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YUGSA Executive Statement

To Our Fellow Graduate Students, Activists, and Scholars,

Whether it is your first semester at York University or your last, the York University Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA) Executive Board wishes you a Warm Welcome to the 2024-2025 Academic Year!

This past year has been marked by numerous victories and challenges, shaping our commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of graduate students. Here are some key highlights from the 2023-24 academic year:

Victories and Challenges: Palestine Solidarity and Student Union Autonomy

YUGSA, alongside other student unions, issued a statement of solidarity with Palestine, which led to intense pressure from the administration and external bodies. We faced increased legal costs, suspensions, and threats from the administration for standing by our principles. However, despite this, YUGSA received overwhelming support and solidarity messages from a broad spectrum of organizations and collectives, both within York University and beyond.

In another instance, the administration, led by President Rhonda Lenton, violently dismantled a student encampment without a court injunction. Despite these setbacks, we remain committed to our solidarity efforts, fighting to uphold the autonomy of student unions and opposing the administration’s attempts to silence pro-Palestinian voices. 

In June 2024, a pro-Palestinian encampment was erected at York University’s Keele campus, demanding that the university divest from companies profiting from Israel’s offensive in Gaza. 

Despite an initial email from the administration suggesting dialogue, the university quickly resorted to police intervention. At 8 a.m., Toronto police—called in by the York administration—dismantled the encampment under the Trespass to Property Act, claiming they were ensuring the "safety" of the campus. Students were terrorized. An Indigenous Matriarch, a Fire Keeper, and their children were terrorized and disrespected, and their sacred fire was shut down in what was aptly described as an act of cultural genocide. This was the first encampment in Ontario, and only the second in the entire country, to be cleared and dismantled so swiftly, marking a troubling precedent in Canada. 

 This incident underscores a larger issue of police intervention in student matters, as the York administration continues to turn to police rather than engaging in genuine dialogue with student groups. YUGSA remains committed to advocating for keeping police out of our campuses and fostering spaces where student activism and academic freedom are respected. We believe that the involvement of police exacerbates tensions and undermines the safety and well being of our members along with the larger community who have long faced racist and classist targeting by the police.

YUGSA remains committed to resisting these attacks and continues to push for divestment from Israel and the protection of academic freedom, based on the graduate community's wishes.

You can learn more about racism and repression of Palestinian solidarity at York in this link.

Student Housing Crisis

The Housing Crisis remains a critical issue for graduate students at York University. The skyrocketing costs of housing, both on and off campus, have left many students struggling to find affordable accommodation. The on-campus housing units, while accessible after a few months of waiting, suffer from poor maintenance and cleanliness. In the 2023-24 academic year, YUGSA took a proactive approach by organizing a housing tour to document these issues and bring them to the administration's attention. We collaborated with the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) and the Housing office, although they missed the initial tour. The housing tour highlighted serious problems that we will continue to address in the upcoming year. YUGSA has also planned to hold a town hall, in collaboration with York Housing, to provide a platform for students to voice their concerns directly. This meeting, initially scheduled for Winter 2024, was postponed due to the CUPE 3903 strike, but we encourage new students to join us in ensuring this important dialogue continues in the coming year.

Unions Uncover YorkU’s Financial Mismanagement
This past year, the York University Faculty Association (YUFA) negotiations brought to light the administration's financial mismanagement and undemocratic governance practices. The December 2023 report from the Ontario Auditor General revealed serious deficiencies in how York University handles its finances, with a sharp increase in senior management positions and compensation over the past five years, while salaries for faculty have remained stagnant. The administration's irresponsible financial decisions, particularly surrounding expensive capital projects like the Markham campus, have put academic programs at risk. During the YUFA negotiations, the employer offered no salary increases for 2024-25 and a minimal increase for the following years, further diminishing faculty members' buying power amid rising inflation and housing costs. The administration's decision to apply for a conciliation officer so early in the bargaining process was unprecedented and signaled their intent to impose a potential lockout. YUGSA stood in solidarity with YUFA as they continued to demand fair wages and reforms in university governance.

Food Insecurity Exposed during CUPE3903 Strike
Among other things, the CUPE 3903 strike also exposed the severe food insecurity faced by many graduate students at York University. Due to our teaching and research assistantships being significantly underpaid, many of us have to rely on food banks. YUGSA worked alongside other groups to form a Food Justice Committee aimed at addressing this crisis. Although the strike ended before the committee could launch its initiatives, the committee has continued its work to establish a long term network of food support to graduate students in need. The issue of food insecurity remains one of our top priorities, and we encourage all students to join this critical effort to support our peers who are struggling.

As you enter this new academic year, know that YUGSA Executive is here to advocate for you and ensure your voice is heard. YUGSA is a student union for all of us and will remain strong because we believe in the power of our unity. Together, we can address these pressing issues and create a more equitable and supportive environment for all. 

Feel free to reach out anytime and follow us on our Instagram.

In solidarity,

Executive Committee

York University Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA)

Graduate Student Map York University

Academic Services

It is important to familiarize yourself with The Faculty of Graduate Studies’ (FGS) regulations as well as your own program’s policies, procedures and guidelines. If you do not know where to obtain this information or need help understanding these documents please contact our Student Services Coordinator at info@yugsa.ca

Individual Advocacy

If you are facing any issues at York that you are not sure how to address, please feel welcome to drop by the YUGSA office to discuss your concerns with the Student Services Coordinator or the Vice President Equity. You can also email info@yugsa.ca or call 416.736.5865 to speak to the Student Services Coordinator.

When should you come to seek support?

You should definitely come to see us if you are experiencing any of the issues listed above. Some graduate students try to resolve these issues by themselves or ignore them altogether causing the situation to escalate. By speaking with your graduate student advocate, you might be able to address problems early on and avoid/resolve conflicts and stressful situations. If you aren’t sure where to access support for any issue, whether it is academic or not, please feel welcome to come to the YUGSA to talk to an advocate.

What can YUGSA do? 

• Listen to your concerns carefully and take them seriously.

• Ask questions to clarify and assess the situation based on the information provided.

• Direct you to information regarding University regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Explore how to address the situation and discuss possible solutions/outcomes.

• Offer to make inquiries to obtain information when appropriate.

• Offer to intervene by setting up meetings with University administration, faculty, and staff when appropriate.

• At your request, a representative from the YUGSA can attend meetings with you as a support person.

• Keep your case records confidential.

• Refer you to other appropriate and relevant services and supports as required.

What can’t YUGSA do?

• Fill out forms on students’ behalf

• Provide legal advice or services

• Resolve employment issues with York (we would refer you to CUPE 3903)

Confidentiality

All information you provide to the Student Services Coordinator will be kept confidential. Information will only be shared with third parties with your consent.

How to prepare your case

Guidelines for Filling Petitions and Appeals

• Follow the guidelines for the petition or appeal process. If you are not sure where to obtain this information, please contact the YUGSA

• Pay attention to deadlines specific to petition/appeal committees for your submission. Follow the program, departmental, Faculty of Graduate Studies and petition/appeal committee policies; failure to do so may adversely affect the outcome of your case

• Present evidence to support your case

• Develop an argument that is coherent and focused

• Keep detailed documentation of all aspects of your case

Funding and Bursaries

Donation Request

On the basis of budgetary allowances, funds or materials may be available to student groups to help with expenses of events, projects, or activities related to the well being of graduate students and community members. Examples of funded projects include: conferences, film screenings, and lectures. Direct expenses are defined as the cost of supplies, materials, and services expended on the project. All events, projects or activities must uphold the equity mandate of the YUGSA. 

Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis at YUGSA Council and applicants may be requested to attend a Council meeting to speak to their donation request. 

Please submit forms ahead of council dates using our online application form: Donation Request Form

International
Students’ Bursary

This fund provides some additional financial support to international graduate students who face higher tuition fees and are not able to access many of the resources that domestic students can access for support. Eligible students may apply once per year using our online application form available at yugsa.ca/services/funding by the April 1st deadline. Up to $300.00 is available, although the final amount is determined by the total number of successful applicants.

International Student Bursary Application Form

Academic Funds

These funds provide limited funding (determined by the number of successful applicants) to graduate students following proof of expenditures and are designed to assist graduate students in their academic endeavors. Our funding deadlines are August 1, December 1, and April 1 every year. There are three funds available:

Conference Support to help offset the costs of presenting a paper or poster at a conference; Conference Support Funding Application

Thesis Support to help offset the costs involved in producing Master’s and Ph.D. theses or major papers; Thesis Support Funding Application

Skills Development Support to help offset the costs related to endeavours which help students develop overall skills in relation to their program of study, such as voluntary internships, language training and professional development opportunities. Skills Development Funding Application.

*Please note, YUGSA members are limited to only one successful application from YUGSA’s Academic Funds (Conference, Thesis or Skills Development Fund) per funding period (May-April).

Operating
Grant Fund (OGF)

A portion of the YUGSA budget is allotted for program-level departmental graduate student associations (DGSAs). A base amount of $100.00 is allotted to each completed application, with the remaining funds being distributed across associations based on the number of full-time and part-time students enrolled in that program in the preceding fall semester. The operating grant application as well as the accompanying DGSA’s constitution submission deadline is November 21, 2024.

In order to be eligible, departmental representatives are required to attend Council meetings and an anti-oppression training session in the Fall. The funds are typically distributed in two installments – usually in December and March. For more information please contact our V.P. Finance at finance@yugsa.ca