GSA is the independent voice of graduate students on campus, and we are recognized by Brock University as the official representative of Brock graduate students.
The Graduate Students’ Association’s purpose is to:
- Promote academic, professional and social student development
- Facilitate interaction between students from all departments
- Provide opportunities for interaction between students and the internal university community (including faculty and administration)
- Enhance the profile of graduate students in the external community
- Advocate and lobby for student representation and meet student concerns
- Promote equity of access for student opportunities
The overarching document of the association is the Bylaws, which provides high level guidance for the organization in support of its mission, vision and values. This document is enacted by the GSA membership through either a campus wide referendum or a General Members meeting, both mechanisms allow every graduate student the opportunity to vote on potential changes. A digital copy is provided below.
001E – The Graduate Students’ Association Bylaws and Schedule A
002 – The Graduate Students’ Association Letters Patent
003A – The Graduate Students’ Association Mandate and Purpose
The GSA Membership also has the opportunity to approve additional ancillary fees, as well as amend existing fees. These changes can be enacted through either a general election (known as a referendum) or through an general meeting of the membership. Such a vote by the membership binds the association to operating within the parameters of the related documentation, in this case a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for each fee respectively.
004C – Schedule D – Ancillary Fees Managed by the Association
005B – Schedule E – Ancillary Fees Managed by the University
006A – Schedule F – Ancillary Fees Managed by External Partners
In addition to the Bylaws and MOU’s (known as ‘foundational documents), the GSA Board enacts legislation to expand and support what is specified by members through the Bylaws. These documents are known as ‘Policies’ and outline various aspects of the GSA’s governance and operational structure. A digital copy of these documents is provided below.
007A – Strategic Plan 2021-2026 – Committed to Students, Connected to Community
Committed to Students, Connected to Community is the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan of the Brock University Graduate Students’ Association. Also known as Document 007A, the Strategic Plan is the first in the GSA’s history and represents our commitment to our members on several issues that we want to address over the next five years. This plan is the product of conversations, consultations, and deliberations over the course of eighteen months during 2019-2021. Approved by both the Board of Directors and the broader membership at the GSA’s Annual General Meeting in April 2021 the plan commits the GSA and its staff and volunteers to a new mission, vision, and values along with specific strategic priorities. These priorities and goals will inform an ongoing Strategic Action / Annual Plan, guiding organizational direction and individual goals of GSA leadership.
010C – The Graduate Students’ Association Legislative Framework Policy
011B – The Graduate Students’ Association Class I – Full Membership Policy
012B – The Graduate Students’ Association Class II – Associate Membership Policy
014B – The Graduate Students’ Association Ambassador Policy
015C – The Graduate Students’ Association Board of Directors Policy
016A – The Graduate Students’ Association Board Member Policy
017B – The Graduate Students’ Association Board Leadership Policy
018A – The Graduate Students’ Association Program Assembly Policy
019A – The Graduate Students’ Association Program Delegate Policy
020A – The Graduate Students’ Association President & CEO Policy
021B – The Graduate Students’ Association Deputy President Policy
022B – The Graduate Students’ Association Past President Policy
023A – The Graduate Students’ Association Vice President Student Engagement Policy
024A – The Graduate Students’ Association Vice President External Affairs Policy
025B – The Graduate Students’ Association Vice President Communications and Advancement Policy
026A – The Graduate Students’ Association Vice President Equity and Inclusion Policy
027A – The Graduate Students’ Association Associate Vice-Presidents Policy
029B – The Graduate Students’ Association Executive and AVP Performance Appraisal Policy
030A – The Graduate Students’ Association Executive Director Policy
034A – The Graduate Students’ Association Organization Chart Policy
040B – The Graduate Students’ Association Elections and Referenda Policy
041A – The Graduate Students’ Association General Meetings Policy
042A – The Graduate Students’ Association Chief Returning Officer Policy
043A – The Graduate Students’ Association President & CEO Recruitment and Appointment Policy
044A – The Graduate Students’ Association Vice President Recruitment and Appointment Policy
046A – The Graduate Students’ Association Executives Eligibility Policy
047A – The Graduate Students’ Association Mandated Organizational Leave Policy
050B – The Graduate Students’ Association Committees Policy
051A – The Graduate Students’ Association Executive Committee Policy
052A – The Graduate Students’ Association Governance, Elections, and Nominating Committee Policy
053A – The Graduate Students’ Association Student Engagement Committee Policy
054A – The Graduate Students’ Association External Affairs Committee Policy
055A – The Graduate Students’ Association Communications and Advancement Committee Policy
056A – The Graduate Students’ Association Equity and Inclusion Committee Policy
057A – The Graduate Students’ Association Faculty Communities Committee Policy
Under the GSA Bylaw and Document 010, Policies are divided into two groups. Policies are documents that expand on stipulations outlined in the Bylaw, they are approved by the Board of Directors after two affirmative readings. Additionally, while they are reviewed on a rolling four year basis they remain active until the Board authorizes their amendment or removal. Unlike Policies, Position Policies are stances taken by the GSA in response to issues that may arise on an ongoing basis. They are approved by the executive and expire automatically. They inform lobbying priorities and support the GSA’s advocacy efforts.
070A – Position Policy – Regarding the Positionality of the GSA
071B – Position Policy – Regarding Student-Supervisor Relationships
072B – Position Policy – Regarding List Distribution of Electronic Mail to GSA Members
073B – Position Policy – Regarding Student-Faculty and Student-Supervisor Ratios
074B – Position Policy – Regarding the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS)
075A – Position Policy – Regarding Cluster Hiring of Black Faculty at Brock University
076A – Position Policy – Regarding Indigenization within the GSA
077A – Position Policy – Regarding the GSA’s Social Media and Online Presence
078A – Position Policy – Regarding Advancement and Development of the GSA
079A – Position Policy – Regarding Revenue Diversification of the GSA
080A – Position Policy – Regarding Expansion, Utilization, and Consideration of GSA Space
081A – Position Policy – Regarding Commitment to a Future GSA Building
082A – Position Policy – Regarding the GSA Foundation Advisory Board
GSA Board of Directors and Meetings
GSA Board of Directors Meetings are held monthly. All meetings are open to the public and graduate students are always welcome to attend. Students who wish to bring a matter to the board’s attention are asked to contact the GSA office 7 days in advance of the meeting, so their issue may be added to the agenda.
