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Get Involved in GSS Governance

The Graduate Student Society (GSS) exists to represent, support, and advocate for graduate students at UBC. You can get involved in shaping GSS decisions, policies, and actions in two ways:

  1. As a GSS Councillor, or
  2. As a GSS Committee Member

Both options are open to current UBC graduate students. If you’re unsure where to start, joining a committee as an Ordinary Member is often the easiest way to get involved.

Table of Contents

Join the GSS Council

What is the GSS Council?

GSS Council is the main decision-making body of the Graduate Student Society (GSS), composed of graduate student councillor.

Who is a GSS Councillor?

Councillors shall fall into five (5) distinct groups: 

  • Departmental Representatives
  • Graduate Council Representatives
  • Alma Mater Society (AMS) Council Representatives
  • Student Senators representing the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Studies
  • Executive Officers
GSS Council

Who Can Apply?

Any current UBC graduate student registered in a program.

How to Become a GSS Councillor as a Departmental Representative

  • You must be democratically elected by a department in good standing. Contact your department’s graduate advisor or program coordinator to confirm the election process, as each department may have a different process.
  • Complete the Declaration of Election Form and email it to aa@gss.ubc.ca. The form must include two signatures from graduate students in your department.
  • Complete the online training module and achieve a score of 10/10.
  • Once your appointment is approved at a Council meeting, you will be formally seated as a Councillor and will be able to vote.

Time Commitment

The usual time commitment is between 3 to 5 hours per month. This includes preparing and reviewing materials in advance and attending monthly Council meetings.

Meeting Compensation

Councillors receive meals as meeting support for attending Council sessions, and $20 vouchers for attending Committee meetings.

Join GSS Committees

GSS Committees are working groups that support the work of GSS Council and focus on areas such as governance, finances, advocacy, human resources, elections, and student engagement.

Committee Members include both

  1. Councillors (see GSS Councillors page for more details), and
  2. Ordinary Members (graduate students who are not Councillors)

Who Can Join a GSS Committee?

Any current UBC graduate student may join a committee as an Ordinary Member. Committees may also include ex officio members (Executives or others specified in policy).

How to Join a Committee

  • Review the list of committees on the Committees page below.
  • Email aa@gss.ubc.ca to express interest.
  • If there is a vacancy, your name will be forwarded to GSS staff and brought to Council for approval.
  • If there is no vacancy, you are welcome to attend committee meetings as a non-voting participant and apply once a space becomes available.

Committee Areas

GSS committees focus on different aspects of governance, operations, advocacy, and student engagement. You may be interested in:

  • Governance & Accountability — strategic planning and oversight of committee performance

  • House Finance — financial planning and facilities oversight

  • Human Resources — staffing needs, recruitment, and performance review

  • Executive Oversight — review and support of Executive leadership

  • Elections & Engagement — elections, referendums, events, and student involvement

  • Code & Policy — Constitution, bylaws, and policy review

  • AMS Caucus — communication channel with the AMS

  • Academic & External Affairs — advocacy and student experience research

  • Graduate Council Caucus — representation at Faculty Graduate Council

Visit the Committees page for full descriptions and current vacancies.

What Committee Members Do

  • Attend committee meetings
  • Review materials in advance
  • Participate in discussions and assigned tasks
  • Act within the committee’s mandate
  • Uphold GSS policies, confidentiality, and Code of Conduct

Time Commitment

Typically 1–4 hours per month, depending on the committee.

Meeting Compensation

Committee members, including both Councillors and Ordinary Members, receive $20 for each committee meeting they attend, up to a maximum of $100 per month and subject to the GSS budget. This support is provided in place of a food voucher and is not considered a wage or honorarium.

Appointment Process

  • Committee members are appointed by ordinary resolution of GSS Council
  • Appointments are approved at a Council meeting

Required Documents

Before attending your first committee meeting, you must submit:

  • A Confidentiality Agreement, and
  • A Protection of Personal Information Agreement

If these are not submitted within 30 days of appointment, you will be automatically removed from the committee.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an Ordinary Member?

An Ordinary Member is any graduate student who is not a Councillor. Ordinary Members may sit on committees when there is a vacancy and participate fully in committee work.

Are committee meetings open to students?

Yes. Most committee meetings are open. Any graduate student may attend open meetings as a non-voting participant.

How are committee members appointed?

All committee members are appointed by GSS Council through an ordinary resolution.

Who should I contact if I want to join a committee or have questions?

To apply, ask questions, or report issues, contact: aa@gss.ubc.ca