Elections

This is notification that the results of the 2024-25 SOGS PRESIDENTIAL election are in!

Congratulations goes out to Cherin Chung on becoming the 2024-25 SOGS President. Cherin’s will take office on May 1, 2024. Below are the voting results:

SOGS 2024-25 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS

OptionVotes
YES153 (91.1%)
NO15(8.9%)
Voter Summary
Total177
Abstain9 (5.1%)

This is notification that the SOGS first annual election for a BOARD OF DIRECTORS will take place in April 2024.

Learn more about these upcoming elections below:


BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

Call for Nominations: 2024/25 SOGS Board of Directors
 
Following approval at the 2024 SOGS Annual General Meeting, nominations for SOGS’ first ever Board of Directors is now open to all SOGS members! 
 
SOGS Board of Directors elections follow the same protocols as the SOGS Presidential election, with an All-Candidates’ Meeting, campaign period, and a ranked ballot going to all SOGS members (on April 18 & 19). 
 
What is the Board of Directors? 
The Board of Directors focuses on the corporate side of SOGS, which includes overseeing the organization’s budget, assessing financial or legal risks, and developing strategic plans to assist SOGS in fulfilling its obligations to graduate students. The Board will consist of seven (7) SOGS members elected by the membership at-large and one (1) legacy SOGS member (a former UWO graduated student) appointed by the Board. 
 
What about SOGS Council?
SOGS Council will remain as SOGS’ primary legislative and representative body, overseeing all programs, services, and advocacy! 
 
What is the time commitment? 
If elected, Directors can expect to attend monthly meetings (averaging 2 hours in length) with additional time dedicated to meeting prep. 
 
How do you nominate yourself?
Interested individuals must have the Board of Directors nomination form signed by four peers (also SOGS members) and are due to cro@sogs.ca by Friday, March 29 at 4:00pm
 
What is the election timeline?
  • Nomination period opens: Monday, March 18, 2024 
  • Nomination period closes: Friday, March 29, 2024 at 4pm EST
  • All candidates meeting: April 2, 2024
  • Campaign period starts: Wednesday, April 3, 2024
  • Campaign period ends: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
  • Balloting: Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 8am to Friday, April 19, 2024 at 8pm

2024-25 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

This is notification that the results of the 2024-25 SOGS PRESIDENTIAL election are in!

Congratulations goes out to Cherin Chung as the 2024-25 SOGS President. Cherin’s will take office on May 1, 2024. Below are the voting results

OptionVotes
YES153 (91.1%)
NO15(8.9%)
Voter Summary
Total177
Abstain9 (5.1%)

 

 


The SOGS Chief Returning Officer received one (1) nomination for the position of SOGS President — CHERIN CHUNG

POLLING: SOGS members can vote for Cherin Chung in a CONFIDENCE VOTE online via the University Secretariat’s Simply Voting portal from Thursday, March 7th at 8am to Friday, March 8th at 8pm.  ➡️ https://westernuniversitysecretariat.simplyvoting.com/


ABOUT CHERIN:

Originally from London, Ontario, Cherin’s roots are deeply embedded in the local Middlesex community. She obtained her BA’21 honours in English Language and Literature and MA’22 in French Literature at Western University — Cherin is a true Mustang at heart! She is currently in the second year of her PhD, specializing in 19th-century French literature with a focus on feminist epistolary writing. 

 

CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES:

Priority 1: Strengthen and Build

  • Cultivate relationships: strengthen and build our relationships with campus partners, stakeholders, and our London community to ensure that graduate students’ academic, social, and economic concerns are addressed and supported.
  • Celebrating and advocating with our diverse community: foster a more inclusive, safe, and equitable future at Western University through collaborative community efforts, and advocacy-orientated initiatives.

Priority 2: Grow and Belong

  • Support organizational structure: ensure a smooth facilitation of the incoming Executive Director and Board Chair allowing graduate students to focus on student academics, wellness, finance, and services.
  • Increase organizational space: organize graduate student information, services, and workspace at Middlesex College as the Grad Wing to allow graduate students to easily access resources and acquire a space of belonging.

Priority 3:  Enhance and Balance

  • Enhance the Grad Club: facilitate bookings and reservations for meetings and events online ensuring smooth operations, efficiency, and increased business. 
  • Consolidate a business plan: find creative ways to maintain financial stability, implement a grab-and-go section, craft a unique menu item, or partner with other businesses.
EXPERIENCE:
  • 2023-24 Vice President Advocacy
  • 2022-23 Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner
  • 2022-23 Councillor, French Association
  • 2022 Equity Committee Chair
  • 2021 Graduate Student Issues Committee Member
GET IN TOUCH WITH CHERIN:

The NOMINATION PERIOD  is now CLOSED.

The CAMPAIGN PERIOD runs from Wednesday, February 21 at 8 a.m. to Wednesday, March 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m..

A Town Hall will be held on Wednesday, March 6  at 6pm on Zoom. Submit your questions to Cherin via the Zoom registration:

POLLING: SOGS members can vote for Cherin Chung in a CONFIDENCE VOTE online via the University Secretariat’s Simply Voting portal from Thursday, March 7th at 8am to Friday, March 8th at 8pm.  ➡️ https://westernuniversitysecretariat.simplyvoting.com/

The position of SOGS President will be up for election in the Winter 2023 Term. The position runs from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.

The President oversees the day-to-day operations of the Society of Graduate Students. The President:

💼  is an Executive Officer of the Society;
📊 is a vital part of the SOGS operations, overseeing the bookkeeping, legal, and administrative functions of the Society;
👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏽 works collaboratively with the SOGS Vice-Presidents to ensure the Academic, Advocacy, Finance, and Student Services portfolios are maintained and in good standing;  
📝 is responsible for reporting to the Board of Directors and SOGS Council, as well as holding monthly Executive meetings
🗳 is a voting member of SOGS council;
🤝 attends monthly meetings with various WesternU campus stakeholders and administrators; and,
📚 receives formal training (April 2024) from the outgoing president, if a new president is elected.

More details on position of President is available in the SOGS Constitution & Bylaws (primarily under Bylaws 2.1.2.). The most current version can be downloaded at sogs.ca/documents

If you have any questions about this elected position, please reach out to the current SOGS President, Waliu Alaka (president@sogs.ca), who will be more than happy to chat with you! 

Elections-related questions can be directed to the CRO, Kevin Moore (cro@sogs.ca).

The president receives a monthly stipend of $3,099.60 (gross) for the 2024-25 year.

  • Nominations Open: Monday, February 5; 12:00am 
  • Nominations Close: Friday, February 16; 4:00pm 
  • Nominations Posted: Monday, February 20 
  • All Candidates’ Meeting: Monday, February 20; time TBD 
  • Campaign Period Begins: Wednesday, February 21; 12:00am 
  • Campaign Period Closes: Wednesday, March 6; 11:59pm 
  • Balloting Opens: Thursday, March 7; 8:00am 
  • Balloting Closes: Friday, March 8; 8:00pm 
  • Results Posted: Monday, March 11 

Note: If insufficient nominations are received by February 16th, the below dates will be used to extend the nomination period.

  • Nominations Extended: Until Friday, February 23; 4:00pm
  • Nominations Posted: Monday, February 26
  • All Candidates’ Meeting: Monday, February 26; time TBD
  • Campaign Period Begins: Tuesday, February 27; 12:00am

 


Election Dates

As of May 1, 2024:

Position

Month of election

Term Begins

Appeals Review Commission

November

December 1

President

As established by the University Secretariat – March of each year

May 1

Vice-Presidents

April

May 1

Speaker

April

May 1

Deputy Speaker

April

May 1

Ombudsperson

April

May 1

Commissioners

April

May 1

Coordinators

April

May 1

Chief Returning Officer

April

May 1

Graduate Representative to the Senate

As established by the University Secretariat

As established by the University Secretariat

Graduate Representative to the Board of Governors

As established by the University Secretariat

As established by the University Secretariat


2023-24 Commissioner By-Election

The RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY COMMISSIONER and ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSIONER roles for the 2023-24 year have been vacated and require a by-election. The by-election will take place at the SOGS Council Meeting on January 25, 2024!

NOMINATION DEADLINE: SOGS members in good standing wishing to nominate themselves must send their nomination and 1-page election poster/platform to the SOGS Governance Manager sogs.governance@uwo.ca) no later than Thursday,  January 25th at 4PM

ABOUT COMMISSIONERS: SOGS Commissioners operate as independent, elected community advocates that are Non-Executive Officers of the Society.

COMPENSATION: Commissioners earn an honorarium of $1,500 per year ($500 per academic term), pro-rated.

TIME COMMITMENT: Commissioners are expected to serve a 5-month term, starting December 1, 2023, ending on April 30, 2024.


ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSIONER

The Accessibility Commissioner advocates on behalf of SOGS members with disabilities and those that face accessibility challenges. Their primary role is to work towards greater accessibility and inclusivity for those with a wide range of disabilities (including but not limited to physical disabilities, mental disabilities/disorders and learning disabilities) and accessibility challenges (including but not limited to parents of children with disabilities) that have historically been insufficiently accounted for within society.

Interested in nominating yourself? Reach out to our VP Advocacy, Cherin Chung (advocacy@sogs.ca), for more information.

RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY COMMISSIONER

The SOGS Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner advocates for racialized graduate students on issues and concerns affecting them at Western University. The commissioner will work with campus partners and community members to enhance the quality of student experience for racialized SOGS members. 

Interested in nominating yourself? Reach out to our VP Advocacy, Cherin Chung (advocacy@sogs.ca), for more information.

[/expand title]

2023-24 SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SPEAKER ELECTIONS

This is notification that the following positions are to be elected at the upcoming June 2023 SOGS Council Meeting on June 30th at 6:30pm:
 
  • Speaker
  • Deputy Speaker

Want to nominate yourself?

SOGS members in good standing wishing to nominate themselves to any of the positions must send their nomination (and a 1-page election poster/platform for inclusion in the SOGS Council mail-out) to the SOGS Governance & Policy Manager (sogs.governance@uwo.ca) no later than Tuesday, June 21 by 4pm

Should you have questions about any of these positions, please feel free to contact the current vice-presidents directly or the speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

SPEAKER

The position runs from July 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024.

The Speaker oversees and administers SOGS Council. The Speaker:

  • is a Non-Executive Officer of the Society;
  • is a vital part of the operations of SOGS’ student government;
  • is the official liaison of the Policy committee, as well as the Appeals Review Commission;
  • is responsible for creating the council package agenda, running and attending monthly council, and updating the SOGS Motions Database, amongst other duties;
  • has an understanding of parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules;
    receives a monthly stipend ($944.40 + 4% vacation pay)

More details on position of Speaker is available in the SOGS Constitution & Bylaws (primarily under Bylaws 2.2.2.) The most current version can be downloaded at sogs.ca/documents.

If you have any questions about the role, please reach out to the current Speaker, kirstyn seanor (speaker@sogs.ca), or the Governance & Policy Manager, Nick DeSumma (sogs.governance@uwo.ca), who will be more than happy to chat with you!

DEPUTY SPEAKER

The position runs from June 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024.

The Deputy Speaker oversees and maintains SOGS’ bylaws and policies, as well as serve concurrently as the Deputy Chief Returning Officer (DCRO). As DCRO, the Deputy Speaker investigates matters of campaign improprieties and charges of appeals during SOGS elections. The Deputy Speaker:

  • is a Non-Executive Officer of the Society;
  • is a vital part of the operations of SOGS’ student government;
  • is a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Policy Committee;
  • is responsible for updating and maintaining SOGS’ Unified Documents, attending and assisting with monthly council, and investigate matters of campaign impropriety and charges of appeals during SOGS elections, amongst other duties;
  • has an understanding of parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules;
  • receives a monthly stipend ($470.20 + 4% vacation pay)

More details on position of Speaker are available in the SOGS Constitution & Bylaws (primarily under Bylaws 2.2.4 and 2.2.9.) The most current version can be downloaded at sogs.ca/documents.

If you have any questions about the role, please reach out to the current Speaker, kirstyn seanor (speaker@sogs.ca), or the SOGS Governance and Policy Manager, Nick DeSumma (sogs.governance@uwo.ca), who will be more than happy to chat with you!


2023-24 VICE-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

This is notification that the following positions are to be elected at the upcoming April 2023 SOGS Council Meeting on April 27th:
 
  • Vice-President Academic
  • Vice-President Advocacy
  • Vice-President Finance
  • Vice-President Student Services

Elected Vice-Presidential candidates are expected to serve a 12-month term from May 1, 2023 until April 30, 2024

Want to nominate yourself?

SOGS members in good standing wishing to nominate themselves to any of the positions must send their nomination (and a 1-page election poster/platform for inclusion in the SOGS Council mail-out) to the SOGS Governance & Policy Manager (sogs.governance@uwo.ca) no later than April 19 at 5 pm

Should you have questions about any of these positions, please feel free to contact the current vice-presidents directly or the speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

SOGS Vice-President Academic

The role of VP Academic is to ensure that graduate students’ academic-related interests and concerns are represented by coordinating academic programs. These include GradcastWestern Research Forum, and the Academic Joint Fund.The VP Academic works closely with graduate students, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS), and other academic affiliates and stakeholders to discuss various academic issues. 

The VP Academic oversees the Peer Advisor for Academic Matters program, which provides guidance and mediation for the graduate student academic appeals process. More information can be found here.

Please see section 2.1.4 of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the VP Academic.

The VP Academic currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month

SOGS Vice-President Advocacy

This portfolio focuses on graduate student issues and equity concerns. The current priorities in this role are knowledge management; accessibility and inclusivity; and, improved partnerships with campus and community partners, including the Canadian Federation of Students.

The Vice-President Advocacy acts as the official liaison to the Graduate Student Issues, International Graduate Student Issues, and Sustainability Committees, as well as the Commissioners (Accessibility, Gender Concerns, Pride, and Racial Equity and Inclusivity).

Please see section 2.1.3 of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the VP Advocacy.

The VP Advocacy currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month

SOGS Vice-President Finance

The role of the VP Finance is to manage the finances of the Society and to oversee the operation of the Grad Club, which includes preparing the annual SOGS budget. The VP Finance is to liaise with finance-related stakeholders on campus, such as UWOFA and the University administration. The VP Finance also acts as the official liaison to the Subsidies, Finance, and Grad Club Committees.

Please see section 2.1.6 of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the VP Finance.

The VP Finance currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month.

SOGS Vice-President Student Service

The VP Student Services oversees some of the benefits and services offered by the Society including, but not limited to, the graduate student health and dental plan, social and orientation events, and various wellness initiatives. The VP Student Services acts as the official liaison to the Graduate Peer Support, Orientation and Social, and Health Plan committees.
 
Please see section 2.1.5 of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the VP Student Services.

The VP Student Services currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month.


 

Skip to content