University of Saskatchewan Graduate Students' Association

Last updated
University of Saskatchewan Graduate Students' Association
Institution University of Saskatchewan
Location Saskatoon
Flag of Saskatchewan.svg  Saskatchewan
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Established1992(32 years ago) (1992)
PresidentKayla Benoit
Vice presidents
  • Finances & Operations:
    Ramin Mohammadi
  • Student Affairs:
    Olusola Akintola
  • External:
    Abbas Fazel Anvari-Yazdi
  • Indigenous Liaison:
    Kayla Benoit
Members+ 4,000
Affiliations Canadian Federation of Students
Website gsa.usask.ca

The University of Saskatchewan Graduate Students' Association (GSA-uSask or UofS-GSA) is the university-wide representative body for graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan, located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. [1] [2] It was established in 1985 as an office inside the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union (USSU), but it became an independent body only in 1992. Its head office is located at 1337 College Drive in the Emmanuel and St. Chad. The College of Emmanuel and St. Chad was designed by Webster, Forrester and Scott of Saskatoon and constructed in 1965 and 1966. [3] [4]

Contents

"The GSA Commons is located on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis, and we pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another."

History

In 1883 by an Act of Parliament, Emmanuel College was incorporated as “The University of Saskatchewan.” [3] [5] [6]

In 1984-85, it was created inside the USSU (University of Saskatchewan Students' Union) a group to handle issues specifically related to graduate students in the University of Saskatchewan.

In 1992, this group became an independent body, called University of Saskatchewan Graduate Students' Association. The GSA-uSask is a not-for-profit student organization that provides services, events, student clubs and advocacy work to the graduate students of University of Saskatchewan.

In the fall of 2006, the Emmanuel and St. Chad space earmarked for GSA-uSask. [3]

stained glass in the GSA Commons, Emmanuel and St. Chad Chapel. Vitral gsa usask.jpg
stained glass in the GSA Commons, Emmanuel and St. Chad Chapel.

Since 2016-17, the GSA is pleading for a seat on the U of S Board of Governors. [7] The Board is responsible for overseeing matters on management, administration and control of the university's property and financial affairs. [8] Currently, the U of S is the only university in the U15 group that doesn't have a seat for graduate students on the Board. Although changes on the composition of the Board depends on University of Saskatchewan Act's amendments (within the scope of the Provincial Legislature), recent support by the University Council is an indication that not only the graduate students consider this an important cause. [7] In 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the GSA and the PSAC Local 40004 — which represents U of S graduate students who work as teaching, research and student assistants — created a petition to oppose the tuition increase proposed by the U of S. [9] Another increase to the differential rate of 14.6%, from 1.58 to 1.81, will affect more the international student. The projected tuition for this group will rise from $2,243 to $2,698.71 — a difference of about 20%.

GSA Commons

Since 2007, Emmanuel and St. Chad Chapel holds the GSA-uSask headquarters, also referred as GSA Commons. The chapel was de-consecrated by a multi-faith opening ceremony. [3]

Governance

The governance of the University of Saskatchewan Graduate Students' Association is shared among three bodies: the executive committee; the Council; and the Board of Directors. [2]

Academic Units

Student Clubs

The student clubs in the University of Saskatchewan may be ratified by the USSU and/or ratified by the GSA. Among the several student clubs in this University, there are those related to cultural backgrounds (students from other countries), professional associations, sustainability groups, religious studies, sports and many more.

Offered Services

Previous Executive Members

Academic yearPresidentVP FinancesVP OperationsVP Student affairsVP AcademicVP External affairsIndigenous Liaison
2021-22 [15] Rifat ZahanEhsan MoradiEhsan MoradiOlusola Akintola/Mostofa KamalOlusola Akintola/Mostofa KamalLeslie Tetteh/Devin CherneskiTina Alexis/-
2020-21 [16] Humaira InamHadi Ramin/Emerita MendozaHadi Ramin/Emerita MendozaCarmen MarquezCarmen MarquezQasim GillTina Alexis (Dakelh)
2019-20Emerita Mendoza Rengifo [17] Mohammad Wajih AlamMohammad Wajih AlamAlejandra Fonseca-Chiamaka Ezekwesili-
2018-19 Naheda Sahtout [18] Jesus Corona GomezJesus Corona GomezEdgar Martinez-Soberanes [19] -Somto Ufondu [20] Marie-Eve Presber [21]
2017-18 [22] Ziad GhaithDavid BennettDavid BennettAli Kiani-Naheda SahtoutIloradanon Efimoff
2016-17 [23] Ziad GhaithKusum SharmaNafisa AbsherShailza SapalAli KianiCarolyn Gaspar [24] Dana Carriere
2015-16 [25] Rajat ChakravartyDavid BennettZiad GhaithHardi ShahaduJebunnessa ChapolaNatalia TerekhovaDana Carriere
2014-15 [26] Izabela VlahuMohammad RafatiXin LuRajat ChakravartyRanjan DattaRahwa OsmanDana Carriere
2013-14 [27] Ehimai OhiozebauMohammad RafatiKiri StaplesReanne RidsdaleIzabela VlahuSteve JimboDana Carriere
2012-13 [28] Ehimai OhiozebauJohn McLeodMaily HuynhSteve JimboDylan BeachElizabeth O’MearaNicole Callihoo

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Saskatchewan</span> Public university in Saskatchewan, Canada

The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded on March 19, 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the provincial legislature in 1907. It established the provincial university on March 19, 1907 "for the purpose of providing facilities for higher education in all its branches and enabling all persons without regard to race, creed or religion to take the fullest advantage". The University of Saskatchewan is the largest education institution in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada's top research universities and is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Federation of Students</span>

The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) is the largest student organization in Canada, representing over 530,000 students from across Canada. Formed in 1981, the stated goal of the Federation is to represent the collective voice of Canadian students and work at the federal level for high quality, accessible post-secondary education. The CFS has its roots in Canada's long tradition of having national student organizations, such as formerly the National Union of Students (Canada), the Canadian Union of Students, the National Federation of Canadian University Students, the Canadian Student Assembly, and the Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sylvia Fedoruk</span> Canadian curler and politician

Sylvia Olga Fedoruk was a Canadian physicist, medical physicist, curler and the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Nations University of Canada</span> Federated college of the University of Regina

The First Nations University of Canada is a post-secondary institution and federated college of the University of Regina, based in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. FNUniv operates three campuses within the province, in Prince Albert, Regina, and Saskatoon. The university offers academic programs in business, the humanities, social sciences, and sciences; including a number of programs focused around aboriginal practices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SaskTel Centre</span> Multi-use indoor arena in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

SaskTel Centre is an arena located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The facility opened in February 1988 and is currently the home venue of the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, and the Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League, with the arena being referred to as Co-op Field at SaskTel Centre during Rush games.

Douglas Wilson (1950–1992) was a Canadian gay activist, graduate student, publisher and writer born in Saskatchewan. In 1975, he gained prominence in a fight for gay rights with the University of Saskatchewan. The university's dean of the College of Education refused to allow Wilson into the school system to supervise practice teachers because of his public involvement with the gay liberation movement. Wilson was vice-president of the Gay Community Centre Saskatoon and had been trying to start a gay academic union at the university. The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission failed to protect Wilson and his case was unsuccessful.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Saskatchewan College of Law</span>

The College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan is the university's law school. Located in Saskatoon in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, the College of Law was established in 1912 and is the oldest law school in Western Canada, a distinction it shares with the University of Alberta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Saskatchewan academics</span>

University of Saskatchewan has over 200 academic programs on its Saskatoon, Saskatchewan campus, and is internationally known for its teaching and research. The on-campus synchrotron Canadian Light Source makes it the only Canadian institution for such nuclear and biotechnology research. Canadian Light Source nuclear research facility provides research and analysis of the internal structures of advanced materials and biological samples. The College of Arts and Science is the largest of the U of S and comprises five separate health science fields in addition to numerous other programs in the Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Natural Sciences. The Department of Computer Science as well as the College of Engineering are ranked highly within their fields. The founding college, the College of Agriculture, is still providing agricultural breakthroughs which are utilized worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby Chapel</span> Building in Saskatoon, Canada

Rugby Chapel is a municipal historic site which is part of the University of Saskatchewan. The U of S is the largest education institution in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The University of Saskatchewan location next to the South Saskatchewan River was across from the city centre of Saskatoon. In 1879, the Rt. Rev. John McLean started a schooling system in Prince Albert which was renamed the University of Saskatchewan in 1883. In 1909, when the University of Saskatchewan was established in Saskatoon, Emmanuel College moved its college buildings to Saskatoon. The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at Rugby Chapel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Norris</span> Canadian politician

Rob Norris is a former Canadian politician and retired government relations officer. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 2007 to 2016 as a member of the Saskatchewan Party, and formerly a member of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Higher education in Saskatchewan</span>

Historically, Saskatchewan's higher education system has been "significantly shaped" by demographics. In 1901, six years prior to the 1907 founding of a university in Saskatchewan, the urban population in Saskatchewan was 14,266 (16%) while the rural population was 77,013 (84%). One hundred years later, the proportions had changed significantly: urban population in 2001 was 629,036 (64%) while the rural population was 349,897 (36%). Over time the province's higher education system has changed significantly in response both to this demographic shift and to provincial politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Meili</span> Canadian politician and physician

Ryan Meili is a Canadian physician and former politician from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He previously served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Saskatoon Meewasin from 2017 to 2022 and as leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party from 2018 to 2022. He has founded a number of health care-related initiatives such as the Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health (SWITCH), the University of Saskatchewan's Making the Links program, and the Upstream think tank.

William Andrew "Bill" Waiser is a Canadian historian and author specializing in western and northern Canadian history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernest Lindner</span>

Ernst Friedrich Lindner LL. D. was an Austrian-born Canadian painter. He moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 1926, where became a self-taught commercial artist. He soon was recognized locally and then nationally and was active in several art organizations. He is known for his meticulous watercolors of natural woodlands depicting the cycle of decay and regeneration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Saskatchewan College of Engineering</span> Faculty at the University of Saskatchewan

The College of Engineering is a faculty at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regan Mandryk</span> Canadian computer scientist

Regan Lee Mandryk is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan. She specializes in Human-computer interaction.

Erika Ellen Dyck is a Canadian historian. She is a professor of history and Canada Research Chair in the History of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. In 2014, Dyck was inducted to the New College of Scholars, Artists and Scientists at the Royal Society of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nan McKay</span> Canadian librarian

Annie Maude "Nan" McKay was a Métis librarian. In 1915, she became the female Indigenous graduate of the University of Saskatchewan. McKay worked as a librarian at the university for 44 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Andrew's College, Saskatoon</span> Educational institution in Saskatchewan, Canada

St. Andrew’s College, formerly the Presbyterian Theological College, is a degree-granting, accredited theologically ecumenical seminary of the United Church of Canada. It is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and was the second affiliated college of the University of Saskatchewan. Along with the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, and the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, it makes up the Saskatoon Theological Union (STU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amira Abdelrasoul</span> Canadian researcher and professor

Amira Abdelrasoul is a researcher and associate professor at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, where she is the principal investigator of the Hemodialysis Membrane Science and Nanotechnology Research Centre. She is also a membrane technology leader in Canada, and her interdisciplinary research program focuses on solving existing hemodialysis system problems.

References

  1. "Graduate Students' Association fonds - SAIN Collections". sain.scaa.sk.ca. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  2. 1 2 "Graduate Students' Association-University of Saskatchewan". gsa.usask.ca. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "History-Graduate Students' Association-University of Saskatchewan". gsa.usask.ca. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  4. "Saint Chad's College". digital.scaa.sk.ca. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  5. "Emmanuel College / Rugby Chapel". digital.scaa.sk.ca. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  6. "College of Emmanuel and St. Chad-University of Saskatchewan". www.usask.ca. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  7. 1 2 "Graduate students seek seat on U of S Board of Governors". 26 February 2018.
  8. "Board of Governors - University of Saskatchewan". www.usask.ca.
  9. "'A distasteful act:' U of S graduate students decry proposed tuition increase". thestarphoenix. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  10. "Health and Dental Plan". studentcare.ca. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  11. "U-Pass". gsa.usask.ca. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  12. "Grad student U-Pass approved - The Sheaf - The University of Saskatchewan Newspaper Since 1912". thesheaf.com. 2013-03-07. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  13. "Bursaries". gsa.usask.ca. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  14. "ISIC Cards". gsa.usask.ca. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  15. "Retreat Meeting Minutes" (PDF).
  16. "Retreat Meeting Minutes" (PDF).
  17. MacPherson, Alex (2019-08-08). "U of S cutting subscriptions to almost 4,000 academic journals - Saskatoon StarPhoenix". Saskatoon Star. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  18. "President - Graduate Students' Association - University of Saskatchewan". Archived from the original on 2018-10-03. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  19. "Vice-President Student Affairs - Graduate Students' Association - University of Saskatchewan". Archived from the original on 2018-10-03. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  20. "Vice-President External - Graduate Students' Association - University of Saskatchewan". Archived from the original on 2018-10-03. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  21. "Indigenous Liaison - Graduate Students' Association - University of Saskatchewan". Archived from the original on 2018-10-03. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  22. "2018 AGM Meeting Notes" (PDF). gsa.usask.ca.
  23. "New GSA president primed for progress".
  24. Markewich, Courtney (2016-11-02). "Sask. students rally for access to education, tuition removal". CBC News.
  25. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2019-08-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. "June 20, 2014 Special General Minutes" (PDF). gsa.usask.ca. 2014.
  27. "GSA Council AGM SGM Meetings Minutes" (PDF). gsa.usask.ca.
  28. "September 20, 2012 Meeting Notes" (PDF). gsa.usask.ca.