Senators and volunteers at town halls and assemblies 
2. Advocated for local Durham initiatives by bringing GPSG CAN members to local town halls in support of the broader Durham CAN coalition