GSA-Carleton Statement in Support of Iranian Graduate Students

January 2026

The Graduate Students’ Association of Carleton University (GSA-Carleton) recognizes the deeply distressing circumstances currently facing many Iranian graduate students due to widespread internet shutdowns and communication disruptions across Iran.

For many members of our community, these disruptions have made it impossible to contact family members and loved ones, creating significant emotional distress, anxiety, and disruption to academic and personal life. Being separated from home while unable to confirm the safety of those you care about is profoundly difficult. GSA-Carleton affirms that this situation constitutes an extraordinary and ongoing crisis affecting the well-being and academic functioning of Iranian graduate students.

GSA-Carleton is calling on all Carleton University faculties, departments, supervisors, instructors, and administrative units to extend compassion, flexibility, and appropriate academic accommodations to students affected by this crisis. This includes, but is not limited to, flexibility around deadlines, attendance, research timelines, examination arrangements, and other academic requirements.

No student should be academically penalized for circumstances beyond their control arising from this emergency.

Support and Academic Advocacy

If you are experiencing difficulty meeting academic obligations due to the ongoing situation in Iran, GSA-Carleton encourages you to contact your instructors or supervisors to request accommodations. If you encounter barriers, resistance, or uncertainty in that process, GSA-Carleton is available to provide direct advocacy and support on your behalf.

For academic accommodation and advocacy support, please contact:
gsa@gsacarleton.ca

Our Executive team will review requests and can assist in communicating with departments, supervisors, and university administration to ensure appropriate flexibility and support are provided.

Wellbeing and Crisis Support

Students affected by this situation may also need emotional, counselling, or crisis support. Carleton University resources include:

Carleton University Health and Counselling Services
https://carleton.ca/health

International Student Services Office
https://carleton.ca/isso

Financial Support

Students experiencing financial hardship as a result of this crisis, including unexpected travel expenses, emergency costs, or loss of financial support from family, are encouraged to seek financial assistance through GSA-Carleton.

GSA-Carleton will be launching its Winter 2026 grants and scholarships shortly, which will include support for students facing unexpected or emergency financial needs. Details on eligibility, timelines, and how to apply will be shared as soon as the Winter funding programs open.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit gsacarleton.ca and follow @gsacarleton on Instagram, where funding opportunities and application details will be announced.

For immediate questions or guidance, please contact:
gsa@gsacarleton.ca

You are a valued and respected part of the Carleton graduate community. GSA-Carleton stands in solidarity with Iranian graduate students and remains committed to ensuring that no one is left to navigate this crisis alone.

In solidarity,
Executive Committee
Graduate Students’ Association of Carleton University (GSA-Carleton)