This year, the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU) succeeded in its long-standing effort to raise base funding, reopened the Graduate Student Union (Grad) Building, launched the Grad Thrive mental health campaign, and advocated for food security and affordable transit. 

Funding

On November 12, U of T announced that each PhD and SJD student is individually guaranteed an annual base funding of $40,000 — the first major funding increase in decades. In the 2024–2025 academic year, PhD base funding was $30,752. This decision follows the UTGSU’s long-standing advocacy.

Julian Nickel, Vice President (VP) Academics 3 & 4, chaired the Base Funding Committee, which met during the winter semester to continue advocating for all graduate students’ funding. According to Nickel’s January Executive Report, one of the committee’s goals is to collect graduate students’ “funding letter[s] before and after the 40k [base funding announcement] to track implementation.” 

Student engagement

In September, the UTGSU reopened the Grad Building at 16 Bancroft Avenue after five years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reestablished the booking systems for the Grad Loft and gym within the building. At the November Board of Directors meeting, the union allocated funding for GSU Pub and Grad Building repairs, air conditioner infrastructure and replacement, and pub repainting.

Under VP External Jady Liang’s leadership, the UTGSU Grad Thrive mental health campaign launched in October, implementing a mental health grant, a peer support initiative, and regular programming such as biweekly pet and art therapy. Throughout the year, intramurals and many of UTGSU’s signature events — like trivia, LinkedIn headshots, karaoke, and open mic nights — were held in the Grad Building. 

Coalition work

The UTGSU worked to build coalitional solidarity across Toronto and Ontario for food security and affordable transit. The union developed a Cost of Living Survey and built a coalition with fellow Toronto university unions to advocate for subsidized transit passes from the Toronto Transit Commission. 

In October, the UTGSU partnered with the U of T Food Coalition for their Meal Program to offer free lunches, following months of discussion. The union voted to accept Regenesis’ proposal for a Free Store in the Grad Loft kitchen space, which opened on June 19. During the provincial election, the UTGSU interviewed the New Democrat and Green Party candidates for the University–Rosedale riding on issues of funding, housing, and transit insecurity, and circulated their responses to inform the student body.