GSA Committees

 

GSA Standing Committees

Constitution & Bylaws Committee

Mandate:  This Committee provides a critical examination and evaluation of the By-Laws and any proposed change(s) to the By-Laws and to ensure the integrity of the By-Laws.  It also makes recommendations for change(s) to GSA Governing policy, if any, at the AGM and, where necessary, at the Board of Directors.  It is responsible for reviewing any referendum question(s) referred by the Board of Directors.

Membership: 4 General Directors

Chair: GSA V.P. Internal

Current GSA members: Nabhan Refaie (gsavpint@uoguelph.ca), Akierah Binns (akierah@uoguelph.ca), Michael Dube (mdube04@uoguelph.ca), Joshua Gonzales (jgonza10@uoguelph.ca), David Said (dsaid@uoguelph.ca) 

Finance Committee

Mandate:  This Committee advances the academic goals of graduate students as per the mission statement of the GSA.  It works within the GSA budget to allocate bursaries and awards, and annually reviews honoraria compensation.

Membership: 4 General Directors

Chair:  GSA V.P. Finance

Current GSA Members: Avneet Singh (gsavpfin@uoguelph.ca), Mingze Li (mli29@uoguelph.ca), David Bahrami (bahramid@uoguelph.ca), Jacob Yates (jyates@uoguelph.ca), David Said (dsaid@uoguelph.ca)

Grad Lounge Sustainability Committee

Mandate:  To initiate the development of strategic goals that ensure sound management and stable Grad Lounge operations.  The G.L. was set up to operate as a financially independent entity, operating 12 months of the year, with the exception of the l2 weeks in August and the last 2 weeks of December.

Membership: 3 General Directors, GSA Activities & Communications Coordinator (ACC)

Chair: GSA President

Current GSA members: Akshay Chadha (gsapres@uoguelph.ca), Avneet Singh (gsavpfin@uoguelph.ca), Akierah Binns (akierah@uoguelph.ca), Jeet Alpesh Shah (jeetalpe@uoguelph.ca), David Said (dsaid@uoguelph.ca

GSA Volunteer Committee

Mandate: Develop, plan and execute GSA events that advance the academic, professional or social development of graduate students as per the GSA mission statement.

Membership: 4 General Directors

Chair: GSA Activities and Communications Co-ordinator

Current GSA members: Manpreet Kaur (gsaact@uoguelph.ca), Mingze Li (mli29@uoguelph.ca), Elizabeth Manchester (emanches@uoguelph.ca), Mitul Gohil (mgohil@uoguelph.ca) 

CSA/GSA Joint Committees

Student Health & Dental Plan Committee

Mandate:  This Committee makes decisions regarding the student health and dental plans at the University of Guelph

Membership: GSA V.P. Finance, 1 General Director

Current GSA members: Avneet Singh (gsavpfin@uoguelph.ca), Parabhsimranjeet Singh (parabhsi@uoguelph.ca) 

Student Transit Committee

Mandate:  This Committee manages the Student U-Pass and Late Night Agreements, held with the City of Guelph.  The Committee deals with transit-related issues.

Membership: GSA V.P. External (Committee Co-Chair), 1 General Director

Current GSA members: Rebecca Randle (gsavpext@uoguelph.ca) 

 

University Committees

Academic Policies & Procedures Committee

Membership: GSA V.P. Internal

Current GSA Members: Nabhan Refaie (gsavpint@uoguelph.ca)

Admissions & Progress Board of Graduate Studies

Mandate:  This Board keeps under review policies regarding admissions of applicants and progress of graduate students in their programs.  This committee also takes action on behalf of the Board with respect to unsatisfactory progress and special requests by graduate students.

Membership: GSA President

Current GSA Members: Akshay Chadha (gsapres@uoguelph.ca)

Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health & Wellness Committee

Membership: 2 General Directors (1 voting, 1 ex-officio)

Current GSA Members: Kimber Munford (kmunford@uoguelph.ca), Samantha Reynolds (sreynolds088@uoguelph.ca)

Alcohol & Substance Abuse Advisory Committee

Mandate:  This Group works to gain a snapshot of the situation on campuses across Canada and on our campus.  It also reviews best practices regarding alcohol education, programming, and discipline options.  It also reviews educational, training, programming and discipline initiatives presently in place on the Guelph campuses and makes recommendations to the Alcohol Safety Committee and senior Administration for change, if warranted.

Membership: 2 General Directors

Current GSA Members: Vacant

Animal Care Committee

Mandate:  This Committee oversees the care of animals used for research, testing or teaching occurring with any location that operates under the auspices of the University of Guelph.  It ensures that animals will receive care and treatment that meets or exceeds the standards outlined by the provincial guidelines and statutes, and by the Guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care.  It also reviews protocols for the use of animals in either research or teaching with attention to the three “r”s asking: can animals be replaced in this program? Can the number of animals be reduced? Can the procedures be refined to lessen the pain and distress of the animals?

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA members: Samantha Reynolds (sreyno08@uoguelph.ca)

Athletics Advisory Committee

Mandate:  This Committee advises the President of the University of Guelph and the Director of Athletics on policy matters regarding the athletics programs, and use of athletics facilities at the University of Guelph including: student fees, athletics budget, new athletic centre, intramurals, etc.

Membership: 1 General Director (voting), 1 GSA Executive (ex-officio)

Current GSA members: Mohinder Sethi (mohinder@uoguelph.ca), Nabhan Refaie (gsavpint@uoguelph.ca)

Co-Curricular Experiential Learning Integrity Committee

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA members: Vacant

Code of Ethical Conduct

Mandate: To provide information and support to the University community and campus organizations with respect to the Code and these Procedures.

Membership: 1 General Director 

Current GSA members: Avneet Singh (gsavpfin@uoguelph.ca)

Compulsory Fees Committee (formerly Student Support Services Fee Committee)

Mandate:  This Committee is advisory to the Compulsory Fees Committee on matters dealing with programs funded all or in part by the SSF.  Specifically, on an annual basis, each SSF Advisory Committee shall provide the following: a qualitative assessment of the programs funded; an analysis of the expenditures against the budgets for each program area; recommendations for changes to be made in programs or budgets for the future.

Membership: GSA V.P. Finance, 1 General Director

Current GSA members: Avneet Singh (gsavpfin@uoguelph.ca), Akshay Chadha (gsapres@uoguelph.ca)

Energy Conservation Working Group

Mandate:  This Group work to identify key issues related to energy conservation at the U of G.  It also assists in developing and supporting initiatives designed to promote energy conservation at the U of G.  It reviews the University of Guelph Community Energy Program annually and other initiatives undertaken to reduce campus energy consumption and to advise on how the program corresponds with North American and worldwide trends and benchmarks.  It also reviews Terms of Reference and makes recommendations for change.  The Group provides guidance in prioritizing and choosing energy conservation projects funded by the Student Energy Retrofit Fund.

Membership: 2 General Directors (1 voting, 1 ex-officio)

Current GSA members: Vacant

Experiential Learning Advisory Committee

Mandate:  The Experiential Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) plays a leadership role in developing and evaluating experiential education programming at the University of Guelph, identifying gaps and areas for enrichment, assessing outcomes, and determining opportunities for collaboration within and outside of the institution. The overarching goal of ELAC is to provide advice to the University on ways to enhance and enrich experiential learning opportunities, both in and outside of the classroom.

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA members: Peter Duker (pduker@uoguelph.ca)

Hate Activity Committee

Mandate: This Committee educates the community about the Standard Operating Procedures and its relation to the University’s human rights policy. It also makes recommendations to the Human Rights Advisory Group for amendments as necessary and appropriate. The committee responds to particular allegations or incidents and makes recommendations for action that uphold the University’s human rights policy.

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Vacant

Homecoming Committee

Membership: 1 General Director or GSA Executive

Current GSA Members: Rebecca Randle (gsavpext@uoguelph.ca)

Hospitality Services Advisory Committee

Mandate:  This Committee provides a structured and open forum whereby unbiased representation from various user groups will evaluate and review various policy and operational aspects of Hospitality Services.  It also acts as an open channel of communication for members of the University community to register their concerns and/ or suggestions concerning departmental policy.  The committee acts in an advisory and consultative capacity, responsible to the Executive Director of Hospitality Services.

Membership:  1 General Director

Current GSA members: Aiyu Liu (aiyu@uoguelph.ca)

Human Rights Advisory Group

Mandate:  This Group advises the Director of the HREO on the following: use of this Policy and its Procedures; proposed changes to the Policy and its Procedures; preparation of the annual report to the President, including analysis of statistical information about use of this Policy and its Procedures; timing and process for a formal review of this Policy and its Procedures to be recommended to the President; appointment of the Human Rights Resource Persons under 11.3.1 by action through a subcommittee of HRAG.

Membership: 2 General Directors

Current GSA Members: Isaac Toyin (itoyin@uoguelph.ca), Nabhan Refaie (gsavpint@uoguelph.ca)

Information Technology Student Advisory Committee

Mandate:  This Committee serves as an advisory committee for Information Technology on campus on matters dealing with IT programs and services for students.

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Yang Hoong (yhoong@uoguelph.ca)

Judicial Committee

Mandate:  This Committee hears and judges alleged infractions of non-academic behaviour as outlined in the document Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Membership: 2 General Directors

Current GSA members: Mavis Opoku (mopoku@uoguelph.ca)

Late Appeals Committee

Membership: GSA VP Finance

Current GSA members: Avneet Singh (gsavpfin@uoguelph.ca)

OUTline Committee

Mandate:  This Committee provides peer support and information services on issues relating to sexual orientation and gender diversity to all individuals and families in the University of Guelph and surrounding community, especially those in the early stages of the coming out experiences and those most at risk.  It also provides strategic direction to OUTline’s programs and services in the short and longer term, and ensure on-going accountability to students for funding received via the student levy.

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Janan Shoja Doost (jshojado@uoguelph.ca)

Parking & Traffic Appeals Committee

Mandate:  This Committee monitors, reviews and hears appeals of the parking and traffic system. 

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Daniel Colcuc (dcolcuc@ugouelph.ca)

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Advisory Committee

Mandate:  This Committee reviews present programs and recommends enhancements using best practices.  For more information, please visit the Sexual Violence Support & Information Website. 

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Anmol Samra (asamra@uoguelph.ca)

Sexual Violence Training Education Committee

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Rebecca Randle (gsavpext@uoguelph.ca)

SHINE Week Committee

Membership: 2 General Directors

Current GSA Members: Kimber Munford (kmunford@uoguelph.ca), Alice Hinchliffe (ahinchli@uoguelph.ca)

Special Grants & Speakers' Fund Committee

Mandate:  This Committee provides year-round opportunities for special projects and initiatives that enhance the student experience and enrich the University Community.  This fund supports recognized student groups, clubs and registered students to run activities, programs or events that enrich the University Community.  These activities could be open to all University students or a selected cohort of students.

Membership: GSA V.P. Finance, 1 General Director

Student Budget Committee

Mandate: The Student Budget Committee (SBC) is intended to be a forum for ongoing consultation with students during the University budget development process. The focus will be on reviewing, developing and discussing ideas with regard to expenditure controls, revenue enhancement, and providing advice on any incremental investments that may be under consideration.

Membership: GSA V.P. Finance

Current GSA Members: Avneet Singh (gsavpfin@uoguelph.ca)

Student Leaders & Administration Meetings (SLAM)

Description: Student Leaders & Senior Administration Meetings are comprised of elected student leaders, a student representative from each Special Status Group and members from University Administration. This group has been established as an informal body to facilitate discussion between student leaders and University Administration to discuss a variety of issues impacting the University community.

Membership: GSA President, GSA V.P. Internal, GSA V.P. Finance, GSA V.P. External

Current GSA Members: Akshay Chadha (gsapres@uoguelph.ca), Nabhan Refaie (gsavpint@uoguelph.ca), Avneet Singh (gsavpfin@uoguelph.ca), Rebecca Randle (gsavpext@uoguelph.ca)

Student Life Award Committee

Mandate:  This Committee discusses and selects nominations for various Student Life Awards.

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA members: Vacant

Student Life Award Committee - Gordon Nixon Leadership Award

Mandate:  This Committee discusses and selects nominations for the Gordon Nixon Leadership Award.

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Vacant

Student Rights & Responsibilities Committee

Mandate:  This Committee oversees the Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct.  It also prepares and recommends non-academic student regulations which further a community environment conducive to learning

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Akshay Chadha (gsapres@uoguelph.ca)

Student Wellness Advisory Group

Mandate:  This Group discusses and recommends about Student Health Services and issues affecting student well-being.  It is involved in decision making regarding the health facility and services and provides input into the operation of the clinic.

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Kimber Munford (kmunford@uoguelph.ca)

Student Wellness EDI Committee

Membership: 1 General Director

Current GSA Members: Kimber Munford (kmunford@uoguelph.ca)

Teaching and Learning Network

Membership: 1 GSA Executive or 2 General Directors

Current GSA Members: Nabhan Refaie (gsavpint@uoguelph.ca)

Town and Gown

Membership: GSA VP External

Current GSA Members: Rebecca Randle (gsavpext@uoguelph.ca)

University Centre Board

Mandate:  This Committee supports the use of the University Centre as a place for social, educational and recreational activities and programs.

Membership: 2 General Directors (1 alternate), 1 GSA Executive

Current GSA Members: Akshay Chadha (gsapres@uoguelph.ca) Nabhan Refaie (gsavpint@uoguelph.ca)

Find us on Social Media

About Us