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 …
“It’s a nice budget… if we’re allowed to enjoy it”: UCalgary grad students worry Bill 18 could scuttle new federal funding promises
CALGARY—The University of Calgary Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) applauds the 2024 federal budget for its commitment to research and innovation in Canada. The notable increases to graduate and post-doctoral scholarships within the Tri-Council Agencies are a long-awaited step to securing Canada’s top talent. “These awards fund the work of our top developing researchers, and set the tone for what graduate …
Soften the Blow: Advocating for Rental Market Reform in Alberta
In the realm of housing, the struggle to find affordable rental accommodations is an ever-present challenge. With rental prices soaring, the need for innovative solutions has never been more critical. Our recent advocacy efforts have centred around proposing a pilot program to test the viability of implementing Quebec’s “soft rent cap” model in Alberta’s rental market. In our January/February Advocacy …
Advocacy Updates: GSA’s Budget Submission and White Paper Release
As the voice of graduate students at the University of Calgary, the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) is committed to advocating for the needs and interests of its members. Recently, the GSA made significant strides in advancing its advocacy agenda through the submission of a budget proposal to the provincial government and the release of a white paper addressing student housing …
GSA Advocacy Recap: Prioritizing Graduate Students’ Welfare
Advocacy has been at the forefront of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) as the GSA has diligently worked to address pivotal issues impacting graduate students. The months of November and December saw an array of strategic initiatives and engagements aimed at securing better opportunities and resources for graduate students. Advo Week, held from November 20 to November 24, 2023, witnessed …
GSA’s Response to the Board of Governors Tuition and Fee Vote
The Board of Governors of the University of Calgary convened on Friday, December 8, 2023, to deliberate on a proposed set of tuition and fee increases. The Board of Governors is the ultimate decision-making body of the institution and is comprised of members from the university administration, the Students’ Union (SU), the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), the Faculty Association (TUCFA), …
GSA’s Advocacy for Affordable Education: The GSA’s Five Key Asks for Positive Change
As advocates for graduate students, the Graduate Students’ Association recently met with the university’s Provost’s office to discuss key issues that directly impact the graduate student community. Here is a breakdown of the five significant asks presented by the GSA during the meeting, highlighting the importance of each request and the potential impact they could have on graduate education. Ask …
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Alberta Post-secondary Education
The Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) recently put out a press release regarding the Sexual and Gender-Based violence in Alberta Post-secondary education report. This report has brought to light about the harsh realities of sexual and gender-based violence within our post-secondary institutions. CAUS alongside the GSA, and other stakeholder groups are deeply invested in the welfare of our students …
