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Society of Graduate Students (SOGS)

Society of Graduate Students (SOGS)

Your Graduate Student Advocacy Organization and Government at Western University

  • ABOUT
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Canadian Federation of Students: Local 47
    • Financials
    • Members and Membership Dues
    • The Grad Club
    • Strategic Plan
    • Land Acknowledgement
  • NEWS
    • Advocacy Letters
    • Announcements
    • Board of Directors
    • Council Summary
    • Job Opportunities
  • BENEFITS
    • Bus Pass
    • Free Tax Filing
    • Goblet of Knowledge
    • Health & Dental Coverage
    • ISIC Card
    • Peer Advisor for Academic Matters
  • FINANCIAL AID
    • Academic Joint Fund
    • Bursaries
    • Food Bank Program
    • Peggy Collins Memorial Award
    • Social Fund
    • Subsidies
    • Wellness Joint Fund
    • 125th Anniversary Scholarship
  • GET INVOLVED
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westernsogs

The graduate student union, advocacy organization, and government at Western University. Local 47 of CFS. W: Sogs.ca

We are excited to announce the launch of the SOGS We are excited to announce the launch of the SOGS Little Library in Middlesex College, brought to you by @sogs.sustainability!

The SOGS Little Library is a community-driven initiative that promotes reading, knowledge sharing, and sustainability through the donation, exchange, and adoption of books. As we begin building our collection, we are inviting donations of fiction and non-fiction books in good condition.

Donated books can be dropped off at the SOGS Office (Middlesex College, Room 8) from Monday to Friday, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Your contributions will help promote reading, extend the life of books, reduce waste, and make educational resources more accessible to our community.

Thank you for your support, and happy reading!
The SOGS office and the @uwogradclub are both on t The SOGS office and the @uwogradclub are both on the lower level of beautiful Middlesex College! Come visit us in the SOGS office (Room 8) to get your Grad Club sticker and get 10% off your purchase at the Grad Club! 

More information and restrictions at https://www.uwogradclub.ca/member-discount
🩺The SOGS Health & Dental plan is administered by 🩺The SOGS Health & Dental plan is administered by StudentVIP and insured by Simply Benefits (policy #62250). 

📅The deadline to submit Change of Coverage* requests to StudentVIP for the 2026-2027 academic year is October 1, 2026.

*CHANGE OF COVERAGE requests include:

🔵Opt-In spouse and/or children
(NOTE: dependants must be enrolled/re-enrolled in the SOGS Health and Dental Plan every Fall for insurance coverage.)

🔵Opt-out because you already have an equivalent health & dental plan from another insurance company.
(NOTE: It is mandatory for Western graduate students to have an equivalent health & dental plan; OHIP, UHIP or other provincial coverage is not applicable.)

🔵Modify the policy coverage to the basic plan (e.g. downgrade from enhanced to basic plan.)

⚠️ The SOGS office CANNOT remove a student from the health plan or remove the fee from the tuition bill.

All health plan change of coverage requests and proof of alternate coverage must be submitted DIRECTLY TO STUDENT VIP through their Change of Coverage portal. The link is in our bio, or you can visit: http://studentvip.ca/sogs
Join the London Art Song Collective (@lasc.canada) Join the London Art Song Collective (@lasc.canada) for their fourth concert "Song Setting of Poet Paul Verlaine." Info below:

📆 Saturday, September 26th
⏰ 4 PM
📍Cronyn Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral
💰 Adults: $20 | Students: $10 | or pay what you can
🎶 French art songs set to the poetry of Paul Verlaine

#LondonOntario #WesternU #GradLifeWesternU #LiveMusicLondon #ClassicalMusic #ArtSong #PaulVerlaine #FrenchPoetry #SupportTheArts #StudentLife #WesternUniversity #YQGEvents #MusicLovers #CulturalEvents #ConcertNight
📣 Need funding support to pay for hosting an acade 📣 Need funding support to pay for hosting an academic conference or research-related event?

Get up to $1,000 in financial support!

The Academic Joint Fund is generously supported by Western Research and Western Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

🎤 What Types of Events Are Considered?

✅Research Promotion Events
✅On-Campus Conferences
✅Online Speaker Webinars
✅On-Campus Lectures

Note: The AJF is not intended to fund the individual conference or research travel of SOGS members. Apply to the SOGS Financial Support Subsidy instead!

💰Successful Applications Can Receive Up to $1,000!

📅 How and When Can We Apply?

Head over to sogs.ca/academic-joint-fund to learn more about the application form and adjudication process.

Timeline:

For events taking place between May 1 and June 30, the application must be submitted on or before April 1, and funding decisions will be shared in April.

For events taking place between July 1 and August 31, the application must be submitted on or before June 1, and funding decisions will be shared in June.

For events taking place between September 1 and October 31, the application must be submitted on or before August 1, and funding decisions will be shared in August.

For events taking place between November 1 and December 31, the application must be submitted on or before October 1, and funding decisions will be shared in October.

For events taking place between January 1 and February 28, the application must be submitted on or before December 1, and funding decisions will be shared in December.

For events taking place between March 1 and April 30, the application must be submitted on or before February 1, and funding decisions will be shared in February.

❓If you have any questions about the fund, contact academic@sogs.ca
The wait is over. I.M. Well has evolved into a new The wait is over.
I.M. Well has evolved into a new, more connected student wellness experience designed around real student life.
Whether you're managing stress, budgeting your money, navigating a legal question, improving your nutrition, or looking after your physical health, support is now available in one place.
✅ Personalized support
✅ Easy online access
✅ Self-guided wellness tools
✅ Professional services when you need them
Because wellness isn't just one thing.
Welcome to the new I.M. Well.
Visit imwell.ca for more details.
Road trip, flight home, or a week in a different t Road trip, flight home, or a week in a different time zone? Your travel coverage comes with you. Before you go ✈️ Check your travel coverage limits and trip-length maximums.
studentvip.ca/SOGS
🌈 QUEERVIA: A NIGHT OF QUEER TRIVIA 🌈 📆 Monday, S 🌈 QUEERVIA: A NIGHT OF QUEER TRIVIA 🌈

📆 Monday, September 21
⏰ 7–9 p.m.
📍 The Grad Club (Middlesex College, Room 19)
🎟️ FREE

Hosted by the Pride Commission! Three rounds of trivia, 20 questions per round, 60 questions total, and sex-positive prizes for the winning team each round. Teams capped at four people, so grab your crew.

Prizes include:
💆 TheySpa gift card ($50)
🔊 Waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker
🎧 Wireless headphones
🍻 Grad Club voucher ($50)
🎁 SOGS swag

This event was originally scheduled for Pride Week in July but was postponed due to wildfire smoke. All are welcome, sign up now, spots are limited!

Sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZ0VvuOmrXyMxasrAUzVTIM03n_7s3LwviMZBkuJxOwLRzbg/viewform

Questions? Reach out to pride@sogs.ca
Participants needed: Researchers at OISE, Univers Participants needed:

Researchers at OISE, University of Toronto are conducting a study examining how mental health stigma and self-concept may shape students’ university experiences, plans for the future, and well-being.

We are seeking participants who:
-	Are 18-29 years old
-	Have a diagnosed mental health condition (by a qualified health professional)
-	Are currently enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution
-	Are fluent in English

Participation involves a 30–50 minute online survey. Participants can optionally enter a draw to win one of 10 $50 Amazon e-gift cards.

Interested? Scan the QR code on the poster or contact talia.vacca@mail.utoronto.ca for more information.
The position of Deputy Speaker will soon be vacant The position of Deputy Speaker will soon be vacant and requires a by-election at the Thursday, September 24th council meeting. Learn more about the position:

📋 What does the Deputy Speaker do?

The Deputy Speaker oversees the Society's policies, bylaws, and constitution. The Deputy Speaker works with the Speaker to run monthly council meetings and is the Official Liaison for the Policy Committee.

💰The Deputy Speaker earns a stipend of $1,047.60 per month (including 4% vacation pay). 

✍️ Want to nominate yourself?

SOGS members in good standing wishing to nominate themselves must submit both a poster and a 1-page nomination statement for inclusion in the Council mail-out to the SOGS Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) no later than Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 at 4 p.m.

⚠️ Please note: campaigning is strictly prohibited outside of the September Council mailout and meeting. Campaigning includes but is not limited to: emailing voters, putting up posters, and social media posts.

❓ Questions?

Get in touch with the SOGS Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) to learn more about the role.
Join the SOGS Sustainability Committee for a publi Join the SOGS Sustainability Committee for a public Author Talk with Linda McQuaig and Neil Brooks on their new book, "Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us: The Urgent Case for a Wealth Tax" (January 2026)!

📆 Tuesday, September 22nd
⏰6 p.m. 
📍Central Library (251 Dundas St., London), Third Floor
🎤 Author Talk and discussion
🤝 Co-sponsored by the London Public Library and the London Chapter of the Council of Canadians
📖 Event details here
🎟️ Free to attend
Join SOGS for our final O-Week event of the week! Join SOGS for our final O-Week event of the week! 🍎 We are super excited to bring our members out to Apple Land Station for an afternoon of apple picking, bakery indulgences, hot cider, and hopefully numerous selfie photo opportunities. 🍂

Buy tickets at the link in our bio, or click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGuJbASVGDyNZsJoyEmNRIAjCKEpjQHg50AzvDJvEFXECL1A/viewform

📆 Sunday, September 27th
📍 Meet at the Middlesex College front doors to board the bus (driveway)
⏰ Pick-up 1 pm, drop-off 4 pm (or earlier)
🚌 Round-trip bus transportation included, covered by SOGS!

🍏 Apple Land Station, 329 Richmond Street, Thorndale, ON
🎟️ $20 per person (SOGS is paying $7 per person plus the full cost of the bus to make it more affordable!)
🧺 Ticket includes a 10 lb bag for pick-your-own apples
🎡 Ticket does NOT include entrance into Apple Land's Fun Farm
🎓 SOGS members only, one ticket per member
⚠️ Limited tickets, first come first served
🚫 All sales final
🥧 Learn more about Apple Land and its amenities: https://www.applelandstation.com/
❓Questions: Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca

💰 REGISTRANTS will be entered to win 1 of 3 SOGS O-Week Swag Bags (includes: SOGS zip-up hoodie, ceramic SOGS travel mug, StudentVIP squish cat phone stand, Student Vip travel cutlery set, $20 Grad Club gift certificate) valued at $110 each!

🤔 Want to stay in the know about upcoming #GradLife social events hosted by us? ➡️ Join our PUBLIC EVENTS CALENDAR https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=dmI1b2tlcHEzZW1iNG1mNTk3NnNhZWQ3NzRAZ3JvdXAuê.com
Confused about your coverage? Connect with a real Confused about your coverage?

Connect with a real Student VIP plan expert using the live chat. They’ll walk you through what’s covered, opt-in and opt-out questions, and any other general questions about your plan. 

Go to studentvip.ca/SOGS and start a chat!
The National Graduate Caucus is launching the 2026 The National Graduate Caucus is launching the 2026 Graduate Student Experience Survey. 

The findings from our 2023 National Graduate Student Survey remain our most recent national picture of graduate student conditions. Three years later, we need current data to understand how those conditions have changed and provide national context for what locals are seeing on their campuses.

The survey will gather updated information about affordability, funding, employment and academic workloads, supervision, accommodations, and other issues affecting graduate students. The results will help inform the Caucus’s research, advocacy, and future campaigns.

Survey participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw for a $50 gift card. One winner will be selected from each participating university.

Survey link here (link in bio, too): 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScr-2YOB7RA4P3N6oNCPZXXcyXx9KZowpqZ0LUYyqvR9LvThg/viewform
Join us for a seminar and hands-on workshop on hol Join us for a seminar and hands-on workshop on holotomography in the Biology Department at Western University! 

Holotomography is a powerful label-free 3D imaging approach for visualizing live cells without stains or labels. 

Learn how this technology enables rapid, high-resolution imaging and quantitative analysis for live cells, organoids, and tissue sections, including long-term time-lapse studies. Bring your samples and explore its potential for your research. 

For more information, visit Tomocube.com. Workshop registration link (link in bio, too): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zz8CeIk9iCczMYukgdnwB1Zq14JmFbgEAIR6jIzeuDU/edit?usp=sharing
Most students find out what their plan covers abou Most students find out what their plan covers about four days after paying for something it would have covered.

Let’s fix that. Your health & dental plan generally includes: 🦷 Dental 👓 Vision 💊 Prescription drugs 🧠 Mental health support and counselling 🤕 Paramedical ✈️ Travel coverage.

Coverage amounts and limits vary by plan, visit studentvip.ca/SOGS for full coverage details.
September's Equity-Deserving Welcome events offer September's Equity-Deserving Welcome events offer opportunities to build connections, learn about supports and services, and explore ways to get involved. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. No registration required. Just bring your Western ONECard to tap in!

📆 Black Student Welcome: Tuesday, September 15
📆 Muslim Student Welcome: Thursday, September 17
📆 Students with Disabilities Welcome: Friday, September 18
📆 2SLGBTQIA+ Student Welcome: Tuesday, September 22
📆 Jewish Student Welcome: Thursday, September 24

⏰ 2 p.m.–4 p.m. each day
📍 SEI 1110, Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Hosted by Student Experience, in partnership with the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Housing & Ancillary Services. Accommodations or dietary restrictions: studentexperience@uwo.ca
🛒 Grocery savings are here! Stop by the SOGS Off 🛒 Grocery savings are here! 

Stop by the SOGS Office (Middlesex College, Room 8) from Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and grab your Sobeys Savings Card! 

Present it with your Scene+ card during checkout and earn 500 Scene+ points when you spend $40. 

Accepted at any Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, or Lawtons location. 

🚨Don’t wait! Valid only until September 21st , 2026 while quantities last!
The position of Deputy Speaker will soon be vacant The position of Deputy Speaker will soon be vacant and requires a by-election at the Thursday, September 24th council meeting. Learn more about the position:

📋 What does the Deputy Speaker do?

The Deputy Speaker oversees the Society's policies, bylaws, and constitution. The Deputy Speaker works with the Speaker to run monthly council meetings and is the Official Liaison for the Policy Committee.

💰The Deputy Speaker earns a stipend of $1,047.60 per month (including 4% vacation pay). 

✍️ Want to nominate yourself?

SOGS members in good standing wishing to nominate themselves must submit both a poster and a 1-page nomination statement for inclusion in the Council mail-out to the SOGS Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) no later than Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 at 4 p.m.

⚠️ Please note: campaigning is strictly prohibited outside of the September Council mailout and meeting. Campaigning includes but is not limited to: emailing voters, putting up posters, and social media posts.

❓ Questions?

Get in touch with the SOGS Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) to learn more about the role.
Join the SOGS Sustainability Committee for a publi Join the SOGS Sustainability Committee for a public Author Talk with Linda McQuaig and Neil Brooks on their new book, "Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us: The Urgent Case for a Wealth Tax" (January 2026)!

📆 Tuesday, September 22nd
⏰6 p.m. 
📍Central Library (251 Dundas St., London), Third Floor
🎤 Author Talk and discussion
🤝 Co-sponsored by the London Public Library and the London Chapter of the Council of Canadians
📖 Event details here
🎟️ Free to attend
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