Hi there Warriors!
Welcome to the University of Waterloo and we are excited to support you through your graduate studies. The Graduate Student Association (better known as the GSA) is the official representative of graduate students at UW and we are your one stop shop for everything grad-related – from kicking back at Graduate House to diving into deep discussions about your thesis over a cup of coffee. Whether you’re an international student coming to Canada for the first time or a Waterloo local who grew up just down the road, we’re here to make your graduate experience unforgettable. From organizing engaging events to offering invaluable resources, we’re all about fostering connections, sharing laughter, and standing tall together.
strategic plan
The GSA Strategic Plan is an overarching document that helps to guide the organization over the upcoming years. It focuses on enhancing academic support, fostering a sense of community, and advocating for policies that promote student well-being. By prioritizing inclusive initiatives, amplifying student voices, and forging strong university partnerships, we aim to create an environment where every graduate student thrives academically, socially, and personally.
CORE Values
Transparency: The commitment to being open, honest, and accountable in all actions and communications, promoting trust and clarity within an organization.
Inclusivity: The principle of welcoming and valuing diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and identities, ensuring that everyone feels a sense of belonging and can fully participate.
Belongingness and Community Connection: The quality of having strong moral principles, honesty, and ethical consistency in one’s actions, choices, and decisions.
Self-Improvement: The ongoing process of developing one’s skills, knowledge, and personal qualities to achieve growth, advancement, and a better version of oneself.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Enhancing Advocacy & Representation Efforts: Our commitment to enhancing advocacy and representation aims to amplify the voices of the graduate student community at the University of Waterloo.
Fostering Community Building and Membership Engagement: The GSA acknowledges community building and membership engagement as fundamental to the prosperity and welfare of graduate students and the effectiveness of its programs and services.
Affirming our Commitment to Indigenous Heritage:The Graduate Student Association at the University of Waterloo commits to promoting awareness and respect for Indigenous cultures through educational programs, events, and collaboration with Indigenous communities in Waterloo.
Diversity
At the GSA, we take pride in fostering an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusivity. We’re dedicated to championing diversity in all its forms, ensuring that every graduate student feels valued, respected, and included.
From organizing events that celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures within our community to advocating for inclusive policies, we’re committed to creating a space where everyone can thrive.
So, whether you’re a first-time grad student or a seasoned academic, join us in embracing the unique perspectives and backgrounds that make our community so vibrant!
Our Role
Official Representation: The GSA is the recognized representative body for graduate students at the University of Waterloo.
Advocacy: We actively advocate for graduate student interests to university administration and government at all levels.
Comprehensive Services: GSA provides a range of essential services for graduate students, including legal aid, income tax assistance, supplementary health and dental plans, GRT bus passes, and student advising.
Events: We organize both on- and off-campus events, catering to all demographics within the grad student population and striving to fosture a strong sense of community among our students.
Graduate House: Our dedicated offers food and bar services, supporting local suppliers, as well as providing graduate student space and entertainment options.
We acknowledge that we work on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes ten kilometers on each side of the Grand River. We acknowledge that we work on these territories as beneficiaries of settler colonialism. We also acknowledge that members of our UWaterloo community live on Indigenous territories around the world.
This statement is only a small step in the process of reconciliation. Decolonization requires systemic change. The GSA-UW is committed to this effort.