McGill’s governance structures can seem opaque and difficult to navigate. The Tribune broke down the organizations that represent the student body and how they are governed, as well as how the university’s governance apparatuses work. The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) SSMU is the students’ union that represents all undergraduates[Read More…]
Tag: pgss
PGSS executives debate restructuring responsibilities to ease workload
The Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) held its 2022-2023 Winter General Assembly at Thomson House on March 15. Although there were no binding votes or motions passed, attendees discussed the status of the Library Improvement Fund, the potential installation of air-filtration devices across campus, and a restructuring of the PGSS itself.[Read More…]
PGSS executives report unsustainable workloads
Executives and commissioners working at the Post-Graduate Students’ Society of McGill University (PGSS) have reported an intense workload and excessive hours. On several occasions, executives have had to work nearly double the hours required of their positions without overtime pay. Inadequate graduate funding, staff shortages, and limited time-frames for recruiting[Read More…]
First PGSS Council Meeting of winter semester passes motion to mobilize against Bill 96
The Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) held its first Council Meeting of the winter semester on Jan. 11. At the meeting, PGSS councillors passed motions regarding the impact of Bill 96 on international students and the distribution of reusable menstrual products to graduate students. They also debated the practice of passing[Read More…]
Letter to the Editor: If you can’t start on time, then don’t do it in person
In a Nov. 22 article by The McGill Tribune about the Post-Graduate Student Society (PGSS) Fall General Meeting, they highlighted the meeting’s enormous delay as the “Moment of the Meeting”. The meeting was scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m., but as reported by the Tribune, did not start until 8:06[Read More…]
PGSS executive midterm reviews
Secretary General: Kristi Kouchakji (she/her) Kristi Kouchakji is currently serving her second term as Secretary General, a position at the helm of PGSS’s operations. She has found this past semester to be uniquely challenging, with learning to navigate newly-hybrid governance meetings and an abundance of responsibilities, including serving on the[Read More…]
PGSS Fall General Meeting discusses expansion of gender-affirming care
Content warning: Mention of sexual violence On Nov. 16, the Post-Graduate Student Society (PGSS) held its Fall General Meeting to update members on the upcoming winter referendum, the 2023 executive election, and to discuss current PGSS initiatives. The meeting, however, did not meet its quorum requirement of one per cent[Read More…]
PGSS discusses McGill’s lack of accommodations and pay for invigilators
The Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) held their second Council meeting of the 2022-23 academic year on Oct. 19 to amend their budget, update students on sustainability projects and invigilators’ rights, and discuss concerns surrounding accessibility and accommodations for graduate students. There was also a town hall portion of the evening[Read More…]
Governance 101
Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) What it is: The Students’ Society of McGill University is the undergraduate student union. SSMU supervises undergraduate clubs and student organizations, operates Gerts Bar & Café, and advocates on behalf of all undergraduates at the McGill Senate. SSMU is composed of six executive members,[Read More…]
Council members voice grievances about inadequate stipends at PGSS Legislative Council meeting
McGill’s Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) held its first virtual council meeting of the Winter 2022 semester on Jan. 12. Secretary-General Kristi Kouchakji announced the society’s efforts to improve COVID-19 safety standards for graduate students, such as distributing higher quality masks in graduate-student work areas. Councillors also discussed possible ways to[Read More…]
