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BC Provincial Government forms Cabinet

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On November 26, 2020, the provincial government swore in its new Executive Council under the leadership of Premier John Horgan.

The UBC AMS and GSS would like to congratulate all new cabinet members on their appointments and specifically, their commitment towards providing British Columbia with leadership throughout these unprecedented times. Additionally, we would like to congratulate Minister Anne Kang, a former AMS and GSS member, on their appointment to the role of Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training.

We look forward to working with them and their ministry towards making certain that post-secondary students are supported during these unsure times. We would also like to thank Minister Melanie Mark for their leadership in the past three and a half years as Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training. We look forward to seeing their accomplishments as the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sports.

More locally, we would like to extend our congratulations to MLA David Eby on their reappointment to Attorney General of British Columbia and their new appointment to Minister responsible for Housing. We look forward to continuing to work with MLA David Eby on multiple affordability and accessibility priorities.

UBC GSS and AMS are excited to continue to work with the provincial government in our collective effort towards creating a more accessible and affordable post-secondary education system for all British Columbians.

 

For Media Inquiries:

Eric Lowe
Communications & Marketing Manager
media@ams.ubc.ca

Ben Hill
Communications Director
communications@gss.ubc.ca[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Graduate Student Societies of BC welcome much-needed investment in SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships

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Graduate Student Societies of British Columbia, representing over 18,000 graduate students from across the province, welcome the announcement of a $26 million investment in SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships by the federal government of Canada.

This funding will support 540 doctoral student researchers in areas of critical social importance, such as the effects of climate change; the development of sustainable food systems; Indigenous languages; law and environmental revitalization; the impacts of chronic and recreational cannabis use; and psychological resilience from past traumas.

PDF copy of the story

“Graduate research funding in Canada has been stagnant for far too long. Graduate students are the backbone of Canada’s research and innovation sector and its future. We are very pleased to see this much-needed investment in SSRH Doctoral Fellowships” said Alireza Kamyabi, Vice-President External Relations at UBC Graduate Student Society. “Now more than ever, we are seeing the importance of understanding how our society and social institutions function. Our graduate student researchers in social sciences and humanities are driving those projects, and we’re glad to see them be supported.”

 

GSSBC acknowledge that more action is needed to revamp Canada’s research sector and will continue to work with allies across the Canada to advocate for necessary investments in social sciences and humanities research funding.

 

“We are so appreciative that the government is recognizing the important work that needs to be done in order to further understand and rectify these large-scale issues. Funding is a necessity for graduate students to continue such important work and allows them to increase their focus on research instead of worrying about how to make ends meet. We know that graduate students will rise to the challenge that large-scale issues pose and we are grateful for the governments support”

Abby Dooks, Director of External Relations, University of Northern British Columbia GSS[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Graduate Student Societies of BC call for more support for graduate education

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1602611815690{margin-bottom: 20px !important;border-bottom-width: 20px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Government policies must take into account key differences between undergraduate and graduate education” heading_tag=”h4″ alignment=”left” margin_design_tab_text=”” main_heading_margin=”margin-bottom:20px;”][/ultimate_heading][dt_fancy_separator][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1602612115662{border-bottom-width: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text][Vancouver, BC – October 13, 2020]

Media Release

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Graduate Student Societies of British Columbia, representing over 18,000 graduate students from across the province, is today calling on all political parties in BC to commit to a program of improved and more consistent support for graduate students.

Despite the significant negative impacts that the pandemic has had on graduate programs and research in BC, graduate students have been left with little support by the province. Students are now calling on the political parties of BC to recognize that graduate students are distinct from undergraduates in key ways and require support that takes these differences into account. It is clear that the differing needs and supports important to graduate students have not been historically well-recognized by provincial education policymakers, and while this is an old problem, during the ongoing pandemic it has had the consequence of leaving large numbers of graduate students in a vulnerable financial position.

The Graduate Student Societies of British Columbia urge the parties vying to form the next government to adopt three policies that will help graduate students deliver innovative research that benefits the entire Province:

 

1) Expand the B.C. Graduate Scholarship and make it a permanently funded program.

The BCGS program, introduced by the BC government in 2018, has provided merit-based funding to hundreds of graduate students across the province, enabling them to continue their research programs with financial peace of mind. However, unless extended, the fund is set to expire in 2021. We would like to see the program become a permanent feature of the graduate education landscape and have it expanded to include students in non-STEM disciplines.

 

2) Widen the eligibility criteria of the BC Access Grant to include graduate students.

Given their extended years of education and the increasing cost of tuition, the burden of student debt on graduate students is significantly higher than undergraduates1. Despite this fact, there are no needs-based grants for graduate education in BC even though a program exists for undergraduates. Allowing graduate students to apply for funding under the newly created BC Access Grant would, as the name suggests, improve access to education for those struggling with financial barriers to graduate studies.

 

3) Recognize, and take into account through policymaking, the distinct needs of graduate students and the critical role they play in promoting the social and economic development in the province.

The educational context in graduate programs is vastly different from those found
in undergraduate programs. Political parties in BC need to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach to supporting post-secondary education is not optimal, and that support for graduate programs needs to take into account the distinct characteristics of graduate students, from financing to motivation to demographics. In particular, graduate programs are research intensive, enroll a large proportion of international students (with top international talent recruited to BC from around the world), and have many participants with new families and young children. It is also important to apply these insights to a broader range of government policies in order to better serve graduate students during their period of study.

 

Here is what graduate student leaders across BC have to say about these proposed policy changes:

“Graduate students create vast society-wide benefits with their research often leading to the creation of new technologies, new businesses and new ways of understanding our society, and they pass that new knowledge on as teachers in many programs. Introducing these changes would demonstrate that the Province appreciates the value of the contributions graduate students make and would be an investment in BC’s knowledge economy.” – Alireza Kamyabi, University of British Columbia Graduate Student Society

“These are reasonable and eminently achievable policy goals that will provide increased financial security and predictability to graduate students across the province without giving headaches to those drawing up government budgets in Victoria.

We’re often overlooked in conversations about post-secondary education, but graduate students give up years of employment income and other opportunities in order to develop their research skills and keep BC at the forefront of the new knowledge-based economy, often juggling full time study with family responsibilities. These changes would put them on a more secure financial footing and allow them to focus less on debt and bills, more on their research and teaching.” – Matt McDonald, The Graduate Student Society at Simon Fraser University

“Graduate students contribute so much to their universities and to the development of their society, in general – We are teachers, researchers, our work is published and can achieve academic clout for their institutions to boost their popularity—We can discover new methods scientifically, politically, or otherwise that can contribute to how policy is formed and what technological advances are made… It is very important that Graduate Students’ vote for a leader who will recognize our uniqueness in contributions as well as needs.” – Abby Dooks, Northern British Columbia Graduate Student Society

“Graduate students are much more likely to have families of their own relative to
undergraduate students. The need to support families is already a significant barrier to
graduate education and the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified this. Improving the
accessibility and affordability of childcare is one very easy and effective way to support
graduate students, however, the unique labour market situation of graduate students must also be a consideration in the on-going pandemic relief efforts.” – Drake T. Rushford, University of Victoria Graduate Students’ Society

About Graduate Student Societies of British Columbia

Graduate Student Societies of British Columbia is composed of the University of British
Columbia Graduate Student Society, the Graduate Student Society at Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria Graduate Students’ Society and the Northern British Columbia Graduate Student Society, together representing over 18,000 students in BC. These four organizations are registered under the BC Societies Act and are tasked with providing services to, and advocating on behalf of, the graduate students attending their respective institutions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

GSS AGM 2020

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Calling ALL Graduate Students!

We invite you to the Graduate Student Society’s Annual General Meeting- 2020. All graduate students at UBC Vancouver are members of their Graduate Student Society. The Annual General Meeting, is your opportunity to make important collective decisions for the society and to hear about the Society’s work in 2019.

For the first time we will be hosting the meeting online via Zoom:

Thu, October 15, 2020

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM PDT

Presentations and discussions will be made on:

  • AGM Agenda
  • Financial Statement
  • AGM Minutes – March 2019
  • Appointment of Auditor

Graduate Students of UBC Vancouver: Your presence at the AGM is important. It allows us to secure  quorum and vote.

 

 

Supporting Documents

2020 AGM Agenda

 2019 FInancial Statements

2019 AGM Minutes

U-Pass Response Guide

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UBC GSS, and AMS, together with other Metro Vancouver public post-secondary institutions and student associations have come to an agreement with TransLink to collectively resume the U-Pass BC Program for September 1st, with continuing support from the Province of BC.

The AMS, GSS, UBC as well as other public post-secondary institutions and student associations in the region, through surveys and consultations, learned that a large number of students rely on public transit not just for access education, but to also access essentials needs and services – whether it’s to visit the doctor, see family, buy food or safe leisurely activities.

What is the U-Pass BC program:

The U-Pass BC program is a subsidized transit pass program that provides post-secondary students with universal, accessible and affordable access to public transit across Metro Vancouver. The U-Pass BC program costs $170 per academic term or $42.50 per month, providing students with a full 3-Zone Pass per month, which would normally cost over $170 a month.

All my classes are online, do I still have to pay for a U-Pass:

All post-secondary students in Metro Vancouver are required to pay the U-Pass fee. This pooled financial effort is the reason Translink is able to provide a reduced cost, subsidized transit pass specifically for post-secondary students. By having everyone contribute together towards the U-Pass, students can enjoy highly subsidized and accessible public transportation.

I am not living within Metro Vancouver, do I still have to pay for the U-Pass:

Students studying/living outside of Metro Vancouver can apply for a U-Pass exemption. More information on this can be found here.

I don’t need the U-Pass/ I can’t afford the U-Pass, how can I get out of it:

You can only be exempted from the U-Pass if you are either living outside the Lower Mainland or if you meet the exemption eligibility criteria as outlined in your SSC U-Pass exemption form. If you are facing financial hardship you may be eligible for the AMS Winter 2020-2021 Subsidy which offers either a full or partial reimbursement of your U-Pass fee. You can apply for the Winter Subsidy through the following link by logging into AMS CampusBase with your CWL.

 

 

For more information on the AMS Winter 2020-2021 Subsidy please visit here:

 

I’m immunocompromised and will not be using public transit this fall. What should I do:

We understand this concern and have worked with UBC Enrollment services to ensure that immunocompromised students are eligible for exemptions.

For this exemption, you first have to register with the UBC Centre for Accessibility. After you have done so, please go to your SSC, click Finances, U-Pass Exemption, select the disability exemption form under medical disability, and note “disability” as your reason for exemption.  More information

 

 

GSS supports extension of the BC Graduate Scholarship in 2021 BC Budget Recommendations

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The UBC Graduate Student Society welcomes the recommendations made by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services to the BC Legislature in preparation for the 2021 BC Budget.

The Committee’s Report on the Budget 2021 Consultation includes key recommendations that will benefit graduate students, including a multi-year extension to the BC Graduate Scholarship and expanded eligibility to include graduate students in non-STEM disciplines.

Alireza Kamyabi, Vice-President External Relations at the UBC Graduate Student Society comments.

“I’m excited to see recommendations that support grad students across the Province. Extending the BC Graduate Scholarship is something that the Society has been pushing for, for several years and I’m particularly pleased that the proposal includes extending the funding to students outside STEM disciplines.

This is a time when many students are struggling economically because of the pandemic. Investing in BC’s advanced education sector is an excellent way to support our economic recovery that will pay for itself over time.

Two other recommendations that I think will benefit graduate students in the longer term, are the creation of a  provincial international student education strategy, in consultation with students, post-secondary institutions and other key stakeholders, and addressing financial barriers related to the direct and indirect costs of education, including child care and transportation.

I know that international students and students with dependents have distinct needs and the Society will be consulting with grad students across campus to make sure these needs are met as the Province develops these new plans.

I believe that if these recommendations are implemented, they will help enhance graduate education in BC by making it more financially accessible and inclusive, something the GSS supports wholeheartedly.”

The full list of budget recommendations relating to Advanced Education are:

 

  • Provide stable, multi-year funding for community literacy across BC.
  • Increase resources to adult education to provide a broader range of course offerings and ensure equity in the funding of adult students and school-age students.
  • Invest in upgrading existing post-secondary infrastructure, including encouraging and leveraging opportunities to expand satellite campuses in rural, remote and underserved communities.
  • Support post-secondary institutions in advancing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls by ensuring post-secondary education is accessible to Indigenous learners and honours and recognizes Indigenous culture.
  • Create a provincial international student education strategy, in consultation with students, post-secondary institutions and other key stakeholders, which examines the business model, the cultural, academic and economic integration of international students, and intended goals and outcomes of post-secondary education.
  • Provide sufficient support to post-secondary institutions for teaching and learning tools, infrastructure and technology, and training to facilitate professional development for the online delivery of courses.
  • Explore mechanisms, such as allowing the use of accumulated surpluses, to provide post-secondary institutions with short-term flexibility to navigate the financial impacts of the pandemic.
  • Invest in post-secondary education and expanding the number of seats available to students as a means to facilitate economic recovery and address immediate and projected gaps in the labour market, including ensuring local training and reskilling opportunities and reducing barriers for underrepresented groups.
  • Provide flexible reskilling and upskilling opportunities in online and in-person formats with a lens to equity, reconciliation and accessibility, and recognize skills acquired through prior and experiential learning, to support workers displaced due to automation, shifts to digital technology and the pandemic, including promoting and expanding technology and trades-related training and careers.
  • Provide a multi-year extension to the BC Graduate Scholarship and expand its eligibility to graduate students in non-STEM disciplines.
  • Facilitate access to education by addressing financial barriers related to the direct and indirect costs of education, including child care and transportation.

 

GSS Welcomes new Provincial funding support for students

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July 21, 2020

Vancouver, BC – We know that the last few months have been uniquely challenging for graduate students. From disruptions to work routines and unexpected financial challenges, students have experienced dramatic changes in their education and lives.  The GSS has been working harder than ever to ensure graduate students are not forgotten amidst the changes that we’ve all been experiencing. We have been working tirelessly with UBC campus partners to ensure graduate are afforded the necessary immediate financial and educational accommodations. In addition, we partnered with the Alliance of BC Students to speak with Minister Mark from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training to ensure that the BC government hears from and supports students throughout this difficult time.

This week, we’re excited to see the Ministry announce several new funding initiatives that will provide increased support for students during this time.

The first is the new BC Access Grant, a non-repayable needs-based grant that will support more than 40,00 low- and middle-income students by providing up to $4,000 a year that would assist with the up-front cost of programs leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree.

Minister Mark also announced $2.175 million in dedicated funding to develop support for students with cognitive, mental health or physical disabilities.

Finally, the province announced an additional $675,000 for BCCampus to develop online resources to help post-secondary students address new mental health and wellbeing concerns that the pandemic has exacerbated, and to create open educational resources (OERs).

The GSS welcome these announcements and thanks the Ministry for its continued commitment to providing affordable access to education for British Columbians. In particular, UBC graduate students are excited to see funding and resources allocated for the new BC Access Grant and BCCampus, especially as these were issues that we raised in discussions with Minister Mark.

“We know that affordability is one of the main barriers in access to education. With the economic impact that the pandemic has had on British Columbians, a lot of students are worried about whether they have the means to support themselves during their studies” said Alireza Kamyabi. “This additional funding would help ensure the most vulnerable members of student community are supported”.

We look forward to continue working with the province and student societies so that students receive the support they need to alleviate the impact COVID-19 on the BC post-secondary community.

————

As many of you know we’ve just completed a survey about the effects of Covid-19 on students across UBC campus. Thanks to many hundreds of you who took the time to complete that survey. We’re in the process of analysing the results, which will help shape our advocacy over the next months. However, we always want to hear from you if you’re experiencing any challenges or issues that we may take up in our advocacy efforts. Feel free to reach out to us via email at info@gss.ubc.ca

 Announcement from BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training : https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020AEST0038-001289

Kate Sedivy-Haley: 2020 Graduate

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Graduation ceremonies may be virtual this year, but we wanted to congratulate students graduating, who have contributed to the work of the GSS over their time at UBC.

Kate Sedivy Haley: PhD in Microbiology and Immunology.

 Dr. Sedivy-Haley studied responses to Salmonella infection in macrophage activation states, including the “tolerant” state seen in sepsis. She identified differences in gene expression that may account for different levels of resistance to Salmonella. This could help us to improve the ability of macrophages to resist infection and treat sepsis.

What are you hoping to do now you’ve graduated?

Now that I’ve graduated, I’m starting an internship with the Council of Canadian Academies, contributing to research and writing of reports on complex issues of public interest, including funding for natural sciences research. I’m hoping this experience will help me transition to a career in science policy.

What roles have you taken on for the GSS and what has been the best part of working with the Society?

I was the Chair of the Code and Policy Committee from October 2018 – February 2020, and Chair of the Governance and Accountability Committee from February 2020 to April 2020. The best part of working with the GSS was being able to collaborate on graduate student issues with so many dedicated people in committees and on the executive team.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Challenging Racism and Discrimination

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Recent events have brought into sharp focus the deep-rooted racism and violence that Black and Asian communities in North America continue to face. Racism has no place in modern society, whether it takes the form of violence or systemic discrimination, and whether it is directed against Black, Asian, Indigenous communities or any other ethnic minorities.

Tackling discrimination means not only highlighting and challenging individual acts of prejudice but addressing the systemic problems that continue to oppress and disadvantage marginalized groups. We welcome President Santa Ono’s open letter outlining the University’s commitments to equity and diversity.

The 10,000 graduate students we represent come from across the world to study at UBC. As such they bring diverse perspectives and direct experiences of discrimination. Their voices can play a powerful role in challenging prejudice and in spreading knowledge outside campus.

Students’ academic and personal ambitions should never be compromised by discriminatory actions. This begins with the opportunity to engage in higher education, by removing barriers which disproportionately exclude individuals of marginalized groups.

On campus, inclusivity must be embedded in all aspects of life from curriculum planning to service design. This must be championed even if it requires challenging long-established conventions. Our commitment to Equity & Diversity is only true if it is absolute and unwavering.

Earlier this year the Society formally adopted commitments to champion equality and diversity on campus and beyond. These include:

  • Emphasizing in our advocacy the unique and intersectional issues that graduate students experience, with special respect to those from marginalized groups.
  • Engaging with student representatives from across campus to encourage and promote equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the ways these groups need.
  • Dedication to building community for marginalized groups via academic, professional, social, and recreational services.

We support graduate students who fight racism and prejudice in all its forms, and we actively encourage graduate students to contact us about how we can support marginalized groups more effectively.

The GSS Executive Team

Kimani Karangu (President), Nicolas Romualdi (VP University and Academic Affairs), Alireza Kamyabi (VP External Relations), Sarah Park (VP Students), Tayo Olarewaju (FEOO)

Additional materials

Contact the GSS

The GSS statement on Equality, Diversity and Exclusivity

PDF copy of the statement

How can we THRIVE in the time of Covid?

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A normal research day for Theresa Pauly might involve visits to study participants across the lower mainland. Working in the Health and Adult Development Lab, which focuses on the links between social relationships and health, personal contact is an extremely important part of research.

“We work a lot with older adults, particularly couples, so we still advertise via newspaper or posters at community centres and do study visits in person. It’s great to meet with participants for a few hours. Even if most of the study protocol requires completing electronic surveys, face to face interactions provide a lot of insight into participants’ thinking.”

But the arrival of COVID19, and with it social distancing, has changed the normal research routine.

However, the change in circumstances has also offered a unique new opportunity to study social interactions and health, and so the THRIVE study was born. Tracking Health and Relationships in Varying Everyday contexts is led by Professor Christiane Hoppmann and aims to understand people’s thoughts, behaviours and feelings during the social distancing required by Covid.

Anyone over the age of 18 and living in Canada can participate. “If you sign up, we’ll ask you to complete a 45 to 90-minute online questionnaire about your background, personality, social relationships, attitudes, and wellbeing. Then, for ten days, we will ask you to complete two 5 to 10-minute questionnaires per day: one in the morning and one in the evening about your thoughts and how you are feeling, your everyday activities and social interactions.

“The results of our study will help us understand how people can maintain their wellbeing and social connectedness in times of social distancing. We expressly chose THRIVE as a title for the study because we want to convey the message that there are positive opportunities to develop new methods of social interaction even at this difficult time.”

There is certainly plenty of evidence that healthy social relationships are extremely important to good health.

“We know humans are social beings, we have a need to belong and that poor social relationships are poor for our health. Studies show that poor social relationships have a similar negative effect on health to smoking or alcohol consumption

COVID has created a unique context to help us understand how to manage isolation, what can help us make the best of the situation.  Gratitude for the positive changes we can see like a view of the mountains untouched by pollution, more focus on creativity, new ways to connect with friends and family. While we all hope that the changes required by COVID will be short lived the resources that we find useful can be applied to help people that struggle with isolation.”

As someone who understands and researches the links between social interactions and health what advice does Theresa have for adapting to life in isolation?

“I enjoy alone time so the initial change wasn’t too bad. The most helpful thing I’ve found is to have a regular schedule. I still build my day as I did before COVID with scheduled work and leisure time and a daily walk for half an hour at lunchtime. I also try hard to set up social interactions each day, even if it is just a quick phone call. One thing I have tried with other grad students which works well is to have everyone in a Zoom meeting but to work independently. It gives you the feeling of working in a team and you can check in when you need to. I also can’t be watching Netflix all day because somebody knows!”

Thankfully despite the disruption to her work Theresa has been prevented from graduating on time: “In June I’ll be defending my thesis. I’ve heard stories from friends in Europe of thesis defences being delayed indefinitely, so I’m really grateful that UBC have been so organised. I just hope that there will enough normality to allow me to hit the ground running on my postdoc in Switzerland this September.”

More information about the study

https://blogs.ubc.ca/thrivestudy/

Sign up for the study:

https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6RwFu3ocxjDML1r