GSA Executive Committee Elections 2021-2022

GSA Call for Nominations
Executive Committee 2021 - 2022
Nomination Period: February 8 – March 7
Campaign Period: March 8 – 19
Voting Period: March 22 – 23
Term of Office: May 1, 2021 – April 30, 2022

The GSA is the sole official representative body of graduate students at the University of Guelph. The GSA is operated by a Board of Directors, which consists of an elected Executive Committee and representatives from each department. The Executive Committee is comprised of a President & CEO, Vice-President Internal, Vice-President Finance and Vice-President External.

Executive Committee Nomination Process

Term of Office: May 1, 2021 – April 30, 2022

Step 1: Eligibility

Full and part time graduate students who have at least six (6) months service as a General Director and/or Executive, at the commencement of their term (May 1, 2021).

Note: This requirement is waived if none of the candidates nominated for a position meet the service term requirement. All interested students are encouraged to apply.

Step 2: What to Do

Complete the GSA Executive Committee 2021-2022 Nomination Form by the nomination deadline: March 7, (4:30 p.m.). The nomination form includes a brief nominee statement (no more than 500 words), which becomes a public document.

Step 3: Campaigning Period

Candidates have the option of campaigning for their position. The campaign period runs from March 8 – 19, 2021. All campaign materials must be approved by the CRO and must be removed by 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the campaign period. No campaigning is permitted during the voting period.

Step 4: Voting Period

The voting period will be held from March 22 – 23, 2021. In the event of a single nomination for any office, there shall be a (yes/no) vote to ensure that the candidate is satisfactory to the membership.

Graduate Students' Association Executive Officer Nominee Information

Please complete the online nomination form.

Duties of GSA Executive Officers

The four Executive positions described below are open for nomination. Candidates must be current members of the GSA and intend to register for Graduate Studies during the Spring/Summer and Fall 2021 semesters, as well as the Winter 2022 semester; and have at least 6 months service as a General Director and/or Executive at the commencement of their term (May 1, 2021) to be eligible.

Note: The 6-month service eligibility clause is waived, if none of the nominees meet the requirement.

Job descriptions may vary slightly due to editorial changes currently being recommended to the By-Laws and Constitution Committee for presentation at the AGM, March 31, 2021.

The By-Laws/Constitution outline responsibilities and duties in detail.

Executive Officers are required to submit monthly written reports; attend bi-monthly Executive and monthly Board Meetings; as well as Committee Meetings outlined in their portfolio.

GSA PRESIDENT

As the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, the President is charged with the responsibility of carrying out the legislation, policies, by-laws, regulations, and resolutions of the Corporation, supervises employees of the GSA, coordinates activities of operational bodies, represents the Corporation at official functions and public occasions, ensures development of long term goals, priorities, and policies, represents the Corporation at the Board of Graduate Studies, and represents the GSA as an ex-officio member of Senate. The President Chairs the GSA Grad Lounge Sustainability Committee. Executive Officers rotate attendance at monthly Student Leaders and Administration meetings.

Honorarium is currently $841.89/month (pending review).

GSA VICE-PRESIDENT INTERNAL

Responsible for establishing and maintaining communication with the GSA membership, maintains a listing of committees on which graduate students are represented, ensures graduate student membership and participation on such committees, acts as Chair for the GSA By-Laws and Constitution Committee, assists in coordinating elections/referendum procedures, is one of the representatives on the U.C. Board, participates on university committees dealing with matters of internal focus. The V.P. Internal assists in organizing the Memorial Tree Ceremony and facilitates academic dispute resolution meetings.  Executive Officers rotate attendance at monthly Student Leaders and Administration meetings.

Honorarium is currently $775.16/month (pending review).

GSA VICE-PRESIDENT FINANCE

Responsible for ensuring the keeping of permanent and accurate records of financial transactions of the Corporation and departments operating within the limitations of the Corporation, coordinating the preparation and presentation of a semesterly budget, acting as Chair of the GSA Finance and Honoraria Committees, member of the Grad Lounge Sustainability Committee; and responsible for internal communication relating to Student Health and Dental Plans. The V.P. Finance represents the GSA on the bi-weekly Compulsory Fee Committee (Fall term); and the Special Grants/Speakers Fund Committee; Student Health Advisory Committee, Late Appeals Committee and the Emergency Bursary Committee. Executive Officers rotate attendance at monthly Student Leaders and Administration meetings.

Honorarium is currently $775.16/month (pending review).

GSA VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL

Responsible for establishing and maintaining communication with university student associations and organizations external to the University of Guelph, specifically but not limited to the Canadian Federation of Students, the National Graduate Caucus; and the City of Guelph, communicating external and municipal issues affecting students to the Board of Directors. The V.P. External co-chairs the Transit Committee, whose voting members manage the Universal Bus Pass program. Executive Officers rotate attendance at monthly Student Leaders and Administration meetings.

Honorarium is currently $775.16/month (pending review).

Some of the Student Services the GSA provides to members:

• Operation of The Fifth: GSA Rooftop Patio & Lounge
• Negotiation of Health and Dental benefits
• Administration of the bus pass
• Confidential peer support for students experiencing academic disputes
• Communication with members through newsletter/website/U.C. digital screens
• The GSA founded the Emergency/Compassionate Fund; provides Travel Grants for GSA members presenting at conferences and research-related travel; Child care bursaries.
• The GSA acts as a liaison between graduate students and university administration, with GSA representatives sitting on most university committees/presidential task forces and boards.

If you have any questions regarding the nomination process, please contact the GSA CRO, gsacro@uoguelph.ca, or Daria Ruginis, gsa@uoguelph.ca.