A Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Windsor and the Graduate Student Society committed them to work together to improve the student experience. Meeting online Monday were (top row) UWindsor president Robert Gordon and provost Douglas Kneale and (bottom row) GSS president Sathish Pichika and student advocate Austin Roth. Not pictured: interim vice-president, finance and operations Sandra Aversa; vice president, research and innovation K.W. Michael Siu; dean of graduate studies Patti Weir; and GSS vice-president finance Vaibhav Lakhani.
The University acknowledged the Graduate Student Society as a major stakeholder with responsibilities to represent, serve, and advocate for students in a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations signed Monday.
“We are thrilled to be able to sign the first MOU between the GSS and the University,” GSS president Sathish Pichika said. “This agreement will allow for greater graduate student-focused collaboration through increased representation, communication, and accountability in important academic and student experience initiatives.”
Among the issues addressed in the document are accountability, financial mattters, and a framework for enhancing the relationship between the parties. Signatories committed to enhancing all aspects of the graduate student experience and to fostering student participation in the decision-making process.
“With the GSS being the second-largest student association on campus with nearly 4,300 members, we see this document as one of many first steps in enhancing our relationship with the University in a respectful, productive and meaningful manner,” Pichika said.