Graduate students serve as representatives on many committees and councils in the Faculty of Environmental Studies and of several external councils within York University. Serving on an FES or YorkU based council or committee helps ensure that the interests of MES and PhD students are taken into consideration when important matters are being discussed, and also ensures that all students are informed about current issues, discussions, and opportunities in the Faculty. Candidates are elected in September.

Get involved with one (or more!) of the following FES committees:

FES Internal Committees, Sub-Committees, and Councils:

FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES COUNCIL – 12 MES students, 2 PhD students
The Faculty of Environmental Studies’ (FES) Council is a committee of the Senate of York University, and a governing body that establishes policy in all matters relating to the Faculty through its 6 standing committees.
Meetings: Monthly.

Current MES Representatives:

Noman Khalid-Khan

Joseph Schwarz

Fady Hanna

Lauralyn Johnston

Ganjin Davies

Abbe Edelson

Andrew Micak

Leslie Luxamburger

Nadeem Anwar

Munazza Magbool

Tanya Sheikh

Lily Riahi

Current PhD Representatives: Vacant

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – GESSA chair or delegate
A standing committee of Faculty Council. The Executive Committee considers and prepares the agenda for meetings of Faculty Council and carries out any other business as delegated by Faculty Council. In the summer, this committee takes over the basic functions of Faculty Council.
Meetings: Monthly.

Current Representative: D’Arcy Butler

TENURE AND PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE – 1 MES student (2nd year preferrably), 1 PhD student
A standing committee of the FES Faculty Council, it prepares documentation for all FES tenure-stream faculty members are being considered for tenure and/or promotion. This includes reviewing files of instructors within the tenure-stream in the areas of teaching, service, and professional contribution and standing. The prospective MES student needs to be well familiar with the FES program and tenure-streams.
Meetings: Occur earlier in the year (September-October) with few afterwards when necessary.

Current MES Representative: Lauralyn Johnson
Current PhD Representative: TBA

COMMITTEE OF INSTRUCTION – 1 MES student, 1 PhD student
A standing committee of Faculty Council, the Committee of Instruction (C of I) is an integrating committee that considers Faculty issues related to Faculty Council committee activity, particularly related to curriculum and program regulations. C of I frequently makes major policy recommendations to Faculty Council. C of I has 7 sub-committees, four of which MES students are representatives.
Meetings: Monthly.

Current MES Representative: VACANT
Current PhD Representative: TBA

BES CURRICULUM SUB-COMMITTEE – 1 TA holding Graduate student (preferrably PhD)
A sub-committee of the Committee of Instruction. The Undergraduate Curriculum Sub-Committee makes recommendations for curriculum policy and its implementation for the BES program, including the development of course lists.
Meetings: Monthly, first meeting is on September 13, 2007 at 12:45pm.

Current Representative: Vacant

GRADUATE CURRICULUM SUB-COMMITTEE – 1 MES student, 1 PhD student
A sub-committee of the Committee of Instruction. The Graduate Curriculum Sub-Committee makes recommendations for curriculum policy and its implementation for the graduate programs, including the development of course lists. The prospective MES student needs to be familiar with the FES program and the curriculum.
Meetings: Monthly

Current Representative: VACANT

MES/LLB PROGRAM SUB-COMMITTEE – 1 MES/LLB student
A sub-committee of the Committee of Instruction. This sub-committee is concerned with the overall operation of the MES/LLB program.

Current Representative: Vacant (non-functioning)

PLANNING PROGRAMS SUB-COMMITTEE – 1 OPPI student
A sub-committee of the Committee of Instruction. This sub-committee is concerned with the overall operation of the planning program in FES and its curriculum. The prospective graduate student must be a currently registered OPPI student member.

Current Representative: Maggie Chien

RESEARCH AND AWARDS COMMITTEE – 1 MES student, 1 PhD student
A standing committee of Faculty Council, which focuses on faculty research policy and the awarding of internal FES research / fellowship awards.
Meetings: Monthly or when necessary – often before and after several important funding deadlines.

Current MES Representative: Lily Riahi
Current PhD Representative: Vacant

FACULTY APPOINTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE – 2 MES students; 2 PhD students (1 of 2 on main FAAC each)
A standing committee of Faculty Council. The Faculty Appointments Advisory Committee assesses the requirements for new teaching faculty members, conducts the search process for new candidates for faculty positions.
Meetings: Process occurs most of the year (November-March).

Current MES Representative [main FAAC]: Nikki Lulham
Current PhD Representative [main FAAC]: TBA

FAAC SUBCOMMITTEES
Urban Ecologies and Environmental Planning
Current MES Representative: Nikki Lulham
Current PhD Representative: TBA

Applied Ecology
Current MES Representative: Karen Petkau
Current PhD Representative: TBA

APPEALS COMMITTEE – 1 MES student, 1 PhD student
A standing committee of Faculty Council. The Appeals Committee hears appeals concerning academic matters related to Faculty Academic Regulations.
Meetings: When necessary upon an appeal process.

Current MES Representative: Maggie Chien
Current PhD Representative: TBA

GESSA/FES External Committees and Councils:

YORK UNIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (YUGSA) COUNCIL – 2 FES graduate students
This is the graduate student body representing students’ concerns at York University. Two YUGSA Council reps (preferably both MES and PhD) will represent GESSA with an EC Ex-officio member.
Meetings: Monthly. Council meets every third Thursday

Current Representatives: 1) [EC Ex-officio] Joe Schwarz 2) [council] Nadeem Anwar 3) [council] Andrew Micak

FES STUDENT SENATORS – 1 FES graduate student
There is one FES graduate student senator, either an MES or PhD representative that represents the faculty on the York Student Senator Caucus. Reps are also required to attend York Senate meetings.
Meetings: Monthly.
First Student Senator Caucus meeting – TBA; York Senate (fourth Thursday monthly)

Current Representative: Bruce Erickson (PhD)

CUPE 3903 UNIT 3 SHOP STEWARD – 1 GA-holding FES graduate student
Most Graduate Assistants in FES are unionized through CUPE Local 3903. With over 50 positions, FES requires at least one shop steward to represent employee interests and educate GAs about their benefits under the collective bargaining agreement.

Current Representative: Vacant

FGS COUNCIL – 1 FES Grad Student and Chair of GESSA or Chair’s Delegate
The Faculty of Graduate Studies counterpart to the FES Council.
FGS Council MES or Phd

Current Representatives: D’Arcy Butler (GESSA Chairperson) Ex-Officio:
FES Grad Representative: Teresa Abbruzzese.