EGSA Graduate Programs Committee (GPC) Representative
(and Alternate)
Position Description and Responsibilities
1. Overview
The GPC Representative is a member of the Education Graduate Student Association’s
Executive Team. This member is responsible for representing and advocating for the
EGSA and all education graduate students on the Graduate Programs Committee (GPC).
The GPC is a Faculty-level committee charged with advising the Director of Graduate
Programs on such matters as changes in graduate courses and approving new graduate
programs. In addition to being able to vote on the GPC, this member reports back to the
EGSA and Executive on the activities of the committee. The GPC expects there to be an
Alternate should the Representative not be present. In cases where both are in
attendance at a GPC meeting, only one vote may be cast on behalf of the EGSA.
2. Responsibilities Overview
This is a breakdown of the approximate amount of time spent on the main categories
below.
Area of responsibility
Attending GPC Meetings
Reporting GPC activities to EGSA
Percentage time allocated
3 hours, once a month
30 minutes, 15-20 minutes to prepare and
5-10 to share in monthly EGSA meetings
3. Keys to being a successful GPC Representative
Important Links:
https://www.sfu.ca/education/employee-portal/staff.html - You will gain access to this
page once you have been added to the GPC Listserv.
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Familiarize yourself with the GPC primary documents
Familiarize yourself with the roles on the GPC and on the individuals serving in
those roles
Familiarize yourself with all Graduate Programs, Burnaby- and Surrey-based
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Reach out and connect with the Director of Graduate Programs and the
appropriate administrative assistant. They will be able to ensure that you get
access to old meeting minutes and get added to the GPC listserv. Voting and
important documents are circulated via email frequently.
Book the meetings in your calendar ASAP. As of September 2014 the meetings
are usually on Thursdays from 1-4p, later in the month and the location
alternates between Burnaby and Surrey campuses.
Come prepared to update the GPC on the activities of the EGSA – there is a
standing agenda item on the GPC agenda for the EGSA.
Small things to keep in mind
o Consider the history of the GPC and the roles/interactions between
faculty members
o Be fluent in Robert’s Rules of Order
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Appendix A
Description of GPC from the 2014-2015 Committees of the Faculty of Education
document (Internal)
Page 5
Graduate Programs Committee
Functions
1. To consider and make recommendations to the Faculty Council on all matters relating
to the graduate courses and programs of the Faculty.
2. To fulfill the responsibilities of departmental and Faculty graduate studies
committees as delineated in the university graduate studies regulations
(http://www.sfu.ca/calendar/for_students/grad_regulation.html).
Composition
1. The Director of Graduate Programs (Chairperson).
2. Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research (ex officio/voting).
3. Four faculty members elected by and from the faculty.
4. A student (and alternate) elected by and from the graduate students of the Faculty.
5. A Faculty Associate elected by and from those appointed to work in Graduate
Programs.
6. The Dean of the Faculty of Education (ex officio/non-voting).
7. Director of Field Programs, or designate (ex officio/non-voting).
8. Non-voting resource people may be invited by the Committee, which shall determine
the basis of their participation.
Terms of Office
1. Term of office for faculty members shall be two years and will normally begin August
1st.
2. Terms of office for student and Faculty Associate members will be one year, and will
normally begin August 1st.
3. If a member is to be absent for a period of one semester, the Committee may name
an alternative. If a member is to be absent for a longer period, he/she shall be replaced
by election.
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