Please be advised that the positions of VP Academic, Accessibility Commissioner, and Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner roles are vacant and require a by-election. The by-elections will take place at the upcoming September 2024 SOGS Council Meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Want to nominate yourself?
SOGS members in good standing wishing to nominate themselves must send their nomination (and a 1-page election poster/platform for inclusion in the SOGS Council mail-out) to the SOGS Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) and the Governance & Policy Manager (sogs.governance@uwo.ca) no later than Tuesday, September 16th at 4PM ET.
Should you have questions about any of these positions, please feel free to contact the SOGS President (president@sogs.ca).
Learn more about these three (3) roles below:
VICE-PRESIDENT ACADEMIC
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 work on various academic issues.
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.
The VP Academic currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month (inclu. 4% vacation pay).
ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSIONER
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.
Commissioners earn a stipend of $500 per term/ $1,500 per year, pro-rated.
RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY COMMISSIONER
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.
Commissioners earn a stipend of $500 per term.
Election Dates
As of May 1, 2024:
|
Position |
Month of election |
Term Begins |
|
Appeals Review Commission |
November |
December 1 |
|
President |
As established by the University Secretariat – March of each year |
May 1 |
|
Vice-Presidents |
April |
May 1 |
|
Speaker |
April |
May 1 |
|
Deputy Speaker |
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 SOGS Board of Directors |
|
Graduate Representative to the Board of Governors |
As established by the University Secretariat |
As established by the University Secretariat |
|
|
Past elections:
Congratulations goes out to our seven (7) new Directors! Polling ended on Friday, April 19th at 8pm ET. POLLING RESULTS: VOTER SUMMARY: Please be advised that the following positions are to be elected at the upcoming April 2023 SOGS Council Meeting on April 25th: Want to nominate yourself? Learn more about each role below: VICE-PRESIDENT ACADEMIC 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 work on various academic issues. 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. VICE-PRESIDENT ADVOCACY 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 VP Advocacy currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month (inclu. 4% vacation pay). VICE-PRESIDENT FINANCE 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 (inclu. 4% vacation pay). VICE-PRESIDENT STUDENT SERVICES 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. DEPUTY SPEAKER The Deputy Speaker oversees the Society’s policies, bylaws, and constitution. The Deputy Speaker works with the Speaker to run monthly council meetings. SPEAKER The Speaker oversees and administers the Society’s student government. The speaker functions as an impartial non-executive officer. They act as the official liaison of SOGS council, they prepare the monthly council package, and host monthly, annual and general meetings. The speaker is familiar with Robert’s Rules of Order and governance. OMBUDSPERSON The Ombudsperson functions as an external, neutral investigator, addressing internal SOGS complaints and grievances. The Ombudsperson is a vital part of SOGS, offering graduate students an opportunity to bring complaints forward for investigation, discussion, mediation, and resolution. The Ombudsperson is responsible for drafting a confidential report for each complaint, outlining the basis of the complaint, investigation process, findings, and possible resolutions, as well as proposes updates to the SOGS Disciplinary code. ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSIONER 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. GENDER EQUITY COMMISSIONER 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. INTERNATIONAL COMMISSIONER The International Commissioner advocates on behalf of international SOGS members. In addition to representing the community’s interests at SOGS Council meetings and campus stakeholders like Western International, the International Commissioner will function as a community advocate that works to connect international students to resources, supports local international grad student events and initiatives, and seeks out ways to best support international student and their experience at Western with campus partners. PRIDE COMMISSIONER The Pride Commissioner advocates on behalf of the 2SLGBTQIA+ SOGS members. In addition to representing the community’s interests at SOGS Council meetings and on campus, the Pride Commissioner helps connect students to resources, supports local 2SLGBTQIA+ events and initiatives, and seeks out ways to listen to and support 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY COMMISSIONER 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. SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR 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. This is notification that the results of the 2024-25 SOGS PRESIDENTIAL election are in! Congratulations goes out to Cherin Chung as the 2024-25 SOGS President. Cherin’s will take office on May 1, 2024. Below are the voting results The SOGS Chief Returning Officer received one (1) nomination for the position of SOGS President — CHERIN CHUNG. POLLING: SOGS members can vote for Cherin Chung in a CONFIDENCE VOTE online via the University Secretariat’s Simply Voting portal from Thursday, March 7th at 8am to Friday, March 8th at 8pm. ➡️ https://westernuniversitysecretariat.simplyvoting.com/ Originally from London, Ontario, Cherin’s roots are deeply embedded in the local Middlesex community. She obtained her BA’21 honours in English Language and Literature and MA’22 in French Literature at Western University — Cherin is a true Mustang at heart! She is currently in the second year of her PhD, specializing in 19th-century French literature with a focus on feminist epistolary writing. CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES: Priority 1: Strengthen and Build Priority 2: Grow and Belong Priority 3: Enhance and Balance The NOMINATION PERIOD is now CLOSED. The CAMPAIGN PERIOD runs from Wednesday, February 21 at 8 a.m. to Wednesday, March 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.. A Town Hall will be held on Wednesday, March 6 at 6pm on Zoom. Submit your questions to Cherin via the Zoom registration: POLLING: SOGS members can vote for Cherin Chung in a CONFIDENCE VOTE online via the University Secretariat’s Simply Voting portal from Thursday, March 7th at 8am to Friday, March 8th at 8pm. ➡️ https://westernuniversitysecretariat.simplyvoting.com/ 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, Kevin Moore (cro@sogs.ca). The president receives a monthly stipend of $3,099.60 (gross) for the 2024-25 year. Note: If insufficient nominations are received by February 16th, the below dates will be used to extend the nomination period. The RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY COMMISSIONER and ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSIONER roles for the 2023-24 year have been vacated and require a by-election. The by-election will take place at the SOGS Council Meeting on January 25, 2024! ABOUT COMMISSIONERS: SOGS Commissioners operate as independent, elected community advocates that are Non-Executive Officers of the Society. COMPENSATION: Commissioners earn an honorarium of $1,500 per year ($500 per academic term), pro-rated. TIME COMMITMENT: Commissioners are expected to serve a 5-month term, starting December 1, 2023, ending on April 30, 2024. ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSIONER 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. Interested in nominating yourself? Reach out to our VP Advocacy, Cherin Chung (advocacy@sogs.ca), for more information. RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY COMMISSIONER The SOGS Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner advocates for racialized graduate students on issues and concerns affecting them at Western University. The commissioner will work with campus partners and community members to enhance the quality of student experience for racialized SOGS members. Interested in nominating yourself? Reach out to our VP Advocacy, Cherin Chung (advocacy@sogs.ca), for more information. 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 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION
CANDIDATE
DEGREE/DEPARTMENT
CAMPAIGN POSTER
Danica Facca
PhD, Health Information Science
Read Here
Jana Bataineh
PhD, Health Rehab Sciences
Read Here
Jillian Warman
Master’s, Linguistics
Read Here
Joel Welch
PhD, Law
Read Here
John Hutchenreuther
PhD, Geography
—–
kirstyn seanor
PhD, Library Information Science
Read Here
Matheus Sanita Lima
PhD, Biology
Read Here
Souvik Ta
PhD, Engineering
Read Here
EXECUTIVE, NON-EXECUTIVE, AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES ELECTIONS
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 Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) and the Governance & Policy Manager (sogs.governance@uwo.ca) no later than Tuesday, April 16 at 11:59PM.
Should you have questions about any of these positions, please feel free to contact the current executives, non-executives, and community advocates directly or the speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).
The VP Academic currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month (inclu. 4% vacation pay).
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 Student Services currently earns a stipend of $1,964.35 per month plus 4% vacation pay.
The Deputy Speaker earns a stipend of $XXX + 4% vacation pay
The Speaker earns a stipend of $XXX per month plus 4% vacation pay.
The Ombudsperson earns a stipend of $2,000 each year.
Commissioners earn a stipend of $500 per term.
Commissioners earn a stipend of $500 per term.
Commissioners earn a stipend of $500 per term.
Commissioners earn a stipend of $500 per term.
Commissioners earn a stipend of $500 per term.
Coordinators earn a stipend of $XXX per term.
2024-25 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Option Votes
YES 153 (91.1%)
NO 15(8.9%)
Voter Summary
Total 177
Abstain 9 (5.1%)
ABOUT CHERIN:
EXPERIENCE:
GET IN TOUCH WITH CHERIN:
💼 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 reporting to the Board of Directors and SOGS Council, as well as holding monthly Executive meetings;
🗳 is a voting member of SOGS council;
🤝 attends monthly meetings with various WesternU campus stakeholders and administrators; and,
📚 receives formal training (April 2024) from the outgoing president, if a new president is elected.
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 current SOGS President, Waliu Alaka (president@sogs.ca), who will be more than happy to chat with you! 
2023-24 Commissioner By-Election
NOMINATION DEADLINE: 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 Thursday, January 25th at 4PM. 
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.
