DEO Priorities and Updates

• Have met with 13+ department chairs, as well as Career Services and Alumni Relations, to discuss graduate-focused programming. Conversations have centred on career exploration, internship pathways, and alumni mentoring.

• Next step is to plan on holding a micro-networking sessions alongside our social hours. We will be locking in event dates soon, then moving forward with inviting professionals and marketing the events.

• Continued collaboration with Career Services, FGPS, and Alumni Relations to expand professional development and career pathway opportunities for graduate students.
• Engaged directly with students, alumni, and university leadership during the Graduate Mixer, fostering valuable professional connections.

Key Results/Progress:

• The GSA submitted a detailed Graduate Student Internship Program (GSIP) proposal to the Ministry of Advanced Education.
  • The proposal advocates for a province-funded internship program to help graduate students gain paid, relevant work experience across industry, government, and non-profit sectors.
  • The initiative supports Alberta’s economic and innovation goals by retaining highly skilled graduates in the province.
• Hosted the Graduate Mixer, attended by President Bill Flanagan, Chancellor Nizar Somji, and over 200 graduate students. The event successfully connected students with university leadership and alumni, building professional networks and reinforcing career development priorities.

Timeline Updates:

• On track. Awaiting Ministry feedback on the GSIP proposal.
• The GSA will continue developing supporting frameworks for professional training and work-integrated learning opportunities.

What to Expect Next Quarter:

• Continued advocacy with the Ministry and university partners.
• Exploration of additional networking opportunities and mentorship events modeled after the success of the Graduate Mixer.

Related Meetings/Engagements:

• Discussions with University Administration as part of Mintz Panel conversations
• Engagements related to experiential learning and internship programs

Key Results or Progress:

• The University committed to advocating for the U5 Graduate Internship Program to the Ministry of Advanced Education
• This advocacy is being pursued as part of broader Mintz Panel discussions and would significantly benefit graduate students if approved

Timeline Updates:

• Advocacy commitment secured during Q3

What to Expect Next Quarter:

• Follow up on Ministry response and policy direction
• Continued advocacy for expanded graduate career pathways

• Course-Based Master’s Scholarship: I’m continuing to follow up with FGPS and also working to ensure course-based students have more tailored career supports.
• New revenue opportunities: I’ve begun discussions with the university on potential avenues.
• Tuition advocacy: Ahead of the September meeting, I’m compiling comparative data from other U15 universities to present a strong proposal for minimum funding for master’s students.
• Exam reimbursement program: Launch is expected soon.

• Participated in multiple TBAC (Tuition and Budget Advisory Committee) consultations with university administration and student representatives.
• Coordinated with UASU and University of Calgary GSA counterparts to align messaging on affordability, tuition predictability, and graduate funding.

Key Results or Progress:

• The GSA developed and submitted a comprehensive TBAC proposal with four major recommendations:
  1. Establish a sustained inflow model for the Killam Course-Based Master’s Scholarship Fund.
  2. Protect and strengthen funding for thesis-based students, including tuition freeze requests and indexing minimum guaranteed funding to tuition.
  3. Allow graduate students to retain up to $2,000 in scholarships beyond their guaranteed funding to encourage pursuit of smaller grants.
  4. Implement a centralized, structured tuition transparency database or webpage displaying detailed tuition breakdowns for each program.
• These proposals align with the Mintz Panel’s call for stronger grant-based support and targeted funding for top talent.

Timeline Updates:

• On track. TBAC consultations will continue through late Fall 2025, with decisions expected in the Winter 2026 Board of Governors cycle.

What to Expect Next Quarter:

• Continued advocacy for sustained scholarship funding models and transparent tuition reporting.
• Engagement with FGPS and Financial Services to explore mechanisms for implementing the scholarship retention and tuition transparency initiatives.

Related Meetings/Engagements:

• Meetings with Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS)
• Engagements with University Administration on graduate tuition structures
• Discussions with departments regarding funding and scholarship scenarios

Key Results or Progress:

• International thesis based graduate students will receive a 5.5 percent tuition reduction
• FGPS committed to ensuring departments clearly communicate how tuition and funding are affected when students receive scholarships
• The University is developing a graduate tuition cost calculator to improve transparency and predictability of costs for students

Timeline Updates:

• Tuition reduction approved and implementation underway
• Tuition calculator development initiated during Q3

What to Expect Next Quarter:

• Clearer departmental guidance on scholarship and tuition interactions
• Launch or further development of the graduate tuition cost calculator
• Ongoing monitoring of affordability impacts for graduate students

• Initial conversations on Council structure reform have taken place, including discussions within the Governance Committee.

• We are also exploring ways to improve communication of GSA decisions — for example, using concise “one-page cables” (similar to those used in embassy circles) to summarize key decisions. I plan to bring forward options for feedback in the coming months.

• Collaborated with the Governance Committee, Executive Director, and Council to advance governance reform and operational improvements.

Key Results or Progress:

• Successfully hired a new Executive Director, Associate Director, and Finance Manager, enhancing the GSA’s operational capacity and financial oversight.
• The Governance Committee approved new Standing Orders for Council, streamlining procedures and improving meeting efficiency.
• The GSA is nearing completion of a new Code of Conduct, which will strengthen accountability and define clear expectations for GSA representatives.
• The transition of the GSA Health and Dental Plan to the new provider has proceeded smoothly overall, with some issues promptly addressed by the GSA and the provider.
  • A survey will be distributed to graduate students in the coming weeks to gather feedback on satisfaction with the new plan and provider.
  • The GSA will analyze this feedback carefully and take appropriate action based on student responses to ensure that the plan continues to meet student needs effectively.
• Hosted a well-attended Thanksgiving Dinner, reinforcing community engagement and inclusion among graduate students.

Timeline Updates:

• All leadership hires completed on schedule.
• Governance and accountability frameworks are progressing well, with final Code of Conduct approval expected early next quarter.
• Health and Dental Plan feedback collection is planned for late Fall 2025.

What to Expect Next Quarter:

• Implementation of the Code of Conduct and new accountability measures.
• Analysis of Health and Dental Plan survey results and further engagement with the provider to address feedback.
• Continued focus on transparency, organizational improvement, and community engagement.

Internal Governance, Infrastructure, & Policy Development

Key Results or Progress:

• GSA successfully transitioned away from University IT infrastructure
• GSA now operates under its own domain and email system, governed by internal IT policies
• Internal HR, IT policies and Code of Conduct are in the final stages of approval

Timeline Updates:

• IT transition completed during Q3
• Policy development progressed as planned

What to Expect Next Quarter:

• Formal approval and implementation of HR policies and Code of Conduct
• Ongoing refinement of internal governance and operational frameworks

• At CASA, I’ve been actively involved in deliberations around aligning our policy goals with the current political climate. This has helped shape our national advocacy approach.
• Provincially, advocacy is going smoothly — We expect to increase my engagement with the Ministry team and have more one-on-one meetings with the Minister of Advanced Education this fall.

• Maintained active collaboration with CASA (Canadian Alliance of Student Associations) and CAUS (Council of Alberta University Students) to align advocacy at national and provincial levels.
• Engaged with the Ministry of Advanced Education on topics including affordability, funding sustainability, and student housing.
• Engaged with IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) through both direct communication and CASA advocacy channels regarding international student deferral challenges.

Key Results or Progress:

• Deferrals have been a major concern this year, with many international graduate students forced to delay their studies due to processing delays and increased financial requirements.
  • The GSA has formally written to IRCC to express these concerns and has also raised the issue through CASA, ensuring that it is recognized at the federal level.
  • This will be a key advocacy priority during CASA Advocacy Week, where the GSA will continue to push for more predictable and equitable visa and study permit processes.
• The GSA will also be working with CASA to advocate for the indexing of Tri-Council grants (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) to inflation — a central CASA priority for 2025–26 — to ensure research funding keeps pace with living costs and inflationary pressures.
• The GSA’s TBAC and GSIP submissions reinforced national and provincial goals around affordability, research excellence, and graduate employability.

Timeline Updates:

• All advocacy efforts remain on track and coordinated with CASA and CAUS timelines.

What to Expect Next Quarter:

• Participation in CASA Advocacy Week, where the GSA will emphasize international student support, Tri-Council grant indexing, and graduate affordability.
• Continued provincial engagement with Advanced Education and national advocacy for improved research and funding policies.

Related Meetings/Engagements:

• Coordination with Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA)
• Engagements with University Administration on federal immigration policy updates

Key Results or Progress:

• International graduate students are exempt from Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs)
• IRCC has indicated that PhD study permits may be processed within approximately two weeks, significantly reducing uncertainty for doctoral students
• Ensured graduate student concerns were reflected in national advocacy conversations

Timeline Updates:

• Policy clarifications and processing updates received during Q3

What to Expect Next Quarter:

• Monitoring of IRCC processing timelines in practice
• Continued federal advocacy through CASA on  graduate student issues