All major GSAÉD decisions have to be approved by one (of both) of its two major committees of elected students:
In addition, six standing committees have been created to advise and assist the executive in accomplishing the different goals of the Association. Membership is the standing committees is open to all University of Ottawa graduate students. Simply contact the chairperson of the standing committee you are interested to join. Standing committees meet about once every month, depending on need.
- By-Laws and Constitution Committee
- Café Nostalgica Committee
- Capital Building Fund Committee
- Social Committee
- Student Issues Action Committee
- University Affairs Committee
Council
GSAÉD's Council, the highest committee of the Association, is formed by one representative from each active departmental association, one representative from CUPE2626, the graduate student representatives to the university Board of Governors and Senate, and the GSAÉD executive. The executive officers, the Board of Directors and the standing committees of the Association all report to Council.
Council meetings are usually held the last Tuesday of every month.
Download the Council Orientation Manual.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is made up of the five executive officers, three directors without portfolio, the Council Chair and the Chief Returning Officer. The five non-executive members of the Board are elected by Council in October, for a one-year mandate starting in November. The role of the Board of Directors is to oversee the finances of the Association and to act as Board of Directors for Café Nostalgica
Board meetings are usually held the second Tuesday of every month.
By-Laws and Constitution Committee
The By-Laws and Constitution Committee is chaired by the Internal Commissioner and has the following responsibilities:
- Devise new and review old By-Laws to reflect the current needs and wishes of the GSAÉD and to allow the specific elaboration, interpretation, and application of the GSAÉD's Constitution;
- Ensure that the By-Laws be kept and updated;
- React to motions of Council that may impact on the By-Laws and Constitution;
- Review the By-Laws and Constitution at least once per year.
Café Nostalgica Committee
The Café Nostalgica Committee is chaired by the Student Life Commissioner and has the following responsibilities:
- Seek to balance the service and the business goals of the Café;
- Review prices of products and services in the Café;
- Be responsible for marketing and advertising promotion for the Café;
- Be responsible for establishing Café staffing policies, including hiring and removal, wage schedules, harassment and other policies as Council may determine.
Capital Building Fund Committee
The Capital Building Fund Committee is chaired by the Finance Commissioner and has the following responsibilities:
- Review all Capital Building Fund proposals for completeness and pass them off to Board and Council for approval;
- Review the Capital Building Fund periodically, or as is necessary, in order to propose amendments thereto.
Social Committee
The Social Committee is chaired by the Student Life Commissioner and has the following responsibilities:
- Organize the Graduate Orientation Week in September;
- Organize and promote all social events of the Association;
- Propose new events to add to the Association's social programming.
Student Issues Action Committee
The Student Issues Action Committee is chaired by the External Commissioner and has the following responsibilities:
- Monitor, assess, and respond to issues pertaining to the quality and accessibility of post-secondary education;
- Work on the implementation (research, public awareness, lobbying and mobilization) of GSAéD campaigns;
- Develop campaign and policy recommendations to Council;
- Be responsible for reviewing motions to be submitted to the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) national, provincial and caucus meetings.
University Affairs Committee
The University Affairs Committee is chaired by the University Affairs Commissioner and has the following responsibilities:
- Be responsible for the Interdisciplinary Conference and other conferences that the GSAÉD may wish to administer;
- Discuss motions relevant to graduate students that might be presented at the University Senate or other academic committees;
- Promote graduate student academic and teaching excellence within the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and on campus.