Ready for a night of fun with your fellow grad students? We've got games, snacks, and music. Just bring yourself and get ready for an unforgettable time.

Date: Friday, January 17 (Tonight)
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Graduate Life Centre, Thea Koerner House

Come for the good vibes, stay for the new connections. Don’t miss out. See you there!

Are you a graduate student interested in getting involved in student government? Consider nominating yourself for an executive role at the UBC Graduate Student Society (GSS).

The GSS represents over 10,000 graduate students at UBC Vancouver through advocacy at the university, municipal, provincial, and federal levels. We also offer a range of services, including peer support, financial aid and subsidies, as well as social and recreational activities for graduate students.

Nominations for four executive positions will be open soon:

• President: Leads an ambitious set of goals to support graduate students while overseeing the overall coordination of GSS activities.
• VP University & Academic Affairs: Acts as a liaison between graduate students and UBC administration, advocating for the concerns of graduate students within the university.
• VP External Relations: Establishes and maintains connections with external organizations, ensuring that the graduate student voice is heard by legislators and other student groups.
• VP Student Affairs: Creates engaging and positive experiences for graduate students and organizes GSS events that foster a sense of community.

Take this opportunity to make a difference and get involved in shaping the graduate student experience at UBC.

Start the semester off with strikes, spares, and new friendships. Join us for the GSS Winter Orientation 2025 Bowling Night—an evening full of fun, laughter, and a perfect chance to meet fellow grad students who’ll be with you on this exciting journey. Let’s roll into the semester together.

We’ve reserved lanes on the upper floor at Grandview Lanes, Vancouver’s iconic bowling alley, for an exclusive Glow-In-The-Dark bowling experience just for UBC graduate students.

Date: Friday, January 24
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The GSS Career Coaching Program offers personalized guidance and support from professional career coaches to help graduate students and postdocs refine their resumes, improve interview skills, and explore career options. This program is designed to build confidence and assist in taking the next steps in your professional journey.

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to invest in your career development.

GSS Career Coaching Program Info Session
Date: Wednesday, January 22
Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Zoom
RSVP HERE

GSS Career Coaching Program
Date: Saturday, February 8
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: GSS Loft, Room 4202
6133 University Boulevard, Vancouver

Discover the extraordinary stories and experiences of your fellow graduate students at our Human Library sessions. Whether you join us in person or online via Zoom, these events promise meaningful conversations and unique perspectives.

The Human Library will be open from 4:00-5:00pm on:

• January 24 in the Graduate Life Centre
• January 31 in the GSS Loft
• February 7 in the GSS Loft
• February 13 in the GSS Loft
• February 28 in the GSS Loft
• March 7 in the GSS Loft
• March 14 in the GSS Loft
• March 21 in the GSS Loft
• March 28 in the GSS Loft

Exclusive Perks:
- Sign up for a chance to win $15 gift cards!
- Join in person for free healthy snacks and door prizes.
- Participate online for a chance to win free meal vouchers.

If you are interested in signing up as a "Human Book," please complete this FORM.

Ready to level up your communication skills? Join us for the Effective Communication Coaching Program Info Session to get all the details.

Info Session Details:
Date: Tuesday, January 28
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Location: Zoom

Program Dates:

February 11 - March 25 (Tuesdays, 6 sessions)
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Location: Zoom

Don't miss your chance to sharpen your communication skills and boost your confidence.

Get ready for a fun and empowering Sassy Jazz. This dance style is all about confidence, self-expression, and having a blast with simple footwork and hip movements.

Workshop Details
When: January 30, 2025
Where: Thea’s Lounge, Thea Koerner House
Time: 4:00 - 5:15 PM

What to Bring:

• Comfortable clothing
• A water bottle
• Your energy and confidence!

Questions? Email: eventsassistant@gss.ubc.ca

The UBC Graduate Student Society Presents:
Inaugural Research Mingling: Connect, Collaborate, and Celebrate!

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Venue: GSS Loft @ AMS Nest (Fourth floor of the Nest)

Goal: Foster interdisciplinary research exchanges among graduate students through lightning talks and group discussions that spark lasting connections.

• Share your research area or methodology in just one minute within a small group.
• Connect with peers from various disciplines.
• Enjoy a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
• Engage actively to win exciting prizes!

Refreshments will be served.

NOTE: Participants can choose to share their research topic or attend as a guest.

Questions? Email vpacademic@gss.ubc.ca and academicpolicy@gss.ubc.ca.

We Want to Hear from You

The GSS Student Satisfaction Survey (SSS) is back. Since 2014, your feedback has helped the Graduate Student Society (GSS) advocate for improvements in funding, housing, career preparation, and more.

This 10–15 minute survey is your chance to share your experiences and shape the future for graduate students at UBC Vancouver. Need a break? You can pause and return to the survey on the same device and browser.

Bonus: Complete the survey for a chance to win bi-weekly prizes starting this month, including up to $100 gift cards and GSS swag.

Thank you for helping us better support you. Your voice matters!

As crises continue to devastate regions like Gaza, Mali, Cameroon, Lebanon, and beyond, many in our graduate student community at UBC are deeply affected, with many students' homes and loved ones being directly impacted. In the spirit of the season, the Graduate Student Society (GSS) invites you to join us in extending a helping hand through a humanitarian drive.

This new year, we are coming together to support the Humanitarian Coalition, a collective of Canada’s leading aid organizations. By pooling resources, they provide an efficient way to respond to international humanitarian disasters, saving lives and bringing hope to those in need.

Let’s show the power of our graduate community by spreading compassion and solidarity. Together, we can make a difference.

Please note: As a non-profit organization, we are unable to issue tax receipts for donations.

Join us for another African Caribbean Pop-Up Grocery Store at UBC: A Food Sovereignty (FS) Program by the Black Graduate Student Network (BGSN). As always, we will subsidize your purchase by 20% and up to a maximum of $25! Note that this event is open to anyone but discounts are only available to Black individuals because of our funding stipulations.

Event Address: Graduate Student Society (GSS) Loft, Fourth Floor of the AMS Student Nest, UBC (Room 4202 - 6133, University Blvd, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1).

Date: Friday, January 17, 2025

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Connect with your body, relax your mind, and discover ways to bring more calm into your life.

• Who: Students, staff, and faculty are welcome.
• Experience: No experience is necessary.
• When: Mondays, 12:05-12:50 PM
• Dates: January 20 - March 30, 2025
• Location: Brock Hall, Room 2001
• Cost: Free drop-in group

Do you have extra energy after (hopefully) resting during holiday break? Pent up frustration at the fact that yet another school semester has begun? Or do you perhaps have a New Year commitment to making new friends?

Whether these apply or you simply love a casual game of dodgeball, please join GWAC at the Gym in the UBC Student Recreation Center (SRC) on January 25 from 7:15-8:45 PM.

We will provide the drinks and food you need to dodge, duck, dip, and refresh!

Join the GWAC Community:

● Keep updated on upcoming events by following us on instagram: @ubcgwac

● Join our mailing list: https://docs.google.com/forms/...

Join us for our inaugural event of the film screening series, Framing Asia. We’ll be screening the critically acclaimed shorts Hair (dir. Samaneh Yadollahi, 2022; 15 min) and A Move (dir. Elahe Esmaili, 2024; 27 min), followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. 
Persian snacks will be provided.

Free entry! Registration required by January 25.

When: Wednesday, January 29

Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (doors open 5:30pm)

Location: Asian Centre Auditorium

Are you a UBC graduate student interested in . . .

• solving real-world sustainability challenges?
• getting paid while gaining valuable professional work experience?
• developing applied sustainability skills and knowledge under the guidance of a mentor?
• building a professional network and enhancing your career prospects?

Apply to be a UBC Sustainability Scholar and contribute to advancing the sustainability goals of organizations across the region. Applications are due January 26, 2025.

Are you looking for a fun way to get moving this year? Join Walk for Joy, a free 9-week walking and rolling challenge starting in February! 

Participate on a team of up to five and keep track of your steps each week for great prizes and a spot at the top of the weekly leaderboard. This challenge promotes getting active while being social, so get moving with a friend and get bonus “social steps”. Any physical activity can count towards your step totals, so accumulate steps while taking part in your favourite activities such as gardening and walking up the stairs.

Register by January 27, 2025.

Twice a month, the UBC Move U Crew hosts a themed lunch walk and roll around campus. These walks are a great way to meet new people, explore the campus, have some fun, and get moving! Open to all students, staff, faculty, and community members. All walk routes are wheelchair accessible unless otherwise specified.

• January 29 – Nitobe Garden Walk

• February 12 – Valentine Walk

• February 26 – UBC Farm Tour: Sustainability in our Food System

• March 12 – Cherry Blossom Walk

• March 26 – Puppy Walk