About Us
The Trent Graduate Students’ Association (TGSA) is a not-for-profit, student-run organization that represents over 1000 graduate students enrolled at Trent University on both the Peterborough and Durham campuses.
Who is a member of the TGSA?
Our executive team and the Board of Directors, who are elected by the general membership, administer the society to provide financial support, political advocacy, resources, and social events with the aim of connecting graduate students across campus with each other, the university, and the government. We achieve this by establishing and maintaining communication with Trent University administration, faculty, staff, and undergraduate students, as well as organizations outside of the Trent community. Learn more about our initiatives here.
The TGSA is committed to improving our association and creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all graduate students. Your backgrounds, cultures, and values enrich our student body and we strive to create a sense of belonging for each student in our close-knit community. The TGSA also recognizes that students are complex beings. As such, we wholeheartedly support the positive mental health and overall well-being of students. Please find a list of mental health resources under our website’s Service tab.
Your feedback and suggestions on ways to improve our services to you will be highly appreciated. Please feel free to scroll through our website to learn more about our team, the services we provide and our advocacy and feedback forms.
TGSA Governing Body
by-laws and policies
The by-laws and policies
are available for download.
TGSA BOARD MEETINGS
Previous Board meeting Agendas and Minutes are available for download.
*Meetings of the TGSA Board are held monthly and are open to all members.
Mission Statement
The Trent Graduate Students’ Association will foster, support, and contribute to the intellectual growth and cultural development of graduate students by advocating for their unique needs and concerns. The Organization will also work to build a sense of community amongst graduate students and work to promote a positive relationship with Trent University and the community at large.
The goals of the TGSA are
Jaz Raine
President
Pronouns
they/them/theirs
Program
Interdisciplinary Social Research, Ph.D
Experience
For the 2022-2024 years I served as the Equity Commissioner on the TGSA advocating for graduate students of all identities, positions, and embodiments here at Trent. I have also worked as the Examinations Coordinator in the Accessible Learning Department at Wilfrid Laurier University, and served as the Chief Steward for PSAC Local 902. I have an abundance of experience supporting students, staff, and service users, meeting you where you are, and working collaboratively to ensure you have the best possible experience.
What I hope to bring to the Board: My top priority as President of the TGSA will be to continue to fortify the association by maintaining and building upon relationships with university administration, and strengthening existing relationships with the TCSA and TDSA. As Emma Kaszecki, my predecessor, stated “a key part of the teaching and instructional framework at Trent, graduate students are a critical demographic despite our size.” My goal is to ensure we are supporting graduate students as fully as possible in the years to come.
Song on Repeat
Desiree Dawson- A Day Will Come
Meghan Ward
VP Student Affairs
Angela Slater-Meadows
VP Senate
Pronouns  Â
She; Her.
Program      Â
Master’s in Canadian and Indigenous Studies pursuing research in the experiences of Working While Parenting at Trent.
Experience         Â
Besides being a Student-Parent, I’m currently a GTA for the Sociology Department and Proctor for the CAT. As a student with invisible disabilities, I am deeply passionate about student accessibility at Trent and dedicated to promoting equitable and inclusive practices that empower students by fostering both their personal and academic growth.
As the TCSA’s 2021-22 Student Integration Commissioner and Gzowski CC’s 2023 Equality Ambassador, I advocated for equality by promoting sensitivity, integration, and anti-discrimination; I represented the barrier-free educational interests of incoming students by liaising with other Trent-community organizations. Additionally, I was a both a V57 Journalist and V58 Director for Trent’s Arthur Newspaper.
Song on Repeat      Â
“Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” – Taylor Swift; and/or
“Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” – Eurythmics.
The TGSA is represented on the following University Committees
University Senate
14 total committees
Advisory
17 total committees
HAVE CONCERNS?
CONTACT US!
If you have any concerns or questions that you would like to be addressed, or if you are interested in representing the TGSA and graduate student membership on any of these committees, please do not hesitate to contact us
Board of governors
Please note that although the TGSA does not have an assigned seat on the Board of Governors (BOG), we are in frequent communication with our student representatives on the BOG and can always request to bring an issue forward.
CUPE 3908
The TGSA works closely with our union, CUPE 3908, which aims to improve working conditions for contract faculty and student academic workers at the provincial and national levels. CUPE 3908 also provides additional funding for graduate students who are Unit 2 workers.
Governance Documents and Finances
Graduate Ancillaries & Levies 2023-24
Peterborough Campus
| Ancillary Fees | Full-Time | Part-Time |
|---|---|---|
| Convocation | $17.43 | $3.49 |
| Wellness Fee – Counselling | $16.11 | $2.81 |
| Wellness Fee – Accessibility | $1.19 | $0.26 |
| Campus Safety Response Services | $10.33 | $0.00 |
| International Scholarship Fund | $6.38 | $0.00 |
| Trent Nature Areas | $2.48 | $0.00 |
| Athletics | $236.60 | $66.35 |
| College Fee | $66.91 | $33.45 |
| Campus Card | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Ancillary Fee Total | $458.67 | $131.28 |
| TGSA Levies | ||
| Student Levy Seasoned Spoon | $3.00 | $0.00 |
| Kawartha World Issues Centre | $5.35 | $5.35 |
| PR Community & Student Association Sadlier House | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| TGSA Student Support Fee | $107.74 | $53.87 |
| TGSA Levies Total | $121.09 | $64.22 |
Graduate Ancillaries & Levies 2023-24
Durham Campus
| Ancillary Fees | Full-Time |
|---|---|
| Convocation | $17.43 |
| Student Services Fee | $71.82 |
| Athletics | $141.24 |
| Campus Fee | $242.23 |
| Campus Card | $10.00 |
| Ancillary Fee Total | $499.54 |
| TGSA Levies | |
| TGSA Student Support Fee | $107.74 |
| TGSA Levies Total | $107.74 |