Advocating for Student Needs
VP UAA Gautam Luhana and President Hayley Lawrence presented at the UBC VP Students and Student Leaders Fall Retreat. They shared the GSS’s priorities for the year, supporting their asks with data from the GSS Student Satisfaction Survey and examples of similar supportive policies adopted by other institutions across Canada.
Orientation Season
The orientation events sure did sell out fast! We loved meeting and welcoming new students.
As President Hayley Lawrence shares, “It was wonderful to welcome so many graduate students at GradStart! We loved meeting you, connecting with you, and being part of the start of your UBC journey.”
Like every year, we also put together a portal for incoming students. See the New Grad Portal, an essential stop for new students.
Joint Letter regarding 2026/2027 Food Security Initiative (FSI) Funding
On September 11, 2026, the Graduate Student Society of UBC Vancouver (GSS), Alma Mater Society (AMS), Students’ Union Okanagan (SUO), and Graduate Students’ Association of UBC Okanagan (GSA) submitted a joint letter to the UBC Board of Governors and UBC Administration regarding the 2026/2027 Food Security Initiative (FSI) funding.
While welcoming UBC’s $1.2 million FSI funding commitment for the 2026/27 fiscal year, the student societies raised concerns regarding the decision to redirect an additional $400,000 toward the University-led Food Prescription Program pilot rather than student-led food security initiatives, as well as the absence of a multi-year funding commitment. The letter urges the Board of Governors to maintain the full $1.2 million annually for student-led initiatives across both campuses and to provide transparent details on the program’s funding and development.
Strike Vote
The Graduate Student Society proudly supported the efforts of our union CUPE 2278. Students showed up ready to learn more and vote at the Get Out the Vote BBQ, and continued showing up throughout the week during the voting period (September 21-25).
95.4% of voters voted in favour of a strike.
Projects in Numbers
Served 122 Families
Baby HampersBaby Hampers
Supported 849 Households;
2739 Individuals
Acadia Food Hub
Council Highlights
Council received an overview of HOUSE Canada and discussed potential opportunities for future collaboration. Council also endorsed the CUPE 2278 strike vote and supported outreach efforts to encourage eligible graduate student members to vote YES.
The Council also approved moving forward with a strategic review of GSS staffing and organizational effectiveness, to be led by the Human Resources Committee.
UBC’s proposed Academic Freedom Policy was also discussed, and Council adopted a position opposing its approval, directing the Graduate Student Senators to oppose the policy at Senate.
Finally, Council endorsed the campaign calling for immediate intervention for admitted Palestinian graduate students and supported the GSS signing the related letter.
To read more about the GSS Council, visit gss.ubc.ca/council.
