Academic Councils

In 1981-82, the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) established an Academic Council system. Academic Councils act as mini-associations within the GSA and are made up of students from one or more departments who share common interests. Each Academic council elects / appoints representatives to attend the GSA General Council meetings, which are usually held monthly. General Council meetings provide these diverse groups with a platform through which they can communicate their concerns to other graduate students, the University, various political and national organizations and provincial and national governments. An Academic Council can also provide the basis for academic and social interaction among its students. To this end, the GSA allocates a portion of its total budget to Academic Councils who meet the constitutional requirements and whose representatives regularly attend General Council Meetings.

• Academic Council Application Form

There are many ways you can get involved in the work of the GSA. You can run for a position on the GSA Council through your department or college, you can join a GSA committee or volunteer for a position on a University committee as a graduate student representative of the GSA.

Look for calls for volunteers on activities and projects throughout the year or feel free to propose ideas to the GSA Executive members.

• A Councillor must be a Regular Member of the Association, and a member of
  their respective Academic Council.
• A Councillor cannot be a member of the Association Staff or Executive.
• A Councillor shall not represent two different Academic Councils.
• The number of Councillors, with voting rights, for an Academic Council is
  determined by the Voting Councillor Allocation, as defined in Bylaw 1.5.

• An Alternate Councillor must be a Regular Member of the Association, and a
  member of their respective Academic Council.
• An Alternate Councillor cannot be a member of the Association Staff or
  Executive.
• An Alternate Councillor shall not represent two different Academic Councils.
• If a Councillor is unable to attend a Council Meeting, their Academic Council
  may send an existing registered Alternate Councillor in their place. In the event
  that a registered Alternate Councillor is also unavailable, a designated
  representative of the Academic Council may attend the meeting as long as the
  Council Chair is notified ahead of time.
• The Alternate Councillor, or the designated representative of the Academic
  Council, shall be given the voting rights of the Councillor they are replacing.

The duties of a Councillor shall include, but are not limited to:

• Representing their Academic Council.
• Attending all Council Meetings.
• Participating on Association Standing Committees, if desired.
• Ensuring the well-being of the Association.
• Being familiar with all governing documents, including the Saskatchewan Non-Profit Corporation Act, 1995, Robert’s Rules of Order, and the Association’s Constitution, Bylaws, and Policies.

Academic Councils and Social Clubs must re-ratify each fall as per Bylaw 3.6.4 and GSA Policy 10.4. The ratification period will open on September 1, and all ratifications must be received by September 19, 2025, in order to be considered.

Each department/academic unit can only be represented by one Academic Council as per Constitution 7.3. Each Academic Council receives a voting allocation, and elected GSA Councilors represent their constituents in GSA Council meetings. 

According to Bylaw 1.5, Councils representing <100 graduate students may have one voting Councilor, and Councils representing >= 100 graduate students are allowed two voting Councilors. No Academic Council is permitted to have more than two Councilors.

To apply for ratification, collect the following information:

1. Names and contact information for GSA Councilors representing your Academic Council (and alternates, in case the regular councilor is unable to attend, may be another executive member of the Council)
2. The total number of graduate students that your council represents, as confirmed by a department head or departmental staff member (this can be a copy of an email or signed form letter)
3. A copy of your Academic Council's Constitution
4. A copy of the Void Cheque from your Academic Council's bank account

Then fill out the online ratification application:  https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/VuWGS10k6D

The format (Virtual/In-person) of the council meeting will be notified by the GSA Council Chair following GSA ByLaws and policies.