GSS September 2026 Wrap-Up: Orientation Season & Advocating for Student Needs

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.

Games Night

Our monthly Games Night continues to bring graduate students together across departments to unwind, play board games, and build connections. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and share a fun evening on campus.

GSS Family Fun Day

The GSS Family Fun Day brought together graduate student families for an afternoon filled with outdoor activities, laughter, and community bonding. Thank you to everyone who joined us to make it such a memorable event for parents and kids alike!

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.

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.

Council Highlights

Council received a presentation from AMS Student Services Senior Manager Kathleen Simpson on the services offered by the AMS, including data on how these services support graduate students. Council also had an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the available services.

Council discussed and approved amendments to the Committee and Caucus Policy regarding the All-Chairs Committee. The changes establish the President as Chair of the All-Chairs Committee, replacing the previous rotating chairship structure.

Council also discussed and approved changes to the membership of the AMS Caucus, limiting membership to the three AMS Representatives.

Finally, Council approved the revised Statement of Investment Policy, presented by HFC Chair Joshua Fan.

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

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.