In 1960, the first graduate student body at UBC was created, and was called the GSA (Graduate Students’ Association). Joe O’Donnell was elected as its first president, and Leon Koerner, a foundational philanthropist residing at UBC announced that he would gift what is now Leon & Thea Koerner House to the GSA to become the Graduate Student Centre.

In 1962, Thea Koerner House was opened, and became the Graduate Student Centre under the leadership of then-president Bob McAndrew.

The building, generously supported by Leon Koerner, was awarded the Massey Gold Medal for its outstanding architectural design, and was considered to demonstrate the best architecture in Canada at the time.

In 1982, the Graduate Student Society (GSS) was formed, integrating the administration of the Graduate Student Association and the Graduate Student Centre to create a unified society. With the GSS, all graduate students became members of the society simply by being registered in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

After the completion of the AMS Nest in the centre of campus, the Graduate Student Society obtained the GSS Loft – a dedicated space for graduate students to socialize, study, and work on the 4th floor of the Nest. Located in Rm. 4202, the GSS Loft is used for grad student events and meetings, as well as a central space for grad students to lounge or get some work done.

We are proud to announce the opening of the Graduate Life Centre (GLC), a vibrant community-oriented space, designed and operated for you by the Graduate Student Society! Whether you are looking for a place to relax with your friends, or a spot to plug in your laptop and finish an assignment, the GLC has been designed to cater to your various needs.   

The Graduate Student Society of UBC Vancouver represents and advocates on behalf of all UBC Graduate Students to the University, the Government, and the public. We provide academic, professional, social, and recreational services to our members, and act as stewards of the Thea Koerner House Graduate Student Centre.