NEWS

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.

The following provides a brief summary of the recent Council meeting on March 29. 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).

GUEST SPEAKER

Western Libraries is undergoing physical and structural renovations and working on a 25-year Master Plan. They are looking for community in-put on what students would like to see. Submit your input to Catherine Steeves (Vice-Provost, Chief Librarian): csteeves@uwo.ca.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Next Council will be on April 26, 2018 at THE GRAD CLUB out in the “Beer Garden” (patio). Come enjoy the spring weather with SOGS!
• End of Term BBQ on April 2 at the Grad Club: https://www.facebook.com/events/332379123921158/
• Satellite Drop-in (March 12 – April 13)
  https://www.facebook.com/events/2076677009222070/
• Please sign the petition in support of International students.

Please see the SOGS Facebook page for a full list of our events.

EVENTS:

SOGS-SAGE-Indigenous Education End of Term Lunch (April 4):
https://www.facebook.com/events/545870272464835/

Stitch & Bitch @ the Grad Club (April 9):
https://www.facebook.com/events/554554484928599/

LGBTQIA+ Discussion Group – SOGS Office, 2-3pm

GradCast-themed Trivia @ the Grad Club (April 11) – 7pm

SOGS April Board Game Night (April 18):
https://www.facebook.com/events/197928897479732/

SOGS End of Term Karaoke Bash (April 27) – 7pm @ the Grad Club

UPDATES:

• SOGS is working on setting up a London North Centre Candidates’ Debate with the USC leading up to the provincial election.
• Encourage undergraduate students to nominate their Graduate Teaching Assistants: https://qsharingeu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0iTlrrzvgX7ijm5
• Launch of the International Graduate Student Not All the Same profile end of April.
• Graduate Peer Support (GPS) working with the WEC to have permanent GPS times.
• VP Advocacy working with SGPS and SSD to launch Academic Coaching for graduate students.
• The NEADS National Awards Program deadline is April 30. Application here.

MOTIONS PASSED:

1) Motions arising from the President:

Whereas the SOGS Executive and the Western Student Senators have been working toward increased collaboration;
Whereas the 2018–19 SOGS budget includes $500 to support the work of the Western Student Senators;
BIRT SOGS enter into the formal partnership with the Western Student Senators outlined in Appendix A;
BIFRT the BCC make any relevant changes to the SOGS bylaws.

2) Motions arising from the Executive:

Whereas Western’s Mental Health Strategic Plan states that it will:
—> “develop a mental health and wellness strategic plan for faculty and staff”;
—> “engage in ongoing opportunities for staff and faculty across campus … to collaborate on initiatives supporting student mental health and wellness”
—> “continue to support students who have innovative ideas to promote health and wellness on campus”
—> “build literacy on the continuum of mental health”
—> “increase opportunities for staff, faculty, student leaders, teaching assistants, and leaders at Western to receive mental health and suicide prevention training that will help to effectively identify and respond to a student with mental health concerns”
—> “develop a sub-committee of the Student Mental Health and Wellness Advisory Committee to address the issues raised during consultation pertaining to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at Western”
—> “Increase campus mental health promotion and awareness initiatives designed for students in professional programs and graduate studies”
—> “encourage professional faculties and graduate programs to address challenges with isolation and unique stressors experienced in graduate and professional training programs”
Whereas SOGS would like to keep Western University, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Graduate Administrators, Graduate Chairs, and Graduate Supervisors accountable to the Plan;
Whereas SOGS Council accept the following “first step” proposal in regards to partnering with SGPS, Equity and Human Rights, the Ombudsperson, Student Experience, and Middlesex Crisis for formalized Grad Chair, Grad Admin, and Grad Supervisor training.
BIRT SOGS Council request that the SOGS Executive carry forward the proposal to SGPS for further consultation.
BIFRT SOGS Council request that the SOGS Executive request that SGPS take the proposal to higher channels (e.g. Senate) to begin formalizing standardized and “strongly encouraged” training for graduate administrators and faculty.

3) Motion arising from the Vice-President Student Services

BIRT SOGS ratify the HPC Policy Document (see Council Appendix)
BIRT SOGS ratify the OSC Policy Document (see Council Appendix)

4) Motions arising from Other Committees:

1. Motions from the Policy Committee:

i) BIRT the Society replace Section 3.5 of the Society’s Constitution, Bylaws and Policy Documents with the version of Section 3.5 as submitted by the Policy Committee.
ii) BIRT the Society adopt the Policy Committee Policy as submitted by the Policy Committee.

5) Motions introduced from the floor:

BIRT the SOGS exec write a second letter of support for Western’s GTAs.

SOGS AGM: February 15, 2018
6pm, Middlesex College (MC) 105B

For the full report, see here.

Announcements:

• SOGS Office will close after February 16 and will re-open on March 1 in Middlesex College (MC) Room 8. Please keep an eye on our website and social.
• Western Research Forum will be held on March 16.
• SOGS Presidential Election (18-19) nominations will close February 23. Please contact Chief Returning Officier (CRO) (stephanie.dennie@uwo.ca) and the Deputy Chief Returning Officer (clamire2@uwo.ca). More information can be found here.

SOGS Budget

For the full Budget presentation, see here.

• Implemented Wellness Joint Fund, Graduate Wellness Week budget, Orientation (50th Anniversary) budget increases.
• Increased funding of Placement Subsidy.
• Increased departmental grants (dependent on Councillors).
• Supporting Graduate Student Senators.
• Taken minimum wage into consideration for the Grad Club.
• In the future, we will see stagnant enrolment due to the Ontario government altering how graduate programs are structured.
• The proposed 18-19 budget passed unanimously.

PSAC 610

• Shannon Potter, President, has provided additional information on Strike Mandate Info Sessions. For more information, please see their website and their social media to remain engaged.
• Next meeting with the employers will take place during the first week of March.

Executive Reports (Important/Extra Information)

For all and full reports (including committees under each Executive), please see the AGM Package.

President: For those interested in running for the Office of SOGS President, please see here for more information. REMINDER: the SOGS Office is MOVING to Middlesex College (Room 8).

VP Academic: Western Research Forum discussion component is cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. Will be incorporating a wellness event by working with the Wellness Coordinator.

VP Advocacy: Graduate Peer Support (GPS) responsible for the Food Bank and adjucating Wellness Joint Fund applications.

For those who have not seen the website yet, please check out the SOGS Not All the Same website. Devoted to highlighting the many differences amongst graduate students. Breastfeeding station map is fully up-to-date and on the website.

Graduate Student Issues Committee (GSIC) have provided data have reviewed the results of their recent survey. Found that financial and academic issues are the highest reported by graduate students.

SOGS has matched Western University’s donation of $1000 to the London Pride Parade. Pride Discussion groups happen each month (next one is on March

For more information about Commissioners, contact VP Advocacy: advocacy@sogs.ca.

VP Finance: Trying to sustainably renovate the Grad Club. For more information, please contact finance@sogs.ca.

VP Student Services: Call to action for greater visibility on graduate mental health. Provide Western with feedback on their Mental Health Strategy Draft, and consider getting involved by contacting services@sogs.ca.

Crisis Drop-in set from March 13-April 12. All dates detailed on SOGS Facebook Events.

The USC Tax Clinic has agreed to run a graduate-specific time slot on March 26 from 9am-12pm.

Please fill out the Health Plan survey that was sent out February 6.

Please sign the International Graduate Student Issues Committee (IGSIC) petition in support of international students.

Please encourage all international graduate students to fill out the Student Satisfaction Survey that was sent directly to them via email.

We need people to join the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee! If interested, contact services@sogs.ca.