Category: Council Summary

Announcements

• The next council meeting will be on JANUARY 31  in MC 110.
  
• Speaker’s Corner will happen at 4-5 pm prior to Council meetings. If you have questions regarding Council protocols or about motions in the package, this is your opportunity to ask the Speaker before the meeting.

Upcoming SOGS Events:

• Ugly Sweater Party (Dec 6: 7:30 pm-11 pm @ the Grad Club): Tickets are $5, which includes: a themed cocktail, gingerbread house or cookie decorating, trivia participation, and access to prizes! Tickets are available at the SOGS office (MC 8).
• B.Y.O.C.  Bring Your Own Crafts – Monday, December 10 @ the Grad Club, 7 pm
• December Board Game Night: December 19th @ the Grad Club, 7pm-11 pm.
  
• January Orientation “Snowball” Dance: January 18th @ the Grad Club, 8 pm-11 pm.
  
• The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has drop-in hours starting Nov 21 to Dec 13 in Student Health Services (UCC, room 11).
  
• CMHA is also soliciting feedback and ideas on mental health literacy initiatives. If you or someone you know has any ideas or suggestions to improve mental health literacy on campus, please email services@sogs.ca and VP Student Services, Jeremy Johnston, will forward that information to our CMHA contacts.
• Western Research Forum abstract call-out during the last week of November.
  
• GPS committee: The drop-in peer support program continues on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:00 pm in the multi-purpose room, SOGS office (MC 8).
• Dissertation drop-in will continue on Friday’s from 10am-3:45pm. Bring your lunch, coffee and snacks, and write in a stress-free space all day in the SOGS multi-purpose room.

Motions

This was a busy meeting, with a wide variety of motions on the agenda.

Response to the provincial government’s financial update: The President asked for a mandate from SOGS to make a public statement condemning the provincial government’s recent decision to cancel three proposed satellite campuses and a new French-language university in Ontario. The motion passed.

2017–18 Surplus: A number of motions were passed relating to the allocation of SOGS’s operating surplus from the 2017–18 fiscal year. The Finance Committee prepared a recommendation based on requests they had a received, and Council approved the Finance Committee’s recommendation. The items in the recommendation varied from purchasing boardroom chairs for the new SOGS office to hiring a graduate student to perform a research project on grad student well-being. A separate motion from the VP Academic was passed to create two graduate student positions designated for assisting with academic appeals. More details about the various initiatives to be funded through the surplus will follow. A motion was also passed requesting transparency with regards to budget and surplus recommendations.

Indigenous bursary: A motion was passed formally creating a bursary designated for Indigenous graduate students, funded through a donation from Studentcare, our current healthcare broker. The first bursary will be awarded in the 2019–2020 academic year.

Fair Trade and Direct Trade Coffee: Council passed a motion from the VP Finance formalizing SOGS’s commitment to offering fair trade or direct trade coffee at the Grad Club.

Bylaw changes: The bylaws and constitution committee put a series of motions on the agenda. The changes provided clarification on several points, particularly the membership and role of the Appeals Review Commission.

Freedom of Expression Speaker Series: In light of the recent decision by the provincial government, Councillor Colin Couper proposed that SOGS strike an ad hoc committee tasked with organizing a speaker series on free speech and freedom of expression. The motion passed. A call for members will go out shortly.

Feedback wanted

SOGS is seeking feedback on the following topics:

International tuition: Starting in September 2018, international PhD students pay domestic tuition instead of international tuition. There have been reports that after this change, some international PhD students’ take-home pay decreased. If students are in this situation, they are encouraged to contact Dr. Linda Miller, Vice-Provost (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies) at lmiller@uwo.ca

Vacation time: Currently, graduate students are entitled to two weeks of vacation time per school year (in addition to statutory holidays and standard university closures). SOGS would like to know if grad students feel that this is sufficient. Those who would like to provide feedback may do so by contacting the VP academic at academic@sogs.ca.

Discovery credit: Currently, undergraduate students at Western have the option of taking a course outside of their major on a pass/fail basis, called a discovery credit. Discovery credit provide students with a lower-risk opportunity to explore a new area. SOGS would like to know if graduate students would like to see this option made available to them. Members are encouraged to weigh in by emailing the VP academic at academic@sogs.ca.

Language requirements: Some programs require graduate students to demonstrate reading proficiency in a second and third language. Currently, Western has a French reading course and a German reading course that provide the means to fulfill language requirements. However, these courses are often not offered and grad students are pursuing language study elsewhere, often at their own expense. If it would be useful to grad students in your program for the French and German reading courses to be offered every summer, please contact Councillor Diana Wu (dwu328@uwo.ca) with information about the requirements in your program and the barriers students have faced.

Call for Nominations

Graduate Education Council: Representatives from Ivey and Law still needed to sit on the GEC. Meetings are once per term. Contact president@sogs.ca for more information.

SOGS Presidential Election: Call for Nominations will be open January 7-18, 2019. Balloting will be January 29-30, as per the University Secretariat. More information to come.

Summary for General Meeting held November 1^st, 2018

Freedom of Expression Policy

(Discussion based on October 23 Policy Draft from Provost’s Ad Hoc Committee on Freedom of Expression website.)

 

Presentation:

• President Rose reported on the current draft of the Freedom of Expression Policy
• This is still a draft (needs to be passed through Senate and approved by the Board of Governors)
• Draft and updates are available at provost.uwo.ca/freedomofexpression/
• Questions about the draft policy can be addressed to speaker@sogs.ca or president@sogs.ca

Discussion/Questions:

• When or how does the university intervene if someone is interfering or preventing another from their freedom of expression?
  • Response: The University only needs to intervene if protest, etc. is preventing someone’s freedom of expression. It is important to note that this is not intended to stop anyone from protesting.
• Why are the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association and the Clinical Teachers Association named in the last paragraph and not other groups with collective agreements?
  • Response: These collective agreements are provided as examples because they discuss academic freedom in detail.

 

Motion for Ad Hoc Freedom of Expression Presentation committee:

• A motion was brought forth from the floor to form an ad hoc committee that would organize presentations on the subject of freedom of expression, related political trends and academic concepts, and the responsibilities and standards that students, academics and citizens should hold themselves to.
• Some of those in attendance voiced their support of this idea, but the meeting did not have quorum and we were unable to vote on the motion.
• The Speaker recommended to bring this motion to November council.

Questions and discussion of what would happen in the event of a UWOFA strike:

• If no agreement is reached, you will receive an email notifying you of a labour disruption (do not assume there is a strike if it hasn’t been communicated).
• In the event of a labour disruption:
  • GTAs and any other contract workers who are not members of UWOFA would be expected to continue with any duties outlined in their Duties Specification Agreement, but should not take over responsibility for the professor’s duties.
  • There would be no disruption to GTA salaries or to non-TA employment that is covered by a valid, signed contract.
  • Those in courses would continue with readings and expect to hand in assignments. Do not assume that there will be a change in the course calendar unless you receive notification otherwise.
  • Those scheduled to defend their dissertation or thesis would be re-enrolled for the next term with TDO status (so would not need to pay any additional tuition).

Summary for SOGS Council meeting held October 25, 2018:

• Full October Council package (includes reports and agenda).
• The next council meeting will be on November 29, 2016, 6 pm,  in MC 105b.
• Speaker’s Corner will happen before every Council meeting Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Grad Club.

 

Announcements:

• • SOGS General Meeting on Free Speech: November 1st, 12:30 pm, MC 110. This meeting is primarily to address the university drafted policy on free speech as required from publicly-assisted colleges and universities by the provincial government. All SOGS members are invited to attend and have full speaking and voting rights. *Please, remember to bring your student card.*

 

• • Family Halloween Night: Oct 30, 5-7pm @ the Grad Club. Tickets ($5) available in the SOGS Office.

 

• • Harry Potter Trivia Night @ the Grad Club: Oct 30, 7 pm @ the Grad Club.

 

• • SOGS Cooking Class at the Masonville Loblaws on Nov 8 from 6-8pm. Tickets are $20. Menu: Arugula, Beet, and Goat cheese salad; Vegetable Risotto; Lemon Creme Brulee

 

• • Bus trips to the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in November. Bus tickets are $2. Advertising to follow. (sogs.communications@uwo.ca)
    • Thursday, November 22 (10am-1:30pm)
    • Monday, November 26 (5PM – 8:30pm)
    • Thursday, November 29 (10AM- 1:30PM)

     

  • Dissertation Drop-in will continue on Fridays in the SOGS Office (MC Room 8).

 

• • Graduate Peer Support (GPS) drop-ins every Wednesday from 2:30-4:00 pm in the SOGS Office.

 

• • Volunteers needed for focus group on outdoor furniture for Kent Walk. Several SOGS Councillors have volunteered, if any other SOGS members are interested please email president@sogs.ca asap.

 

• Studentcaremust receive any health plan claims from 2017-2018by NOVEMBER 29, 2018.

 
Errors and omissions:

• We’re looking for a SOGS representative to sit on the University Biosafety Committee. The Biosafety Committee meets once a year and our next meeting is on November 9, 2018, at 10:30 am in the Support Services Building room 4220.  This will be announced at the General Meeting next week and included in the SOGS newsletter.

 

• The nominees for SOGS Chief Returning Officer (CRO) and the Appeals Review Commission (ARC) were incorrectly ratified/elected at last night’s council. The election for these positions is to take place at November Council. Apologies from SOGS Speaker who is addressing the issue with the nominees. Details about the Call for Nominations to follow.

 

Call for Nominations

• SOGS Chief Returning Officer (to be elected at November Council)
• Appeal Review Commission members (to be elected at November Council)

Elections

Several elections were held this month at Council. Congratulations to our new VP Finance Steven Janisse, our returning Accessibility Commissioner Martin Ross, our new Indigenous Commissioner Danielle Robinson, our new Pride Commissioner Brody Clement-Thorne, our new Women’s Commissioner Jaclyn Reed. Thank you to the members who volunteered to serve on the Graduate Education Council, and numerous SOGS Committees and to those who were nominated to serve as SOGS Chief Returning Officer (CRO) and on the Appeals Review Commission (ARC).

 

Motions – Summary and Outcomes:

BCC Motions: Two motions from the Bylaws and Constitution Committee were passed. The motions were with regard to Presidential Election procedures, as well as the formation of the Appeals Review Commission, and were in response to SOGS’ decision to move the Presidential Election to align with the elections for Senate and the Board of Governors.

Letter of Support for UWOFA: A motion was passed asking the SOGS Executive to draft a letter of support for the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association, who will be in a legal strike position in early November and who hope to reach an agreement with Western University before then. Members who wish to submit their own letters may do so here.

Support for BRT: The University Students’ Council had asked SOGS to sign a joint press release addressed to newly-elected city councillors expressing support for Bus Rapid Transit, so the SOGS President brought this request to Council for approval. After a robust discussion, the motion to sign the press release was defeated.

Thesis Completion Fund: In summer 2018, SOGS and PSAC Local 610 ran the Thesis Completion Fund as a one-time initiative to provide some financial support to graduate students beyond their funding period. Council voted to offer the program again in Fall 2018 and Winter 2019 using the remaining funds from the summer.

 

 

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This summary is provided to increase transparency, and to support Councillors in completing their obligations under Bylaw 2.3.5; “shall regularly communicate with his or her constituents concerning the activities, programs, and decisions of the Society”. If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Administrator (sogs.communications@uwo.ca) or the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

As always, check out our website (www.sogs.ca) and follow us on Facebook (@Western.SOGS) and Twitter (@WesternSOGS) for communications, updates, and information about upcoming events!

 

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on September 27. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed here. Full minutes of the meeting will be available in the October Council package.

This summary is provided to increase transparency, and to support Councillors in completing their obligations under Bylaw 2.3.5; “shall regularly communicate with his or her constituents concerning the activities, programs, and decisions of the Society”. If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Administrator (sogs.communications@uwo.ca) or the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

The next Council meeting will be on October 25, 2018 at 6pm in MC 105B.

New Councillor Orientation: PIZZA! October 18. 

If you are interested in running for the SOGS Commissioner positions (Accessibility, Indigenous, Pride, and Women’s Concerns), submit your nomination statements to speaker@sogs.ca by October 18. If you have questions about these positions, contact the Executive or the current Commissioners.

Announcements:
 SOGS Graduate Wellness Week (Oct 1-6). Facebook Event (Share!)
GradCast Recruitment: Oct 5, 4pm (until closing) @ the Grad Club.
GRADtoberfest: Oct 11, 7-9pm @ the Grad Club. Tickets ($5) available in the SOGS Office.
SOGS Halloween Board Game Night: Oct 17 @ 7pm @ the Grad Club.
Family Halloween Night: Oct 30, 5-7pm @ the Grad Club. Tickets ($5) available in the SOGS Office.
Harry Potter Trivia Night @ the Grad Club: Oct 30, 7pm @ the Grad Club.
Dissertation Drop-in will continue on Fridays in the SOGS Office (MC Room 8).
Graduate Peer Support (GPS) drop-ins every Wednesday from 2:30-4:00pm in the SOGS Office.

Guest Speaker:

Student Success Centre (Experiential Learning)
– What feedback do you have on the co-curricular definitions of  teaching assistantship, research assistantship, student  government, and professional development?
– Does the curricular typology reflect the opportunities in your  program/department?
– Do the typologies accurately capture both the undergraduate and  graduate experience?
Contact: hwakley@uwo.ca and lisa.dale@uwo.ca to submit your feedback.

Elections
VP Student Services: Jeremy Johnston (acclaimed)
VP Advocacy: Wesam AbdElhamid Mohamed (acclaimed)

Report from VPSS (2015-2018)
VP Bettle submitted her final report for her 3 year-5 month term as VP Student Services. She thanks everyone for all their support over the years! See her 3+ page and transitional manual (draft) in the September Council package.

President:
Free Speech Committee – Consultation Sessions

Tuesday, October 2 – 1-3
Wednesday, October 3: 2:30-4:30
Thursday, October 4: 9:30-11:30
Friday, October 5: 1:30-3:30

VP Academic
Graduate student vacation days: discussion about moving it from 2 weeks to 3 weeks. Feedback? Email academic@sogs.ca.
Leave of Absence: Current policy states that students have a maximum of 3 terms. SGPS talking about enforcing this rule. Feedback? Email academic@sogs.ca.
SOGS Academic Appeals: VP Academic meets with dozens of students on a regular basis and this is becoming unsustainable. We are looking for

VP Advocacy
Outgoing VP Advocacy, Vanessa Lilly, thanks everyone for all their support! Shout out to the Commissioners, Committee Chairs, Committee members, Executive, and full-time staff.

Pride Commissioner (Patrick Hill)
If you’re interested in running for Pride Commissioner, contact pride@sogs.ca.

PSAC 610
Running a TA Wellness Event during Graduate Wellness on October 2, 2018. Contact communications@psac610.ca for how to get involved with the GTA Union!

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on August 30. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed here. Full minutes of the meeting will be available in the September Council package.

This summary is provided to increase transparency, and to support Councillors in completing their obligations under Bylaw 2.3.5; “shall regularly communicate with his or her constituents concerning the activities, programs, and decisions of the Society”. If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Administrator (sogs.communications@uwo.ca) or the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

The next Council meeting will be on September 27, 2018 at 6pm in MC 105B.

If you are interested in running for VP Advocacy for VP Student Services, submit your nomination statements to speaker@sogs.ca by September 18. If you have questions about these positions, contact the Executive.

Announcements
GET EXCITED FOR SOGS Orientation (Sept 10-14)! Buy your tickets in the SOGS Office!
Graduate Peer Support (GPS) will launch weekly drop-in peer support starting Wednesday, September 19 from 2:30-4:00pm. Email gps@sogs.ca if you have any questions.
Thesis Drop-in on Fridays in the SOGS Office (MC Room 8)!
Graduate Student Cookbook Contest! Submit to gps@sogs.ca and post your recipe on social media by September 3 to win!
Summer Graduate Student Teaching Award Nomination period is open! Nominate here.
Annual International Graduate Student Household Drive – accepting donations until Aug 31. The department with the most donations will win a Night at the Grad Club ($200 Grad Club certificate).
Please help SOGS complete our Department Graduate Student Association/Council list.
Fifth Annual BUG DAY at the Children’s Museum on September 8.
GradCast will be having a recruitment event on October 5.

Events
SOGS Orientation (September 10-14)
Graduate Wellness Week (Oct 1-6)

Updates
Empower Me: Councillors are encouraged to still gather feedback from their members. The HPC will aim to collect more information and present it to Council and potentially look into having a public event where Studentcare can present on this program.
Graduate Wellness Week (Oct 1-6): The keynote for the Wellness Forum will be the new AVP Student Experience: Jennie Massey. The IGSIC bowling trip needed to be pushed back until the following week.
IGSIC will be presenting its INTL Satisfaction Survey Summary in September.

Relevant Motions Passed:

Motion 11 (VP Student Services)
[see Appendix 4 for “Wellness Committee Proposal”]

Whereas graduate students in 2015 SGPS-run focus groups identified the need for grad-specific mental
health resources, greater recognition of student diversity, and informal systems, practices, and “safe spaces” to promote wellness that are not problematized or stigmatized, as well as the need for a formal, top-down cultural shift in graduate school;

Whereas the 2018 Western University’s Mental Health and Wellness Committee identified, among many
other factors, “Culture of Graduate Education” for distinguishing graduate student mental health from
undergraduate;

Whereas recent studies show that graduate students are six times more likely to experience depression and anxiety compared to the general population;

Whereas SOGS needs a dedicated committee devoted to the visibility of graduate student mental health and wellness needs, as well as for the education of the greater Western community, in regards to devoting more resources to graduate students;

Whereas the SOGS VP Student Services has solely, for the last three years, overseen the portfolio of
graduate student mental health;

BIRT SOGS create a Wellness Committee within the portfolio of the VP Student Services in the next fiscal
(2019-2020) year pending the recommendation of the finance committee and the approval of the Wellness Committee funds in the 2019 AGM;

BIFRT the “Graduate Wellness Week” line item within the VP Student Services portfolio be renamed
“Graduate Wellness Committee” to reflect the change.

BIFRT the Finance Committee discuss and make a recommendation to Council in October for how to
proceed with the requested line item changes.

BIFRT should the Finance Committee’s recommendation meet with Council’s approval, that the creation of the Wellness Committee be included in the February 2019 AGM fiscal budget.

Motion 12: VP Student Services and VP Advocacy

Whereas the election of the Vice Presidents to the Society’s executive should align with the completion of the major responsibilities of each portfolio;

Whereas the VP Student Services (in January 2015) and VP Advocacy (then External) (in April, 2016) election dates were altered (May to September) to better align with each portfolio’s projects;

Whereas the VPSS portfolio has altered significantly with the placement of the Graduate Orientation Handbook under the Communications Administrator, and the occurrence of Graduate Wellness Week during the first week of October;

Whereas the VP Advocacy portfolio should align with SOGS’ advocacy project preparation (eg. Pride Parade, Sexual Violence Awareness, Indigenous Awareness, etc) and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS)’ conference dates;

BIRT the election of the VP Student Services and VP Advocacy occur at April Council, to take office May 1.

BIFRT the by-election for the VP Student Services and VP Advocacy be held in September, 2018.

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on June 28. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed here. Full minutes of the meeting will be available in the August Council package.

This summary is provided to increase transparency, and to support Councillors in completing their obligations under Bylaw 2.3.5; “shall regularly communicate with his or her constituents concerning the activities, programs, and decisions of the Society”. If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Administrator (sogs.communications@uwo.ca) or the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

Announcements

The next Council meeting will be on August 30, 2018 at 6pm on the Grad Club patio.
SOGS is going to Wonderland on July 28! There are still tickets left in the SOGS Office (MC 8). TOMORROW (Friday, July 27) is the last day to purchase them. Hurry!
March with SOGS and PSAC 610 in the London Pride Parade on Sunday, July 29!
Thesis Completion Fund applications due to the SOGS Office (MC 8) by July 31 @ 4pm.
Please help SOGS complete our Department Graduate Student Association/Council list.
Graduate Student Cookbook Contest! Submit to gps@sogs.ca and post your recipe on social media by August 31 to win!
Need SOGS to attend your September Department Orientations? Contact sogs.communications@uwo.ca.
Please share this SOGS Council Summary with your members via email and/or social media.

Events
SOGS goes to Wonderland (July 28)
March with SOGS and PSAC 610 in the London Pride Parade! (July 29)
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream/Tie-Dye (Aug 2)
Yoga on UC Hill (August 14)
August Board Game Night (August 15)
Family Picnic (August 18)
SOGS Orientation (September 10-15) is planned!
Graduate Wellness Week (Oct 1-6)

Updates
Empower Me:
Graduate Wellness Week (Oct 1-6): “Living on a Tight Budget”: Graduate Student Cookbook contest deadline extended until August 31 to gps@sogs.ca.
SOGS Orientation (Sept 10-14): join the Facebook Event page and SHARE WIDELY.
Graduate Peer Support (GPS) will launch weekly drop-in peer support starting Wednesday, September 19 from 2:30-4:00pm.
Looking for department-specific graduate student upstander training? Contact Melanie Stone (wcc@sogs.ca), our Women’s Concerns Commissioner who recently ran upstander training for 20 graduate students. Stay tuned for Sexual Violence Awareness Week in October and a “Times Up” event.
Are you a graduate student parent? Contact Melanie Stone (wcc@sogs.ca) to get involved with our Graduate Student Parent Advocacy Group!
The Equity Committee will be launching its Annual International Graduate Student Household Drive the week after Orientation.
The Sustainability Committee is looking for new members: srakhimb@uwo.ca.

Elections

Ombudsperson: Adam Roy (returning Ombudsperson acclaimed)

Relevant Motions Passed:

Executive:

Whereas a motion was passed in 2016 to start the Council year in September;
Whereas the implementation of this change was delayed because of difficulties in communication;
BIRT as of September, 2018, the Council year continue to begin in October.

Health Plan Committee (“Empower Me“)

Whereas the HPC has begun its research for the 2019-2021 SOGS Health & Dental Plan tendering process;
Whereas the HPC has been presented with a new program “Empower Me” that would provide supplementary services to the SOGS Health & Dental Plan at an additional cost of $4.20 (plus tax) per student;
Whereas the HPC desires to solicit formal feedback from SOGS Councillors regarding the potential implementation of this program;
BIRT Councillors distribute the “Empower Me” document to their constituents with the intention of collecting feedback on the program;
BIFRT Councillors bring constituent feedback on “Empower Me” to August Council.

 

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on May 31. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed here. Full minutes of the meeting will be available in the  June Council package.

This summary is provided to increase transparency, and to support Councillors in completing their obligations under Bylaw 2.3.5; “shall regularly communicate with his or her constituents concerning the activities, programs, and decisions of the Society”. If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Administrator (sogs.communications@uwo.ca) or the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

Announcements

The next Council meeting will be on June 28, 2018 at 6pm on the Grad Club patio.

Need SOGS to attend your September Department Orientations? Contact sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

SOGS June Elections! If you’re interested in running for VP Academic, please send your nomination to speaker@sogs.ca. If you’re interested in running for SOGS Speaker, please send your nomination to executive@sogs.ca. For more information, see here.

Please help SOGS complete our Department Graduate Student Association/Council list.

Please ensure that you share this SOGS Council Summary with your members via email and/or social media.

Events

Yoga on UC Hill (June 12, July 10, August 14)
Thesis Monthly Writing – SGPS & SOGS (June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29)
SOGS goes to Grand Bend! (June 23)
Please keep an eye on the SOGS Pride page for June Pride Events from our Pride Commissioner.
SOGS Orientation (September 10-14) is planned! Please share this information with your members.

Updates

Don’t forget to vote! For more information, check out Elections Ontario.
Thesis Completion Fund Application due July 31, 2018 at 4pm to the SOGS Office (Middlesex College, Room 8).
Congratulations to the SOGS GSTA 2017-2018 Winners!
Academic Joint Fund has started its new fiscal year!
Women’s Concerns Commissioner will be releasing Graduate Upstander Training and Parenting Advocacy group.
Equity Committee will be launching its Annual International Graduate Student Household Drive.
Graduate Peer Support (GPS) will be launching drop-in peer support.
Western and SOGS are aiming to make The Grad Club “zero-waste” by 2050.
Graduate Wellness Week is almost done! If you have ideas of what you’d like to see, contact services@sogs.ca.
Happy #AccessAbility Week! Language on grad student accommodations on grad syllabi to come in September. Contact accessibility@sogs.ca.
We’re looking for anyone doing research on LGBTQIA+ to share their research at the Pride Parade in July! Contact pride@sogs.ca.

Elections

SOGS Athletics Representative – Tomas Fabian

Motions Passed

Motions arising from the President/Executive

President

Whereas graduate students pay fees that support sports and recreation at Western;
Whereas the Director of Sport and Recreation Services has expressed interest in increasing collaboration with graduate students;
Whereas communication between SOGS and SRS has proven difficult;
BIRT SOGS elect an Athletic Representative to serve on a 5-month trial basis from June 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018.
BIFRT the Athletics Representative act in a volunteer capacity as a lision between SRS and SOGS;
BIFRT the Athletics Representative provide monthly reports to Council, either in person or in voting.

Passed unanimously.

Whereas the following bylaw changes have been mutually agreed upon by the President of the Society and
the Bylaws and Constitution Committee;
Whereas these changes reflect and clarify the duties of the President of the Society;
BIRT bylaw 2.1.2.13 be amended to read:
2.1.2.13 shall maintain organizational documents that reflect the mandate, operations, and needs of the
Society, and shall update them annually
BIRFT bylaw 2.1.2.15 be revised to read:
2.1.2.15 shall represent the Society as necessary (or designate an appropriate representative)
2.1.2.15.1 at meetings of campus organizations (including, by not limited to, the University Student’s
Council, The MBA Association, the PSAC 610, the UWO Faculty Association and the UWO Staff
Association).
2.1.2.15.2 at meetings with University Administrators
2.1.2.15.3 in any external context, including media and government relations.

Passed unanimously.

VP Finance

Whereas the previous [travel] subsidy form made it difficult for students who were travelling during the
conference deadline.
BIRT Students apply for the travel subsidy in the term of their last day of travel.

Passed unanimously.

Whereas the previous [childcare] form hasn’t asked members to declare other forms of childcare subsidies
BIRT the new form includes a line that asks if members have applied for other childcare subsidies and where
they have applied.

Passed unanimously.

Whereas the travel subsidy form is unclear;
BIRT we include a line on the form that says that preference will be given conference presenters.

Passed unanimously.

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on April 26. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed here. Full minutes of the meeting will be available in the April 2018 Council package.

This summary is provided to increase transparency, and to support Councillors in completing their obligations under Bylaw 2.3.5; “shall regularly communicate with his or her constituents concerning the activities, programs, and decisions of the Society”.

If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Administrator (sogs.communications@uwo.ca) or the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

Announcements

The next Council meeting will be on May 31 at 6pm on the Grad Club patio. We are trying to make this a tradition!

Reminder about Karaoke Night happening tomorrow at the Grad Club:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1612389778815442/

SOGS LGBTQIA+ Board Game Night & Jazz (May 9)

Do not forget to vote in PSAC 610 voting sessions tomorrow, Friday, April 27 in AHB 1R40.

Elections

VP Academic: Jina Kum has been acclaimed as interim VP Academic (until June, when the election will need to be held again).

VP Finance: Laura Cabral has been acclaimed as VP Finance.

Events

Breezing Through Graduate School (May 3)
Student Experience has offered to provide information to students on Learning Skills, Writing Support Centre, and Psychological Services. This is also an opportunity for students to ask questions regarding their navigation through graduate school.

SOGS LGBTQIA+ Board Game Night & Jazz (May 9)

LGBTQIA2S+ – Graduate Student Group (May 10 – June 14)

Stitch & Bitch @ the Grad Club (May 14)

Mindfulness for Graduate Students (May 15 – June 26)

SOGS Summer Orientation Board Game Night (May 16)

SOGS-IGSIC Summer Orientation – Global Cafe (May 17)

Executive Reports

• VP Academic:
  • More than 900 TA nominations were received. The majority of the Academic Joint Fund has been used.
• VP Advocacy:
  • Sustainability Committee needs more members!
  • Inclusive Washroom posters: if any washrooms are not properly posted, please contact Equity or advocacy@sogs.ca.
  • Parking Services: working on drafting another letter to address the increasing costs.
• VP Finance
  • Meeting with Alumni Relations: the Grad Club is eligible for funds; if we name the Board Room, we could possibly receive $100,000.
  • Working on updating the coffee station in the Grad Club.
• VP Student Services
  • Please ensure you tell your members that Fall Orientation will run from September 10 to September 15. Once details are finalized, graphics will be sent out.
  • Graduate Wellness Week is currently be finalized in partnership with all stakeholders and SOGS Committees.
  • Please subscribe to the Facebook Events page to stay up to date on the events that SOGS hosts throughout the year.
• Accessibility Commissioner
  • Looking into SSD accommodations on graduate course syllabi; in contact with SGPS. They have responded by stating that it will be brought up at Senate. Working with Lorraine Davies to have this implemented by Fall term.

Passed Motions

All SOGS Committee Chairs were granted their $500 honourarium for their excellent work done over the past fiscal year.

BIRT Council ratifies the IGSIC policy document. (See Appendix 1 of the Council package).

BIRT SOGS sponsor this year’s Pride Parade in the amount of $1000 from the Commissioner line item to match Western University’s donation.

Please look to the next version of the Bylaws & Constitutions document in the coming month for changes.

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on March 29. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed here. Full minutes of the meeting will be available in the April 2018 Council package.

This summary is provided to increase transparency, and to support Councillors in completing their obligations under Bylaw 2.3.5; “shall regularly communicate with his or her constituents concerning the activities, programs, and decisions of the Society”.

If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Administrator (sogs.communications@uwo.ca) or the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

GUEST SPEAKER

Western Libraries is undergoing physical and structural renovations and working on a 25-year Master Plan. They are looking for community in-put on what students would like to see. Submit your input to Catherine Steeves (Vice-Provost, Chief Librarian): csteeves@uwo.ca.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Next Council will be on April 26, 2018 at THE GRAD CLUB out in the “Beer Garden” (patio). Come enjoy the spring weather with SOGS!
• End of Term BBQ on April 2 at the Grad Club: https://www.facebook.com/events/332379123921158/
• Satellite Drop-in (March 12 – April 13)
  https://www.facebook.com/events/2076677009222070/
• Please sign the petition in support of International students.

Please see the SOGS Facebook page for a full list of our events.

EVENTS:

SOGS-SAGE-Indigenous Education End of Term Lunch (April 4):
https://www.facebook.com/events/545870272464835/

Stitch & Bitch @ the Grad Club (April 9):
https://www.facebook.com/events/554554484928599/

LGBTQIA+ Discussion Group – SOGS Office, 2-3pm

GradCast-themed Trivia @ the Grad Club (April 11) – 7pm

SOGS April Board Game Night (April 18):
https://www.facebook.com/events/197928897479732/

SOGS End of Term Karaoke Bash (April 27) – 7pm @ the Grad Club

UPDATES:

• SOGS is working on setting up a London North Centre Candidates’ Debate with the USC leading up to the provincial election.
• Encourage undergraduate students to nominate their Graduate Teaching Assistants: https://qsharingeu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0iTlrrzvgX7ijm5
• Launch of the International Graduate Student Not All the Same profile end of April.
• Graduate Peer Support (GPS) working with the WEC to have permanent GPS times.
• VP Advocacy working with SGPS and SSD to launch Academic Coaching for graduate students.
• The NEADS National Awards Program deadline is April 30. Application here.

MOTIONS PASSED:

1) Motions arising from the President:

Whereas the SOGS Executive and the Western Student Senators have been working toward increased collaboration;
Whereas the 2018–19 SOGS budget includes $500 to support the work of the Western Student Senators;
BIRT SOGS enter into the formal partnership with the Western Student Senators outlined in Appendix A;
BIFRT the BCC make any relevant changes to the SOGS bylaws.

2) Motions arising from the Executive:

Whereas Western’s Mental Health Strategic Plan states that it will:
—> “develop a mental health and wellness strategic plan for faculty and staff”;
—> “engage in ongoing opportunities for staff and faculty across campus … to collaborate on initiatives supporting student mental health and wellness”
—> “continue to support students who have innovative ideas to promote health and wellness on campus”
—> “build literacy on the continuum of mental health”
—> “increase opportunities for staff, faculty, student leaders, teaching assistants, and leaders at Western to receive mental health and suicide prevention training that will help to effectively identify and respond to a student with mental health concerns”
—> “develop a sub-committee of the Student Mental Health and Wellness Advisory Committee to address the issues raised during consultation pertaining to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at Western”
—> “Increase campus mental health promotion and awareness initiatives designed for students in professional programs and graduate studies”
—> “encourage professional faculties and graduate programs to address challenges with isolation and unique stressors experienced in graduate and professional training programs”
Whereas SOGS would like to keep Western University, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Graduate Administrators, Graduate Chairs, and Graduate Supervisors accountable to the Plan;
Whereas SOGS Council accept the following “first step” proposal in regards to partnering with SGPS, Equity and Human Rights, the Ombudsperson, Student Experience, and Middlesex Crisis for formalized Grad Chair, Grad Admin, and Grad Supervisor training.
BIRT SOGS Council request that the SOGS Executive carry forward the proposal to SGPS for further consultation.
BIFRT SOGS Council request that the SOGS Executive request that SGPS take the proposal to higher channels (e.g. Senate) to begin formalizing standardized and “strongly encouraged” training for graduate administrators and faculty.

3) Motion arising from the Vice-President Student Services

BIRT SOGS ratify the HPC Policy Document (see Council Appendix)
BIRT SOGS ratify the OSC Policy Document (see Council Appendix)

4) Motions arising from Other Committees:

1. Motions from the Policy Committee:

i) BIRT the Society replace Section 3.5 of the Society’s Constitution, Bylaws and Policy Documents with the version of Section 3.5 as submitted by the Policy Committee.
ii) BIRT the Society adopt the Policy Committee Policy as submitted by the Policy Committee.

5) Motions introduced from the floor:

BIRT the SOGS exec write a second letter of support for Western’s GTAs.