GSA Board

The VP Academic has oversight in representing the graduate student body in academic matters, including details relating to program and degree requirements, academic standing, and professional development. In addition to the GSA Board and the GSA Council, they serve on a number of governance bodies including the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) Council and its associated standing committees, and General Faculties Council (GFC) and its associated standing committees. They also meet regularly with the Dean of FGSR.

The VP Academic serves as the chair of the GSA FGSR Council Caucus and the GSA GFC Caucus, each of which are composed of graduate students elected to serve on the FGSR Council and the GFC, respectively.

The VP Student Services represents graduate students to key players that provide UAlberta graduate students with essential services. These services include the GSA Health and Dental Plan, the U-Pass, the Graduate Student Assistance Program (GSAP), as well as a host of University of Alberta-provided services.

In addition to serving on the GSA Board and the GSA Council, they oversee GSA grants, awards, and bursaries and serve on a number of governance bodies including two U-Pass committees, the Campus Food Bank Board of Directors, committees associated with the Physical Activity and Wellness (PAW) Centre, and other student health and wellness committees. They also meet regularly with the Dean of Students.

The VP Student Life has oversight on matters related to graduate student life and the overall graduate student experience. These include, among others, University residence matters, GSA outreach, graduate student groups, matters related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and other issues as assigned.

Their work further includes connecting with GSA Graduate Student Groups and other student groups, and supporting said groups in their engagement with the GSA, as needed.

In addition to the GSA Board and the GSA Council, they serve as Chair of the GSA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, Vice-Chair of the GSA Governance Committee, and serve as a member of FGSR Council.

Since the GSA is the trade union for UAlberta Academically-Employed Graduate Students (AEGSs), the AVP Labour serves as the head of the union that represents these workers and their interests in the negotiation of the collective agreement. The work of the AVP Labour relates directly to the Graduate Student Assistantship Collective Agreement, and requires among others frequent one-on-one meetings with AEGSs. The AVP Labour also works with representatives of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), with whom the GSA has a service agreement.

In addition to serving as a non-voting member of GSA Board and the GSA Council, they serve on a number of governance bodies related to labour, including serving as the Chair of the GSA Labour Relations Committee, as well as serving as a member of the UAlberta Joint Worksite Health and Safety Committee and as a non-voting member of the GSA Budget and Finance Committee.