July 25: Your Donation to GSEF

To: University of Waterloo graduate students

From: Graduate Studies Endowment Fund

Subject: Your Donation to GSEF

Dear University of Waterloo graduate student,

My name is Blake – I am a master’s student in the Department of Biology within the Faculty of Science.  I’m delighted to be sending you this email in my capacity as the Graduate Studies Endowment Fund (GSEF) Coordinator, and a fellow graduate student. The GSEF’s mandate is to improve the experience of graduate students at the University and to provide funding to aid in the production of a vibrant student experience.  

Today, your fall term bill will be available on Quest, so that you can become ‘fees arranged’ by August 23 (Finance website link for more details). One component of your fall bill includes incidental fees (non-tuition fees) – this is where you will see mention your $20 GSEF fee.

As the GSEF Coordinator, I’d like to share with you some of the benefits available to you as a member of GSEF, and how we put your donation to use:

• You have access to apply for student-led projects (check out previously funded projects) – GSEF has supported over 230 projects in the past 15 years! All ideas that enhance the student experience will be considered.
• You can apply for conference assistantship funding (and present your work outside the university) – GSEF has contributed over $1.7 million in Conference Assistantship Awards to date!
• You can become involved as a board or committee member (see our governance structure online) – think of all the transferable skills for your resume – and the great comradery of other graduate students across campus!
• You can claim your incidental fee on your annual income tax return (it is a charitable donation!).

On behalf of the GSEF Board and committee, we are excited to continue supporting graduate students in the fall term (and beyond), and we hope you will continue to support GSEF to achieve our mission. If you have questions about GSEF, please visit the GSEF website or feel free to contact me directly. 

Wishing you all the best for the remainder of the summer – and a successful start to your fall term.

Thank you, 

Blake Haskell (he/him)
Coordinator / Graduate Studies Endowment Fund (GSEF)

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

Email : gsef@uwaterloo.ca

Website : gsef.uwaterloo.ca