Director Elections & FGSA APPOINTMENTS – FALL 2025
Hello Graduate Students,
Below of is a list of all the candidates in the Fall 2025 GSS Director Elections with a link to their profiles. You will have an opportunity to meet with the candidates at the Meet the Candidates Event:
Voting for the election will occur online between November 26th and December 2nd. A link to the ballot will be sent to all graduate students. If you have any questions please email ec@sfugradsociety.ca
Candidates
DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC RELATIONS
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
DIRECTOR OF ACCESS & EQUITY
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE
DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Kody Sider >> Candidate Profile
DIRECTOR POSITIONS AVAILABLE
The following GSS Director positions are being elected this term. All positions require the directors to be in regular contact and dialogue with their colleagues, GSS Councillors, staff and graduate students more generally. While many tasks can be performed remotely and outside of working hours, Directors are expected to provide 16 hours of availability during the work week in order to fullfil their obligations to the role. These positions are not simply representative positions. All directors have specific responsibilities and tasks.
Director of Academic Relations >> Terms of Reference – Advocates for graduate students on issues related to their academic work and studies. Recently the position has been actively working on the GradCOLA campaign. The position also sits as the GSS representative on the Senate Graduate Studies Committee and FGSA.
Director of Finance >> Terms of Reference – Oversees the financial decisions of the society while advising the organization. Acts as the chair of the Finance Committee which oversees the development of the GSS Budget. Also supports the annual audit.
Director of Access & Equity >> Terms of Reference – Supports graduate students dealing with issues of access, equity, oppression and social justice both at the university and in solidarity with work happening more broadly in society. Works with numerous organizations on campus representing equity seeking groups.
Director of Student Life >> Terms of Reference – Responsible for building a sense of graduate student community through organizing events, social and other engagement opportunities. Creates a monthly newsletter and works with Graduate Studies to help organize the annual orientation.
Director of External Relations >> Terms of Reference – Serves as the primary contact for external organizations which include government bodies, the University President’s office, community organizations and other student societies both at and outside of SFU. Advocates on issues of housing, tuition, national research funding and immigration.
*** This is a by-election. The position is a 4 month term position from January 1st 2026 until April 30th 2026 and will be up for re-election in the Spring 2026 semester.
FEATURES OF THESE POSITIONS:
- Open to all current SFU graduate students, including international students
- Stipend is approximately $6000/semester
- Work an average of 50 hours per month
- Sit on the Executive Committee and Council
- Be an advocate for rights and interests of grad students
- Help steward the services and projects of the GSS
- Plan events, socials and build community for students
- 1 Year Term: May 1st, 2025 until April 30th, 2026
FGSA POSITIONS AVAILABLE
The GSS Council will be appointing 2 graduate student members for a 1 year term from January 1st, 2026 until December 31st, 2026. Three additional appointments will be made in the Spring Semester. The FGSA meets at least 5 times a year. For more information, please refer to the FGSA Terms of Reference (Appendix A, Page 14). The appointment of graduate student members will attempt to provide representation for Indigenous students, international students and students from different faculties.
IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES
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Notice of Elections: October 8th @ 4 pm
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Nominations Open: October 8th @ 4 pm
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Nomination Information Session: October 16th @ 3 pm
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Nomination Information Session: October 21st @ 2 pm
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Elections Nominations Close: October 29th @ 11:59 pm
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Candidate Profile Submission Deadline: October 30th @ 12 noon
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Mandatory Candidate Q&A Session: November 3rd @ 12 noon
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Elections Open Campaigning: November 3rd @ 4 pm
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Presenting at GSS Council: November 18th @ 4 pm
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Meet the Candidates (Public Event): November 19th @ 2 pm
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Close Campaigning: November 21st @ 11:59 pm
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Open Online Polling: November 26th @ 3 pm
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Close Online Polling: December 2nd @ 11:59 pm
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Announcement of Results: December 5th @ 12:00 noon
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Appointment of FGSA Members: December 9th @ 4 pm
BY-LAWS AND REGULATION
Elections and referenda, collectively known as electoral undertakings, are governed by the documents below.
Constitution and By-Laws (page 20)
R1010 Electoral Undertaking Regulation
QUESTIONS?
Email the Electoral Committee at ec@sfugradsociety.ca or the Chief Electoral Officer at electoralchief@sfugradsociety.
To consult past election reports, please click here.