Committee Positions
To better understand different EGSA sectors and responsibilites, please have a look at the positions’ descriptions below:
Coordinator:
The responsibilities of the coordinator includes: (a) liaise with the many departments within the Faculty of Education, especially the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and the Graduate Assistants; (b) organize EGSA elections for the subsequent year; (c) call and chair EGSA meetings; (d) update and compile EGSA information; (e) manage the tasks required by each position held in the EGSA.
PhD/EdD/MA Mentorship Facilitators:
The Mentorship Facilitators organize program specific mentorship activities to support new students in their programs. This looks different in each program and varies according to the needs and capabilities of the facilitators, mentors, and mentees. At a basic level, it involves matching-up upper-year students with new students, based on a variety of factors, such as research interest. It may include organizing activities in person or online, social events, career information sessions, preparing for milestones, etc. The facilitators attend EGSA meetings and provide updates on the program, propose funding for planned events (as needed), and ensure that the information shared between peers is inclusive of all students and consistent with current graduate office policies.
Communications Coordinator:
The Communications Coordinator creates and organizes communications regarding EGSA events and recruitment. The student in this role will post and update information on the EGSA website and social media (Twitter and Facebook).
Robert Macmillan Symposium in Education (RMSE) Chair:
The RMSE chair oversees and manages the committee organizing the symposium. The chair will liaise with the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and the Research Office to plan the annual research symposium. The chair manages, organizes, and delegates tasks within the RMSE committee. The chair will also act as a committee member, completing tasks and supporting committee members in the successful completion of assigned tasks. The chair will provide updates about the progress of RMSE planning at EGSA meetings to keep the association informed.
RMSE Committee Members:
The RMSE Committee Members act under the direction and organization of the RMSE Chairs. They complete delegated tasks prior to the symposium and attend it to serve in a variety of capacities ensuring successful implementation of the event.
Faculty Council & Graduate Faculty Council Graduate Student Representatives:
The Faculty Council and Graduate Faculty Council liaisons are representatives responsible for serving as a liaison between the graduate students and the Faculty of Education. Representatives also communicate meeting minutes to the graduate student population. Council meetings are held approximately four times per year. There are four positions available for the following students: PhD, MA, EdD, and MPEd.
Treasurer:
The responsibilities of the treasurer include overseeing all financial matters for the EGSA and managing the EGSA account. The position is filled by the manager of the Graduate Office, as maintaining the bank account is part of their portfolio.
Secretary:
The Secretary’s responsibilities include: (a) attend all EGSA meetings and take minutes; (b) submit minutes to the coordinator for approval and dissemination; (c) In the event of the coordinator being unable to fulfill their duties, the secretary is responsible for organizing a new election.
Graduate Education Council Representative (GEC at SGPS):
This member is appointed or elected by the EGSA to represent Education graduate students at meetings of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. If the representative chooses, there are committees for which the individual could volunteer. The representative votes on the new policies, procedures, and issues for the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, which then go to Senate for approval. The representative will share information and updates from SGPS by attending EGSA meetings. The council meets for around 2 hours; 4 times throughout the year.
Social Coordinator:
The Social Coordinator manages and coordinates the social events for Education graduate students. There should be at least one event planned every two months, including one following the orientation days organized by the Faculty of Education in late August. Events do not need to have an academic focus, but should focus on creating a space and time for Education graduate students to build a social network with their peers.
Social Committee Members:
The Social Committee Members’ responsibilities are to organize social events for Education graduate students. The Social Committee Members act under the direction and organization of the Social Coordinator.
Research Committee Members:
The primary functions of the Research Committee are: (a) to adjudicate the internal funding competitions (Faculty Research Development Fund, faculty conference travel and research, student travel), (b) provide input and insight on the strategic research plan for the Faculty, offer suggestions to improve research-related processes in the Faculty (i.e. updating internal competition guidelines and application forms), (c) and share their opinions and feedback on research-related questions and issues that arise. The Research Committee schedules one-hour meetings once a month in the fall and winter terms.
Indigenous Student Representative:
The Indigenous Student Representative ensures that the interests and concerns of Indigenous graduate students are part of the EGSA's overall mission to foster a supportive and inclusive community of learners in the Faculty of Education. The role includes a responsibility to communicate with the EGSA by attending meetings and/or sharing information on EGSA communication channels. It may include opportunities to start initiatives as deemed necessary with the support of the EGSA and/or other faculty resources. The Indigenous representative may also assist or advise in coordinating programs with other EGSA members such as mentorship facilitators, the research symposium, social committee chairs, and communications officer.
Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) Councillors:
The SOGS Councillors are to attend monthly meetings, vote on issues, and serve as a representative of Education graduate students to the Society of Graduate Students. Meetings are held on main campus. The number of seats allocated to the Faculty of Education varies based on graduate enrolment. More information can be found at http://sogs.ca/
PSAC Local 610 Steward:
The responsibilities of the Steward are to: (a) attend PSAC Local 610 meetings; (b) serve as the representative of the PSAC Local 610 to Education Graduate Students and Teaching Assistants; (c) serve as the first point of contact for grievances and other labour issues. This union represents Teaching Assistants (TAs/GSAs). Not to be confused with GST Assignments, which refers to limited duties instructors and therefore not covered by the TA union agreement. Since PhD students usually don’t find out their assigned duties before the end of April, the PSAC position is appointed/elected in the fall. More information can be found at http://www.psac610.ca/
TESOL & ISL Representatives:
TESOL and ISL representatives plan and organize events for students in these two strands, and act as liasons for TESOL and ISL students in the EGSA committee.
