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.
For updates on events, issues and discussion relevant to graduate students and Western between editions of the newsletter, consider the following options:
- SOGS Facebook – main: https://www.facebook.com/Western.SOGS
- SOGS Facebook – social group: https://www.facebook.com/Western.SOGS.Socials
- SOGS Facebook – international students: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Western.SOGS.IGSIC/
- SOGS Twitter: https://twitter.com/westernsogs
- SOGS Forum, a joinable OWL site (contact external@sogs.ca if unsure how to join sites on OWL)
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:
- Important Term Deadlines (Sept 30)
- Temporary Change to SOGS General Inquiries Email (until Sept 30)
- Post-residency & Post-funding Fees Survey (open through Sept 15)
- Equity Resource Fair (Oct 14)
- Call for SOGS Executive and Officer Nominations (due Sept 15)
- Call for New Members for SOGS Policy Committee
- Call for Volunteers for Child Minding Program for SOGS Council & Committee Meetings
- “What is Feminism” Discussion Group Series & the Women’s Concerns Commission
- ISIC Cards (Sept 16-17)
- Household Item Raffle at the International Students Social (Sept 23)
- Queer Caucus Social (Sept 23)
- Healthy Living with Dr. Shauna Burke (Sept 23)
- Columbia Sports Employee Store Discount (Sept 21-Oct 25)
- Orientation and Social Committee (OSC) Public Events
- Fall Orientation (Sept 16-18)
- London Knights (Sept 26)
- International Students Fall BBQ (Sept 23)
- Board Game Night (every third Wednesday of the month)
Important Term Deadlines
Health Plan Opt-IN and Opt-OUT deadline is September 30, 2015.
Opt-IN forms must be completed and submitted along with payment to the SOGS office by the deadline. Forms can be found in the SOGS office or online: http://sogs.ca/index.php/benefits/health-dental
Opt-OUTs must be completed online by the deadline: https://grad.uwo.ca/student/index.cfm
Fall 2015 SOGS Bursaries’ deadline is September 30, 2015.
Applications must be completed by the deadline online: http://sogs.ca/index.php/member-services/financial-support/
Temporary Change to SOGS General Inquiries Email
It has come to our attention that some students are having issues contacting us through the sogs@uwo.ca email address. We had attempted to set-up mail forwarding while our office manager is on vacation, and it is sadly not working as well as had been hoped.
Until September 30, we advise that you use the alternate contact email sogsrecp@uwo.ca for any general inquiries.
Post-residency & Post-funding Fees Survey
The post-residency and post-funding fees survey is open through September 15, 2015.
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.
Equity Resource Fair
You’re invited to the very first Equity Resource Fair brought to you by your SOGS Equity Committee. Join us on on Oct 14 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm in the International and Graduate Affairs Building atrium for an afternoon of snacks, poster presentations from your fellow graduate students and to meet the many wonderful resources available to you at Western and in the London community. We want to connect you with resources to assure your overall well-being is supported and taken care of beyond your academics!
More information regarding the resource fair will be made available later this month. This is a drop-in event open to all students. Any questions please email Melanie Stone mstone33@uwo.ca or Taniya Nagpal tnagpal@uwo.ca
Call for SOGS Executive and Officer Nominations
Nominations for several SOGS Executive and Officer positions are now open, to be elected at September Council. By-elections will be help for the positions of VP Academic and Ombudsperson, along with regularly scheduled elections for VP Finance and VP Student Services.
For more information, or to nominate yourself for any position, please contact SOGS President, Tamara Hinan (president@sogs.ca).
All nominations must be sent in by 5pm on Tuesday, September 15th.
Call for New Members for SOGS Policy Committee
Call for Volunteers for Child Minding Program for SOGS Council & Committee Meetings
Call for volunteers! Join us in forming the very first Informal Child Minding program for SOGS council and committee meetings. Be a support for your fellow peers by volunteering to provide free childminding so students who have parental responsibilities can still participate in evening council and committee meetings. You’ll have the opportunity to help kick start this program and of course work with children.
For more information please email wcc@sogs.ca, if you’re interested in volunteering please email Taniya Nagpal at wcc@sogs.ca to get started with the registration process. Commitment is only 1-2 hours a month. Thank you!
“What is Feminism” Discussion Group Series & the Women’s Concerns Commission
Thank you to everyone who attended the last What is Feminism discussion group, discussing Feminism in the Classroom and Workplace! We will be hosting our third discussion this semester so stay tuned for more information.
In the mean time if you would like to join the Women’s Concerns Commission please email Taniya Nagpal at wcc@sogs.ca we would love to have you on board!
ISIC Cards
ISIC card distribution is tentatively scheduled for September 16 & 17 in the Grad Club. More details will be shared here and on social media as they are confirmed. Be sure to bring your student card!
Psst… did you know that your student ID or ISIC ID, when paired with proof of address such as a utility bill or “correspondence issued by a school, college or university”, can be used as proof of identity for voting?
Household Item Raffle at the International Students Social
To all new International Graduate Students: On September 23rd during your social hosted by the International Graduate Students Issues Committee, we have a wonderful gift for you from your fellow graduate students! This past summer, graduate students collected household items such as toasters, comforters, blenders and more to donate to our International Graduate Students and Families Drive! We know that coming to Canada and the Western community must be a big change, and your peers want to support you during this transition. When you arrive at the social, these items will be available for you to pick up based on a raffle system so please arrive early to get your number. If you have any questions please email Taniya Nagpal atwcc@sogs.ca. See you there!
Thank you to all those who donated, your donations will be distributed on the 23rd and have also been distributed in the Platts Lane Community to support our students with families! Congratulations to the Chemistry Department for bringing in the most donations, you’ve won a Night at the Grad Club.
Queer Caucus Social
Graduate students, faculty and staff! Join Queer Caucus in kicking off a new school year at the Grad Club on Wednesday September 23rd at 4:30 PM.
Bring a friend, bring your partner(s)!
Welcome to any romantic, sexual and gender minority, as well as allies. This is a safe space event.
Help us out and RSVP to Lisa (lbitaco@uwo.ca) or Kristianne (kgalpin2@uwo.ca).
If you’re not already on the Queer Caucus mailing list and would like to be included, please email Susan Knabe (sknabe@uwo.ca) or Wendy Pearson (wpearson@uwo.ca).
Healthy Living with Dr. Shauna Burke
On September 23rd the Western Canadian Obesity Network invites you to bring your lunch and join a discussion about healthy living. Dr. Shauna Burke will be providing the talk at 11:45am in the Chu Centre at the International and Graduate Affairs Building. Great opportunity to network with other graduate students!
RSVP or send any inquires to consnpwesternwestern@gmail.com
Columbia Sports Employee Store Discount
Western University Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) and staff are invited to access the Columbia Sports Employee Store from September 21st – October 25th, 2015!
What’s there and what are my savings?
- Employee store pricing averages 50% off MSRP (wholesale).
- Includes all brands in the Columbia Sportswear family of brands
- 14,000 sq. feet of each brand’s most popular styles and sizes.
- prAna is our newest brand to join the Columbia portfolio
- FALL product is NOW in the store. Be sure to come early and visit the store often to get the best selection on styles and sizing!
How do I participate / how do I get these deals?
- Show a copy of the invite letter (available online) at the reception desk upon entry. You may reuse the invitation as often as you wish during this time frame.
- Show your 2015/16 Western Bus Pass & Western student ID card.
- This invite is non-transferable but you are welcome to bring your family with you (up to 4 guests).
What are the location & hours?
1425 Max Brose Dr. London Ontario, N6N 0A2
519-644-4900
Hours: M-Fri. 10-7 pm | Sat. 10-6 pm | Sun. 11-5 pm
Orientation and Social Committee (OSC) Public Events
Fall Orientation
Wednesday, September 16
Pick up your $2 OFF BEAVERTAIL COUPON @ The Grad Club @ 2pm
Board Game Night @ The Grad Club @ 6pm – Drinks and Food!
Thursday, September 17
NEW STUDENT PARTY @ The Grad Club – Buffet dinner, games, and prizes!
Tickets are $5 and can be picked up @ the SOGS Office (UCC 260)
Friday, September 18
Grad Club Olympics: FREE Registration @ https://goo.gl/dXttSF. Teams of four (4) compete for prizes!
Bonfire Night @ The Grad Club – Hot dog, corn on the cob, smores, prizes & screening of SHAUN OF THE DEAD! Tickets are $3 and can be picked up @ the SOGS Office (UCC 260).
Upcoming Events
The OSC is currently selling tickets to the London Knights Home Opener on September 25 ($19.50 each) and Western Mustangs Homecoming (Football) on September 26 ($25 each). Tickets can be purchased at the SOGS Office (UCC 260).
To stay up-to-date on upcoming events, please like the OSC’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Western.SOGS.Socials
For more information about the above events, please contact vpstudentservicessogs@gmail.com.
International Students Fall BBQ
For International Graduate Students Only
The International Graduate Student Issues Committee (IGSIC) is hosting a Fall BBQ on September 23, 6:30pm @ The Grad Club. Tickets are $5 (guests welcome: $10). IGSIC is also hosting a trip to Niagara Falls on October 17. Tickets are $25 (transportation). All tickets can be purchased in the SOGS Office (UCC 260). International students, please join the Facebook group for future events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Western.SOGS.IGSIC/
The BBQ will also feature a household item raffle.
For more information on any of the above, please email services@sogs.ca.
Board Game Night
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.
At the Grad Club
Look for our ad in The Gazette
for coupons and discounts
Dinner & Movie
Purchase one of our dinner special
and you can purchase a Western Film movie
for $3.50. Voucher is good for any movie.
Monday Dart Night at The Grad Club
Starting September 14th at 8:00PM
Prizes and fun
Board Game Night
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.
Fall Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight)
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
Pad Thai or 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.
SeptemberTrivia
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 September 30. 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.
September Question:
This newsletter calls for nominations for four SOGS positions. Which sections in the Bylaws describe the duties of these four positions?
August Winners:
Congratulations to our August winners:
- Taylor Strande
- Amanda Lynn Evans
- Kristen Wallentinsen
- Arman Didandeh
- Sonja Teichert