GSA Fees, Budget, and Audit
Membership Fees and Benefits
GSA Membership Fees and Benefits
The GSA membership fee is $156.02 annually for full-time graduate students and $117.01 annually for part-time graduate students. The GSA is a fee-driven organization and the collection of the GSA membership fee supports every aspect of the organization's infrastructure (including the provision of services, advocacy work, and human resources and office administration costs). GSA members also pay additional fees associated with selected GSA services.
The GSA, pursuant to its mandate under the Post-Secondary Learning Act, provides a wealth of services to its members that enrich the graduate student experience at the University of Alberta.
Budget
The obligations of GSA Council, the GSA Budget and Finance Committee (GSA BFC), GSA management, the President, and the GSA Board (GSAB) are outlined in GSA Bylaw and Policy, Section K: Finances.
The principles guiding the GSA in the planning and management of the budget are also outlined in full in GSA Bylaw and Policy, Section K: Finances, and, briefly, focus on the following:
- Being open and transparent, and encouraging input from the GSAB and the GSA BFC;
- Considering the GSA's vision, mission, and mandate, using the GSA Board Strategic Work Plan as a guide;
- Ensuring long-term viability;
- Supporting resource accountability;
- Delegating budget decisions; and
- Proposing an inclusive budget to GSA Council.
Audit
2022 Audited Financial Statements
The GSA is directed by Section 97(1) of the Post-Secondary Learning Act to provide the University Board of Governors with audited financial statements each year. See GSA Bylaw and Policy, Section K: Finances, for more details about this process.
Business Travel
From time to time, the GSA Directly-Elected Officers will undertake travel to attend meetings or conferences related to their portfolios. In accordance with GSA Bylaw and Policy, Section K: Finances, summaries of actual expenses will be reviewed by the GSAB and then posted on the GSA website.
2023-2024 Business Travel Expenses:
GSA student leaders are pursuing limited advocacy-related business travel in the current climate but are participating in online advocacy and information-sharing meeting opportunities.
- Actual Travel Expenses for Minister of Advanced Education Reception - 20July2023
- Actual Travel Expenses for Advanced Education Student Leader's Orientation in Calgary, AB - 30Aug2023
Click here for additional information about the GSA's External Advocacy.
GSA Directly-Elected Officers, outside of business and advocacy travel (which is posted above) and transition costs, have an expense line for training and incidental advocacy work (including hosting expenses, business lunches, transportation costs (where warranted), etc and questions re specific expenses can be directed to the GSA President.
Visit the GSA Archive for past GSA Budgets, Audits, and Business Travel Expenses.