Author: WesternSOGS

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November 2017: Council

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on November 30. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed online. Full minutes of the November Council meeting will be available in the January 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 office or the Speaker.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The SOGS Western Research Forum will tentatively take place on Friday, March 16, 2018. Call for abstracts are due December 25 through http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/wrf/.

SOGS Council does not meet in December.

The next Council meeting will take place on January 25, 2017. Location TBD.

The SOGS Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Thursday, February 15 at 6:00pm. Location TBD.

The SOGS February Council will be held on Thursday, March 1 at 6:00pm.

ELECTIONS

Chief Returning Officer (CRO) (responsible for overseeing the SOGS Presidential Election): Stephanie Dennie.

UPDATE ON PSAC 610 BARGAINING

  • Bargaining asks:
    • Real wage increases
    • Appointments
    • Tuition rebate
    • Benefits
    • Hours of work/overtime
  • Please keep up-to-date on bargaining updates on the PSAC 610 website (psac610.ca) and PSAC 610 social media (@PSAC610).
  • If you have questions or concerns about bargaining, please contact gta.bt@psac610.ca.

IMPORTANT DATES

November 21 – December 21: CRISIS SATELITTE (Middlesex Crisis) Drop-In: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 5-9pm in Health Services.

December 7 (7:30pm) @ the Grad Club. Purchase your tickets ($5) in the SOGS Office (UCC 260). The NOT ALL THE SAME campaign will formally launch at this event. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to attend:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1472319399547421/?ti=icl

December 22 – SOGS Subsidy Deadline is due December 22. Subsidy applications must be submitted in hard copy.

SOGS will send out an announcement when the new paper bus passes will be available for the winter term.

January 3 – Winter Orientation hosted by SGPS for incoming new graduate students.

IMPORTANT MOTIONS PASSED

Whereas SGPS has recently directed graduate chairs to communicate to year X graduate students threatening them with removal from the program if they have not completed by a certain date;

Whereas Year X students continue to pay full tuition to Western despite not making significant uses of university resources;

Whereas this time limit particularly disadvantages students with financial need or family or mental health barriers;

BIRT Council oppose this imposition of time limits on Year X students

BIFRT Council ask that the Executive strongly oppose this practice in meetings with SGPS.

COMMITTEE PROJECT UPDATES

IGSIC Committee: Will be sending out a general satisfaction survey to international graduate students within the month.

GSIC Committee: Will be sending out a one-question survey regarding the current issues facing graduate students at Western.

Health Plan Committee: looking for feedback on whether or not to remain in two-year contracts at a two-year rate guarantee or to potentially look into extending the contract.

Grad Club Committee: Stitch & Bitch second Monday of every month! The Grad Club Bar is rotting – we need to do something about it.

Option A: $15,000 for millwork + other plumbing/bar/electrical costs + 25% contingency fee = $150,000.

Option B: $25-35,000 + cabinets, finishing = $100,000. Plumbing + electrical: $50,000. Rebuild storage room: $12-15,000. Demo bar + build bulkhead = $7,500. Flooring: $5000. + %25 contingency fee = $225,000 – $250,000.

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NOVEMBER 2017: NEWSLETTER

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook, Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

DOWNLOAD THE SOGS UPDATE DEC 2017 ISSUE

Links are underlined and active in PDF, and a detailed index is below.

Email sogs.communications@sogs.ca for more information or to submit newsletter content.
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Petition: Support for International Students

Petition for Full and Equal Access for International Students at the University of Western Ontario

NOTE: Since this petition was first started, Western has since declared (March 14, 2018) that International PhD students will be charged *domestic* tuition as of September 1, 2018. 

  • Whereas international students already pay tuition fees that are 3 to 4 times higher (2.5 higher at Western University) than fees charged to domestic students for the same education; and
  • Whereas international student’s tuition fees are deregulated in Ontario, and in some cases these fees are raised by 20 per cent in a year (5% at Western University); and
  • Whereas institutions continue to use differential tuition fees for international students as a revenue generating strategy due to lack of adequate government funding; and
  • Whereas in 1994, the Ontario government disqualified international students from the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) and;
  • Whereas international students studying at universities must enroll in a private health insurance program – the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) – which costs between $600.00 and $2000.00 per year. This for-profit health insurance plan provides limited health coverage that is not accepted universally by physicians, hospitals and clinics in Ontario; and
  • Whereas provinces like British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia currently include international students on their provincial health insurance programs; and
  • Whereas international students contribute over $4.4 billion annually to the province’s economy through paying tuition fees, basic living expenses and consumer spending; and
  • Whereas international students are not eligible for federal funding from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHR) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) except for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

We the undersigned petition the administration at the University of Western Ontario to support the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario’s call and Petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

i. Petition the University of Western Ontario’s administration to stop unfair practice of deregulated tuition fee hikes for international students and support the call by the Canadian Federation of Students Ontario to call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to increase funding; and

ii. Petition the University of Western Ontario to petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to restore OHIP coverage for international students.

iii. Petition the University of Western Ontario to petition Minister Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, to extended eligibility for Canada’s three funding agencies (NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR) to international students.

 

Support for International Students

Petition for Full and Equal Access for International Students at the University of Western Ontario

• Whereas international students already pay tuition fees that are 3 to 4 times higher than fees charged to domestic students for the same education; and • Whereas international student’s tuition fees are deregulated in Ontario, and in some cases these fees are raised by 20 per cent in a year; and • Whereas institutions continue to use differential tuition fees for international students as a revenue generating strategy due to lack of adequate government funding; and • Whereas in 1994, the Ontario government disqualified international students from the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) and; • Whereas international students studying at universities must enroll in a private health insurance program – the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) – which costs between $600.00 and $2000.00 per year. This for-profit health insurance plan provides limited health coverage that is not accepted universally by physicians, hospitals and clinics in Ontario; and • Whereas provinces like British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia currently include international students on their provincial health insurance programs; and • Whereas international students contribute over $4.4 billion annually to the province’s economy through paying tuition fees, basic living expenses and consumer spending; and • Whereas international students are not eligible for federal funding from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHR) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) except for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

We the undersigned petition the administration at the University of Western Ontario support the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario’s call and Petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to: i. Petition the University of Western Ontario’s administration to stop unfair practice of deregulated tuition fee hikes for international students and support the call by the Canadian Federation of Students Ontario to call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to increase funding; and ii. Petition the University of Western Ontario to petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to restore OHIP coverage for international students. iii. Petition the University of Western Ontario to petition Minister Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, to extended eligibility for Canada’s three funding agencies (NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR) to international students

280 signatures

Share this with your friends: http://sogs.ca/2017/11/08/petition-support-for-international-students/

 

 

Latest Signatures
280 Mr Ajay M. May 23, 2018
279 Mr Devansh J. May 20, 2018
278 Ms Ahir R. Mar 25, 2018
277 Mr Ketan G. Mar 24, 2018
276 Mr Peter V. Mar 24, 2018
275 Ms Claire B. Mar 23, 2018
274 Mr Biruk F. Mar 23, 2018
273 Mr Craig F. Mar 23, 2018
272 Mr Matthew H. Mar 23, 2018
271 Ms Ameek S. Mar 23, 2018
270 Mr Ameen M. Mar 21, 2018
269 Mr Furqan M. Mar 20, 2018
268 Mr Sohail K. Mar 20, 2018
267 Mr PRANAV C. Mar 20, 2018
266 Mr Ivan V. Mar 19, 2018
265 Ms Huilan Y. Mar 19, 2018
264 Mr Fengke C. Mar 19, 2018
263 Mr Felipe R. Mar 19, 2018
262 Ms Federica G. Mar 19, 2018
261 Mr Mayur J. Mar 15, 2018
260 Mr Xinyu Y. Mar 15, 2018
259 Ms Suhasini T. Mar 09, 2018
258 Mrs pei X. Mar 08, 2018
257 Ms Yu S. Mar 08, 2018
256 Ms Sara w. Mar 08, 2018
255 Ms Freja J. Mar 08, 2018
254 Mr Sina F. Mar 08, 2018
253 Ms Barbara S. Mar 08, 2018
252 Mr Filippos P. Mar 07, 2018
251 Mr AKSHAYKUMAR B. Mar 06, 2018
250 Ms Heather S. Mar 06, 2018
249 Ms Diana W. Mar 06, 2018
248 Ms Alice S. Mar 06, 2018
247 Ms Alexandra I. Mar 06, 2018
246 Ms Dilek G. Mar 06, 2018
245 Miss Aria W. Mar 06, 2018
244 Miss Andisheh Y. Mar 05, 2018
243 Mr John R. Mar 05, 2018
242 Miss Melina B. Mar 05, 2018
241 Mr Yawo K. Mar 05, 2018
240 Mr Khaled A. Mar 05, 2018
239 Mr Aditya V. Mar 05, 2018
238 Ms Diana F. Mar 05, 2018
237 Mr Raj T. Mar 05, 2018
236 Miss Sandra P. Mar 05, 2018
235 Mr David P. Mar 05, 2018
234 Ms Cecilia C. Mar 05, 2018
233 Ms Ezinne N. Mar 05, 2018
232 Ms Béatrice C. Mar 05, 2018
231 Ms Jaclyn R. Mar 05, 2018
<< < > >>
 

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October 2017: Council

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on October 26. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed online. Full minutes of the October Council meeting will be available in the November 2017 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 office or the Speaker.

GUEST SPEAKER

‪This week is Open Access Week! Support Western University Libraries by finding out more here or asking them questions. Concerns about Elsevier acquiring Bepress? Contact Kristen Hoffmann (khoffma8@uwo.ca). She can provide you a list of additional resources about Elsevier, bepress, and OJS. #OpenAccess‬

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome New Councillors! New Council packages were made available at Council. It is available here: Council Orientation 2017.

As per tradition, SOGS will host a Welcome Reception at the Grad Club after Council for New Councillors.

The next Council meeting will take place on November 30, 2017 at 6pm in UCC 56.

SOGS Council does not meet in December.

New Councillor Presentation

The full Councillor Presentation (PPT) is available New Council.

See this example Councillor placard for the most important Roberts Rules to keep in mind for Council.

Important takeaways for future Councils:

  • Always read the Council package!
  • Attend meetings and send info to your departments – this is how you get your SOGS Departmental funding!
  • Sign In/Out sheet – this is how we keep track of attendance!
  • Don’t forget to send alternates if you can’t make it!
  • Be respectful!
  • Have questions about Council? Contact the SOGS Speaker.

Elections

Acclaimed positions:

While we set up our Commissioners’ emails, please contact advocacy@sogs.ca in the meantime.

Indigenous Commissioner: Tara Hedican (indigenous@sogs.ca)

Pride Commissioner: Patrick Hill (pride@sogs.ca)

Women’s Concerns Commissioner: Melanie Stone (wcc@sogs.ca)

Accessibility Commissioner: Martin Ross (accessibility@sogs.ca)

Dates of Importance

October 23-27: Sexual Violence Awareness Week
http://safecampus.uwo.ca/sexual_violence/

October 23-27: Fair Employment Week
Video from our Joint event: https://www.facebook.com/Western.SOGS/videos/1468042123250951/

October 30 (7pm): Harry Potter Trivia Night
https://www.facebook.com/events/2406491856242704

November 9: IGSIC goes to Global Cafe! IGSIC will have a petition created by CFS for INTL graduate students as well as its own INTL Student Experience survey.  All INTL graduate students are encouraged to join the IGSIC Facebook group: @Western.IGSIC.SOGS

November 13: Open House Reveal of the Access Lab in Weldon

November 14: First official Stitch & Bitch Post Graduate Wellness Week.
http://sogs.ca/member-services/the-grad-club/

November 14: “Life in the Margins: Supporting International Gay Students” as part of International Week 2017. http://www.internationalweek.uwo.ca/ourpride.html

November 21 – December 21: CRISIS SATELITTE (Middlesex Crisis) Drop-In: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 5-9pm in Health Services.

November 15 (7pm): Board Game Night – FREE apps
https://www.facebook.com/events/1615042635225897/

November 18-26: Indigenous Awareness Week
http://indigenous.uwo.ca/universitywide/indigenousweek/index.html

November 21 – December 21: CRISIS SATELLITE (Middlesex Crissi) Drop-In: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 5-9pm in Health Services.

November 23 (6pm): IGSIC End of Term Party ($5). Tickets will be available in November.

November 23 (6-8pm): Pottery Painting at Crock-A-Doodle. FREE. Family friendly. $5 chosen pottery piece. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pottery-painting-at-crock-a-doodle-tickets-39169264324

 

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OCTOBER 2017: NEWSLETTER

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook,  Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

Links are underlined and active in PDF, and a detailed index is below.

IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF SOGS UPDATE:

GRADUATE WELLNESS WEEK (Oct 2-6): Free events all week. Register for individual events to ensure a spot.

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • EVENTS:
    • Board Game Night @ The Grad Club, October 18, 7PM
    • Harry Potter Trivia Night @ The Grad Club, October 30, 7PM
    • International Students Immigration Seminar @ UCC 56, October 10, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
    • Oktoberfest 2017 @ The Grad Club, October 12, 7:00-9:00pm, $5 (from the SOGS office)
    • Pride International Allyship Initiative @ IGAB Atrium, November 14, 2017: 1:00 pm
  • SOGS TRIVIA & CONTESTS
    • SOGS trivia contest winners and a new trivia question for October.
    • SOGS 2017 Orientation Feedback – Fill out a short feedback form for the chance to win $25 Grad Club gift certificate!

GET INVOLVED

  • SOGS ELECTIONS

    • Elections will be held for the 4 commissioner positions at this month’s Council meeting on October 26. Interested candidates should send their nomination, as well as an optional 1 page candidate’s statement, to the SOGS Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) on or before Tuesday, October 17th.

    • Councillors Orientation next Council meeting, October 26 – Councillor Nomination forms available online. Departmental seat allocations will be completed early October.

Email sogs.communications@sogs.ca for more information or to submit newsletter content.

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September 2017: Council

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on September 28. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed online. Full minutes of the September Council meeting will be available in the October 2017 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 office or the Speaker.

Continue reading “September 2017: Council”

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SEPTEMBER 2017: NEWSLETTER

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook,  Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

SOGS is trying out a new newsletter format, please let us know what you think. Links are underlined and active in PDF, and a detailed index is below.

IN THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF SOGS UPDATE:

ORIENTATION WEEK IS UPON US!

GET INVOLVED

  • SOGS ELECTIONS

    • Elections will be held for the following three Executive positions at this month’s Council meeting on September 28:

      – VP Student Services (1-year term starting October 1)
      – VP Advocacy (1-year term starting October 1)
      – VP Finance (By-election, term ending April 30, 2018)

      Interested candidates should send their nomination, as well as an optional 1 page candidate’s statement, to the SOGS Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) on or before Tuesday, September 19th.

  • Call for SOGS committee members & volunteers

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • EVENTS:
  • NOTES FROM SOGS FINANCE & ACCOUNTING: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

    • Health & Dental Plan Opt-in and Opt-out deadline is September 30
      Opt-In forms can be found in the SOGS office (UCC, Room 260) or online
      Opt-Outs must be completed online here.

  • SOGS TRIVIA & CONTESTS
    • SOGS trivia contest winners and a new trivia question for September.

 

Email advocacy@sogs.ca for more information or to submit newsletter content.

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August 2017: Council Summary

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on July 27. The complete Council package, which includes the agenda and reports, can be accessed online. Full minutes of the July Council meeting will be available in the August 2017 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 office or the Speaker.

Continue reading “August 2017: Council Summary”

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AUGUST 2017: NEWSLETTER

SOGS Update, the official monthly electronic newsletter from SOGS, keeps you up to date on issues and events affecting graduate students at Western University.

Between editions of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on Facebook,  Twitter, the IGSIC Facebook page and on our events calendar!

SOGS is trying out a new newsletter format, please let us know what you think. Links are underlined and active in PDF, and a detailed index is below.

 

IN THE AUGUST ISSUE OF SOGS UPDATE:

International Students Household Items Donation drive

  • Drop off your items to the SOGS office until August 31st. The department with the most number of donations will win a night at the Grad Club!

GET INVOLVED

  • SOGS Ombudsperson election on August 31

    • Interested candidates should send their nomination, as well as an optional 1 page candidate’s statement, to the SOGS Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) on or before August 22 2017.

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • NOTES FROM SOGS FINANCE & ACCOUNTING: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

    • Summer Child Care, Travel & Professional Placement subsidy applications must be submitted to the SOGS office by the August 31. 

    • Health & Dental Plan Opt-in and Opt-out deadline is September 30
      Opt-In forms can be found in the SOGS office (UCC, Room 260) or online
      Opt-Outs must be completed online here.

  • SOGS TRIVIA & CONTESTS
    • SOGS August trivia contest

Email advocacy@sogs.ca for more information or to submit newsletter content.

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