The Who's Who of the Graduate Program

Graduate Program Assistant

The Graduate Program Assistant is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the department's graduate programs. The Graduate Program Assistant can provide technical assistance on such matters as course additions and deletions, deadlines, leaves of absence, scholarship application materials, teaching assistantships, and the completion of forms.

Graduate Coordinator

The Graduate Coordinator is the academic head of the graduate program. The Coordinator is responsible for managing the department’s graduate programs. This includes tasks such as interpreting program regulations, approving course selections, advisory committees and qualifying examinations committees, assigning graduate teaching assistantships, handling recruitment and admissions, processing scholarships and awards, and advising students and faculty on various matters.

Graduate Program Committee

The Graduate Program Committee consists of the Graduate Coordinator and two other faculty members, as well as a student elected by the graduate students. The Committee considers recruitment strategies, course changes and changes to the structure of graduate programs. Some of the main tasks of the Committee include processes in which the student representative does not participate (e.g., reviewing applications for admission to graduate programs and adjudicating various scholarships and awards).

Graduate Student Representatives

Graduate Student Representatives are elected by the graduate students. All committee members must be democratically elected. Students in their second year and beyond are responsible for calling a meeting of the graduate students (MA and PhD), taking nominations and setting up the election process. Once the election has taken place, the results are to be reported to the Graduate Program Assistant.

Departmental Representative (one person required)

Responsible for attending and representing the graduate students in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at departmental meetings. Responsible for reporting any relevant issues and concerns to the graduate student body.

Graduate Student Affairs Representative (one person required)

Responsible for attending and representing the graduate students in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Graduate Program Committee meetings.

Graduate Student Association (GSA) Representatives (two persons required)

Responsible for attending GSA board meetings and representing the graduate students in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Responsible for holding meetings as necessary to inform the graduate student body of pertinent issues. As members of the GSA, the representatives must sit on one additional committee as per GSA requirements.

Personnel Committee Member (one person required)

Responsible for reviewing applicant files, attending meetings to develop a short list of candidates, attending public presentations of short-listed candidates, and participating in interviews and lunches with candidates. Responsible for attending a meeting to decide which candidate will be recommended to the department. The graduate student member is also asked to attend the department meeting where the recommendation will be presented.

CUPE Local 3913, Unit One – GTAs (one person required)

The Union asks for one graduate student representative from each department. This position does not have to be elected by the student body. Students interested in the position are to contact CUPE.

ENGAGE Conference Committee

Graduate students in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology organize an on-campus graduate conference in March of each year. This conference celebrates the diversity and vitality of student research by offering an opportunity for students from diverse social science backgrounds to come together and ENGAGE with peers over critical social and cultural issues.

Department Chair

The Department Chair is the head of both the academic and administrative units of the department. The Chair has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the graduate programs conform to the rules established by the University Senate.

Assistant Vice-President of Graduate Studies

The Assistant Vice-President of Graduate Studies oversees the Office of Graduate Studies and all aspects of graduate education. The Assistant Vice-President is responsible for the content and administration of all graduate programs, for assessing the quality of all academic programs, and for ensuring the implementation of policies and directions determined by the Board of Graduate Studies.

Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, which is located in the University Centre, is the administrative centre for most aspects of graduate students’ academic life. Staff provide a variety of services to graduate students. Please visit the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies webpage for more information.

Student Financial Services

Student Financial Services, which is located in the University Centre, assists students with various financial matters, including paying fees. Please visit the Student Financial Services webpage for more information.

Graduate Students' Association

All graduate students are members of the Graduate Students’ Association. This organization represents graduate students' interests to the administration, deals with issues such as the Student Health and Dental plans, and runs the Graduate Lounge. The GSA is located in the University Centre. Please visit the Graduate Students Association webpage for more information.

CUPE Local 3913

CUPE Local 3913 is the union representing Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA). Please visit the CUPE 3913 webpage for more information.