Newsletter April 2025

April 2025

Vote in the 2025 GSA Executives Elections April 18-23

The GSA Executive Election is on now - we encourage all graduate students to participate and vote via the My Elections channel in PAWS. This is your opportunity to choose your student leaders! Please note that as per our bylaws, a minimum participation level is required to ratify our results, so please do your part to keep our organization staffed. To help you make an informed decision, you can find information about the candidates here.

Attend the Annual General Meeting | April 30

GSA's Annual General Meeting will be held Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 5:00PM in ARTS 133. We encourage in-person attendance - come have some free pizza and network with other grad students and your academic council members! However, we understand some students are unable to attend in-person, so a Zoom link will be distributed.

Voting items include the 2025-2026 academic year budget and minor bylaw amendments. The 2024-2025 Executives will present their annual reports and the newly elected 2025-2026 Executives will be introduced. There will also be an announcement of by-elections for the position of GSA President and Vice President Indigenous Engagement - positions which received no eligible nominees during the regular nomination period.

All graduate students are welcome to attend! Anyone wishing to submit an agenda item should email gsa.chair@usask.ca by April 22.

A Message from the 2024-2025 GSA Executive Committee

The 2024-2025 Executives (David Ohene-Amoako, Lindsay Carlson, Nickson Joseph, Reza Golpayegani, and Jennifer Amarualik-Yaremko) want to express our gratitude to the graduate student community, the GSA Councilors, CGPS, and University of Saskatchewan administration for their collaboration, willingness to consider our suggestions, and support throughout this academic year.

During this period of increasing economic and political uncertainty, we encourage graduate students to draw together with their peers and campus community for emotional and intellectual support. Though we all face unique challenges, we are more similar than different.

Welcome our new GSA Operations Manager!

We are excited to introduce Brenna Maxwell, our new Operations Manager. She began work on April 14 and is excited to meet the students she serves as she completes the training and onboarding process. During the period without an Operations Manager, Lindsay (VP Finance) and Jennifer (VP Indigenous), worked diligently to ensure student servies continued without disruption. Their contributions are much appreciated.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' Professional Development Series

Graduate Mentorship Program Launch

Applications are now open for the Mentorship Program for Graduate Students this spring. Don't miss out on the chance to connect with experienced mentors (academics, industry and government leaders) who can guide you on your academic and career journey. Apply here by April 23.

BtP Virtual Career Conference | May 5th - 9th 

Register for the Beyond the Professoriate annual virtual Career Conference! The virtual conference will take place from May 5th to May 9th. This engaging series will equip graduate students with the tools needed for a successful career transition. Reserve your spot today! 

Check out CGPS' website for more professional development opportunities.

24-hour/7-days Mental Health Support for Graduate Students

The GSA encourages all graduate students to take care of their mental health. A graduate student needing urgent support can contact the GSA's 24-hour/7-day mental heatlh support service, Empower Me, covered at no additional cost under the Health and Dental Plan.

USask Student Travel Awards

Are you planning to attend a conference this summer? Graduate students can apply for the USask Student Travel Award. GSA contributes funds to this program annually, and we encourage graduate students wishing to attend conferences, workshops, or other professional development opportunities to apply. Please note, you must apply at least one month in advance of your travel. Find more information here.

Resources for Student Experiencing Financial Hardship

If you are experiencing a significant financial crisis, GSA contributes annually to the University of Saskatchewan's Crisis Financial Aid program, which you may eligible to apply for. Crisis financial aid is designed to help students through an unexpected, temporary financial crisis. This program provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in aid each year.

If you are facing food insecurity, GSA contributes to the USSU Food Bank, which graduate students are eligible to receive goods from. It is located in Place Riel. There are also programs which provide free breakfast (Good Breakfast) and lunch (Soup and Bannock) throughout the week.

GSA Commons

GSA Commons is located in the Emmanuel & St. Chad Chapel at 1337 College Drive. The GSA Commons offers a warm study environment with available computers for public use and free tea and coffee. The current GSA Commons hours are 10:00AM to 4:00PM Monday to Friday, except when closed for special events. If you have questions/concerns, please contact any of the GSA Executives via email:

Stay up-to-date with GSA Services and upcoming events in the GSA Commons by visiting the GSA website.

Questions about your health and dental, vision, or travel coverage benefits?

You can access the provider online at Student Care or by calling their Care Centre toll-free at 1-877-795-4428, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Studentcare also maintains an on-campus office in Place Riel.

Follow us on Facebook (@USASKGSA), LinkedIn, Instagram (gsa_usask), X (@GSA_USask) and visit our website at gsa.usask.ca.