On behalf of all members and staff of the Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) we wish to personally welcome you to your union and to your upcoming year of study. The GSU is your student union; we represent you at the University of Toronto, and want to hear your thoughts or concerns. We are a democratic and highly engaged student union, working to improve student life, while critically advocating for issues of importance, including better access to high quality public post-secondary education. The GSU Executive and seven experienced and dedicated staff members are ready to assist you.
 
All University of Toronto graduate students are members of the GSU upon registration. Your departmental Course Union receives a share of your GSU fee, which is used to organize social and academic events, fund conferences, and support other activities decided by your members. The GSU has over 80 course unions; please get involved and help shape your activities.
 
The GSU General Council is our governing body. Course Union Representatives are members of the GSU Council, which meets monthly in the school year. Course Union Presidents meet once a semester (fall and winter) with the GSU Executive to discuss new developments in their departments. Your Council Representative(s) receive monthly mail-outs and are subscribed to our e-mail list. They will send you our weekly e-mail Digest containing information about what is happening at the GSU, deadlines, workshops, and events on and off campus that are relevant to the graduate student community.
 
The GSU manages and directs our Health and Dental Insurance for individual graduate students. In September you can purchase additional coverage for your family. You can opt–out if you have other coverage (see our comprehensive website for information, applications, and deadlines). We also provide academics and funding counselling; we have a gym and co-ed Volleyball League, café and pub in our building. Valuable information about the GSU and the University of Toronto is given on our website, and especially in your handbook/day planner which you should receive in your department in September.
 
The GSU is affiliated with other organizations including the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3902, the Ontario Public Interest Research Group, Women’s Centre, Downtown Legal Services (free legal assistance), and Bikechain. We are Local 19 of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) – the umbrella organization that unites student unions across the country to promote accessible, universal, public post-secondary education and advocate for students’ rights. We issue International Student Identity Cards (ISIC) for full-time domestic and international students; Student Saver Cards are included in our handbook.  These cards come with membership in the CFS.
 
We look forward to meeting you in September. Orientation events can be found on our website at the end of the summer. Please join one of our GSU committees – Social Justice, Academics and Funding, University Affairs, Sustainability, Family Housing, the International Student Caucus and the Women’s Caucus, and more.
 
Once again welcome, and do not hesitate to contact us.
 
Best wishes,
2011/12 GSU Executive
 

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