Uvic Committees
Grad Representation at UVic
The GSS has consistently advocated to increase graduate student representation in decision-making bodies at UVic. Interested in serving on a committee, or looking to request a graduate student representative on your committee? Find more information below!
How to Get Involved
Want to serve on one of the UVic Committees listed below to represent the interests of your fellow graduate students on hiring committees, the Board of Governors, Senate, and more? Check out the current vacancies below and email the GSS Governance Coordinator at gssgov@uvic.ca to apply.
Seeking Grad Student Representation on a UVic Committee?
If you are looking to advertise a committee opportunity, or if you want to request a graduate student representative for your committee, email the GSS Governance Coordinator at gssgov@uvic.ca.
Current Vacancies
Other Opportunities
Graduate Students have representation at every level of decision making at UVic.
Board of Governors
The UVic Board of Governors is responsible for the operational management (including property, finances, new buildings, administration and the strategic plan) of the university. The Board of Governors is regulated by BC’s University Act.
UVic students elect two members of the Board of Governors every spring. The students are elected by the entire student population (both graduates and undergraduates). One of these seats is reserved for a graduate student.
Board of Governors elections are managed by the University Secretary’s Office. Information on the Board of Governors, including upcoming agendas, committee terms of reference and an archive of meeting minutes, can be found here
Senate
The Senate governs academic matters at the University of Victoria (while the Board of Governors oversees operational management of UVIC). The Senate is regulated by BC’s University Act. The Senate website is here. 16 students are elected to senate; three of these seats are reserved for graduate students.
In addition, there are several senate committees with seats for graduate students, including: Academic Standards, Libraries, Appeals, Awards, Continuing Studies, Learning & Teaching and Planning. Elections of students to the senate take place annually each Spring, while committee seats are filled by the GSS Executive Board in the Summer.
Representation in your Department Meetings
The GSS also campaigned for and secured a standard of practice for graduate student involvement in department meetings. This standard is supported by the Faculty of Graduate Students states the best practice is for an elected student representative to be a participating member (with voice, vote and the ability to put things on the agenda) of all department meetings.
Representation on University Committees
In addition, every year there are vacancies on standing senate committees, award committees, and ad hoc committees dealing with issues of concern to graduate students and the university in general.
Representatives to faculty or campus wide committees are elected by the Graduate Students’ Society.
Representation within the Faculty of Graduate Studies
The GSS works closely with the Dean of Graduate Studies. The GSS Chair sits on the Faculty of Graduate Studies Committee and the Faculty of Graduate Studies Executive Committee. These bodies discuss key program and policy developments as they relate to graduate students. Agendas and minutes for these meetings are found here.
Hiring Committees for Faculty, Chairs and Deans
Hiring of senior administration and faculty at UVIC provides many opportunities for student involvement. Seats on hiring committees usually include graduate students, and candidates for senior positions are invited to give public talks as part of the hiring process. Students are encouraged to attend these talks and provide feedback to hiring committees.
Get Involved
Join us in shaping the grad student experience at UVic! Connect, advocate, and gain valuable skills. Explore opportunities to get involved today!