Graduate Students' Association- U of S

For those who are serious about seeing how their GSA President competes with stellar colleagues from a variety of settings, please watch the video at http://goo.gl/XTiZ3V!

They were all professors and there were actually two presidents from the Canadian and American university organizations respectively!

Hard to imagine a graduate student fitting in so well, holding her own, and competing intellectually in a very favourable way!

Izabela Vlahu speaking on Academic Freedom Izabela Vlahu speaking at USFA International Academic Freedom Conference, October 1st, 2014

Dear graduate students, a comparative study on the Fall 2013 and Fall 2014 U-Pass administrations has been prepared and made available at http://goo.gl/ThCesE.

www.gsa.usask.ca

A Message from the GSA President

Dear Graduate Students and members of the University Community,

I am writing to clarify the numerous misconceptions, errors and inventions published in the Sheaf on October 30th, regarding the GSA President. I requested to respond in writing to the one-sided and defamatory article, directly through the Sheaf. Unfortunately, my request was denied.

For the record, I had agreed to an interview with the Sheaf and had responded via email to the reporter’s questions well within the deadline. The Sheaf’s choice not to include my responses to serious misinformation is beyond my comprehension. To review the email correspondence please go to http://goo.gl/RqBrjm.

The overall message in the Sheaf article reflects a lack of understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the GSA President and the six Vice-Presidents. Through democratic elections each member of the GSA Executive is empowered to act and speak on behalf of the Executive with respect to their specific offices. While I supervise the work of the Vice-Presidents, my overarching role is to facilitate and support the legitimate decisions that fall within their portfolios.

Although I oversee all major decisions, most of the daily operations of the GSA are entrusted to our team of 6 Vice-Presidents. For example, specific duties such as the administration of the U-Pass service including the purchase of office equipment such as a computer, the composition of council meeting agendas, the distribution of the GSA logo, etc., are constitutionally delegated to individual Vice-Presidents.

My primary role as President is to represent the needs, wishes and aspirations of graduate students, locally, provincially and nationally. I have made it my priority to give graduate students a strong and compelling voice with respect to a host of issues extending from the fundamental flaws of TransformUS, advocating for improved and safer working environments, and dealing with unforeseen and unpredictable events which occur. For example, the recent Saskatoon transit lockout required immediate, responsible and decisive action. Simply stated, I condemned the lockout publicly and encouraged the University administration to take immediate action to provide alternative transportation for students. Through elaborate discussions with city representatives I was able to arrange for a month of free transit for all students.

In conclusion, I am saddened to read so much misinformation, hyperbole, and half-baked truths directed against me. These unwarranted attacks are not only without substance, but are mean-spirited and personal in nature. It is hard to imagine how people can replace their concern for decency and fairness with a determination to discredit and defeat others. Any objective assessment will discover that the call for my impeachment is based on frivolous, malicious, and mendacious grounds.

As President, I have always represented the GSA with honesty, integrity, pride, and to the best of my abilities. Whether I speak on campus or at meetings or conferences I defend our collective interests as graduate students. Many students and university professors recognize my tireless efforts to enhance the presence and voice of graduate students, coupled with building relationships with the academic community. For example, I was the only graduate student invited to participate as a panelist in an international conference on academic freedom (October 1, 2014). Along with a number of professors, the conference included the presidents of both the Canadian and American university associations. I also organized a separate talk and Q&A session with Dr. Jim Turk exclusively for graduate students.

Although I have no anger towards the detractors, I would simply encourage them to reflect profoundly before they engage in spurious and defamatory personal attacks. Criticism, generated by personal dislike, lacks kindness, credibility, and sustainability.



Sincerely,

Izabela Vlahu



President

Graduate Students’ Association

University of Saskatchewan

Gmail - Sheaf questions.pdf - Google Drive

UPDATED INFORMATION

We are writing to provide you with additional information on the temporary alternative transportation program for students, staff and faculty announced by the GSA yesterday. With the best efforts of a large team of people, the University will launch this service with a one day delay, that is, on Friday, October 10th. The GSA would like to provide additional support to the University by helping secure volunteers for all pick up spots, whose tentative locations can be found on the link below. Volunteers are needed for the first three days of service, October 10th, 14th and 15th.

Please forward your contact and availability information through https://fluidsurveys.usask.ca/s/UofSAlternativeTransportationVolunteer/.

If you have a friend or a family member able and willing to help, please add their contact information as well.

The GSA is most grateful for any help and time you can spare and we will keep you posted of new information as it becomes available to us.

University Alternative Transportation Program GSA Volunteer Application - 0% University Alternative Transportation Program GSA Volunteer Application -

Message from the GSA President

Dear Graduate Students,

I would like to take this opportunity to share some important information with all of you. I understand that the recent transit lockout is of serious concern to many of our students. As your president I have addressed this issue, both with the city of Saskatoon and to the public though an interview with CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/university-of-saskatchewan-students-union-withholds-u-pass-money-1.2775338. Before taking further action I want to ensure we fully understand our legal rights and responsibilities under the contract with the city of Saskatoon. I will keep you informed of any new developments.

On a more positive note, I would like to inform you that the GSA executive team is excited to bring you a new GSA interactive mobile app. It is our hope that through this app we will better engage our members and strengthen our community of graduate students. This app has been made available to the GSA through our CFS membership at no additional cost. If you are curious to know more about the app please visit https://gotoohlala.com/. We expect the app to be available to you by January 2015.

Last but not least, I would like to invite you to a celebration of academic freedom. The GSA is co-hosting this event together with the Faculty Association on Tuesday September 30th at 5:00 pm at the GSA commons. The event will open with a discussion on “Basic vs Innovative Research” and will be followed by a complimentary wine and cheese sponsored by the Faculty Association. Please extend this invitation to your professors, friends and family. To visit our poster please follow this link http://gsa.usask.ca/news/academic-freedom-event-on-september-30-and-october-1.php. I look forward to this opportunity to socialize with you!

Izabela Vlahu, GSA President

Dear Graduate Students,

Please be assured that the Graduate Students' Association is aware of the disruption of the transit service. We understand that this is causing difficulties for a significant number of students who depend on the transit service. We have been in contact with Saskatoon City Transit to inquire about this suspension. The City of Saskatoon has acknowledged its responsibilities, and is considering ways in which to remedy this challenging situation.

We are patiently waiting for new information to become available to us, and we are hopeful that the bus service will resume in a timely manner. The GSA will keep you updated of any new developments.

Thank you.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Negotiations+between+City+Saskatoon+union+fail+transit+workers+locked/10222219/story.html

Negotiations between City of Saskatoon, union fail; transit workers locked out After two days of last-ditch negotiations, the City of Saskatoon has locked out its transit workers – leading to a shutdown of buses around the city.

Come to the Bowl and enjoy the welcoming BBQ with us! Family and kids welcome :-)

Welcome to the new term! The Graduate Students' Association welcomes students to the GSA Commons to reactivate your U-Pass, to meet us, and to have a seat with a cup of tea or coffee, some snacks, and get energized in this beautiful summer time :-)