The best way to get what you need from your association is to get involved! Becoming involved with the GSA is a great way to connect with other graduate students, as well as learn about issues at the University.

There are a number of ways to become involved with your association:

1. Get involved with one of the many University Committees requiring graduate student representation. Sign up online and put your name forward to volunteer for a university committee. Please click on the committee links (to the left)and fill out the online form to get involved. 
   
2. Drop by and become a volunteer! With the social events that the GSA plans, we are always looking for graduate students to help with programming events and campaigns.
   
3. Get involved with running the association through one of the GSA committees. There are a number of different bodies that deal with finances, ethics, campaigns and otherwise, always looking for input from graduate student members. If your department doesn't have a representative on the Council, stop by the office to see how to become involved.

The best way to ensure your Association is best serving your interests as a graduate student is to get involved! Stop by anytime to provide input or to see what needs doing.

Graduate Student Representation

The GSA coordinates graduate student representation on most of the University's governing councils, boards and committees. The President of the GSA represents the interests of graduate students on the University Senate as an Assessor, the highest academic body on campus that deals with all academic related matters, including program changes and awards. In addition to the President, the GSA also has three voting members on the Senate. There are a large variety of Senate sub-committees that also require graduate student representation.

Graduate students are represented on the University Board of Governors (BoG), the highest governing body on campus, dealing with all things financial and otherwise on campus.

In addition, the President and Vice-President (Academic) represent graduate students on the Faculty of Graduate Studies Executive Committee. Other GSA Executives, Councilors and Students-at-large represent graduate students on the Faculty Council, Appeals, Awards, Programs and Planning, and Guidelines and Policy Committees of Graduate Studies.

Graduate students are also represented on the University of Manitoba Students' Union (UMSU) Council through one non-voting seat. This representative serves as a liaison between UMSU and graduate students, and raises any concerns or issues to UMSU. In addition to the UMSU Council, graduate students are also represented with a voting seat on the Health and Dental Plan Committee.

The members of all such bodies are available from the GSA office. Stop by anytime to learn who is representing you on each body, or to find out how to contact your respective representative with an issue or concern that needs addressing.