SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook,  Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar

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WELLNESS WEEK (OCTOBER 1-5) EVENTS

Attention all graduate students: This week (Oct 1-5) is Graduate Wellness Week. SOGS has lots of events, some with free lunch, and seminars for your to attend! Please see above schedule, the SOGS website, and Facebook for more details.

Come to the SOGS office (MC, room 8) to pick up your *FREE* fitness class passes for Campus Recreation and tickets to the Windsor vs. Western football game (7pm, Thursday, October 4).

Attention International Students: For those of you NOT going on the Saturday, October 6 day trip to Niagara Falls, the IESC is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner. Tickets are $8. (See IESC link below)

Monday

Therapy Dogs for Grad Students: 2:00-3:30pm at Health Services

Stitch & Bitch: 7-9pm at the Grad Club
Tuesday

Immigration Seminar – INTL Grad

TA Wellness: Chair Massages & PRIZES: 5:30-8:30pm @ the Grad Club.
Wednesday

Financial Literacy in Grad School (FREE pizza!): 11am-1pm in IGAB Atrium.

Family Arts & Crafts Night (rock painting!): 5-7pm @ the Grad Club
Thursday

SOGS Grad Wellness Forum (FREE LUNCH): 11am-2:30pm in IGAB Atrium.
Friday

Sleep Hygiene Workshop: 10:30am-12pm in NCB 117 – WIN A GIFT PACK!

Graduate Fitness Cycling Class: 2:30-3:30 at Campus Recreation

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Other key events to note:

Time Management in Grad School: Monday, October 1: 10:30am-12:00pm in WSSB 3134

Staying Motivated in Grad School: Tuesday, October 2: 10:30am-12:00pm in WSSB 3134

Writing Grant Proposals in Graduate School: Wednesday, October 3: 10-11:00am in WSSB 3134 (register through Western Career Central under “Writing Support Centre”)

Canada Up in Smoke (Cannabis): Monday, October 1: 6:30-8:30 (SEB 1200)

Student Success Centre (SSC) Career Fair: Tuesday, October 2: 10am-3pm in Mustang Lounge

Trivia Night @ the Grad Club: Tuesday, October 2: 7pm

Mood Walk with Kin!: Wednesday, October 3: 1:30-2pm (WEC)

IGSIC Goes to Global Cafe: Thursday, October 4: 3-5pm in the IGAB Atrium.

Rick McGhie Night: Thursday, October 4: 7pm @ the Grad Club

Thesis Writing: Friday, October 5: 10am-3pm in MC Room 8

Graduate Wellness Walk: 12-1pm outside NCB – BRING PROPER OUTDOOR WEAR.

SOGS Goes to Niagara Falls: first bus sold out; those on the waiting list will receive an email about our second bus. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE!

IESC Thanksgiving meal: Saturday, October 6: 4:30-6:30pm @ Ontario Hall.

 

NOTE: Immigration seminar room change to Kresge Building, room 106

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October Events

Come to the Grad Club Wednesday and Thursday (Oct 3-4) with your student card (11am-4pm) to get your ISIC card.

Attention all international graduate students! Bring your friends and family for a night of bowling @ Bowlerama Royale.

Tickets available in the SOGS office, MC room 8.

Tickets available at the SOGS office – MC, room 8

Please be advised that SOGS will have bus trips to the store in November. Watch out for the October newsletter and dates.

This trip is the early fall sale and you will have to get there on your own.

No backpacks allowed in the store.

Halloween Events

GET INVOLVED

SOGS council

WANT TO REPRESENT YOUR DEPARTMENT AT SOGS MONTHLY COUNCIL? If so, please get nominated by either a executive member of your graduate student association/  or / by 4 of your peers if your department does NOT have a graduate student association.

Here is the 2018-19 councillor nomination form. Please submit these to the SOGS office.  

When your department’s representative attends council each month (except for December), your department accrues money for each of the 11 council sessions. This fund of money is paid out in January of each year, in the form of a cheque, to your department’s graduate student association (or department if there is no graduate student association). These funds can be used, for example, to pay for social events and scholarly activities within your own department. The more your representatives attend council, the more grant funds your department will receive. If your department doesn’t participate at council, you don’t get any money.

Please be advised SOGS determines your department’s number of representatives by enrolment numbers, which we won’t have until the end of September. In the mean time, it is *probably* safe for you to look at the 2017-18 numbers in the interim here.

More information about SOGS council. 

ATTENTION (NEW) COUNCILLORS FOR THE 2018-19 ACADEMIC YEAR: MANDATORY COUNCILLOR ORIENTATION IS ON OCTOBER 18 @ 6PM IN MIDDLESEX COLLEGE, ROOM 105B. *PIZZA DINNER AND REFRESHMENTS* WILL BE PROVIDED. 

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Please be advised that the deadline to OPT-IN or OPT-OUT of the health plan has passed (dead line was September 30). 

SOGS COMMITTEES

GradCast: Are you interested in presenting your research on the radio? That’s right, the radio! We want to HEAR from you!

Sustainability Committee

Graduate Student Issues Committee

Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award (GSTA) Committee

Finance Committee

Grad Club Committee

Bursaries & Subsidies Committee

Graduate Peer Support (GPS) Committee

SOGS Services

Food Bank Program for Non-TA members

Joint Wellness Fund

Joint Fund for Graduate Research

SOGS’s Financial Assistance Programs

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SOGS MONTHLY TRIVIA

SEPTEMBER TRIVIA WINNERS: Ornela Kljakic | Rabia Gill |  Emily Macil Murrell

Pick up your prize (GC voucher) at the SOGS office!

OCTOBER TRIVIA:

What are the four commissioner positions being elected at October council? (Email your answer to sogs.communications@uwo.ca)

 

 

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook,  Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

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EVENTS

Attention all new and returning graduate students: SOGS is not only hosting the most elaborate fall orientation yet, loaded with tons of events and prizes, but is also celebrating its 50th anniversary. All event tickets can be purchased in the SOGS office in Middlesex College, room 8. Hurry before they sell out!

SOGS 50th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS:

Friday, September 14

Come one, come all!

SOGS is pumped to be hosting a 50th anniversary orientation week dance party for all graduate students at the Grad Club. Join us for a night of eating, drinking, and dancing. The Grad Club will be transformed into a nightclub equipped with lights, lasers and music by DJ Jade.

Tickets are $5 and include a selection of yummy greasy snacks, a drink ticket for a special 50th anniversary cocktail, and prizes. Additional drink tickets ($3) for domestic beer, house wine, and a selection of shots.

 

Saturday, September 15

We know it’s a Saturday, and you are probably going to be out late the night before at the SOGS 50th Anniversary orientation dance party mingling and imbibing with friends old and new, but chances are you’ll be on campus at the library writing or in the lab running experiments anyway, so join us for a “picnic basket” lunch (sandwiches, wraps, salads and more) at the Grad Club.

C’mon, celebrate 50 years of advocating for graduate students with us.

$15 tickets can be purchased at the SOGS office. 

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SOGS FALL ORIENTATION EVENTS:

 Monday, September 10

Want to bring your family to campus to show them your new academic digs?

Not a new student, but want to come meet new people and get fed?

If so, please join SOGS for the kick-off of orientation week at its FAMILY BBQ @ the Grad Club from 5-7pm.

Your choice to hamburger, hotdog, or veggie option. CHILDREN are FREE!!! Games and craft activities for children (or those adults who want to get their craft on.) In addition to food and activities for kids, SOGS’ OSC committee will also be hosting a tie-dye event.

Get fed, colourful, and messy with us. $5 tickets can be purchased in the SOGS office. 

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Into fibre crafting? Yasss. Come to the Grad Club @ 7pm. Free event. 

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Tuesday, September 11

International Grad Student Meet & Greet (3:00-5:00pm @ the Grad Club). FREE. Register HERE. Refreshments provided. Prizes to be won!

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Trivia Night (7:30pm @ the Grad Club). FREE! Prizes to be won.

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Wednesday, September 12

Bring your graduate association to the Grad Club from 3-6pm for drink samples, appetizers, and the announcement of the winner of the 2018 Equity Committee’s annual household donation drive!

Sign-up your graduate student association here.

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Wanna play games with your friends? Come to the Grad Club on the third Wednesday of every month and play some of the 60+ games SOGS now has in its board game collection. See Facebook for more details. Movie theatre popcorn will be served.

This event is free.

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Thursday, September 13

Amazing Race: SOGS Edition (1:30-3:30pm starting @ the Grad Club). FREE for all. Don’t wither away in your office or lab. Come out, run around campus, get sweaty, have fun, and then cool off at the Grad Club patio with your peers.  Register HERE.

PRIZES: FIRST PLACE – $200 Grad Club certificate / SECOND PLACE –  $150 Grad Club certificate / THIRD PLACE – $100 Grad Club certificate. Wowza, that’s a lot of beer and nachos for post-race cool down…

ALL participants (except winners) receive $5 Grad Club certificate.

Top 3 winning teams receive complementary tickets to the SOGS BON FIRE NIGHT event. 

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IGSIC Goes to Global Cafe (3:00-5:00pm in the IGAB Atrium). FREE. The International Graduate Student Issues Committee (IGSIC) attends and sponsors the IESC’s Global Cafe as a way to welcome and connect with incoming and returning international graduate students. Trivia Contest to win prizes!

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Know Your Union (PSAC 610) (5:00-7:00-pm @ the Grad Club). FREE.

Come out and enjoy appetizers and refreshments so you can get to know your Graduate Student Union!

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Want to eat summertime foods like corn on the cob, hotdogs, s’mores, and movie theatre popcorn? Want to stare into the depths of a bon fire while you imbibe? Want to watch a screening of Shrek, the ogre pal you wish you had?

If you said yes to two or more of these questions, the SOGS annual BONFIRE NIGHT at the Grad Club is the event for you.

$5 tickets can be purchased at the SOGS office. Hurry before it’s too late.

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Friday, September 14

Indigenous Graduate Student Meet & Greet (12:30-3:00pm). FREE. Lunch at Indigenous Services to welcome you to the space and then a Tour of the SOGS Office (Middlesex College, Room 8) and the Grad Club! Register here.

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

EVERY WEDNESDAY (Starting September 12)

EVERY FRIDAY

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October 1 – 6

Saturday, October 6

If you’ve always wanted to see one of the natural wonders of the world but haven’t had the chance, this is the trip for you. A bus departing the front of Middlesex College at 8:30am will take you to Niagara Falls and bring you back for at 6pm. Tickets are $20, which covers the cost of the bus. Once in Niagara Falls you will be on your own, free to explore what the city and the falls has to offer. If you’re not sure what to do once there, please visit the Niagara Tourism website.

SOGS will provide a small snack bag and bottle of water for the bus.

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Tuesday, October 9

Attention all INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENTS: IGSIC is hosting a bowling night at Bowlerama Royale from 7-9pm. $10 tickets can be purchased at the SOGS office. Ticket includes 2-hours of bowling and shoe rental.

Students will make their own way to the location (take the #2B bus).

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GET INVOLVED:

ATTENTION ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS!!! Do you want to give back to your student government? Do you want to try your hand at being involved with SOGS at the executive level? Are you politically-minded? If so, please be advised that the election for VP Advocacy and VP Student Services will take place at September council. If you want to run for either one of these executive positions, please send the SOGS Speaker, L. Wong (speaker@sogs.ca) your 1-page candidate statement/platform by September 18th.

 

VICE-PRESIDENT ADVOCACY

Want to work at SOGS and advocate for your peers at Western? Run for Vice-President Advocacy. Position held October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019. This is a compensated position.

Portfolio of VP Advocacy includes, but is not limited to: working with and overseeing the SOGS Equity, Sustainability, Graduate Student Issues, and Graduate Peer Support committees; contributing to graduate student life by planning events like the annual Household Donation Drive, as well as overseeing SOGS weekly Graduate Peer Support drop–in; and attending monthly council and delivering reports about the VP Advocacy position.

To know more about the specifics of the VP Advocacy position, please refer to the SOGS Constitution and Bylaws document (p. 20-22). Have questions? Feel free to contact our current VP Advocacy, Vanessa Lilly (advocacy@sogs.ca), or the SOGS President, Mary Blake Rose (president@sogs.ca).

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VICE-PRESIDENT STUDENT SERVICES

Want to work at SOGS and contribute to the quality of life of your peers at Western? Run for Vice-President Student Services. Position held October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019. This is a compensated position.

Portfolio of VP Student Services includes, but is not limited to: overseeing the SOGS Health Plan, International Graduate Student Issues, and Orientation and Social committees; contributing to graduate student life by planning fall orientation events; run Graduate Student Wellness week in October; meet with Western stakeholders to improve graduate student services; and attend monthly council and delivering reports about the VP Student Services position.

To know more about the specifics of the VP Student Services position, please refer to the SOGS Constitution and Bylaws document (p. 20-22). Have questions? Feel free to contact our current VPSS, Madison Bettle (services@sogs.ca), or the SOGS President, Mary Blake Rose (president@sogs.ca).

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SOGS council:

WANT TO REPRESENT YOUR DEPARTMENT AT SOGS MONTHLY COUNCIL? If so, please get nominated by either a executive member of your graduate student association/  or / by 4 of your peers if your department does NOT have a graduate student association.

Here is the 2018-19 councillor nomination form. Please submit these to the SOGS office.  

When your department’s representative attends council each month (except for December), your department accrues money for each of the 11 council sessions. This fund of money is paid out in January of each year, in the form of a cheque, to your department’s graduate student association (or department if there is no graduate student association). These funds can be used, for example, to pay for social events and scholarly activities within your own department. The more your representative(s) attends council, the more grant funds your department will receive. If your department doesn’t participate at council, you don’t get any money.

Please be advised the SOGS determines your department’s number of representatives by enrolment numbers, which we won’t have until the end of September. In the mean time, it is *probably* safe for you to look at the 2017-18 numbers in the interim here.

More information about SOGS council. 

 

SOGS committees:

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• GradCast: Are you interested in presenting your research on the radio? That’s right, the radio! We want to HEAR from you!
• Sustainability Committee
• Graduate Student Issues Committee
• Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award (GSTA) Committee
• Finance Committee
• Grad Club Committee
• Bursaries & Subsidies Committee
• Graduate Peer Support (GPS) Committee

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Need stuff for your apartment? Don’t worry, SOGS has you covered. After a month of donations from across campus, SOGS is pleased to announce that it will distribute the hoard of gently used household items on SEPTEMBER 17 from 11am to 2pm at the SOGS office (Middlesex College room 8). FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.

SOGS will announce the winning department of the drive (Prize: $200 Grad Club gift card) at the Meet Your Grad Club event on September 12.

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IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

If you know an AMAZING teaching assistant who taught in the SUMMER 2018 TERM, please nominate them and fill out our survey. Students, faculty, and staff may nominate TAs (one nomination per TA per nominator). In the Spring 2019 term, SOGS and SGPS, and PSAC local 610 will host the GSTA Award ceremony with a fancy lunch and a monetary prize for each winner.Vote for your favourite GTA here. More information about the GSTA awards here. VOTE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15, 2018, 11:59PM. 

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SOGS ONLINE FALL BURSARY: Apply online. Deadline: September 30, 2018 at 11:59pm.

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SOGS Services:

• Food Bank Program for Non-TA members
• Joint Wellness Fund
• Joint Fund for Graduate Research
• SOGS’s Financial Assistance Programs

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SOGS MONTHLY TRIVIA:

AUGUST TRIVIA WINNERS: 

• Katherine Anne MacCormack
• Christina Chung
• Summer Thorp

Pick up your prize (GC voucher) at the SOGS office!

SEPTEMBER TRIVIA:

What anniversary is SOGS celebrating? (Email your answer to sogs.communications@uwo.ca)

 

 

 

 

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook,  Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

EVENTS

Family Picnic at Gibbons Park on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Bring your friends and family for a fun afternoon at the park. For those with small children, games will be provided by Western Recreation. Need to cool off? Bring your swimsuits so you can cool off at the splash pad nearby. Buy your $5 tickets at the SOGS office, Middlesex College, Room 8. Your choice of main: veggie burger, beef burger, beef hotdog. SOGS will be set up at PICNIC SPOT #3 (see map below). More information about Gibbons Park here.

Gibbons park map:

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yoga on UC Hill. Bring your own mat, towel, and water on August 14. Free event for all.

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Have a thesis you need to finish? Don’t stay home and procrastinate. Seriously. Don’t. We know it’s hard; we’ve been there (or are still are there,  finishing grad school…while working/volunteering at SOGS).

Come to the SOGS office every Friday and work in our spacious multipurpose room. Bring your own lunch, or eat at the Grad Club: it’s up to you! August dissertation drop-in dates: 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st.

SOGS: No pressure, just support. #GetErDone

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Board Game night: August 15th.

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Events in London:

If you can’t beat the heat, get comfy outside watching movies FOR FREE at Victoria Park. BYOB chairs, snacks, and refreshments.

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Wortley Village Jazz & Blues Festival: August 19, 2018

NEW in 2018 – 10 live bands featuring local musicians!
Over 4 hours of non-stop entertainment!
NOW 5 Stages including one on the Green!
FREE! Your donations make next year happen!
Bring a lawn chair. Hope for sun! Expect to be entertained!

More information about the bands playing, visit here.

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SILENCED MEMORIES – A Thesis Project Exhibition, Ulises Unda
Reception: Thursday, August 9 / 7-9PM
Satellite Project Space (121 Dundas St)

In this exhibition, former refugees, massacre survivors, and their younger relatives tell us about their wartime experiences of violent repression, massacres, and forced exile by the US-backed Salvadoran military. More information here.

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GET INVOLVED:

 

Want to work at SOGS and contribute to the quality of life of your peers at Western? Run for Vice-President Student Services. Position held October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019. This is a compensated position.

Portfolio of VP Student Services includes, but is not limited to: overseeing the SOGS Health Plan, International Graduate Student Issues, and Orientation and Social committees; contributing to graduate student life by planning fall orientation events; work with VP Advocacy to run Graduate Student Wellness week in October; meet with Western stakeholders to improve graduate student services; and attend monthly council and delivering reports about the VP Student Services position.

To know more about the specifics of the VP Student Services position, please refer to the SOGS Constitution and Bylaws document (p. 20-22). Have questions? Feel free to contact our current VPSS, Madison Bettle (services@sogs.ca), or the SOGS President, Mary Blake Bonn (president@sogs.ca). Submit your candidate statement to the SOGS council Speaker, Lola Wong (speaker@sogs.ca) by September 18th.

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Want to work at SOGS and advocate for your peers at Western? Run for Vice-President Advocacy. Position held October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019. This is a compensated position.

Portfolio of VP Advocacy includes, but is not limited to: working with and overseeing the SOGS Equity, Sustainability, Graduate Student Issues, and Graduate Peer Support committees; contributing to graduate student life by planning Graduate Student Wellness week in October with VP Student Services, as well as overseeing SOGS weekly Graduate Peer Support drop–in; and attending monthly council and delivering reports about the VP Advocacy position.

To know more about the specifics of the VP Advocacy position, please refer to the SOGS Constitution and Bylaws document (p. 20-22). Have questions? Feel free to contact our current VP Advocacy, Vanessa Lilly (advocacy@sogs.ca), or the SOGS President, Mary Blake Bonn (president@sogs.ca). Submit your candidate statement to the SOGS council Speaker, Lola Wong (speaker@sogs.ca) by September 18th.

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Call for SOGS committee members & volunteers:

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Need to de-clutter your home? Don’t throw away perfectly good household items or give them to for-profit stores like Value Village; instead, bring them to the SOGS office (Middlesex College, room 8) during the month of August and help incoming international graduate students set up their new homes with your gently used, unwanted stuff. The department that donates the most individual items to the drive wins a $200 gift card to the Grad Club (that’s a lot of beer and nachos!). 

Items that could be donated: clean linens, pillows, towels (*no stains*) / small kitchen appliances like toasters, coffeemakers, blenders, etc., / lamps / small decorative items / glassware, bakeware, dishes, utensils / winter clothes / children’s toys / office gear /  vacuums / and much more… (Please do not bring large furniture to the office – students have to be able to easily transport your donated goods.)

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It’s finally here! Our Society of Graduate Students at Western University Graduate Student Cookbook contest: “Living on a Tight Budget”–in partnership with Western Libraries – Western University,Wellness Education Centre – Western University,Western Dietitian Services, and SGPS–will run until an extended date of August 31.

Submit your recipe (& photo and/or video) to gps@sogs.ca to be included in the Scholarship @ Western Cookbook set to launch during Graduate Wellness Week (Oct 1-6). POST your recipe (+ photo & video – yes, of you making the recipe!) on the GPS page for a chance to win a $100 Grocery Gift card. The post with the highest number of shares/likes will win the gift card!

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IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

Travel subsidy form / Professional Placement subsidy form + Letter for placement template form / Childcare subsidy form

SOGS Services

• Food Bank Program for Non-TA members
• Joint Wellness Fund
• Joint Fund for Graduate Research
• SOGS’s Financial Assistance Programs

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Want to nominate a TA that is amazing? Now’s your chance. Undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff may nominate a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Winners will be notified in the spring 2019 term, with a fancy award ceremony and luncheon to follow. Vote for your favourite GTA here. More information about the GSTA awards here. VOTE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15, 2018.

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Initiatives on Campus:

Looking to add value to your graduate degree and to your research? Join Western’s cohort of Graduate Student Innovation Scholars! Receive a participation award of $1,500. Apply your discipline-specific knowledge and develop expertise in entrepreneurship, commercialization and knowledge transfer with hands-on training. Apply your knowledge. Apply today.

What you bring: Current Western graduate student / Evidence of teamwork, creative thinking and presentation skills / Any translational research, commercialization or entrepreneurship experience

What we offer : A $1,500 award, one term of training and a certificate of completion / Expertise in commercialization, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer / Training for up to three teams of three

How to apply:  Submit your CV, a 200-250-word statement of interest and a cover letter / Supervisor’s sign-off / Submit your application to sis@uwo.ca

Applications can be submitted now and are due by midnight on Sunday, August 12, 2018.

The program is expected to start the week of September 11, 2018. More information here.

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UPCOMING EVENTS: 2018-19 Fall Orientation/2018 Wellness Week

Want to be extra prepared for Fall 2018 Orientation? Review the new SOGS 2018-19 handbook HERE.

Schedule breakdown:

September 10:
Family BBQ (5:00-7:00pm @ the Grad Club). $5 for adults and free for children under 12. Includes: hamburger/hot dog (veggie option), fries, veggies, games, and prizes! Tickets will go on sale in August.

Stitch & Bitch (7pm @ the Grad Club). FREE. Come out and craft with us! Refreshments provided.

September 11:
International Grad Meet & Greet (3:00-5:00pm @ the Grad Club). FREE. Register HERE. Refreshments provided. Prizes to be won!

Trivia Night (7:30pm @ the Grad Club). FREE! Prizes to be won.

September 12:
Welcome to YOUR Grad Club (3:00-6:00pm @ the Grad Club). FREE. Grad Student Associations/Councils (President, Chair, Rep) sign up HERE. Refreshments provided; games and prizes to be won!

Board Game Night (7:00pm @ the Grad Club). FREE. Appetizers, drink special, and games galore!

September 13:
Amazing Race: SOGS Edition (1:30-3:30pm starting @ the Grad Club). FREE. Register HERE. Winning teams: 1) $200 Grad Club certificate 2) $150 Grad Club certificate 3) $100 Grad Club certificate. ALL participants (except winners) receive $5 Grad Club certificate.

IGSIC Goes to Global Cafe (3:00-5:00pm in the IGAB Atrium). FREE. The International Graduate Student Issues Committee (IGSIC) attends and sponsors the IESC’s Global Cafe as a way to welcome and connect with incoming and returning international graduate students. Trivia Contest to win prizes!

Know Your Union (PSAC 610) (5:00-7:00-pm @ the Grad Club). FREE. Come out and enjoy appetizers and refreshments so you can get to know your Graduate Student Union!

Bonfire Night (8:00pm @ the Grad Club). $5. Ticket includes moving screening (Shrek), popcorn, s’more making, hot dog, and corn on the cob. Prizes to be won! Tickets will go on sale in August.

September 14:
Indigenous Graduate Student Meet & Greet (12:30-3:00pm). FREE. Lunch at Indigenous Services to welcome you to the space and then a Tour of the SOGS Office (Middlesex College, Room 8) and the Grad Club! Register here.

SOGS 50th Anniversary Party (8:30pm @ the Grad Club). $5. Ticket includes pub food, drink ticket, and prizes! Tickets will go on sale in August.

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SOGS MONTHLY TRIVIA:

July trivia winners: Ben Corrigan / Marina Lazarakos / Kyra Simone

Pick up your prize (GC voucher) at the SOGS office!

August trivia question: What elections will take place at September council? (Email your answer to sogs.communications@uwo.ca)

 

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook,  Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EVENTS

Free goddess yoga for everyone! July 5, 8:30AM-9:10AM @ Innovation Works London (201 King Street)

Thesis Writing Time July 6, 13, 20, 27 @ The SOGS office/ 10AM – 3:45PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

yoga on UC Hill – July 10 @ 7PM

SOGS goes to CANADA’S WONDERLAND! Saturday, July 28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOARD GAME NIGHT – 7PM / July 18 @ The Grad Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream & Tie Dye – July 24 @ The Grad Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONDON PRIDE PARADE – July 29. Come out and support London’s LGBTQIA+ community.

Wear purple, be PROUD. Snap a pic, tag #westernupride and show your pride!

Beginning July 3 until July 29, Western’s Pride banner will be travelling across campus. Schedule: Grad Club (July 9 – 13) / UCC (July 16 – 23) 

 

LIVING ON A TIGHT BUDGET – Graduate Student Cookbook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: SOGS OMBUDSPERSON

Members interested in running for SOGS ombudsperson have until the July Council package report deadline (July 17th) to nominate themselves. Candidates running for Ombudsperson should send their nomination to the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca). Candidate statements will be published in the July Council package. The election will be held at July Council (Thursday, June 26, 2018).

From the SOGS Pride Commissioner:

London’s Pride Festival will be from July 19-29! We will be attending events throughout the week, if you are interested in joining us please email pride@sogs.ca and we will make sure you are on the mailing list. We are also looking for individuals interested in presenting their research on topics related to LGBTQIA+ community at the Pride Festival. If you are interested please email pride@sogs.ca.

From SOGS Accounting Manager:

SOGS is proud to announce that $421,608.00 was awarded in Bursaries and Subsidies for the 2017-18 academic year:

• $6,000 awarded in 125th Anniversary Scholarships
• $9,600 awarded for Child Care Subsidies
• $66,508 awarded for Travel and Placement Subsidies
• $14,000 awarded for Graduate Student Teaching Awards
• $325,500 awarded in Bursaries

The Summer OSOTF & OOP Bursaries have been Awarded!  A total of $108,000 was awarded to 72 of our Members!  Congratulations to the Winners!

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SOGS FUNDING

ARE YOU A YEAR “X” STUDENT? IF SO, READ THIS…

Thesis Completion Fund:

The Thesis Completion Fund is a collaborative, one-time awards program between SOGS and Public Service Alliance of Canada Local 610 (PSAC 610) to help members of the Society of Graduate Students.

Based on academic merit and research excellence, and financial need, its aim is to provide assistance to graduate students beyond the end of their funding packages.

SOGS and PSAC 610 advocate for proper funding according to the needs of each graduate students.

The application (please print one-sided only to help with distribution during adjudication) is due in paper form no later than July 31, 2018 at 4 pm to The Society of Graduate Students, Middlesex College, Room 8, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to e-mail SOGS VP Academic, Jina Kum, at academic@sogs.ca.

Please note that award will be adjudicated by a committee comprised of SOGS members, whom have signed the Confidentiality Agreement to protect applicant’s confidentiality and privacy. SOGS confidentiality agreement document (PDF)

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GET INVOLVED

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE 2018 SOGS ORIENTATION IN SEPTEMBER! To sign-up to be a volunteer, please email services@uwo.ca.

SOGS International Graduate Student Orientation: Volunteers needed! September 11

Call for SOGS committee members & volunteers:

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CAMPUS NEWS

Western is moving to a smoke-free campus in a three-step process:

1.  Now – more clear air around campus – no smoking within 10 metres of buildings;
2.  July 1, 2018 – smoking will be allowed in designated areas only;
3.  July 1, 2019 – smoke-free campus.

Western’s smoking policy is meant to protect people from second-hand smoke, and create a healthier, cleaner campus for those who live, study, work and visit here.  A move to a smoke-free campus will offer challenges to some members of our community but the health and wellbeing of our community will improve as we go smoke-free. For smokers who wish to quit, help is available. Information about smoking cessation support.

 

Parking and construction: Find information about parking issues resulting from summer construction here.

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SOGS TRIVIA & CONTESTS

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook,  Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

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EVENTS

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

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GET INVOLVED

 

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CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

 

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SOGS TRIVIA & CONTESTS

 

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Email sogs.communications@uwo.ca for more information or to submit newsletter content.

 

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook, Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

Links are underlined and active in PDF.

DOWNLOAD THE SOGS UPDATE APRIL 2018 ISSUE

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Email sogs.communications@sogs.ca for more information or to submit newsletter content.

Please see the official letter in support of PSAC 610 here.

March 7, 2018
Paul Jenkins, Chair, Board of Governors
Western University
and
President Amit Chakma
Western University

Dear Mr. Jenkins and President Chakma,

On behalf of the Society of Graduate Students, we are writing to express support for the bargaining efforts of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs). We urge Western University to acknowledge graduate students’ contributions to teaching excellence at Western by committing to improving GTA funding.

Poverty among graduate students, including GTAs, is a major stressor precluding us from succeeding. GTAs are unable to afford basic living expenses, with many incurring debt to cover their costs. Accelerated increases in tuition, combined with decreases in real income, exacerbate the situation, making poverty prevalent among Western’s graduate students.

Many SOGS members are GTAs, or are former GTAs now beyond their funding period. When beyond the fourth year of a doctoral program or the second year of a master’s program, we lose our scholarships, and in many cases, our opportunity to work as GTAs or research assistants. We must often seek other employment, extending our time to completion or forcing withdrawal from the program.

We urge Western to seriously review the demand for an extended employment period. GTAs work hard to support undergraduate students’ education as a part of their student experience. It is time for
Western to extend its public mandate of providing the “best student experience” to graduate students, by offering them fair wages and working conditions.

We find it troubling that Western has discontinued the health and financial assistance benefits of GTAs during bargaining. Without the Extended Health Plan and Financial Assistance Fund, members may
experience personal emergencies related to unaffordable health and dental care, or food insecurity, as illustrated by the extensive use of foodbanks by graduate students at Western.

On March 1, 2018, SOGS Council unanimously mandated that it will support GTAs in bargaining. The graduate student body expresses solidarity with PSAC 610 GTAs in their efforts to advance all graduate student conditions, and it is the position of SOGS that no graduate student shall take up the work of a GTA who engages in legal withdrawal of their labour.

We trust that as a renowned research institution, Western University appreciates the gravity of this mandate, and will make efforts to improve the working and living conditions of GTAs.

Sincerely,
Mary Blake Bonn, SOGS President
Jina Kum, SOGS VP Academic
Vanessa Lilly, SOGS VP Advocacy
Laura Cabral, SOGS VP Finance
Madison Bettle, SOGS VP Student Services

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook, Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

Links are underlined and active in PDF.

DOWNLOAD THE SOGS UPDATE MARCH 2018 ISSUE

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Email sogs.communications@sogs.ca for more information or to submit newsletter content.

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on March 1. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed here. Full minutes of the meeting will be available in the March 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

Next Council will be on March 29 in UCC 39.

The SOGS Office has officially MOVED to Middlesex College (MC) Room 8. We will be hosting an open house on March 14. Keep an eye on social media for more details.

Satellite Drop-in (March 12 – April 13)
https://www.facebook.com/events/2076677009222070/

Please send your feedback to services@sogs.ca on the most recent draft of Western’s Mental Health Strategy.

Please sign the petition in support of International students.

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

GUEST SPEAKERS

The Open Space Strategy is currently in the works. Please see the full plan here. If you have any questions/concerns, please contact openspace@uwo.ca.

ELECTIONS

There was one nomination in the SOGS Presidential Election. Mary Blake Bonn, the current SOGS President, has been acclaimed.

UPCOMING DATES/EVENTS

Thursday, March 8, 2018: IGSIC Goes to Global Cafe
https://www.facebook.com/events/576210599384302/

Monday, March 12, 2018: Stitch & Bitch @ the Grad Club
https://www.facebook.com/events/325889521252136/

Tuesday, March 12, 2018: Crisis Satellite Drop-in
https://www.facebook.com/events/2076677009222070/

Wednesday, March 14, 2018 – LGBTQIA Discussion Group
2:00-3:00pm, SOGS Office (Middlesex, Room 8)

Friday, March 16th, 2018: SOGS Western Research Forum
Location: P&A and NCB. Keep an eye on the website for updates.

Mid-March: Winter Graduate Student Teaching Award Nominations will be released.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018
GPS Event – Keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018: Income Tax Session for INTL Grad Students (Sponsored by IGSIC)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1820050458289108/

Wednesday, March 22, 2018: SOGS March Board Game Night
https://www.facebook.com/events/169468083835758/

Thursday, March 22, 2018: IGISC End of Term Party BBQ
https://www.facebook.com/events/332379123921158/

Monday, March 26, 2018: USC Tax Clinic for GRAD STUDENTS
https://www.facebook.com/events/559757401045546/

Late March/April
Women’s Concerns Commissioner working on an Upstander event, specifically on sexual harassment.

Late March/April
Pending the London Knights Playoffs schedule, the OSC will be hosting an event which will include game ticket and refreshments.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

The UCC Fee: $3.57 for the Ombudsperson, $5.61 for Community Legal Service, and $32.43 directly to the UCC. From here, the UCC and SOGS will partner more regularly to discuss student fees. For more information, please contact executive@sogs.ca.

Please spread the word regarding our “Not All the Same” campaign: http://nats.sogs.ca/. The next profile that will be released is on international students in late March.

PSAC 610 Bargaining Updates: Please sign the petition to support Western GTAs.

Studentcare has received more than 500 respondents to the Helath Plan Survey. In about a month, Studentcare will meet with the HPC to discuss the data.

GSIC is currently working on creating a report based on the data received from its survey on Graduate student issues.

MOTIONS:

1) Motions arising from the President/Executive
I. VP Academic:
Whereas the Academic Committee has been responsible for hosting the Western Research Forum and Western Journal of Graduate Research;
Whereas historically, requests from graduate students for support for academic events on campus is through the Joint Fund;
Whereas one member from SOGS, SGPS, and Research Western assess the Joint Fund using a score sheet;
BIRT the bylaw 2.9.5.1.4: “shall receive written requests from graduate students for support for academic events on campus (these events may be sponsored by graduate groups, faculty/departments, or other on-campus groups)”; be removed from the SOGS bylaws.
BIFRT 2.9.5.1.5: “shall promote the Society’s willingness to give such support”; ” be removed from the SOGS bylaws.
BIFRT 2.9.5.1.6: “shall recommend to the Executive financial help for such requests using the following policy: that the subject of the academic event can be shown to be of interest to a large body of graduate students. The committee will consult with the Vice-President Finance on such expenditures” be removed from the SOGS bylaws.

Motion passed unanimously.

II. VP Finance

Whereas it is SOGS’s 50th Anniversary this year;
Whereas SOGS is planning a 50th Anniversary party in September in conjunction with orientation;
Whereas the party is going to involve a substantial amount of work, including identifying past presidents and sponsors;
Whereas a formal ad hoc committee can provide support and accountability for the preparation of the 50th Anniversary party;
BIRT a SOGS 50th Anniversary Ad-Hoc Committee be struck to plan SOGS 50th Anniversary;
BIFRT the VP Finance serve as the executive liaison for the committee.

Motion passed unanimously.

III. VP Advocacy

Whereas OurTurn, a national student movement to end campus sexual violence is a grassroots student movement whose advocacy efforts align with the interest and safety of SOGS members;
Whereas OurTurn responds to the shortcomings of Bill 132 and is addressing survivor rights and minimum standards for campus sexual violence;
Whereas OurTurn is seeking support from SOGS;
BIRT that council approve support for OurTurn movement through the use of the SOGS logo in the OurTurn letter to Minister Hunter.

Motion passed unanimously.

2) Motions arising from Other Committees
I. Motions from the Bylaws and Constitution Committee
Whereas it has been the practice to allow SOGS councillors to alternate into vacant council seats,
Whereas there are some distinctions between the processes involved for alternating into vacant vs. filled council seats, and
Whereas the Bylaws and Constitution committee has been directed by Speaker’s Ruling to ensure that the governing documents of the Society properly reflect these processes,
BIRT bylaw 2.15.3.12.1 be amended to read: An alternate Councillor is a member of the Society that has been appointed by their department/unit/constituency to serve as a: 1. Filled-seat alternate Councillor, who replaces a Councillor from their department/unit/constituency that intends to miss one or more consecutive meetings of Council, or 2. Vacant-seat alternate Councillor, who serves as an interim representative for their department/unit/constituency in the event that there is a vacant Council seat. An alternate Councillor, in either case, will assume all the responsibilities of a Councillor (as detailed in bylaws….) for the duration of their tenure.
BIFRT bylaw 2.15.3.12.2 be amended to read: A filled-seat alternate Councillor will be recognized by Council only if they present a completed copy of the official Society “Filled-Seat Alternate Councillor Form” to the Speaker prior to the Council meeting at which their temporary tenure is to begin.
BIFRT the following be added to section 2.15.3.12: 2.15.3.12.3 A vacant-seat alternate Councillor will be recognized by Council only if they present a completed copy of the official Society “Vacant-Seat Councillor Alternate Form,” to the Speaker prior to the Council meeting for which their temporary tenure is to apply.
BIFRT the current bylaw 2.15.3.12.3 be re-numbered as 2.15.3.12.4, and amended to read:
2.15.3.12.4 An alternate Councillor shall count for quorum, and toward attendance for the purpose of their departmental grant.

Motion passed unanimously.

II) Motions from the Policy Committee
Committee Policy
(1) Whereas each committee is responsible for having its own policy document in compliance with bylaws 2.9.4.1, and is responsible for maintaining said document in compliance with bylaw 2.9.2.10, and the GradCast editorial board has conducted a review and appropriately updated its’ policy document,
BIRT council approve the GradCast Editorial Board Policy Document to be included in the unified documents of the Society. (See Appendix 3)

Motion passed unanimously.

ii) Policy Document
(1) BIRT the Society replace Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.4 of the Society’s Constitution, Bylaws and Policy Documents with the corresponding Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.4 of the Policy Committee’s proposed “Chapter 3: Operations Policies” document.

Motion passed unanimously.

3) Motions from Individuals:

I) PSAC 610

Whereas PSAC 610 Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Bargaining Unit members are also SOGS members,
Whereas PSAC 610 is currently bargaining with the employer advancing demands mandated by the GTAs
BIRT in the event the graduate teaching assistants bargaining unit at western withdraws their labour, it is the position of SOGS that no Non-TA graduate student shall perform duties of the GTA bargaining unit’s work, as it will undermine the advancement of all graduate student conditions,
BIFRT the Executive shall write an open letter to the University stating its position of support of the GTA’s bargaining efforts and imploring the University to respon fairly to GTA’s demands,
BIFRT the SOGS shall facilitate a dialogue between graduate students associations and PSAC 610 representatives, including contacting councillors directly to organize meeting with the graduate students.