From November 25th to 29th, the University of Calgary Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) participated in CASA Advocacy Week in Ottawa. This key event brought together student representatives from across Canada to directly engage with policymakers on issues that impact graduate students. VP-External Hunter Yaworski, VP-Academic Alexandria Poppendorf, and Advocacy Advisor Andrew Kemle worked tirelessly to advocate for policies that affect …
Advocating for Graduate Students: Open Letter for Representation in Alberta’s University Future
The University of Calgary Graduate Students’ Association (UCGSA) took a decisive step to ensure that graduate students are heard in shaping Alberta’s post-secondary system. In an open letter addressed to Dr. Jack Mintz, we formally requested the inclusion of a graduate student representative on the expert review panel he chairs. Dr. Mintz, a renowned economist and President’s Fellow at the …
UCGSA Brief to SRSR: Advocating for Graduate Student Representation and Research Funding in Canada’s Future
The Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR) plays a crucial role in overseeing federal scientific activity, including the work of the Tri-Council granting agencies. As part of its current project, the committee is investigating the Capstone research organization outlined in Budget 2024. On October 29th, 2024, the University of Calgary Graduate Students’ Association (UCGSA) submitted a brief to SRSR …
TFCC 2024/25 – GSA’s Advocacy on Tuition and Fees
The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) is committed to advocating for the needs of graduate students at UCalgary during the annual Tuition and Fees Consultation Committee (TFCC) meetings. The GSA ensures that graduate student voices shape this year’s tuition and fee decisions. Alongside the Students’ Union (SU), we have brought forward students’ concerns and ideas to the Provost’s team, drawing from …
UCGSA Response to IRCC Rule Changes
CALGARY —The University of Calgary Graduate Students’ Association (UCGSA) is disappointed by the federal government’s continued demonization of international students. UCGSA is also additionally criticizing the government’s short-sighted attack on Canada’s innovation ecosystem by including graduate students in their new rules. “This is Minister [of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Marc] Miller’s second attempt at blaming international students for the housing …
Information for International Students: The New Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) Rules
Last month, Minister of Immigration Marc Miller announced changes to study and work permits for international students. Many of these changes have impacts on graduate students and potentially their families. We recognize that these policies are progressing and potentially subject to change. We’ve compiled a fact-sheet explaining the changes, their expected impact, and the GSA’s ongoing responses as of the …
GSA submits a joint budget submission with other Calgary student associations
The University of Calgary Graduate Students’ Association, University of Calgary Students’ Union, and Students’ Association of Mount Royal University jointly created this budget submission as part of the provincial budgetary cycle. Highlights include increasing the operating grants of Albertan institutions, reversing cuts to non-repayable student financial aid, addressing student housing insecurity, and instituting a graduate student funding stream. The GSA, …
Advocacy Updates – A Recap from March, April, and May
The GSA remains committed to advocating for the needs and interest of graduate students. Over the last couple of months, the GSA has made significant strides in its advocacy efforts. Below is a detailed recap of our activities and achievements: March and April: Setting the stage Meeting with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce: On March 7, we met with the …
Standing Up for Student Rights: A Call to Action Against Bill 18
On Tuesday, April 30th, the Graduate Student Associations of both the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta released this open letter, calling upon the Provincial Government to rescind Bill 18 – the Provincial Priorities Act and consult with post-secondary stakeholders on the best way of improving student lives. This letter was co-signed by James Steele and A.C. Cameron, …
“A Five-Year-Old’s Idea of Politics,” UCalgary Graduate Students React to Provincial Priorities Act
CALGARY—The Graduate Students’ Association of the University of Calgary (GSA) is roundly condemning the Albertan government’s threat to block federal/post-secondary deals that it doesn’t agree with. “It’s a purely ideological decision,” said James Steele, the GSA President. “There are no principles involved. You could tell just from the presser: when someone asked Premier Smith about politically motivated interference, she could …
