This is notification that all four (4) SOGS Commissioner (Accessibility, Gender Concerns, Pride, and Racial Equity and Inclusivity and Sustainability Coordinator positions are to be elected for the 2023-24 year at the SOGS Council Meeting on October 26, 2023.
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 Tuesday, October 17th at 4PM.
Commissioners and Sustainability Coordinator earn an honorarium of $1,500 per year ($500 per term), pro-rated.
Commissioners and Sustainability Coordinators are expected to serve a 6-month term, starting November 1, 2023, ending on April 30, 2024.
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.
The current 2022-23 Accessibility Commissioner is Chloee Godin-Jacques (accessibility@sogs.ca).
Please see section 2.2.1.6. of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the Commissioners.
SOGS GENDER CONCERNS COMMISSIONER role:
The Gender Concerns Commissioner advocates on behalf of female and non-binary identifying SOGS members. The Gender Concerns Commissioner connects students to campus or community resources, voices any concerns or interests at SOGS council meetings and is a member of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Committee. The Commissioner works with other graduate students to bring activities/events/campaigns to create a safe and inclusive space to share concerns or opinions and work together to improve the graduate student experience at Western.
The 2020-21 Gender Concerns Commissioner is Cathy Huang (gender.concerns@sogs.ca)
Please see section 2.2.1.6. of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the Commissioners.
SOGS PRIDE COMMISSIONER role:
The Pride Commissioner advocates on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ SOGS members. In addition to representing the community’s interests at SOGS Council meetings, the Pride Commissioner helps connect students to resources, supports local LGBTQIA+ events, and seeks out ways to support LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The 2022-23 Pride Commissioner is Hanna Barnett (pride@sogs.ca).
Please see section 2.2.1.6. of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the VP Student Services.
RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY COMMISSIONER role:
The SOGS Racial Equity and InclusivityCommissioner advocates on behalf of SOGS members who are visible minorities. They are responsible for reporting on issues and concerns affecting racialized graduate students at Western University. This Commissioner will facilitate a smoother transition into graduate studies and improve the overall graduate experience for racialized graduate students. They will also report on SOGS activities to and provide a voice for racialized graduate student community on campus.
The 2022-23 Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner is Hannah Litchfield (racial.equity@sogs.ca).
Please see section 2.2.1.6. of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the Commissioners.
The SOGS Sustainability Coordinator represents the sustainability and community interests of SOGS members at meetings of external organizations on- and off-campus. Working under the VP Advocacy and with the Sustainability Committee, the Sustainability Coordinator plans and facilitates sustainability-themed events and initiatives, and advocates for students’ concerns about the environment. They work on compiling and maintaining an online database of environment and sustainability resources
The 2022-23 Sustainability Coordinator is Brendon Samuels (sustainability.coordinator@sogs.ca).
Please see section 2.2.7. of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the Sustainability Coordinator.
Election Dates
| Position | Month of election | Date of taking office |
| Appeals Review Commission | November | 01-December |
| President | As established by the University Secretariat | 01-May |
| Vice-President Academic | April | 01-May |
| Vice-President Advocacy | April | 01-May |
| Vice-President Finance | April | 01-May |
| Vice-President Student Services | April | 01-May |
| Speaker | June | 01-July |
| Ombudsperson | July | 01-August |
| Commissioners | October | 01-November |
| Sustainability Coordinator | October | 01-November |
| Chief Returning Officer | November | 01-January |
| 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 |
*Elections between June – November 2023 will be for partial terms ending in April 2024.
As of May 1, 2024:
|
Position |
Month of election |
Term Begins |
|
Appeals Review Commission |
November |
December 1 |
|
President |
As established by the University Secretariat |
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 |
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. SPEAKER The position runs from July 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024. The Speaker oversees and administers SOGS Council. The Speaker: 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: 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! Elected Vice-Presidential candidates are expected to serve a 12-month term from May 1, 2023 until April 30, 2024. 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. SOGS Vice-President Academic 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. SOGS Vice-President Advocacy Please see section 2.1.3 of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the VP Advocacy. SOGS Vice-President Finance Please see section 2.1.6 of our Bylaws for a full description of the obligations of the VP Finance. SOGS Vice-President Student Service 2023-23 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS: Thank you to both candidates for showing up with strong campaigns. The Society is made stronger by your engagement with SOGS. The CAMPAIGN PERIOD runs from Tuesday, February 21 to Wednesday, March 8, 2023. We hosted a SOGS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEBATE event via ZOOM and on Facebook Live on Monday, February 27th from 5-7 PM. Watch the debate below. DEBATE TRANSCRIPT: Read the accessible transcript from the debate HERE (PDF | WORD.DOCX). 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: Elections-related questions can be directed to the CRO, Michael Feagan (cro@sogs.ca). The president currently receives a monthly stipend of $2,805. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TIMELINE:2023-24 SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SPEAKER ELECTIONS
Want to nominate yourself?
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).
receives a monthly stipend ($944.40 + 4% vacation pay)
2023-24 VICE-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Want to nominate yourself?
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).
The role of VP Academic is to ensure that graduate students’ academic-related interests and concerns are represented by coordinating academic programs. These include Gradcast, Western 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 currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month
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).
The VP Advocacy currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month
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.
The VP Finance currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month.
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.
2023-24 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Congratulations to Waliu Alaka on being elected the next SOGS President for the 2023-24 year! Waliu will take office on May 1, 2023.
Option
Votes
WALIU ALAKA
621 (67.8%)
KEVIN MOORE
295 (32.2%)
Voter Summary
Total
938
Abstain
22 (2.3%)
2023-24 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CANDIDATES
KEVIN MOORE
WALIU ALAKA
Website
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Facebook
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n/a
Instagram
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n/a
Twitter
n/a
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Platform
Platform document
Platform document
Misc.
Campaign Poster
Campaign Poster
Email
mooreforsogs@gmail.com
walaka@uwo.ca
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEBATE:
💼 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 holding month Executive meetings;
🗳 is a voting member of SOGS council and is responsible to report to Council monthly;
🤝 attends monthly meetings with various WesternU campus stakeholders and administrators; and,
📚 receives formal training (April 2023) from the outgoing President.
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 outgoing SOGS President, Danica Facca (president@sogs.ca), who will be more than happy to chat with you! 
