GSA and BUSU are hiring for a joint Elections and Governance Coordinator, acting at the Returning Officer during election periods. To learn more and how to apply, click here. Recruitment will be rolling; consideration of applicants will begin immediately. Applications accepted up to 4:00 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, June 16, 2023.
As we begin the 2023-2024 academic year, the GSA is currently recruiting for the following positions! Please note the specific application requirements and email contact for the role you are interested in.
Applications must be received by the GSA no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, and will be determined by the date & time stamp of the email received in the GSA email system.
💼 GSA Board of Directors (Application deadline: Wednesday, May 17 @ 4pm EDT)
We are currently looking for graduate students interested in student advocacy, the graduate student experience and non-profit governance to sit on our Board of Directors. Our Board engages in making decisions that define the GSA’s strategic objectives and priorities, organizational values, and future course for the GSA.
While applications from ALL faculties are welcome, we are primarily looking for students from:
Click to review the Roles & Responsibilities of the Board and Board members.
Click here to review the set meeting dates of the Board for 2023-2024.
Board of Directors Application: Please send applications (cover letter and resume/cv) to board@brockgsa.ca. All documents will be kept in confidence. Time Commitment: 3-5 hours/month
🙌 GSA Committees (Statement of Interest Deadline: Wednesday, May 17 @ 4pm EDT)
Our internal committees are a great place for students interested in graduate student life and leadership. It is a chance to meet other graduate students with similar interests and a place to collaborate with GSA Board Directors and members of the Executive Committee on matters related to graduate students.
Our internal Committees, and average Time Commitment, include:
GSA Committee Application: Please send a Statement of Interest, maximum 250 words, expressing why you’d like to be involved with the selected committee, to opportunities@brockgsa.ca. All information will be kept in confidence.
CONNECT WITH US!
Website: https://brocku.ca/graduate-students-association/
Instagram: @BrockGSA
Twitter: @BrockGSA
February 13 – 17, 2023
For any questions about Cultural Integration events, please email Alex at equity@brockgsa.ca
MONDAY
Culture and Sport @ 10:00am – 12:30pm (Ian Beddis Gym)
Join us in Ian Beddis gym for a Tai Chi class from 10-11 followed by a Kyūdō demonstration from 11-12. Special thank you to Chris Sora for his demonstration of this traditional Japanese archery.
Click here to register for the event
Come Home: an immersion into Trinidadian Carnival @ 6:30pm (Cairns 207)
Let’s learn about Carnival! Hosted by Brock Alumni and anti-racism advocate Monique Maison, we will take a look into the history of Carnival and its roots in Trinidad and Tobago. Music, colourful costumes, and festive dances are hallmarks of this world-famous festival. Come experience the music, costumes and more!
Click here to register for the event
TUESDAY
Culture and Coffee @ 9am – 10:30am (MC-D302)
Stop by for your morning coffee and snacks! And while here, grab our Local Area Culture guides and contribute to the 2023 Brock’s Culinary Culture Cookbook as well as our community culture playlist.
Click here to RSVP for the event
Black History Month Movie Night @ 4:30pm – 8pm (Cairns 207)
Celebrate Black History Month with a movie screening! Join us on February 13 as we watch a fan favourite film together over popcorn and various refreshments.
What movie you ask? The choice is up to you! On February 13, head on over to the GSA Instagram (@brockgsa) to vote for the movie you want to watch: The Hate U Give, Hidden Figures OR Straight Outta Compton.
Click here to register for the event
K-Pop Trivia @ 8pm (Virtual)
Calling all Army, Blinks, Stays, Once, Carats, ATinys, and all fans of K-Pop – it’s a trivia night for YOU! From record breaking music videos to soundtracks, meme-worthy moments to love for the fans, this night will dive into all generations of K-Pop (though we may hold biases for 3rd and 4th Gen). This night is a perfect way to put your knowledge to the test or softly introduce yourself to K-Pop as a whole!
Prizes are up for grabs for both the winner(s) and for players who make it all the way to the end with us!
Click here to RSVP for the event
WEDNESDAY
Translation of Traditional Knowledge Panel @ 10:30am – 12:30pm (Pond Inlet)
From stories to dances to song, knowledge and history has been passed on in a variety of ways. Student panelists will discuss the various ways in which they’ve learned their own cultural stories. Similarities and themes will be discussed in an open floor round table portion following predetermined questions for your panelists. Please reach out if you are interested in being a panelist, seats may still be available.
Click here to register for the event
Iaminuk with Cindy Biancaniello @ 1:30pm – 3:30pm (Sankey Chamber)
Led by Cindy Biancaniello, Iaminuk highlights traditional Inuit life dating back as far as 1897. Cindy will share with us photos and stories from her own family and the experiences of people in the far North. We are asking students who are able to bring a non-perishable food item as admission to support the Hadiyaˀdagénhahs student food bank.
Click here to register for the event
THURSDAY
Culture and Coffee @ 9am – 10:30am (MC-D302)
Stop by for your morning coffee and snacks! And while here, grab our Local Area Culture guides and contribute to the 2023 Brock’s Culinary Culture Cookbook as well as our community culture playlist.
Click here to RSVP for the event
Culture Shock: Beyond the Media Student Panel @ 4pm – 7pm (TH 253)
Student panelists will discuss issues faced daily that are largely ignored by mainstream media, bringing light to important experiences encountered by Brock students. Audience participation is encouraged in the discussion. If you are looking for a sense of solidarity, community, or are looking to learn to be a better ally for classically excluded groups, this panel will be a wonderful learning experience for all involved. Please reach out if you are interested in being a panelist, seats may still be available.
Click here to register for the event
FRIDAY
Hadiyaˀdagénhahs Open House @ 10am – 1pm (TH 145)
Stop by and say meet the team in Hadiyaˀdagénhahs! Hadiyaˀdagénhahs (formally named Aboriginal Student Services) is a place to gather for Indigenous students and a resource for non-Indigenous students who are interested in learning more about Aboriginal culture. Check out the space grab some refreshments while you’re there!
Click here to RSVP for the event
International Flavour Fest @ 11:30am – 1:30pm (Pond Inlet)
Grad students are invited to join us for a globally-inspired lunch during Cultural integration Week – no passport required!
Several tasting stations will include:
and more!
Sit down for your meal or grab your globally-inspired lunch to-go. Limited spots are available. FREE for graduate students, a charge will apply for non-students.
Graduate students: Click here to RSVP for the event
For non-graduate students wishing to attending, please secure your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-flavours-fest-tickets-542817290127
Click here to RSVP for the event
Brock’s World Fair @ 5pm – 8pm (Pond Inlet)
Come out to Pond Inlet for Brock’s world fair, and open mic night and showcase for cultural art in all forms from students in our community. Including art, beading, dance performances, music, and more, this will be a night you will not soon forget! All are welcome.
If you are interested in performing or having your art showcased, please reach out to equity@brockgsa.ca to secure a space. Don’t miss out!
Click here to register for the event
ALL WEEK LONG
Brock’s Culinary Culture: 2023 Edition
Contribute your favourite cultural recipes to our first ever cookbook! Submissions can be handed in to the GSA office, at any of our events, or by filling in the form at the link below.
Click here to submit your cultural recipes
Community Culture Playlist
We are always looking for new playlists to play in the office, but instead looking, why don’t we create one? Share your favourite cultural tunes with our collaborative Spotify playlist.
Click here to join the party and help us build this playlist
Announcement of Resignation for Vice-President, Student Engagement
October 28, 2022 – (St. Catharines, ON)
Upon meeting with our Board of Directors late yesterday, October 27, we share the resignation of our Vice-President, Student Engagement, Safa Khan, due to personal circumstances. This resignation will formally take effect on November 4, 2022. We fully respect this decision brought forward by Safa and wish her well in personal, academic, and professional endeavours.
“Safa joined the GSA in October 2021 as Vice-President Student Engagement during a Fall recruitment and was then re-elected into the same position through the Executive Elections in March 2022. When Safa first joined our team, she brought in eagerness and excitement for event planning alongside experience of planning events on the Brock campus,” reflects GSA President, Haley Myatt. “We thank Safa for her work in creating engagement opportunities for graduate students over the last year and further thank her for sharing her enthusiasm within the graduate community. We do wish her the best as she completes her studies at Brock and for whatever follows her time here.”
Through a decision of the Board of Directors, and in alignment of relevant governing legislation, the GSA will not be embarking on a recruitment cycle to fill this vacancy for the remainder of the 2022-2023 operating year (until April 2023). The duties of Vice-President, Student Engagement will be dispersed among the current Executive team.
“In conversations within the Executive Committee, and in consultation with our Board of Directors, we are confident in our abilities as a team to ensure that graduate students have options of engagement activities and opportunities for the remaining six months of this operating year,” shares Myatt. “We thank the Board for their confidence in our team to move forward in this direction. We also wish to thank our members in advance for their patience and understanding on any disruptions to service or delays in communications during this time.”
If you have questions regarding this announcement, the role of Vice-President, Student Engagement or upcoming events and engagements from the GSA, please reach out to Haley Myatt at president@brockgsa.ca.
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Announcement of Resignation for Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion
Upon meeting with our Board of Directors yesterday afternoon, we share the resignation of our Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion, Ash Grover, due to an employment opportunity with Brock’s Learning Services. We deeply respect this decision by Ash and though are saddened by the departure from our Executive Committee, the GSA fully supports this next step in Ash’s professional endeavours.
“I have loved my time with the Graduate Students’ Association and I am grateful to have served on the Executive team for over a year,” shares Grover. “It was an honour to work with this brilliant group of individuals, and I look forward to continued opportunities to support the graduate student experience through my new role with Learning Services.”
“Ash joined the GSA first as a Board Director in October 2020 and then the Executive Committee as Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion in May 2021. As an organization, we have been incredibly fortunate to have had her compassionate leadership, expansive knowledge, and steadfast commitment to supporting all graduate students,” shares President Haley Myatt. “As the inaugural office holder for the Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion position, Ash made monumental progress in this portfolio and created an approachable foundation for future office holders. We are deeply appreciative of all the work that Ash has done for the Association over the past few academic years and wish her the best.”
As we embark on another summer recruitment cycle, we want to thank our members in advance for their patience and understanding for any disruptions to service or delays in communications during this time. Today, Friday, July 29, we will begin the recruitment process to fill the vacancy of Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion and to complete our Executive compliment once again.
In discussions outside of the Board of Directors’ meeting yesterday, the Executive Committee has collectively agreed to subsequently support the transitional period wherever possible.
If you have questions regarding the recruitment process or the role of Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion, please reach out to Haley Myatt at gsapresident@brocku.ca.
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July 28, 2022 – (St. Catharines, ON)
GSA Announces Appointment of Vice-President, Communications and Advancement for 2022-2023
After the position of Vice-President, Communications and Advancement went unfilled during the March 2022 election period and an additional April recruitment cycle, the GSA turned towards strategic planning to fill the vacancy during the summer semester.
During the recruitment period, in pursuance to Document 001 and other relevant GSA legislation, the Board of Directors agreed that the position’s duties be split in the interim by Haley Myatt, GSA President (former Vice-President Communications and Advancement), as well as Christopher Yendt, Past President until a successful candidate was determined and appointed by the Board.
The recruitment process in its entirety was held in online spaces due to current hybrid nature of the GSA offices and operations. The Recruitment Committee’s recommendation for the position was presented to the Board of Directors at the July 28 meeting, providing Board Directors the opportunity to scrutinize the recruitment process and the nomination. The Board unanimously supported the appointment of Sarah Burger to the position of Vice-President, Communications and Advancement for the remainder of the 2022-2023 operating year (August 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023).
“The GSA actively works to maintain a comprehensive, accountable and transparent process to fill any executive vacancies whenever they arise,” says Myatt. “Last year, the GSA codified and implemented new policies for which we followed in this recruitment process. These practices mirror those of the sector and ensure that the needs of our organization are met alongside our strategic commitments to upholding equitable and inclusive recruitment practices.”
Burger, a current master’s student in the Faculty of Education, has been an active part of the Brock community throughout her time on campus and notably has added meaningful contributions to the Faculty of Graduate Studies through work with their team over the last year. “I am very excited to join the GSA team,” shares Burger. “I believe in a holistic approach to supporting the graduate community at Brock. While I am part of the fantastic Faculty of Graduate Studies team, I look forward to enhancing the graduate experience and creating a strategic Communications plan from multiple lenses that aligns with the greater interests of grad students and the Brock community.”
“I am confident that Sarah’s expertise, experiences, and enthusiasm for communications will help elevate this portfolio within the GSA’s operations. With passions for collaboration, consistency, and engagement, I am excited to see what comes from Sarah in this role,” says Myatt. “Over the coming weeks, we will be undertaking a comprehensive onboarding process to make sure that Sarah and the rest of the Executive team are best positioned for success during the remainder of the 2022-2023 year. I want to acknowledge and share my appreciation for the members of the Recruitment Committee for their investment over the past months, for the Executive who have stepped up to share the workload in interim basis and the Board for their continued guidance throughout this recruitment process.”
We encourage members to follow our social media channels to stay up to date on the latest news, as well as keeping an eye on our communication channels for upcoming avenues for your own involvement with the GSA.
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Visit our website for news, opportunities, service information, current legislation and more: https://brocku.ca/graduate-students-association/
Find us on social:
Facebook – Brock University Graduate Students’ Association
Instagram – @BrockGSA
Twitter – @BrockGSA
LinkedIn – Brock GSA – Graduate Students’ Association
April 4, 2022 – (St. Catharines, ON)
Recap: 2022 Starlight Gala & GSA Award Winners
On Saturday, April 2, over 300 graduate students, alumni, members of senior administration and honorable guests joined the GSA at Club Roma for the annual Starlight Gala. In what can be claimed as the largest in-person event for graduate students in the history of Brock, this evening also marked twenty years of operation for the GSA. It truly was a night of celebration and community.
As pillar of the event’s ceremony, extraordinary individuals were recognized for their work, research, community service and dedication to the graduate student community. Congratulations to all:
GSA Award Winners:
Academic Excellence Award – Ardalan Eyni
Teaching Assistant of the Year – Lauren Nesbitt
Community and Engagement Award – Mariana Garrido de Castro
Volunteer of the Year Award – Neerav Vaidya and Emma Schmidt
Outstanding Graduate Mentorship Award – Hannah Charnock
President’s Award – Owen Angus-Yamada
Honorary Membership Inductees:
Jack M. Miller (2022 inductee, posthumous)
Marilyn Rose (2022 inductee, posthumous)
Christopher Yendt (2021 inductee)
GSA Ambassador – Class of 2022 Cohort:
Mario De Diviitis
Diana Huson
Russell Evans
Chris Ventura
Kithio Mwanzia
Amber Bramer
Jason Ribeiro
Mary-Louise Vanderlee
Gianluca Agostinelli
Scott Behie
Natalie Spadafora
Rebecca Macpherson
John Smol
Lisa Whittingham
Kiel Omerod
Ashleigh Miatello
Jess Vickruck
Daniel Antwi-Amoabeng
GRADFlix Winners:
Third Place and People’s Choice: Kim Uyeno
Second Place: Megan Pellow
First Place: Caitlyn Gallant
We want to especially thank our presenting sponsor, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, for their support in the development and execution of the Gala. We are excited to continue working together and collaborating as a way towards stronger engagement of graduate students.
We also want to thank our other sponsors and donors for their contributions to the Gala:
Platinum Sponsors
– Student VIP
– Brock University Alumni Association
– Drug Smart Pharmacy
Bronze Sponsors:
– BUSU, the Brock University Students’ Union
– The Office of the President
– CUPE Local 4207
Special thanks to:
– Brock Campus Store
– Brock Recreation
– Daily Grind Café
– Canadian Federation of Students
– Landmark Cinemas – Pen Centre
– HUB International
– Pen Financial
– Brock University Applied Disabilities Department
– Brock University Sociology Department
– Brock University Print and Digital Services
Special thanks to DJ Patty V for being both the master of ceremonies and DJ for the Gala’s reception, as well as Club Roma and their staff for helping bring the event to life and create a warm space for our attendees to enjoy the evening in.
To graduate students: we look forward to creating more memories with you – stay tuned for more programming and opportunities!
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March 25, 2022 – (St. Catharines, ON)
Record Turnout for 2022-2023 GSA Election and Referenda
After nearly two months, the 2022-2023 GSA Elections came to a successful conclusion yesterday, March 24, with polls closing with record-breaking voter turnout (24.6%).
The preliminary results for the elected members of the 2022-2023 Executive Committee are:
These results have been confirmed by GSA Chief Returning Officer (CRO) Nwakerendu (Kay) Waboso and await ratification at the upcoming meeting of the GSA Board of Directors on March 31. Further information on the results can be found here.
Graduate students also had the opportunity to cast their votes on two proposed referenda: The Aboriginal Student Services Levy and the Student Engagement Levy. The Aboriginal Student Services Levy proposed a per-term fee that will go directly towards the advancement and growth of Brock’s Aboriginal Student Services (AbSS) as a service and resource for both Indigenous students and the greater student population. The Student Engagement Levy proposed a per-term fee that would create a dedicated fund supporting graduate student events and programming. Both referenda successfully passed (Aboriginal Student Services Levy at 65.8% and the Student Engagement Levy at 55.9%) and will take effect in September 2022.
“The results of this election are an incredible endorsement of the work put in from all the members of our team over this year – 24.6% is the second highest voter turnout in our history and the highest in almost twenty years,” shares GSA President, Christopher Yendt. “For most other associations, voter turnout has decreased over the course of the pandemic. It is rejuvenating to see that our members are engaged with the GSA and value the work we do on behalf of all graduate students.”
Recruitment efforts are ongoing to fill the position of Vice-President, Communications and Advancement for the 2022-2023, pursuant to the GSA Bylaw (Document 001) and other relevant legislation. Any interested graduate students must submit their application by Friday, April 1 at 4pm EST to gsapresident@brocku.ca. For more information on the position and the application process, please refer to our notice of recruitment.
Results of the election will be ratified by the GSA Board of Directors on March 31, 2022. For questions about our elections, please email gsaed@brocku.ca.
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January 21, 2022 – (St. Catharines, ON)
GSA Hires Chief Returning Officer for the 2022-2023 Election
After a successful recruitment process in the Fall semester, pursuant to Document 040 and other relevant GSA legislation, the GSA is happy to announce Kay Waboso as the Chief Returning Officer (CRO) for the GSA’s 2022-2023 Election.
Despite Brock University returning to in-person operations for the Fall semester, the recruitment process in its entirety was held in online spaces in additional respect to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Recruitment Committee’s recommendation for the position was presented to the Board of Directors at the December 7 meeting, providing the Board Directors with the opportunity to ask questions of the recruitment process and nomination – the nomination was unanimously supported by Directors.
“The GSA is delighted to have Kay on board working with us for this year’s election. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the role and keen temperament to ensure that the association’s policies are upheld ensuring a robust elections process from beginning to end,” shares GSA President, Christopher Yendt. “Election integrity is a vital component of the work that we do as student associations, and we have no doubt that Kay’s commitment to these principles will only build on the strong tradition the GSA has cultivated within the elections space.”
Waboso is a third-year PhD student in Child and Youth Studies and has continually expanded her involvement within the graduate student community at Brock. Within the spaces of the GSA, Waboso has been actively engaged at committee levels and has been a spokesperson on graduate student panels. She is regarded by colleagues as a valuable, enthusiastic voice with a passion for advocacy and policy awareness.
Further information on the 2022-2023 GSA Elections will be shared in coming weeks with the membership.
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January 21, 2022 – (St. Catharines, ON)
Mental Health and Well-Being Supports Available to Graduate Students
Whether you may be struggling to navigate the ongoing pandemic, balancing workload that comes with being a graduate student, and/or wanting finding harmony between all outputs of your life, we acknowledge that the worlds around us can feel heavy. We also acknowledge that reaching out for supports may not always be easy.
While the information below is not inclusive of all resources and supports available to you, we wanted to share these as a starting point to you discovering the best supports for your well-being and situation.
Personal Counselling & MySSP App
Personal counselling is available to all Brock graduate students 24/7. You can speak to a professionally trained counsellor in a confidential space, completely free.
You can also download the MySSP app (provided free by Brock) and receive confidential 24/7 support via text or telephone with a professional counsellor. Support is available in English, French, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese (simplified Chinese via chat).
The app also offers an extensive library of mental health and well-being resources, including articles, podcasts, infographics and videos and unlimited free access to the virtual fitness app LIFT. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. When creating a profile, be sure to enter ‘Brock University Student Counselling Program’ as the school.
For other avenues of well-being, wellness, and mental health supports, please consider:
Additional App Recommendations
If you are looking for a resource that is more portable and accessible to your every day, perhaps a mobile-based app could work for you. While there are several support resources online that you can access, here are a few suggestions to kickstart your search to find the best option for you:
Tips and Resources (complied by Faculty of Graduate Studies)
