The Graduate Studies Endowment Fund
The Graduate Studies Endowment Fund (GSEF) at the University of Waterloo was created by a graduate student referendum in 2001-2002 for the purpose of “funding an on-going commitment to enhance the learning, research, and overall experience of graduate students at the University.” It is supported by charitable contributions of $20 per term from graduate students at the University of Waterloo. Please contact the GSEF Coordinator, a graduate student volunteer, at gsef@uwaterloo.ca if you have questions. The position is currently held by Dan McRoberts.
News
GSEF Open House – Tuesday, May 15 2 -4 PM, Davis Centre Fishbowl (across from DC Library)
Join us for coffee, Timbits and lots of info on GSEF. This is a great opportunity to get tips on project applications and a chance to share your opinion on GSEF’s programming and future direction.
(April 2012): the results of the recent survey are available (pdf format).
Here are the draft changes for the upcoming proposed constitutional referendum
GSEF Programs
- Projects: GSEF solicits projects which enhance Graduate Studies and the learning, research, and overall experience of graduate students. Examples of typical projects are improvements to graduate student common space, academic events organized by graduate students, and improvement of physical and electronic resources for graduate students; see also the links to lists of past winners on the right-hand column of this page. Click here for instructions on how to apply. The next deadline for applications is June 8th.
- Graduate Student Research Conferences (GSRC): Are a series of annual conferences, organized through the Graduate Studies Office and individual faculties, giving graduate students a forum to present their research, furthering their professional development as academics.
- Research Travel Assistantships (jointly funded with GSO): This is an award used to help graduate students travel to present their research at conferences. The application form is available online. Note that you need to obtain the signatures in order from top to bottom, and the 3rd signature is from an administrative officer of your academic faculty. You may wish to consult with your department’s Graduate Chair to double-check who to send it to.
- Click here to see the breakdown of the awards by faculty and department.
- Doctoral Thesis Completion Award (jointly funded with GSO and Provost): This is a $5000 award given to students nearing the completion of their thesis to ensure that financial barriers (e.g. the need to spend time on a TA or external employment) do not prevent or delay completion of the thesis. Details can be found on the application form. (2012-2013 Application Department Deadlines: Spring: April 15, Fall: August 15, Winter: December 15)
Past Funding
Note: the fiscal year is May 1 to April 30.
As of April 30 2011:
- $508,411.13 of GSEF funds have been used to benefit graduate students, since the inception of GSEF
- the fund has $891,046.50 in Capital (to build interest) and $158,194.25 in Expendable (for short-term spending)
| Spending | Fund Size, Year End | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis Awards | Travel Awards | GSRC | Projects | Admin | Capital | Expendable | |
| 02-03 | 127497.41 | 40576.80 | |||||
| 03-04 | 14972.01 | 5155.67 | 190446.17 | 80171.16 | |||
| 04-05 | 4317.12 | 3934.00 | 268126.09 | 135011.20 | |||
| 05-06 | 21500.00 | 11044.71 | 1690.69 | 349301.92 | 163355.80 | ||
| 06-07 | 16000.00 | 20855.36 | 7331.05 | 435404.46 | 188089.38 | ||
| 07-08 | 30000.00 | 30884.84 | 6199.13 | 544321.73 | 203585.42 | ||
| 08-09 | 29000.00 | 28270.70 | 4209.97 | 28496.80 | 647566.38 | 207817.96 | |
| 09-10 | 29000.00 | 28265.78 | 9497.15 | 35944.69 | 5704.17 | 769405.07 | 195773.19 |
| 10-11 | 44662.00 | 32215.09 | 1724.07 | 54393.78 | 8846.52 | 891046.50 | 158194.25 |
| 11-12 | 48995.00 | 43692.75 | 8345.68 | 33381.81 | 5179.98 | 1010000.00 | 132540.67 |
| Total | 170162.00 | 170825.61 | 39741.73 | 118835.27 | 14550.69 |
n/a
|
|
italic: 11-12 is approximate, pending Finance finalization of April 2011; Total does not count 11-12
Note on Administrative Costs: The majority is the Treasurer salary, 5 hours/week at the TA rate plus CPP & EI, about $7900/yr. (All other individuals that help run GSEF, including the Coordinator, are volunteers.) The rest is for food during committee meetings at the grad house, promotional material, and open house events.
Project Funding Awarded
Note: this is the amount awarded, the amount spent may be less.
- $44685 in April 2008
- $15885 in April 2009
- $9828 in August 2009
- $17496.08 in December 2009
- $20100.02 in April 2010
- $19502.41 in July 2010
- $18713.56 in December 2010
- $9063.40 in April 2011
- $12587 in July 2011
- $10500 in November 2011
- $2500 in March 2012
GSEF contributes to many aspects of grad student life, from conference travel, to helping students who are finishing their theses, the Graduate Student Research Conference, and a variety of special projects that grad student organizations organize and request funding for each term (see details above). All of these initiatives are possible because of your contribution and we therefore encourage you to contribute to GSEF. You are nonetheless entitled to refund your contribution if desired, electronically, by clicking on the following link:
Click here to refund your GSEF contribution through the UW Finance office. (Spring 2012 refund period runs from May 1 until midnight on May 22)
We encourage you to bring concerns with GSEF to its Board of Directors which includes a graduate student representative from each Faculty.