In a bid to bolster innovation in Alberta, the provincial government has launched the Innovation catalyst Grant (ICG), an initiative aimed at supporting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate students. With the goal to commercialize research emerging from Alberta’s universities, this grant program holds the promise of transforming innovative ideas into thriving businesses. While the initiative is commendable, it …
Advocacy Win: Graduate Student Funding is a top initiative of the UCalgary’s 2023-2030 Strategic Plan
The University of Calgary just released its 2023-2030 Ahead of Tomorrow Strategic Plan. The GSA would like to thank many graduate students that provided the GSA and UCalgary with their input to ensure that the UCalgary invests in graduate students and our research. Graduate students are the driver of UCalgary’s research and innovation; therefore, we deserve proper funding and support. Unfortunately, …
Get Ready to Vote in the Provincial Election
Photo: CBC The Alberta Government is expected to call an election in May. Is this your first-time voting? Get ready to vote with the GSA! In this blog, we will show you how elections work in this province, what the different levels and branches of government are, and what you’ll need to know to register to vote for the upcoming …
Thesis-based Graduate Students will have three-week vacation starting May 2023
Join us in celebrating a win for thesis-based graduate students! The GSA, in collaboration with the Faculty of Graduate Studies, was successful in advocating for a three-week vacation/time off for thesis-based graduate students! This is an increase from the two-week vacation in place previously. The GSA appreciates the feedback from graduate students about the need to advocate for this increase. …
GSA Response to The Alberta Government Budget
G’day y’all! AC here with an update concerning the recent Provincial Budget. The 2023 provincial budget was released by the Alberta Government on Feb. 28th and approved by Legislature on March 14th. The budget aims to offer affordability support for Post-Secondary Institutions (PSI) by way of some increases to PSI funding, grants, and student loan programs over the next year, as well …
Advocacy Updates: What we have been working on since November!
February 10th, 2023 Hello all! Andrew here, your GSA’s resident Advocacy Advisor, filling in for your regular host, AC. Apologies from the Advocacy Team for the delay since our last update. It’s been an intense couple of months. We have a lot to update you all on as a result, so let’s get to it. Overall, the GSA’s advocacy strategy …
Advocacy Update: Tuition and Fee Increase Vote at the Board of Governors meeting
[January 20, 2023] As many of you know, the Board of Governors of the University of Calgary met this afternoon to deliberate, and vote on, the proposed tuition and fee increases. For those who aren’t aware, the Board of Governors is made up of twenty-three members: four (including the President and Chancellor) from the university administration, three are student representatives …
Advocacy Update: Graduate Student Tuition and Fee Increase
The GSA has been involved in the tuition and fee increase consultation process since the first Tuition and Fees Consultation Committee (TFCC) meeting in early October 2022. The GSA has presented a tuition and fee increase proposal on October 20, 2022, at TFCC meetings and was invited to submit recommendations. The GSA Advocacy team evaluated the feedback from the Graduate …
Advocacy Updates: City of Calgary’s Proposed Service Plans and Budget
November 15, 2022 The GSA Advocacy team is writing to highlight an opportunity for you to offer feedback on the City of Calgary’s proposed (4 year) Service Plans and Budgets. From Nov. 21st to 25th, the City wants to hear your feedback, either written, or spoken to the council during their open meeting on the 22nd. These budgets influence the …
Advocacy Updates on Tuition and Fees from AC
(October 25, 2022) Hey y’all, hope you’re keeping warm, enjoying a warm bevvy or two, and finding time enough to rest and regroup between your studies! I’m loving the way the snow is sitting on these evergreens, but I digress. Let’s get to the point: tuition season has kicked off, so I’m writing to give you some info about the …
