GSS July 2026 Wrap-Up: Community, Governance, and Support

Drag Brunch

Don’t be a drag, attend a drag show! We took UBC graduate students out on the town this month to The Real Drag Brunch hosted by local performer, The Real Human Girl. Students got to experience the queer joy of Vancouver’s drag scene and make memories with friends both new and old.

Stress Less Painting

Students took a break from their summer coursework with our Stress Less, Paint More event. We provided the paint and materials (and snacks), and students brought the most important thing: their creativity and whimsy, expressing themselves while destressing.

Gallery

Council Highlights

Council held the election for their Financial Officer, reelecting César Landín, who will continue in the role starting September 1.

Council received a presentation summarizing key takeaways from the Unifor Symposium, which focused on recognizing gender-based violence as an epidemic, the impacts on university communities, and actions institutions can take to address the issue.

Graduate Student Senator Bryan Buraga introduced UBC’s proposed Academic Freedom Policy, providing background on its development and encouraging councillors to consult with their constituencies ahead of a final Council discussion and decision slated for August.

To read more about the GSS Council, visit gss.ubc.ca/council.

Update from the President

On July 17, GSS President Hayley Lawrence and Policy Assistant Ihomehe Agbebaku met with the Minister of Post-secondary Education. They discussed Mandating Indigenous Student Representation on University Senates and Boards of Governors.