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!

Looking for a fun night to hang out with fellow grad students? We've got games, snacks, and music lined up. Now all we need is YOU to make it an unforgettable evening.

Date: Friday, January 17
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Graduate Life Centre, Thea Koerner House

Come for the fun, stay for the connections. See you there.

Kick off the new semester with strikes, spares, and new connections! Join us at the GSS Winter Orientation 2025 Bowling Night for a fun-filled evening of laughter and a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow grad students who’ll be part of your 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 exciting Glow-In-The-Dark bowling experience exclusively for UBC graduate students.

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

See you at the lanes.

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.

The GSS Career Coaching Program is a valuable opportunity to gain personalized guidance and support from professional career coaches. Whether you're looking to refine your resume, improve your interview skills, or explore career options, this program is designed to help graduate students and postdocs build confidence and take the next steps in their professional journey.

Don’t miss out—take charge of your career development today.

GSS Career Coaching Program Info Session

Date: Wednesday, January 22nd
Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Zoom

GSS Career Coaching Program

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

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.

Key Dates:

• Nomination Period: January 20, 2025 – February 19, 2025
• Meet the Candidates Night: February 19, 2025
• Campaign Period: February 20, 2025 – March 20, 2025
• Debate Night: March 5, 2025
• Voting Period: March 13, 2025 – March 20, 2025

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

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.

The UBC Vancouver Technology Bursary is a one-time, needs-based award designed to assist students facing financial hardship who are unable to meet their essential technology needs. This includes items such as headphones, web cameras, specialized accessibility technology, or Internet access.

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

With Here2Talk, students have immediate access to counselling and community referral services across phone, online chat, and mobile app. All Here2Talk services are free to students and available 24/7, in multiple languages. It is accessible to all UBC students, including domestic and international students, graduate or undergraduate. No matter where they are in the world, UBC students can access Here2Talk anytime and as frequently as they require.