Graduate Students' Association

U-Pass Update
It has been confirmed with LA Transit that the Jan-Aug 2010 stickers will be valid until Sept. 13th. By this time the new U-Pass stickers will be available for pickup. All transit staff have been informed of this change by memo if you encounter any scrutiny.
UPass Opt-Out Deadline:
Sept. 14th, 2010
Opt-out here: https://www.uleth.ca/survey/upassoptout/

Health & Dental Opt-out Deadline: Sept. 24, 2010
All full-time students are automatically registered on the ULSU Health & Dental plans, if you have alternate insurance benefits you may opt-out of the plan. Part time students and family members may add onto the health and dental plan.
Opt-out on the Bridge, under the ROSS tab or come to the Students’ Union office, SU180.
To add-on come to Su180 or contact Shelley at 403-329-2039
or su.health@uleth.ca. The deadline for opt-out/add-on is September 24, 2010. Questions: Shelley Tuff su.health@uleth.ca

Get Involved! Sit on a committee!
As set out in the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act, subject to the authority of the Board, General Faculties Council (GFC) is responsible for the academic and student affairs of the University. Specific powers of GFC include granting of degrees, approval of the University’s Academic Plan, academic programs, academic policies, academic awards, and the University Calendar. GFC is Chaired by the President and is composed of elected and appointed members, including all university Vice-Presidents, all Faculty Deans, professors, students, librarians, and academic and non-academic staff.

We will require 1 or 2 students to represent grad students on the following committees. Please send your name and a brief explanation of why you want to be selected to gsa.internal@uleth.ca. It’s great to add to your resume and to network.
1. Convocation Committee
2. Curriculum Coordinating Committee
3. Honorary Degrees Advisory Committee
4. Library Committee
5. Student Awards Committee
6. Special Needs Advisory Committee
7. General Liberal Education Committee

First Impressions Volunteer Training: Sept. 2, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Please note that the fall deadline for volunteer applications for the First Impressions Personal Orientation program is Thursday, Sept 2nd, 2010. Volunteers who have already submitted applications are invited to attend a brief informative training session on Thursday, Sept. 2nd from 6:30 – 7:30pm in AH116. Pizza dinner will be provided! (Application form was sent out 2 days ago via email.) We expect a large influx of new students this month so we would truly appreciate your help if you can spare some time to take a new student around campus.

New Student Orientation Day
Lastly, all NEW students are invited to our Fall Orientation Day on Sept. 10th, 9am – 4:30pm SU-B. The morning (9- 12pm) will be geared towards teaching assistance, and the afternoon will feature campus resources, research, being a student, etc. at 1:00pm. Students who started their program in January or May of 2010 are also welcome to either or both portions. Please RSVP to gsa.internal@uleth.ca asap if you wish to attend.

For new graduate students starting at the U of L in September 2010, the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) and the Centre for the Advancement of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CAETL) are offering a one-day joint orientation in SU-B from 9:00 – 4:30pm. In the morning, CAETL will facilitate workshops related to teaching and assisting with lectures, tutorials, and lab components for those who are expected to carry out a TA-ship. In the afternoon, starting at 1:00pm, GSA will offer a general orientation outlining expectations, resources, campus services, and guidelines for graduate students at the U of L. Students are welcome to attend both or either portion, even new students who began their program in January or May 2010 are invited. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to gsa.internal@uleth.ca before September 7th, 2010.

If you are a graduate student currently in the process of writing your thesis or an exit project which will require binding, please consider applying for a GSA Thesis Binding Award. These awards are non-repayable, one-time payments intended to supplement the cost of producing and binding a thesis or completion projects. The first deadline is August 30, 2010 for students intending to defend in Fall 2010 (September to December 2010). These awards are open to students in any graduate degree program at the U of L.

• A minimum of five (5) awards of $100.00 each per Academic Semester will be granted by the GSA to successfully chosen, registered graduate student applicants who are projected to defend in the that particular semester. Financial need will be assessed. GSA reserves the right to increase number of awards as dictated by application pool.
• Awards are due by 5:00pm to the GSA Office (D413) on August 30, December 23, and April 30 in the semester prior to the defense date.
• Successful applicants must provide receipts within 60 calendar days following their defense date in order to receive retroactive reimbursement.
• Each student may receive only one Thesis Binding Award per degree while studying at the University of Lethbridge.
• “Thesis” may also include capstone or exit projects, if required to be bound and submitted for grading.

Forms must be completed with proof of projected defense date and delivered to the GSA office. Successful applicants will be informed via email or phone. Questions, please contact gsa.pres@uleth.ca or gsa.internal@uleth.ca.

Click here for application form.

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Capture the Flag event on Friday, August 6.

We will have another outdoor game night within the next couple of weeks, stay tuned!!

Join us in celebrating the coming of summer and Canada Day!!

You will get a chance to meet your new GSA executive and also the new Interim Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Wood.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010
AH 100 (Andy’s Place)
2:00 – 4:00pm
FREE CAKE & Drinks!

Announcing your new 2010-2011 GSA Council Executives:

President: Paul Walz
Vice President (Internal): Wing Li
Vice President (Finance): Carolyn Penniket
Vice President (External): Jeanne Xie

View entire GSA Council biographies.