GSA  COUNCIL    Meeting     Graduate  Students  Association  

GSA  Council    October  30,  2014  6:30  PM    

Present       President       Caitlin  Campisi  VP  Academic     Shawna  Carroll  VP  Internal       Eunice  Chow  VP  Finance       Shaun  Chen  

        APHD  DSA  Rep     Emily  Dunbar  

APHD  DSA  Rep     Rebecca  Banfield         CTL  DSA  Rep     Shakina  Rajendram  

CTL  DSA  Rep     Jeannie  Larson         LHAE  DSA  Rep     Sigrid  Roman  

LHAE  DSA  Rep     Alimamy  Bangura  LHAE  DSA  Rep     Clark  Hoefnagels  

      SJE  DSA  Rep       Chris  Cully           Member       Lingzi  Wang         Member       Andy  Xia      

                           

COUNCIL    

  MINUTES  ITEM   GSA  Council  Meeting  

October  30th,  2014  at  6:30  PM  Rm.  12-­‐274  

1   Call  to  Order    Council  members  introduced  themselves  around  the  room.  

2   Approval  of  the  Agenda    BIRT  the  President  Report  and  Chairperson’s  Word  be  delayed  until  arrival  of  the  President      Mover:  Emily  Dunbar  Seconder:  Rebecca  Banfield  Approved    

3   Approval  of  the  Minutes      BIRT  the  Sept  18th  Council  Meeting  Minutes  is  approved      Mover:  Rebecca  Banfield  Seconder:  Sigrid  Roman  Approved    

4   Chairperson’s  Word    Chair:  VP  Finance  

5   Exec  Reports    

• President  presents  her  report,  detailing  numerous  meetings  attended,  tasks  completed,  advocacy  items  addressed,  committees  chaired,  etc.    

• VP  Academic  presents  her  report,  detailing  GSA  social  media  updated,  Conference  Funding  applications  processed,  meetings  attended,  committees  chaired,  etc.    

• VP  Internal  presents  her  report,  detailing  Head  Grant  applications  submitted  by  DSAs,  meetings  attended,  committee  chaired,  forms  revised,  administrative  duties  completed,  etc.    

• VP  Finance  presents  his  report,  detailing  reports  completed,  GSU  Head  Grant  Application  submitted  on  behalf  of  the  GSA,  Special  Projects  Funding  adjudicated,  etc.      

BIRT  all  October  Executive  Reports  are  approved  for  receipt.    Mover:  Andy  Xia  Seconder:  Alimamy  Bangura  Approved    

6   Update  on  the  GSA  Executive  Meeting  with  the  Dean    

• Conference  Travel  Program:  GSA  Exec  will  send  a  formal  report  of  student  feedback  about  the  OISE  Conference  Travel  Program  to  the  Dean  upon  her  request.    

 • GSA  and  Faculty  Council:  GSA  Exec  confirmed  with  the  Dean  that  the  GSA  President  is  currently  an  

ex  officio  member  of  the  Faculty  Council  and  that  there  are  student  representatives  on  the  Faculty  

Council  across  departments.  These  relationships  will  be  built  upon  to  more  formally  strengthen  the  connection  between  GSA  and  Faculty  Council.    

 • Student  participation  in  Dean’s  Review  process:  Students  may  submit  feedback  to  the  Dean’s  

Review  Committee  through  the  Assistant  Vice  Provost’s  Office,  who  will  anonymize  all  feedback  other  than  constituency  (degree,  program,  department),  and  to  Angela  Nardozi  who  is  the  Student  Rep  on  the  Dean’s  Review  Committee      

• Dean’s  Conference:  Funding  and  other  supports  will  come  from  the  Dean’s  Office  7   Update  on  all  Standing  and  Ad-­‐hoc  Committees  

 • Finance:  Refer  to  VP  Finance’s  October  Report  in  Item  5.  

 • Sustainability:  Tabled  

 • Equity:  VP  Internal  was  elected  Chair.  Various  initiatives  were  discussed  at  the  first  meeting.  

Committee  members  intend  to  strike    two  sub-­‐committees  to  address  different  issues  that  racialized  and  LGBTQ-­‐identified  students  face  at  OISE.      

• Accessibility:  VP  Academic  was  elected  Chair.  The  Committee  looks  to  continue  the  OISE  Washroom  Project  from  last  year  and  will  also  move  forward  with  a  number  of  initiatives  that  will  define  Accessibility  more  broadly.      

• Logo  Contest  Selection:  The  final  selected  design  was  created  by  Alpesh  Mistry  from  the  LHAE  department.  The  prize  was  awarded  to  him  on  October  30,  2014  in  the  GSA  office  on  the  8th  floor,  and  a  picture  was  taken  for  the  GSA  website/records    

 BIRT  the  new  GSA  logo  is  approved.      Mover:  Sigrid  Roman  Seconder:  Shawna  Carroll  Approved    

• Dean’s  Conference  Co-­‐Chair  Selection:  OISE  students  Christina  Mitas  and  Andrew  Kretz  were  selected  as  the  Co-­‐Chairs.  Meetings  are  underway  for  the  planning  of  the  conference.      

• GSA  Constitution  Review:  The  President  was  elected  Chair.  Meetings  will  be  biweekly  until  the  AGM.    o VP  Finance’s  Term:  (VP  Finance  steps  out  of  the  meeting  room  to  avoid  a  conflict  of  

interest.)  Because  of  a  by-­‐election  when  he  was  first  elected  to  the  position,  the  VP  Finance  is  about  to  serve  more  than  three  years  in  his  position  come  November.  After  reviewing  the  recommendation  made  by  the  GSA  Constitution  Review  Committee,  a  discussion  takes  place.    

 Whereas  the  change  in  Executive  more  than  halfway  through  the  term  would  cause  disruption  in  the  programming  and  services  of  the  GSA;  Whereas  Art  VII  sec.  8.1.2  relate  only  to  eligibility  for  candidates  in  GSA  elections  and  there  is  no  current  GSA  elections;  BIRT  the  current  VP  Finance  is  allowed  to  carry  out  the  rest  of  his  term  until  April  30,  2015.      Mover:  Alimamy  Bangura  Seconder:  Shawna  Carroll  Approved      BIRT  that  all  Finance  Committee  meeting  minutes  be  approved    

 Mover:  Eunice  Chow  Seconder:  Shawna  Carroll  Approved  

8   Update  from  GSA  and  student  representatives:  • GSU:  GSA  Reps  attended  two  meetings.  Council  discusses  the  impact  of  the  GSU  Health  and  Dental  

Plan  in  terms  of  privacy  issues  based  on  a  complaint  made  by  an  OISE  student  and  the  lack  of  access  by  part-­‐time  students.    

 BIRT  the  GSA  supports  the  extension  of  the  Health  and  Dental  Insurance  to  part-­‐time  students.    BIRT  that  the  GSA  Reps  take  this  issue  to  GSU  Council.    Mover:  Caitlin  Campisi  Seconder:  Shawna  Carroll    Approved      

• OISE  Alumni  Association:  The  President  attended  a  meeting  of  the  Alumni  Association  on  Oct  8th,  where  the  STU  was  also  present.  Council  discusses  GSA’s  potential  participation  in  an  event  suggested  by  AA  and  STU  to  celebrate  the  B.Ed.  program.      

• OISE  Faculty  Council:  There  are  ten  graduate  students  on  the  OISE  Faculty  Council.  The  GSA  President  is  an  ex-­‐officio  non-­‐voting  member.    

 • Other  OISE  Committees:  No  updates  

 9   Departmental  Student  Associations  (DSA)  Head  Grant  

 • Head  Grant  for  Departmental  Student  Associations:  VP  Internal  discusses  with  Council  the  

distribution  of  the  Head  Grant  in  the  first  and  second  semesters  to  DSAs.  The  VP  Internal  will  continue  to  work  with  each  DSA  to  ensure  they  all  receive  their  head  grants.  

 BIRT  the  Head  Grant  be  distributed  to  the  DSAs  in  an  allocation  of  $1000  in  the  Fall  semester  and  $500  in  the  Winter  semester.      Mover:  Eunice  Chow  Seconder:  Rebecca  Banfield  Approved  

10   Petition  to  improve  and  expand  transitional  services  to  international  students  from  China    

• Proposal  of  Petition  to  GSA  Council:  The  petition  was  presented  to  Council  by  Andy  Xia  (Member  of  Council,  M.Ed.,  Dept.  of  CTL).  Council  discusses  the  wording  of  the  petition,  especially  regarding  the  inclusion  of  all  international  students.  Also  in  discussion  are  the  potential  endorsement  by  the  GSA  and  further  collaboration  with  the  International  Students  Association  at  OISE.        

BIRT  the  GSA  continue  to  collaborate  with  Andy  Xia  on  the  proposal  to  expand  transitional  services  to  international  students.  Mover:  Caitlin  Campisi  Seconder:  Jeannie  Larson    BIRT  the  previous  motion  be  amended  to  include  “and  that  the  GSA  facilitate  a  meeting  for  the  involvement  of  the  International  Student  Association  to  collaborate  with  Andy  on  this  issue.”    Mover:  Alimamy  Bangura  Seconder:  Emily  Dunbar  Approved    

BIRT  the  GSA  continue  to  collaborate  with  Andy  Xia  on  the  proposal  to  expand  transitional  services  to  international  students  and  that  the  GSA  facilitate  a  meeting  for  the  involvement  of  the  International  Student  Association  to  collaborate  with  Andy  on  this  issue.      Approved    *See  Appendix  B  for  the  revised  version  of  the  proposal  and  signature  page  from  Andy  as  per  the  feedback  from  Council  

11   Department  and  Program  Updates    

• APHD:  The  budget  has  been  drafted  in  accordance  with  the  needs  of  the  multiple  programs  in  the  department.    

 • LHAE:  Struck  Constitution  Review  Committee  and  held  a  big  event  for  students  concerning  

employment  opportunities  after  Ph.D.  that  was  very  well  attended  and  well  received.  Execs  meet  every  Friday  from  11-­‐12PM  

 • CTL:  Plan  to  host  pre-­‐conference  prep  session  series  as  requested  by  CTL  students  and  other  social  

events  (skiing,  karaoke).  12   Other  Business  

 None  

13   NEXT  MEETING  • Thursday,  November  27  at  6:30pm  

 14   ADJOURNMENT  

 Mover:  Shakina  Rajendram  Seconder:  Jeannie  Larson  Approved    

                                 

Appendix  A:  GSA  Constitution  Review  Committee’s  Recommendation  Regarding  the  Term  of  the  VP  Finance  

 GSA  CONSTITUTION  REVIEW  COMMITTEE    

   Meeting:   GSA  Student  Lounge,  8-­‐109       October  23,  2014       4:30  –  6:30  PM    Present   Caitlin  Campisi  (Chair)       Shawna  Carroll       Eunice  Chow       Lynne  Alexandrova       Rebecca  Banfield    Regrets   Christina  Mitas    

 Recommendation  to  GSA  Council  regarding  VP  Finance’s  Term  

 

Does  the  Constitution  enable  or  prohibit  VP  Finance  Shaun  Chen  from  completing  his  term  in  2014-­‐2015?      

• Whereas  the  only  clause  in  the  GSA  Constitution  that  relates  to  number  of  Executive  terms  is  8.1.2.;  

• Whereas  8.1.2.  states  that  “Individuals  who  have  held  Executive  posts  for  three  terms  are  ineligible  for  a  fourth  term”;  

• Whereas  article  8.1  relates  only  to  eligibility  for  candidates  in  GSA  elections;  • BIRT  the  GSA  Constitution  Review  Committee  recommend  to  the  GSA  Council  that  the  

VP  Finance  be  allowed  to  serve  the  rest  of  his  term  until  April  30,  2014.      

                   

Appendix  B:  A  Proposal  to  Improve  and  Expand  Transitional  Services  for  OISE  International  Students  at  the  Graduate  Level    A  Proposal  to  Improve  and  Expand  Transitional  Services  for  OISE  International  Students  at  

the  Graduate  Level    Dear  Dean  of  OISE,    My   name   is   Xiaoyong   Xia.   I   am   a   first   year   Master   of   Education   student   in   the   Language   &  Literacies   Education   program.   I   am   also   one   of   the   elected   council   representatives   of   the  OISE  Graduate   Student   Association,   representing   all   OISE   graduate   students   in   the   University   of  Toronto  Graduate  Student  Union.    In   the  past   two  months,   I  have  had   the  great  privilege  of  meeting  and  studying  with  numerous  brilliant  international  students  from  all  over  the  world,  many  of  them  are  already  accomplished  educators   in   their  home  countries.  They  gave  up   their   successful   careers   to  pursue  a  degree  at  OISE   because   OISE   is   one   of   the   world’s   leading   institutes   in   the   studies   of   education.   I   have  witnessed   the   amount   of   effort   and   commitment   they   put   in   their   studies,   which   is   both  admirable  and   inspirational.  Their  dedication  and  hard  work   is  a   testimony  of  OISE’s  academic  excellence.    However,  it  has  come  to  my  attention  that,  despite  all  the  effort  these  students  put  forth,  many  of  them   still   struggle   academically.   This   includes,   but   not   limited   to:   failure   to   select   the   right  courses;  difficulty  with  comprehending  in-­‐class  instructions;  low  participation  rate;  unfamiliarity  with  the  degree  requirement;  unfamiliarity  with  extracurricular  programs  (such  as  collaborative  programs  and  GPS);  and  so  on.    After  privately  discussing  this  issue  with  some  of  the  students,  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  their  struggles  are  a  result  of  the  fundamental  differences  between  the  school  systems  of  Canada  and  their  home  countries.  The  students  feel  that  they  were  not  adequately  prepared  to  face  the  new  Canadian  system  so  suddenly;  and   the  existing   transitional   services  and  resources  are  not  enough  to  help  them.  In  other  words,  they  do  not  possess  the  necessary  knowledge  to  succeed  in  the  Canadian  university  environment.    As   a   former   immigrant   who   also   had   to   struggle   to   adjust   to   the   Canadian   system,   I   could  personally  relate  to  the  difficult  experiences  these  students  are  undergoing  now.  And,  as  an  OISE  GSA  council  representative  whose  responsibility  is  to  advocate  for  students’  rights,  I  feel  it  is  my  duty   to  bring   this   issue   to   the  attention  of   the  Dean’s  Office.  OISE  has  always  prided   itself   as  a  global   institution;   however,   it   is   clearly   not   doing   enough   to   help   its   international   students.  Therefore,  I  have  drafted  this  proposal  to  ask  OISE  to  improve  and  expand  its  transitional  services  and   resources   to  better  assist   all   international   students  at   the  graduate   level.  Below   is   a   list  of  recommendations  I  gathered  from  the  students  whom  I  talked  to.    1. A  thorough  orientation  on  the  major  differences  of  Canadian  university  systems.  

As   mentioned   earlier,   the   biggest   obstacle   international   students   face   is   that   they   are   not  familiar   with   the   Canadian   university   system.   The   class   structures,   schedules,   and  expectations  are  all  very  different  from  those  in  their  home  countries.  These  differences  prove  

to  be  highly  challenging  transitional  roadblocks  for  students.  As  a  result,  many  students  would  like   to   see   an   orientation   where   the   basic   structure   of   Canadian   university   system   can   be  explained.   An   alternative   solution   would   be   to   compile   a   short   information   brochure   or  booklet   on   this   topic.   These   brochures   can   be   distributed   as   powerful   recruitment   tools   if  OISE  sends  representatives  or  recruitment  officers  to  another  country.  

 2. Better  usage  of  existing   international   transitional   services  and  resources  at  OISE  and  

UofT.  The   University   of   Toronto   and   OISE   currently   have   several   transitional   services   in   place  already  for  international  students,  such  as  the  Centre  for  International  Experience  (CIE).  CIE  also   offers   transition   advising   appointments   that   specifically   aim   to   assist   international  students.  However,  many   students   are   unaware   of   these   resources.  We   feel   that   CIE   should  have  a  larger  presence  in  OISE  in  order  to  reach  out  to  more  students.  Moreover,  OISE  should  establish  a   central   communication  system  where  useful   information,   support  and   resources  can  be  disseminated  to  the  students.  

 3. Invite  former  OISE  international  students  to  orientations  and  information  sessions.  

A   lot  of   the  students   I   talked  to  are  very  concerned  and  anxious  about   life  after  graduation,  especially  Master’s   students   since   the  Master’s   program   is   only   three   terms   long.   They  will  soon  face  a  challenging  job  market  and  are  unsure  of  what  to  expect  or  how  to  succeed.  If  OISE  could  hold  an  orientation  where  international  alumni  are  invited  to  speak  about  professional  development  after  school,  it  would  be  extremely  beneficial  for  all  international  students.  

 4. Better  promotion  of  extracurricular  programs.  

Both  OISE  and  the  School  of  Graduate  Studies  offer  valuable  extracurricular  programs  that  can  enrich   students’   academic   and   professional   development   (such   as   OISE’s   collaborative  programs  and  SGS’s  Graduate  Professional  Skills).  However,  many   international   students  do  not  know  about  these  programs  or  are  not  sure  how  to  register  for  their  classes.  In  fact,  these  programs   are   unknown   to  many   domestic   students   as  well.  We   believe   OISE   should   better  promote  these  programs  so  more  students  can  benefit  from  them.  

 5. Utilize  popular  social  media  tools  to  better  serve  students.  

OISE  should  fully  utilize  social  media  tools  outside  of  North  America  to  reach  out  and  better  serve   its   international   students.  For  example,   to   target   students   from  China,  OISE  could  use  the   two   most   popular   social   media   tools:   RenRen   (equivalent   to   Facebook)   and   Wechat  (equivalent  to  Twitter  or  MSN).  These  tools  can  be  used  to  promote  OISE  and  UofT  services,  programs,   and   resources,   and   help   create   a   closer   student   community,   thus   significantly  boosting  OISE’s  international  recruitment  effort.  I  would  be  happy  to  spearhead  this  initiative.  When   I  was  an  undergraduate   student   at  York  University,   I   created   the  official  page   for   the  university   on   RenRen.   Through   it,   I   regularly   posted   blogs   that   promoted   York’s   programs,  events,  and  services.  It  became  very  popular  among  Chinese  students.  The  page  attracted  over  1,500   followers   in   two   years.   You   can   get   a   quick   view   of   the   page   at   the   link   below:  http://page.renren.com/601058309?id=601058309  

 I   believe   by   implementing   the   above   recommendations,   we   can   transform   OISE   into   a   truly  internationalized   institute   and   attract   even  more   exceptional   students   from  all   over   the  world.  Finally,   I   believe   OISE   has   an   obligation   to   ensure   international   students   receive   proper  transitional   services.   International   students  pay   three   times   the   tuition.  Many  of   them  have  no  

family  or  friends  in  Canada,  and  OISE  is  the  only  home  away  from  home  they  know.  As  a  result,  OISE   should   take   the   responsibility   to   ensure   international   students   receive   the   care   they  deserve.    Thank   you   very   much   for   reviewing   and   considering   this   proposal.   I   look   forward   to   your  response  and  the  opportunity  to  help  OISE  become  an  even  better  school  than  it  already  is.    Sincerely,    Xiaoyong  Xia  M.Ed  Candidate,  OISE,  University  of  Toronto,  14/15  Council  Representative,  OISE  Graduate  Student  Association,  14/15                                                                          

We,  the  undersigned  of  the  Ontario  Institute  for  Studies  in  Education  (OISE),  propose  that  OISE:    Adopt  the  recommendations  listed  in  the  attached  proposal  and  improve  its  transitional  services  to  better  serve  international  students.    Name   Program   Student  Number   Signature