Executive Leadership

The GSS is directed by the Executive, an elected team of graduate students that work together to serve the interests of graduate students, kickstart initiatives, and represent the graduate student community at UBC.
 
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Sam Kenston

President

Tackles an ambitious set of goals to support graduate students while carefully coordinating the work of the GSS as a whole.

 
OPEN OFFICE HOURS:
Tues – Thurs: 1 pm – 5 pm
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Isha Gill

VP University & Academic Affairs

Connects graduate students with UBC Administration and the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, consulting and advocating for graduate student concerns.

OPEN OFFICE HOURS: 
Mon – Fri: 10am – 2pm
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Violeta Fabiani

VP External Relations

Builds and maintains the grad community’s connections with external bodies, making sure the graduate student voice is heard by legislators and student organizations.

OPEN OFFICE HOURS: 
Wed: 10am – 2pm
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Stephen Odoi

VP Students

Responsible for managing and enhancing graduate student programs and services. This involves budgeting and organizing social events, advocating for student needs, and collaborating with campus and external partners to improve the overall student life experience

OPEN OFFICE HOURS: 
Thurs: 3pm – 5pm
Fri: 2pm – 5pm
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Abhishek Somanagoudar

Financial Officer

Oversees our society’s finances to ensure everything runs smoothly.

 
 
 
 
 
OPEN OFFICE HOURS: 
Fri: 11am – 5 pm

Council

The GSS Council is the primary governing body of the GSS, and is made up of elected, departmental graduate student representatives, together with the GSS Executive and graduate student senators. The Council guides and oversees the actions and initiatives of the GSS to serve all graduate students at UBC. All graduate programs and departments may appoint a council member to the GSS Council, and larger departments may also request a second council member.

All meetings are open for graduate students and honorary members of the GSS to attend, and are a great opportunity to explore the Society’s current initiatives and observe how the Council functions. If you’re a not a graduate student, please request an invitation to attend by contacting the GSS President (Chair of the Board), at president@gss.ubc.ca.

The Council meets on the third Thursday of every month in the Michael Kingsmill Forum (Room 4301) in the AMS Student Nest, from 5:30-9:00pm. 

Interested in Representing Grad Students?

Find more info and join Council in our Get Involved section.

UPCOMING MEETING

The agenda is posted 48 hrs. prior to the next scheduled meeting.

Policy Revisions applicable to the next Council meeting:

  • None at this time

Council Minutes

For past council minutes, please check the Archives section.

Committees

GSS committees work directly in specific areas of interest to enhance graduate student life at UBC. They have a say in how all the distinct parts of the society operate, and focus on any of the aspects of the society from the running of events, to elections, finance, and policy, and are overseen by the Council.

Committees are a great opportunity to gain experience and know-how in a specific area of interest, and to have a more direct impact on specific issues affecting graduate students.

All committee meetings are open to current UBC graduate students.

Interested in Joining a Committee?

See our Get Involved section, or Contact a Committee Chair.

Academic & External Affairs Committee

We help the Society lobby effectively important academic and personal issues to the University and externally to improve the graduate student experience, and work to better understand and represent our grad community through research, such as the annual GSS Student Satisfaction Survey.

Meetings: Bi-monthly


Code & Policy Committee



We review the core documents that define how the Society operates – the GSS Constitution, Bylaws, and Policy Manual – to ensure they are effective and up to date to support the efficient running of the Society.

Meetings: Monthly


Elections & Engagement Committee

We manage the Society's referendums and annual elections, and get graduate students politically engaged and voting.

We also plan and organize social events, programs, workshops, and classes, as well as providing networking opportunities.

Meetings: Biweekly coupled with activities during elections season (Jan-Apr); monthly meetings during the remainder of the year.

Executive Oversight Committee

We support the GSS Executives by conducting regular performance reviews and help resolve any concerns or issues with how the Executive leads the Society and serves our graduate student community.

Meetings: Bimonthly

Governance & Accountability Committee

We engage in strategic planning, review the governance structure of the Society, and oversee the performance of all other committees and of the Financial Officer.

Meetings: Bimonthly

House Finance Committee



We direct and manage the financial wellbeing and performance of the Society, as well as overseeing the use of our facilities at the Graduate Student Centre located at Thea Koerner House.

Meetings: Bimonthly

Human Resources Committee




We work to ensure the Society is staffed with a strong team of people to carry out the work and goals of the GSS. We monitor staffing needs, oversee staff recruitment and performance evaluations.

Meetings: Bimonthly

Indigenous Engagements Ad Hoc Committee

We provide culturally-relevant and mindful recommendations to the GSS Council and its committees in order to promote indigeneity, Indigenous representation, engagement, equity, and reconciliation within the Society.

Meetings: Bimonthly

Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee



We put together the GSS five-year Strategic Plan, which provides a medium-term vision for the society and a practical platform to communicate our values.

Meetings: Bimonthly

Construction Progress Weekly Photo Reports

GLC before construction

Week 21 – July 07 2023

Week 20 – June 30 2023

Week 19 – June 23 2023

Week 18 – June 9 2023

Week 17 – June 2 2023

Week 16 – May 26 2023

Week 15 – May 19 2023

Week 13 – May 05 2023

Week 12 – April 28 2023

Week 11 – April 21 2023

Week 10 – April 14 2023

Week 9 – April 6 2023

Week 8 – March 31 2023

Week 7 – March 24 2023

Week 6 – March 17 2023

Week 5 – March 10 2023

Week 4 – March 3 2023

Week 3 – February 24 2023

Week 2 – February 17 2023

Week 1 – February 10 2023