Our mandate is to look after the rights and interests of doctoral students in our Faculty, and through student representation on Faculty committees, to ensure students have a strong voice in the governance and direction of the PhD program.
We are a unique part of the Graduate Environmental Studies Students Association (GESSA), which represents us in some capacities with the rest of the University. PhESSA uses a consensus-based decision-making process, with two co-chairs and an executive committee elected each year to liaise between students, faculty, and staff. Our organization also has a lounge, with a limited amount of lockers, desks, and computers, and is open to all doctoral students within EUC to use during their time at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ.
In most recent years, PhESSA members have ensured doctoral student representation while sitting on faculty committees including the Faculty Executive Committee; the PhD Program, Curriculum, and Admissions Subcommittee; the Academic Appeals Committee; the Faculty Appointment Advisory Committee; the Equity Committee; the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee; the Tenure and Promotions Commitee; the Research Committee; the Awards committee; and the committee of instruction. Our executive also has representation across all of ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ through our YUGSA delegates, members of the FGS council, and the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ Senate. We also have positions related to event organizing, finances, and adjudicating our bi-annual in-faculty Research Travel Fund.
For more information about these roles or to be put into contact with previous executive representatives, please contact thisisphessa@gmail.com
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¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA)
The ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA) works to improve the learning, teaching, and working environments for all graduate students at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ.
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The Graduate Program in Environmental Studies at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.