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  • Announcement of Resignation for Vice-President, Student Engagement

    Friday, October 28, 2022 | By

    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.

    – 30 –

    Categories: News & Events, Uncategorised

  • Announcement of Resignation for Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion

    Friday, July 29, 2022 | By

    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.

    – 30 –

     

    Categories: News & Events, Uncategorised

  • GSA Announces Appointment of Vice-President, Communications and Advancement for 2022-2023

    Thursday, July 28, 2022 | By

    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

    Categories: News & Events, Uncategorised

  • Recap: 2022 Starlight Gala & GSA Award Winners

    Monday, April 04, 2022 | By

    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!

    -30-

    Categories: News & Events, Uncategorised

  • Record Turnout for 2022-2023 GSA Election and Referenda

    Friday, March 25, 2022 | By

    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:

    • President & CEO: Haley Myatt (89.6%)
    • Vice-President, Student Engagement: Safa Khan (88.7%)
    • Vice-President, External Affairs: Rakha Zabin (88.3%)
    • Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion: Ash Grover (88.2%)

    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.

    -30-

    Categories: News & Events, Uncategorised

  • GSA’s 2nd Annual Cultural Integration Week 2022

    Friday, February 04, 2022 | By

    GSA’s 2nd Annual Cultural Integration Week Schedule

    February 14 – 18, 2022

    MONDAY

    Cultural Connections Speed Networking @ 1pm

    This event is focused on enhancing connections between international and domestic students at Brock, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the GSA knows that student social life has taken a serious hit! For this hour long Zoom session we want to foster an environment of intercultural connection and provide students with the opportunity to connect with peers at Brock and build new friendships.

    Click here to register for the event

    TUESDAY

    Iaminuk Workshop led by Cindy Biancaniello @ 12pm – 2pm

    During this session Cindy will show a PowerPoint slideshow of pictures depicting traditional Inuit life. Pictures date back to 1897, when Cindy’s grandfather was an Inuktitut interpreter on board the SS Diana and the Neptune expedition ships.

    Many of the pictures are family photos that will give the viewer a fascinating glimpse of the past in a harsh and beautiful environment. Clothing, food, tools, and hunting practices are discussed by Cindy as she shares these spectacular photos. Cindy also delivers a hands-on workshop making such things as bookmarks, bracelets and earrings with beads and charms that remind her of stories past.

    Click here to register for the event

    WEDNESDAY

    HRE Workshop on Intercultural Perspectives on GSV @ 12pm – 1pm

    Join us for a workshop reflecting on how gender & sexual violence affects multiple cultures, intercultural communication, and dating. This workshop involves two components. A 30-minute Sakai online module, and a 1-hour Teams Seminar to discuss what you’ve learned in Sakai, and engage in some experiential activities.

    For access to Sakai, please register on Experience BU for this event at least 3 hours before the scheduled Seminar. We ask that you please complete the Sakai module BEFORE the Teams Seminar to be able to attend and engage in the seminar.

    This workshop is part of a Certificate Series. Complete 5 workshops to receive a “Standard Gender & Sexual Violence Support Certificate”. Complete 10 to receive an “Advanced Gender & Sexual Violence Support Certificate”.

    For more information about our Certificate program, please visit https://brocku.ca/human-rights/events-and-actions/#gsvcertificate or email Talia at tritondo@brocku.ca.

    Click here to register for the event

    Wining, Women and Wotlessness @ 7pm – 8:30pm

    Are you interested in learning more about Carnival? From the rhythmic chipping of paint-soaked revellers in the early J’ouvert morning to fire breathing Jab Molassie that seek to disturb order and revellers. Join this workshop to explore the origins of Carnival, elements of Ole’ Mas that hold such cultural significance that contribute to the seamless beauty of Carnival. Examining the evolution of the rich melodic beats of Kaiso and Calypso, while looking at the emergence of the heavily adorned carnival costumes. It will be done through a cross-cultural lens as we start in the ‘home of Carnival’, Trinidad and Tobago, while these public demonstrations on the streets.

    Presented by Anti-Racism Advocate Monique Maison in collaboration with the Student Justice Centre and office of Human Rights and Equity at Brock.

    Click here to register for the event

    THURSDAY

    Hollaback! Bystander Intervention Training @ 1pm

    Hollaback! is a global, people-powered movement to end harassment — in all its forms. They believe that we all deserve to be who we are, wherever we are.

    They believe we all have a role to play in disrupting harassment and building a culture where it is no longer seen as “just the price you have to pay” for being a woman, LGBTQ+, a person of color, or any other marginalized identity. They teach people to take action, and to reach across their own identities to ally with others and establish a united front against harassment each time we witness it.

    In response to the continued police violence against black communities and the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, they are offering this free, one-hour, interactive training to train people on how to safely intervene in the face of police violence and anti-black racism using Hollaback!’s 5D’s of bystander intervention

    Click here to register for the event

    Black Student Voices: What My Culture Means to Me @ 2pm – 4pm

    Please join Black domestic and international students for a student-led panel discussion on Black Experiences at Brock University. They will discuss how they experience community and define their identities while navigating daily life at a predominantly White institution, community and

    country. The panel will consist of five graduate and undergraduate students, as well as a student moderator, who will tackle questions around the successes and challenges of their journeys.

    Click here to register for the event

    Intercultural Learning and Services at Brock @ 4pm – 5:30pm

    Join us for this Zoom webinar where our guest speakers will be discussing different resources available to international (and domestic) students at Brock, exploring some common challenges or barriers that students may face, and finally offering some information on the cultural context and responsibilities inherent to being a learner on this land.

    Our speakers:

    • Carolyn Villella, International Student Life Specialist with Brock International Services
    • Eve Nyambiya, the Anti-Racism and Inclusion Advisor with the Human Rights and Equity Office
    • Robyn Bourgeois, professor in Women and Gender Studies and the Vice Provost of Indigenous Engagement at Brock
    • Samuel Charal, the Aboriginal Recruitment and Liaison Officer from Aboriginal Student Services at Brock
    • Moderator: Daislyn Vidal, the VP of Graduate Students with CUPE4207 and international graduate student in the department of Applied Health Sciences

    Click here to register for the event

    International Student Solidarity Panel @ 2:30pm – 4pm

    Join us for this panel hosted by members of CUPE, OPIRG, and the GSA amplifying voices of international students at Brock who are interested in sharing their experiences with incoming and current students. Panelists will cover such topics as being an international student during online learning, support services for international students during COVID-19, finding a sense of community in a new place, and applying for jobs after graduation.

    We will hear from Simranjeet Kaur and Foroogh Zarei, international graduate students in the Department of Education at Brock, as well as Brock alumni Ezgi Sarioglu who graduated around 5 years ago and now works as the Program Manager for Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership, Canada. The panel will be moderated by Rakha Zabin, the Associate Vice President International with the GSA, and an international student in the Joint Phd of Educational Studies.

    Click here to register for the event

     

    Around the World Trivia @ 4pm

    It’s the final event of our Cultural Integration Week – time to wrap things up with TRIVIA!

    Join us on Zoom at 4pm for the chances to win a $25 gift card from a local restaurant and take your knowledge around the world. Answer questions about global cultures (food, art, music), geography and other aspects highlighted throughout our Cultural Integration Week.

    Note: only current Brock graduate students are eligible to win the prize

    Click here to register for the event

  • Mental Health and Well-Being Supports Available to Graduate Students

    Friday, January 21, 2022 | By

    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.

    • For an appointment call 905-688-5550 x 6380 or visit ST400 on campus
    • For urgent 24/7 telephone counselling, call 1-833-BROCK33 (1-833-2762-533)

    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:

    • Headspace App

    https://www.headspace.com

    • Calm App

    https://www.calm.com

    • Simple Habit App

    https://www.simplehabit.com

    • Happify App

    https://www.happify.com/

    Tips and Resources (complied by Faculty of Graduate Studies)

    Categories: News & Events, Uncategorised