SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at The University of Western Ontario. If you are looking for previous issues of SOGS Update please contact the office.
You can also follow SOGS on twitter and facebook to get updates on events and issues relevant to graduate students and Western between editions of the newsletter.
Do you have a news item or announcement you would like to have included in the next SOGS Update? Email external@sogs.ca for more information!
Items in this month’s newsletter:
- Post-residency & Post-funding Fees Survey
- SOGS Bursaries
- SOGS and PSAC 610 are Proud to Sponsor London Pride
- IGSIC & WCC Drive for Household Items for International Students
- Seeking Co-chairs for SOGS Free Childcare Program
- Accessibility Update
- SOGS Queer Discussion Group
- Orientation and Social Committee Events
Open to all SOGS members.- Board Game Night @ The Grad Club (July 15)
- Let’s Go to the Beach! (July 18)
- Canada’s Wonderland (July 22)
- Canoe / Beach Trip to The Pinery (August 22)
- Homecoming 2015 – Western vs. Carleton (September 26)
- SGPS “The Wire”
- GMCA Management Consulting Info Night
- Sustainability and Education Policy Network Survey
- July Trivia
Post-residency & Post-funding Fees Survey
You are invited to participate in our post-residency and post-funding fees survey.
In 2014, over 1400 Western graduate students participated in a referendum that asked whether or not the Society of Graduate Students should pursue the implementation of post-residency fees at Western. The answer was a resounding “Yes.” We are continuing to strive to achieve this mandate. Post-residency fees are common practices at most universities in Canada. The implementation of this tuition structure varies, but the general principle is that once students have completed their coursework and have defended their dissertation prospectus they no longer pay full tuition.
SOGS Bursaries
SOGS Summer Bursaries have been awarded in the amount of $35,000. Congratulations to the winners!
SOGS Summer Travel & Child Care Subsidies’ deadline is August 31. Applications must be submitted with original receipts to the SOGS office by the deadline to be eligible. Good luck!
SOGS and PSAC 610 are Proud to Sponsor London Pride
SOGS and PSAC 610, along with Western University, are proud sponsors of the Pride London Festival.
For more information regarding London Pride, please see:
https://twitter.com/prideldnfest
https://www.facebook.com/PrideLondonFestival
http://pridelondon.ca/
http://pridelondon.ca/getinvolved
IGSIC & WCC Drive for Household Items for International Students
From July 27 to August 27, SOGS is collecting household family items and children’s toys to donate to the Platt’s Lane community to support our international student population and our students with families. Are you moving out and have a few items you no longer need? A blender? A snow shovel? Toaster? Drop off these items to the SGPS office between July 27 – August 27.
AND we are encouraging all faculty councils to start their own collections because…the faculty council that donates the most number of items will be getting a great prize. Stay tuned for more information, or join the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/459959044178574/. Any questions, please email wcc@sogs.ca.
Seeking Co-chairs for SOGS Free Childcare Program
SOGS is looking for co-chairs for an upcoming free childcare program to be provided during SOGS related meetings to assure that out SOGS members with parental responsibility can get involved with council and other SOGS activities. If interested please submit your application by July 31st at 12:00pm to wcc@sogs.ca. If you have any questions please email Taniya Nagpal, wcc@sogs.ca
Accessibility Update
This month London just became a little more accessible. Thanks to StopGap London, you’ll notice over 60 new ramps at businesses across the city. On Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14th I joined StopGap London to help paint and prepare 62 ramps for one step businesses across the city. Because of city by-laws many businesses cannot build permanent ramps. These ramps can be easily taken in and out of these businesses and are designed to fit each particular business location. This amazing project is entirely done by volunteers and donations. For more information check at www.stopgaplondon.ca
In August we’ll be having another accessibility commission meeting. Date and time to be announced. But for more information about accessibility, and how to get involved, please contact me at sogs.disabilities@uwo.ca
SOGS Queer Discussion Group
The next SOGS Queer Discussion group will be on August 10 at 5:30pm in UCC 373. Please join us to discuss how
your 2015 Pride summer went – what were your highlights this year? What does “Pride” mean to you? Do you enjoy going to Pride celebrations?
This is a safer space event. Anyone of any romantic, sexual, and gender minority is welcome, as well as allies. If you require specific accommodations, please get in touch so we can make sure you can participate fully.
For more information, please contact the Pride Commissioner: pride@sogs.ca
Orientation and Social Committee Events
Board Game Night @ The Grad Club
SPONSORED BY LABATT**
Board Game night will be hosted by the Orientation and Social Committee (OSC) Wednesday, July 15 starting at 6:30pm. Some games will be provided but please feel free to BYOG! Snacks will be provided.
**We’ll be offering Bud Light, Shock Top, and Goose Island IPA for $3.50 per bottle (tax included).
Please invite your friends: https://www.facebook.com/events/858866490833448/
For more social updates, see https://www.facebook.com/Western.SOGS.Socials You can even subscribe to SOGS Social events on Facebook so that you can be automatically invited!
Let’s Go to the Beach!
The OSC will be running a bus trip to Grand Bend Beach on Saturday, July 18. Buy your tickets at the SOGS Office UCC260 for 10$ per person. The bus leaves outside Middlesex College at 9:30am sharp and leaves Grand Bend at 4:30pm. Bring your own lunch or buy it there! Fewer than 10 tickets left!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1598874907029240/
For more social updates, see https://www.facebook.com/Western.SOGS.Socials
Canada’s Wonderland
Day trip to Canada’s Wonderland on Wednesday, July 22.
Tickets are available at the SOGS office for $70 each. Cost of ticket includes transportation.
https://www.facebook.com/events/381435335380970/
Canoe / Beach Trip to the Pinery
Saturday, August 22
Tickets will be available for purchase at the SOGS Office (UCC 260). Further details will be announced through the SOGS Social Group (https://www.facebook.com/Western.SOGS.Socials).
Homecoming 2015 – Western vs. Carleton
Saturday, September 26
Tickets will be available for purchase at the SOGS Office (UCC 260). Further details will be announced through the SOGS Social Group (https://www.facebook.com/Western.SOGS.Socials).
International Graduate Student Issues Committee Events
Toronto Zoo (July 11)
Tickets are available for $40 at the SOGS office (UCC 260). Departs 8:30 am from Middlesex College.
Upcoming events
– Grand Bend (August)
– Niagara Falls (October)
More information regarding specific dates, times, and prices COMING SOON!
In the meantime, join the IGSIC Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Western.SOGS.IGSIC/
Contact VP Student Services for more information: vpstudentservicessogs@gmail.com.
At the Grad Club
The Grad Club Golf Tournament will take place Saturday, August 15 at Oxbow Glen Golf Course.
Event includes:
- 18 holes golf & cart
- boxed lunch
- dinner at the Grad Club
- prizes
If payment is made before July 31, cost is $80/person ($65 for students).
After July 31, cost is $90/person.
Register at the Grad Club or contact Marc Lalonde (661-2111 ext 86386; gradclub@uwo.ca)
Congratulations to Michael Pollock for winning the Mill St Backyard Smoker.
Every third Wednesday of the Month the OSC is hosting Boardgame night starting at 6:00PM. You can purchase a bottle of Bud Light, Shock Top or Goose Island IPA for $3.50.
The Grad Club has Bean Bag Toss on the patio everyday.
Summer Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 11:00PM
Saturday – closed
Sunday – closed.
The Grad Club will open on weekends for events or conferences
Call 519-661-2111 ext 86386 or e-mail mlalond2@uwo.ca to set up your event.
Free parking after 7:30 PM.
Get Your VanHoutte Coffee Card
Buy ten coffees and get one free.
Entertainment
Trivia Tuesday: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Come early to get a good seat
Every Thursday: Mill St presents Rick McGhie – 8:00 PM start
Lunch Specials
Tuesday – 11:30am – 1:30PM
Buffalo Chicken Wrap – vegetarian options available
Wednesday – 11:30am – 1:30PM – $10.25 one trip
Indian Buffet (South Asian Cuisine)
Thursday – 11:30am – 1:30pm – $8.50
Create your own Pasta; gluten free pasta available
Friday – 11:30AM – 1:30PM
Patio BBQ
You can find all of our lunch and dinner specials on the Grad Club website http://gradclub.sogs.ca/
Book the Goblet
To reserve The Goblet of Knowledge for your upcoming defense party, call Marc 519-661-2111 ext 86386.
SGPS “The Wire”
GMCA Management Consulting Info Night
WHAT IS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING?
Management consulting firms are among the top-paying employers in the market and they are actively recruiting graduate students.
If you are curious about a career in management consulting, then join us on Wednesday, July 15th to hear from graduate students who have successfully transitioned to consulting, and learn about our future programs such as our mini MBA course and Cheeky Scientist Seminar.
Registration is free!
There will also be an opportunity to chat with the speakers afterwards over dinner & light refreshments.
RSVP by July 14th either by using the link http://goo.gl/forms/5gdhBkIlGg
OR email gmca.western@gmail.com
See you there!
Sustainability and Education Policy Network Survey
It’s not too late to tell us how Canadian schools and universities are creating sustainable futures! The Sustainability and Education Policy Network (SEPN) is still conducting its national survey.
You can access the survey here: http://goo.gl/bOczif
Participants who complete the survey will be entered to win one of 80 pre-loaded $40 VISA gift cards and other prizes (yes, one of eighty! That’s how much we value your input!).
If you have any questions about this survey or SEPN, please contact Nicola Chopin, Project Manager, at (306) 966-2319 or nicola.chopin@usask.ca; or visit the SEPN website at www.sepn.ca.
July Trivia
Each month, SOGS hosts a trivia contest featuring information from our annual day planner or our website. Correct answers are entered into a drawing and five students will win a certificate to the Grad Club! Please email your response to sogs.contest@uwo.ca by July 31st. Winners can pick up their GC certificates in the SOGS office during regular office hours, and their names will be posted in next month’s newsletter.
July Question:
What are the three bursaries that SOGS offers?
Congratulations to our June Winners:
- Chelsea Vaters
- Dolly Mehta
- Venkatesh Deshpande
- Heidi Kellett
- Anirban Banerjee
As our accounts manager will be returning from vacation next week, please wait until we contact you to confirm your certificates are ready to collect.