Candidate Bios - UBC Senate, Graduate Seat

I have been at UBC since 2015, and I am currently a third-year PhD candidate working on algorithmic fairness and health equity. If you elect me, I will advocate for:

• Amending Minimum Funding Policy to guarantee living wage (~$52k/yr) for thesis-based grad students. Minimum PhD funding at Harvard, MIT, and UofT is 1.7 to 3.8 times more than UBC. Senate approved PhD Minimum Funding Policy in 2017 but the current $24k minimum, set by Grad Council, is unlivable. We deserve better.
• Creating effective safeguards to protect students’ wellbeing. Power imbalances and conflicts of interest can lead to abusive supervisor-student relationships with little recourse for students, particularly those on a visa.
• Increasing travel funding for students. UBC should address its carbon footprint by limiting unnecessary administrative travel, not student travel.
• Additional flexibility in program requirements.
• Publicly available syllabi for all courses.
• Funding for non-traditional research.
• Prioritizing the quality of academic experience over corporate-style quantity metrics.
• Committing to meaningful action on reconciliation and diversity.

As a MHA graduate student, also having completed a UBC Nursing degree, the ongoing challenges faced by many of my classmates and other graduate student cohorts across campus, re-ignited the spark (and frustration) within me to step up, take action, put my experiences into practice, and contribute in a more meaningful way beyond the classroom and health clinics. Over the last +10yrs, I proactively worked on multiple mental health and well-being student programs, secured +$5M for student funding, including funding needs for student-led projects, and advocating policy initiatives. I lead the creation of ‘determinants of health’ food security strategic initiative at Quest Food Exchange (2013-2018), providing access to food security needs to students, marginalized vulnerable families, and seniors, which further inspired many other organizations and institutions, including the current UBC FoodHub, to adopt the same model.

As grad senate rep, in addition to advocating the key priorities identified by our 2025 Student Senate, I would ensure the collective voices and concerns on graduate admissions, examination policy, academic discipline, and student awards gap areas are addressed.

I am a PhD candidate in Curriculum Studies with more than 6 years prior background in university administration and senate negotiations.

I served as VPUAA-GSSUBC, student advocate on UBC committees, Curriculum and Pedagogy Peer Advisor, UBC Writing Consultant, Project Coordinator at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) who collaborated with directors of health authorities under VCH, VGH, and UBCH. These experiences have robustly grounded me with crucial insights for efficient peer-based negotiations on academic inclusions for international and domestic students at UBC-V Senate.

My Recent Engagements at GSS-UBC

• Advocacy for student support in all policies reviewed at G+PS, UBC.
• Advocacy for graduate student needs at different UBC committees.
• Initiated Research Mingling and Graduate Human Library projects.
• Initiated EDI training for GSS Staff, Councillors, Committee members and Chairs.
• Initiated Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Retreat.
• Supervised development of training package on effective supervisory communications for graduate students.
• Resuscitated GSS Baby Hampers Project.
• Supervised the successful launch of GSS 2024/2025 Student Satisfaction Survey.

Yi is a graduate student in Finance at UBC with a passion for student advocacy, financial transparency, and institutional accountability. Yi has actively worked to improve financial accessibility, student engagement, and institutional accountability at UBC.

Yi serves as the Chair of the House Finance Committee at the UBC Graduate Student Society (GSS), overseeing financial strategies that enhance student resources and funding opportunities. As the founder of the Chinese Graduate Student Association (CGSA), Yi has built a supportive platform connecting students across disciplines, organizing cultural and academic events that enrich student life.

Yi is running to bring a strong student voice to the UBC Senate, ensuring transparency in tuition decisions, financial allocations, and student services. With experience in financial analysis, governance, and advocacy, Yi aims to push for equitable funding, improved research support, and increased affordability in housing and tuition.

Vote for Yi Chen to ensure your voice is heard in shaping UBC’s future.