GSA General Elections 2024-2025
Running for GSA Office or Council is a great volunteering opportunity for graduate students at Concordia University. Not only do executives and council member work to improve student-life and wellbeing, but this professional development opportunity can be added to your Co-Curricular Record (CCR).
Please note that GSA Executives and Council Members are not considered employees of the GSA, but rather members of our governing system.
Referendum Questions
During this election, our community will be asked two referendum questions regarding an increase in the GSA fee-levy fees.
Here are the questions as they will be written on the ballot:
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Do you agree to increase the Student Services fee that supports the Student Services Sector – comprised of the Student Success Centre, Campus Wellness and Support Services (Health Clinic, Psychological and Counseling Services, Access Centre for Students with Disabilities), the Dean of Students Office, and the Financial Aid and Awards Office — to match the fee levy that undergraduate students are already paying, from $10.26 per credit to $11.11 per credit (an increase of $0.85 per credit), annually adjusted to the Consumer Price Index of Canada, to be collected from all Graduate students, and to be implemented for the Fall 2024 (2242) term in accordance with the University’s tuition refund and withdrawal policy?
and
- Do you agree to implement a fee levy of $1.00 per student per semester to support the Link Publication Society, a student newspaper at the university ? The fee would be collected from all GSA members who would become eligible for membership of the Link Publication Society by paying the fee levy. The fee levy will be effective with the fall semester of 2024 (2024/2) and billed in accordance with the university tuition billing and refund policy.
and
- Do you agree to discontinue the fee levy of $0.65 per term for all GSA members for the Concordia solidarity Coop Bookstore ? The fee would be discontinued effective with the Summer 2024 (2024/1) semester and all remaining fees collected since the closure of the Bookstore be reallocated to the Graduate Students Association (GSA) to fund special and other projects eligible under the Academic and extra curricular Special Projects and conference policy?
and
- Do you agree to discontinue the fee levy of $2.75 per term for all GSA members for the CSU Legal Information Clinic (LIC) ? The fee would be discontinued effective with the Summer 2024 (2024/1) semester.
Election Timeline
During the Nomination Period, potential candidates must get signatures from their peers and fill out the nomination form below
During the verification period, the CRO ensures that all potential candidates are eligible for office.
The final list of candidates will be released to all graduate students on April 5th.
During the campaigning period, the candidates must use whatever means available to them to inform the GSA community of what meaningful change they want to create for graduate students at Concordia University.
On voting days, GSA members are invited to vote via the Concordia portal for the representatives of their faculty as well as the executive positions
Positions Available
Executive Positions
Executives are expected to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week to their positions at the GSA. They are compensated with a monthly bursary of $1100 which is voted upon by Directors every month during council meetings based off of the Executive Monthly Reports.
The role of the President is to act as the chair of the executive committee and of general assemblies while simultaneously acting as the official spokesperson for the GSA. The president is further responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the GSA, which includes the overseeing of all managers as well as internal communications for the association.
Finally, the role of the president involves the direct implementation of council resolutions and is responsible for maintaining relations with other student communities, student governments, the university administration, and the general public
The role of the Vice-President Internal involves supervising the daily operations of internal managerial positions, working closely with the finance manager. Moreover, the VP Internal is responsible for overseeing the production of the student hand book and graduate student advocacy initiatives.
Lastly, the VP Internal plays an integral role in the recruiting, interviewing, and making recommendations to the Council for Graduate Student Representation on the University’s academic and administrative bodies.
The role of the Vice-President External involves being responsible for representing the GSA, through regular attendance to meetings of external bodies, including student and non-student organizations. Additionally, the VP External is expected to monitor socio-political and economic developments that could impact our graduate student community.
This position also involves acting as a liaison between the GSA (including its sub-associations), service providers, other fee levy associations, and the administration in order to locate new opportunities to better the lives of our graduate student community.
The role of Vice-President of Mobilization involves overseeing all mobilization work pertinent to the GSA, including but not limited to postering, flyering, recruiting volunteers, and coordinating classroom visits for all GSA activities and campaigns.
This position works closely with the VP External to supervise the work of the communications manager or any other hired outreach staff positions.
The role of Vice-President of Academics & Advocacy is expected to sit on the University Senate and both chair and be a voting member of an Appointments Committee. Further, the VP Academic & Advocacy is responsible for coordinating an academic caucus composed of graduate students who sit on academic committees.
Additionally, this position involves keeping a close eye on student feedback on academic conditions in departments and faculties and ensuring that this feedback is received by the appropriate university body so that students’ rights are upheld.
Council Positions
Council Positions are compensated based on their level of involvement within the GSA and its standing committees. They are paid monthly for their council meeting attendance* and receive an honourarium at the end of each academic year for their work on various subcommittees.
The role of Director has three main functions which include enforcing the General-By Laws and Special By-Laws of the GSA, aiding Executives in the execution of their assigned duties, and maintaining the endeavour to improve the general condition of the GSA and of all Graduate Students at Concordia University.
How to Run for the Elections
Nomination Period
Campaigning Period
Voting Period
Still have questions?
Email [email protected] for any queries you may have regarding the GSA general elections.