NEWS

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.