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.

To get involved in the GSA Council, please visit https://gsa.usask.ca/Governance/council/academic-councils.php

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.

To apply, please fill out the Academic Council Application form.

Please attach a void cheque as well as the constitution of your Academic Council to this application.

Please provide a supporting document from your respective department or college (whichever is applicable) showing the exact number of the graduate students within your respective council at the time of ratification.

The above documents must be submitted via email to the GSA Vice-President Academic and Student Affairs at gsa.as@usask.ca, and ensure to copy the GSA Administrator at gsa.admn@usask.ca. 

Attention: GSA Vice-President Academic and Student Affairs

1337 College Dr, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W6

Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Please Note:

• Academic Councillors who are unable to attend a Council meeting and who do not have alternates to attend on their behalf must notify the GSA Council Chair (gsa.chair@usask.ca). Attendance records are kept and it is very important that you are signed in at each meeting. Please bring your student ID card to each meeting for attendance verification. 

• The Voting Councillor Allocation for an Academic Council will be based on the most recent University census. Voting Councillor Allocation for each Academic Council will be:

  • One (1) for an Academic Council containing less than one hundred (100) Regular Members.

  • Two (2) for an Academic Council containing one hundred (100) or more Regular Members.

• Academic Councils must be re-ratified each academic year and may submit ratification forms beginning in September.

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