TST Graduate Students' Association (TGSA)

In an attempt to raise awareness to the issue of Sexual Violence and Harassment, this summary of the University of Toronto’s Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment policy, prepared by a fellow TST student, was sent to TGSA members through the TGSA list-serv.

If you are an enrolled student at the University of Toronto and would like more information on how to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and violence, please enroll in the University of Toronto’s “Sexual Violence Education and Prevention Module”, which can be found on Portal.

If you are a TST student and would like to speak to a TGSA Board member about this topic, please feel free to contact your college rep or an exec. member.

The TGSA Board has become aware of concerns surrounding UofT’s most recent policy on mandated leave. While we are waiting to receive a copy of the policy to review, we are researching more about the policy itself and potential resources, as well as communicating with relevant offices.

In the meantime, please take a look at other student organizations’ responses, including UTSU (https://www.utsu.ca/tag/mandated-leave-policy/) and GSU (https://www.utgsu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Opposition-to-the-University-Mandated-Leave-of-Absence-Policy.pdf).

We will continue to advocate and support the needs of all TGSA members. For questions or concerns, please contact your TGSA College Representative. We appreciated your patience and shared commitment to all students on this matter.

-TGSA Exec.

College Reps contact information:

Emmanuel College – Gina Bae (ginajy.bae@mail.utoronto.ca)
St.Michael’s College – Fiona Li (tgsa@utoronto.ca)
Regis College – Liam Farrer (liam.farrer.@mail.utoronto.ca)
Knox College – Mike Anderson (mj.anderson@mail.utoronto.ca)
Trinity College – Robbie Walker (rob.daywalker@gmail.com)
Wycliffe College – Carolyn Mackie (carolyn.mackie@mail.utoronto.ca)

April & AGM Agenda

The TGSA Board works behind the scenes at TST to support students during their graduate studies. We do this through advocacy, liaising with TST and U of T administration, planning professional development seminars, funding travel grants for conferences, and building scholarly community through social and academic events. The Board is looking towards the upcoming 2018-2019 academic year and is looking for some new members to assist us in fulfilling our mandate and serving the graduate student community at TST.

Board membership involves attending monthly meetings and assisting with events put on by TGSA. Depending on the role, it may also involve attending external meetings within specific colleges or departments. Appointments are for a two-year term. Specific details and job descriptions can be found in TGSA’s Constitution and in our Policies and Procedures. Being a Board member is a great way to contribute to the TST community and to develop your skills in academic service and administration.

The TGSA Board is seeking nominations to fill open seats for the 2018/2019 academic year. The following seats are open for nominations: President, Vice President Academic, Treasurer, Biblical Studies, History, Knox College, Wycliffe College, and program representatives for MA, DMin, and ThM.

The nomination period will run from March 7th to 23rd. Students interested in serving on the Board should find two peers within the TST graduate student community to nominate them for one of the vacant seats. Nominations are to be submitted to Robyn Boeré, TGSA’s CRO, via email at r.boere[at]mail.utoronto.ca by March 23rd at 11:59pm. Nominations (and the results of any elections, if necessary) will be ratified at the TGSA Annual General Meeting on Wednesday April 4th.

If you have any questions about serving on the Board or about the nomination process, please reach out either to our CRO or to tgsa[at]utoronto.ca

At our TGSA Board meeting yesterday our Chief Returning Officer announced the results of our referendum questions. 62 people voted, which meant quorum was reached. Neither question received the number of votes needed to take effect, so TGSA will not be pursuing a change in its constitution or its student union membership as a result. Thank you to everyone that voted and for the members of the Referendum Committee for their work throughout this process.

We seek submissions of proposals for papers for a Women in Theology seminar to be held at Wycliffe College on March 15, 2018, 1-3pm.This seminar will not be limited in subject matter to women’s issues or feminist theologies but seeks to provide a platform for women’s voices across the spectrum of theological, biblical, and pastoral disciplines. Both men and women are invited to attend the seminar and celebrate the participation of women in theology. We welcome proposals from current TGSA students across the TST who identify as women. Papers should not exceed 20 minutes. Please submit proposals by March 5 to carolyn.mackie[at]mail.utoronto.ca.