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TRANSCRIPT
LOREM IPSUM NOVEMBER 2017
Society of Graduate StudentsRoom 260, UCC | w: sogs.ca | t: 519.661.3394 | e: [email protected]
WINTER IS COMING Which means it’s time for the SOGS holiday party at the Grad Club!
On December 7 at 7:30pm, join us at the Grad Club for hol iday treats, a featured holiday cocktail, an ugly sweater contest, gingerbread house making contest, holiday trivia, and lots of prizes! Tickets available at UCC 260 for $5.
If ugly sweaters aren’t the only thing you’re hoping to wear, g e a r u p w i t h C o l u m b i a Sportswear's invitation to their e m p l o y e e s t o r e f r o m November 17 to December 10. For those of you who are looking for transportation, we’ve worked out a way to get students to the store by bus!
There are LOTS of events between now and the end of term. International Week, Indigenous Week, Paint Nite , Pottery Painting at Crock-a-Doodle, the IGSIC End of Term Party, and many others, Make sure you read through and keep your eye on our Facebook page and web site for updates and information!
GRAD CLUB NEWS Crafts, trivia and more
at our dear GC!
1HEALTH & DENTAL PLAN
Did you know claims can be made through
your smartphone?
2KEEP UP WITH SOGS!
@Western.SOGS
@WesternSOGS
3
GET INVOLVED Looking to make a difference? You can make grad student life better with SOGS!
FINANCIAL SUPPORT Experiencing financial hardship? SOGS may be able to assist.
SOGS Executive Find out who is working for you at SOGS!
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
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Meet the SOGS Executive Mary Blake Bonn SOGS President • [email protected]
Mary Blake is 4th-year PhD Candidate in Music Theory, and has been SOGS President since May. Before taking office as President, she served as a SOGS Councillor and committee member, and was also on PSAC Local 610’s executive committee.
During her term as President, Mary Blake’s projects have included building SOGS’ relationships with federal and provincial politicians, maintaining strong working relationships with university administrators, and revising the SOGS Policy Manual. She also collaborates with the four Vice-Presidents on their projects and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Society.
In addition to her work with SOGS, Mary Blake volunteers in the London community as an environmental lobbyist.Madison Bettle
VP Student Services • [email protected]
Madison is a PhD candidate in the Department of English Literature and has been the VP Student Services for three years—clearly because she cannot get enough of advocating on behalf of graduate students. She can help provide answers and information about the Bus Pass, Health Plan, Orientation & Social Committee, or International Graduate Student Issues Committee. Some of her projects over the years include: the Wellness Joint Fund, the OSC Social Fund, creation of the Grad Life Committee and Grad Orientation Planning Committee, the INTL Grad Student Guide to Western, and the transformation and expansion of SOGS Orientation. She’s a big supporter of the Grad Club and is a driving force behind SOGS social media.
Jina Kum VP Academic • [email protected]
Jina’s role as VP Academic is to ensure graduate students’ academic-related interests and concerns are represented by coordinating academic programs. These include Gradcast, Western Research Forum, the Graduate Student Teaching Awards, and the Joint Fund for Graduate Research. She is excited to work closely with graduate students, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and other academic affiliates and stakeholders to discuss various academic issues.
Laura Cabral VP Finance • [email protected]
Laura is a 3rd year PhD candidate in Psychology. Before Laura was elected to the VP Finance position in September, she was very active in SOGS, serving on the Health Plan committee, Subsidies & Bursaries committee, Grad Club committee, and Canadian Federation of Students committee. Laura plans to help SOGS budget sustainably and increase communication and transparency for members. Laura is also working to renovate the Grad Club.
Vanessa Lilly VP Advocacy • [email protected]
Vanessa Lilly is a PhD student in Women’s Studies and Feminist Research. She is happy to be in the role of VP Advocacy with an active portfolio of committees with keen members. With a number of important events and projects already underway, she is excited to foster relationships with key partners on campus and in the community to ensure initiatives continue to thrive and grow on the great foundation that has been built.
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
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SOGS AND THE GRAD CLUB CELEBRATE TONY KOBAL
For more than 40 years, war survivor and hero, Tony Kobal, greatly contributed to the development and maintenance of Western University facilities.
Tony, an engineer by trade, had a passion for visual art and became known at Western for vividly portraying campus scenery in his art. His works have been featured on many of Western’s past staff directories, and has had art shows at various venues around campus.
Tony was devoted to the people and the formation of the Tony Kobal Memorial Educational Assistance Award for academic children of Western staff members.
Through the collaboration of the SOGS Grad Club Committee, the Grad Club Manager, Marc Lalonde, and Margi Kobal Cherneski, Tony’s painting “Arborium” will hang in The Grad Club for years to come. While the painting reflects Tony’s love and appreciation for the people who work hard to beautify Western’s campus, the story behind the work ultimately celebrates the power and importance of community.
SOGS, SOGS Grad Club Committee, Grad Club Manager and members of the Kobal Family celebrate the mounting of ‘Arborium’ at the Grad Club.
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
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SOGS TRIVIA CONTEST
OCTOBER trivia winners Stephen Wright Sarah Chadwick
Laren Seidl
SOGS November trivia question: Describe a way you can get involved
with SOGS.
Email [email protected] by November 30 with your answer for a chance to win a gift certificate to the Grad Club!
Grad Club Board Game Night
November 15, 7PM Every 3rd Wednesday of the month!
for the Make a Wish Foundation
Painting: Let Your Light Shine
MON NOV 27 2017, 7:00 PM THE GRAD CLUB (UWO)
Tickets still available:
www.paintnite.com/events/let-your-light-shine-at-the-grad-club-uwo-10024254 Pottery Painting
at Croc-A-Doodle
November 23, 6-8pm 671 Wonderland Road
FREE, Family Friendly
$5 off your choice of pottery
facebook.com/events/2011274765818122/
Stay tuned: Keep an eye on social media for details about a screening of the PhD Comic: The Movie in late November co-hosted by SOGS, SGPS, and Student Experience at Western Film.
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
CALLS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Academic Committee - Coordinates and organizes all details for the Western Research Forum held in March.
[contact: Jina Kum, VP Academic, [email protected]]
Bursaries & Subsidies Committee: - Helps oversee and adjudicate the provision of financial assistance to SOGS members.
[contact: Laura Cabral, VP Finance, [email protected]]
Finance Committee: - The finance committee is accepting new members until the November council meeting. The membership cycle will resume at the February council meeting.
[contact: Laura Cabral, VP Finance, [email protected]]
Grad Club Committee - Helps oversee the operations and events at the Grad Club
[contact: Laura Cabral, VP Finance, [email protected]]
Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award Committee (GSTA) - Oversees the implementation and adjudication of the nomination process for the GSTA awards. Help recognize your peers!
[contact: Jina Kum, VP Academic, [email protected]]
Policy Committee: - The Policy Committee reviews existing SOGS policy and drafts new policy to fill requests or need. The committee’s current priority involves compiling an official policy manual for SOGS.
[contact: Gregory Nightingale, Chair, [email protected]]
For more information on SOGS committees, visit sogs.ca/governance/committees
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SOGS COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gradcast is rolling along, with guests booked up to mid-January. As always, we are on the look out for people interested in becoming committee members to come on as hosts, and guests from departments we haven't heard much from lately: like philosophy, political science, social sciences, and fine arts. We are hosting a recruitment event at the Grad Club, with drink tickets, to boost interest in GradCast, and to fill our roster until well into 2018! The date is November 24th. Time TBA.
We attended the WUGSOM (Western University Graduate Symposium on Music) 2017, where we were very well received. The organizers suggested 6 attendees to interview, and we are currently editing the shows, to release as special episodes.
In the works: GradCast swag and advertising! We want to increase our listenership, and take Western to the World!
If you are interested in sharing your work on the radio, please contact Gradcast at [email protected]
Spoken Word Workshop with Tanaya Winder
Teaching Support Centre (TSC)
Rm 120 in Weldon Library Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm indigenousweek.uwo.ca
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
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Our World. Our Western. Our Pride: International Allyship
Initiative November 14, 2017: 1:00 pm
International and Graduate Affairs Building Atrium
Western faculty, staff, and students were invited to engage with and in discussions about the International LGBTQIA+ Student community on campus.
The event included a presentation featuring keynote speaker Stephan Tang (Ryerson University) entitled: “Life in the Margins: Supporting Gay International Students.” The presentation was followed by social refreshments and a panel discussion with panelists from both Western and the London community. The intent of this social and panel dialogue was an opportunity for community members to discuss and reflect on the current situation and future supports for our international LGBTQIA+ students at Western. facebook.com/events/370262010075673/
To find out more about visit PrideWestern on FB.
PRESENTATION CLUB AT WESTERN www.postdocs.uwo.ca/pages/PresentationClub.html
This club provides opportunities of practice presentations to Western postdocs and grad students as well as opportunities to practice asking questions at conferences. Any grad student is welcome. Drop-in participation both as a presenter or as an audience member is welcome.
Upcoming sessions held in IGAB 1N07: • Nov 24 12PM - 2PM • Dec 8 11AM - 1PM
People interested in presenting or participating can email Yoshiko Yabe at [email protected].
Tanaya Winder is a writer, educator, motivational speaker, and performance poet from the Southern Ute, Duckwater Shoshone, and Pyramid Lake Paiute Nations. She grew up on the Southern Ute Indian reservation and attended college at Stanford University where she earned a BA in English and the University of New Mexico where she received an MFA in creative writing.
A winner of the 2010 A Room Of Her Own Foundation’s Orlando prize in poetry, her work has appeared or is f o r t h c o m i n g i n C u t t h r o a t m a g a z i n e , A d o b e Walls, Superstition Review, Drunkenboat and Kweli among others. Her poems from her manuscript “Love in a Time of Blood Quantum” were produced and performed by the Poetic Theater Productions Presents Company in NYC. Her debut poetry collection Words Like Love was published in September 2015 by West End Press. Her next collection Why Storms are Named after People and Bullets Remain Nameless is set to release in 2017.
Sponsored by: Society of Graduate Students (SOGS), Women Studies in Feminist Research (WSFR), Western Arts & Humanities English & Writing Studies, and Indigenous Services
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
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sogs.ca/food-bank-program/
SOGS food bank program for non-TA members aims to reduce the impact financial shortfalls have on a student’s ability to access healthful and nutritious food options for themselves and their families.
Joint Wellness Fund SOGS which provides funding to wellness initiatives organized by departments, student groups, and other member-affiliated units across campus.
For more information on Grad Peer Support Committee: sogs.ca/member-services/graduate-peer-support-gps/
Socials (OSC) Sponsorship Fund The Orientation and Social Committee (OSC) fund supports graduate associations/departments in hosting social events to foster a stronger and more visible graduate student community at Western.
The sponsorship fund is not meant to replace or supplement Graduate Association/Department funding, but to provide additional support in order to strengthen relationships within and between Graduate Associations/Departments. Application forms available at sogs.ca/documents/.
For more information email [email protected]
SOGS SERVICES
Hosting a guest lecturer or conference?Apply to the Joint Fund for Graduate Research!
The Joint Fund for Graduate Research, also known as the Joint Fund for Support of Graduate Student Research and Scholarship, was initiated to help support the creation of events (conferences, lectures) that bring external participants to share their research and interact with Western graduate students.
Research Western, the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS), and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) have formed a partnership, annually contributing to $6,000 apiece to a jointly administered fund, designed to aid these events. The maximum amount awarded to each successful application is $1,000.
Applications are accepted throughout the year. Application form is available online.
Submit application to the Society for Graduate Students (SOGS) at [email protected] at least one month prior to the event.
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
Visit sogs.ca/member-services/financial-support/ for more information.
Travel Subsidy: Up to $500 per term for academic conference travel-related expenses.
CHECK OUT SOGS’S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS!
Child Care Subsidy: Up to $400 per term for child care services costs.
Emergency Loan: Up to $1000, payable in three monthly installments.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Application deadline for all subsidies is the last business day of each term in April, November, and December. Emergency loans available for application anytime during SOGS business hours. Visit SOGS Financial Assistance Programs for details and application forms.
Professional Placement and Experiential Learning Subsidy: Up to $500 per term for travel-related expenses for Category II members undertaking professional placements, practicums, co-ops or other experiential learning opportunities.
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SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
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Graduate students are encouraged to attend the CDHPC conference on November 18-19, 2017 at the London Convention Centre in London, Ontario.The Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations project is funded through the Social Sciences Humanities Research Council.To learn more about the project visit www.cdhpi.ca
The majority of last year’s finalists have found employment within the federal public service. Visit the Institute of Public Administration of Canada website for more information.
Michael W
ernick, Clerk of the Privy Council, with the 2016–2017 w
inner,
Hop
e C
ald
i
Want to be
a positive
influence on
Canada’s
future?
Help your
university
shine!
Shareyour ideas
and make a difference!
Win a paid placement with the
Government of Canada!
CALLING ALL MASTER’S AND PH.D. CANDIDATES
ANNUAL NATIONAL STUDENT PAPER COMPETITION 5TH
Visit www.ipac.ca/blueprint2020 for details and competition guidelines.
Interested in academic job vacancies in schools of education, arts and languages worldwide?
Learn more about these and other job vacancies, visit www.educaloxy.com
PRESENTATION CLUB AT WESTERN www.postdocs.uwo.ca/pages/PresentationClub.html
This club provides opportunities of practice presentations to Western postdocs and grad students as well as opportunities to practice asking questions at conferences. Any grad student is welcome. Drop-in participation both as a presenter or as an audience member is welcome.
Upcoming sessions held in IGAB 1N07: • Nov 24 12PM - 2PM • Dec 8 11AM - 1PM
People interested in presenting or participating can email Yoshiko Yabe at [email protected].
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
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The Canadian Cancer Society University Bureau Hosts the annual 2 Minute Research Competition
Students engaged in research related to cancer prevention, treatment or management are encouraged to submit a slide describing their work and have two minutes to present. If your research is not related you are still more than welcome to participate by selecting a published research article, creating a slide and presenting (making reference to the authors).
This is a great opportunity to:
1. Add a presentation to your CV; 2. Practice presenting research in a concise and engaging way; 3. Prepare for upcoming competition such as the 3 Minute Thesis
Competition; 4. Network with other graduate students.
There will be prizes for first, second and third place. Get involved with The Canadian Cancer Society and share your presentation creativity! To register, send your slide to [email protected] by Monday November 27th.
Just one minute… it’s worth it to know
Free, rapid, and anonymous HIV Testing Available at UWO Student Health Services
Tuesday, November 14, 2 - 4pm (Check for future sessions at SHS)
As a form of participation in International Week, SOGS International Graduate Student Issues Committee (IGSIC) has launched a petition in support of international students. The petition focuses on: tuition, OHIP, PR, and scholarships.
Find out more on here on sogs.ca or here on Facebook.
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
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RISING UP A Graduate Student Conference on Indigenous Knowledge and Research in Indigenous Studies.
MARCH 9 & 10, 2018 Fort Garry Campus, University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada The University of Manitoba Native Studies Graduate Students Association (NSGSA) is hosting the third annual two-day conference for all graduate students to lead the discussion across all disciplines and allow graduates to present their knowledge and research. Due to the interdisciplinary and international character, the Review Committee welcomes a comprehensive range of topics and approaches. Rising Up 2018 will focus on Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous Research. This is a free event, open to all. Keynote Speakers: Adam Gaudry (University of Alberta) and Chantal Fiola (University of Winnipeg) Submission of abstracts Deadline for abstract submissions is currently December 29th, 2017. Find out more information online.
www.risingup.online
Find out more at uwo.ca/health/living_well/files/Living-Well-Information-Sheet-1.pdf
Bringing Living Well to You
This cross-campus initiative is designed to provide wellness opportunities to support the needs of graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty and staff.
A member of our wellness team will travel to your space to provide an activity customized to your needs. These activities can include stretch breaks, physical activity sessions, lunch and learns, and wellness workshops.
Taking the time to stretch, move, and breathe is important for both body and mind. You are encouraged to contact Adam Craig, the Wellness Coordinator at Living Well @ Western, to discuss these opportunities.
[email protected] 519-661-2111, ext 85562
Join your union in a fight for respect and recognition!
Your union at Western, PSAC 610, is bargaining for a fair collective agreement. Our demands include:
• real wage increase without claw-backs,
• improved appointment criteria, extended funding period,
• tuition rebate (protection from uncontrollable tuition increase),
• benefits (improved extended health plan, financial assistance),
• reasonable workload and non-restrictive overtime procedures.
Become our link to GTAs - submit a steward nomination form. Have mobilization or PR ideas, or just want to help? Email [email protected] or [email protected].
Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @PSAC610.
SOGS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017
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Feminist Collective We are excited to invite your feedback on the emerging Feminist Collective.
If you have a few minutes please provide your input on the collective and meeting dates, visit: surveymonkey.com/r/DPYJFSL
The focus of the Feminist Collective is to foster a feminist community among grad students by cultivating a space to talk about feminist issues and use a feminist lens to discuss current events and experiences in grad school. If you are interested in attending or finding out more about how you can become involved with this group please email [email protected].
Please spread the word to friends and colleagues in your departments about this initiative—we look forward to connecting with you!
DOCTORAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS AT CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES
Dear CAGS members, faculty, and students:
As part of CAGS' ongoing commitment to Rethinking the PhD, a working group has been studying the Comprehensive Examination; its history, structure, purpose, and future.
Some of you will have participated in a c o n s u l t a t i o n s e s s i o n a t C A G S o n t h e Comprehensive Examination and/or Dissertation, or you may have had a consultation at your own university.
We have now produced a consultation document on Comprehensive Examinations for your review. This also provides an opportunity for you to provide feedback on doctoral comprehensive examinations at Canadian Universities.
Although the survey is now closed, you can view the document “Re-imagining PhD: Doctoral Comprehensive Exam” here.
SPECIALISTERNE Specialisterne Canada specializes in working with businesses to hire people on the autism spectrum, or who face similar barriers to employment. Through an internationally proven method of recruitment, onboarding and management practices, Specialisterne enables employers to access this talented and underemployed talent pool and provides recruits with the opportunity to sustain meaningful employment. In their mission to shift the Canadian business landscape by proving the value of creating neurodiverse workforces, Specialisterne Canada is currently working with leading Canadian businesses to recruit for roles in Financial Services and Technology. The disability criteria: Anyone identifying as someone on the autism spectrum or as someone with a similar/other neurodiverse condition is eligible for our program. This may, for example, include individuals with severe ADHD/ADD, Anxiety disorders and OCD. No formal diagnosis is needed, self-identifying with a condition is enough.
When: Monday, November 27, 2017 12:30 – 2:00PM
Where: University Community Centre, room 210 Register through event calendar in CareerCentral https://westerncareercentral.ca
Columbia Sportswear is offering employee store pricing to SOGS members from
NOVEMBER 17 – DECEMBER 10, 2017 This is your chance to stock up on gifts or to get yourself some gear.
You can bring guests, up to 4 they say, so go on and spread the cheer!
Get the full scoop at sogs.ca/columbia
But wait, there’s more! SOGS and Columbia have banded together to offer bus transportation to the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store. Get a return trip to and from the store on any of the following dates for $2 per trip. Bring up to 4 of your car-less (not careless, car-less) friends!
Friday, November 17, 2017
• 10 am depart from Middlesex College • 10:30 am arrive at Columbia Employee Store • 12:30 pm depart from Columbia Employee Store • 1:00 pm arrive at Middlesex College
Friday, November 24, 2017
• 2:00 pm depart from Middlesex College • 2:30 pm arrive at Columbia Employee Store • 4:30 pm depart from Columbia Employee Store • 5:00 pm arrive at Middlesex College
Friday, December 1, 2017
• 12:00 pm depart from Middlesex College • 12:30 pm arrive at Columbia Employee Store • 2:30 pm depart from Columbia Employee Store • 3:00 pm arrive at Middlesex College
Reserve your spot by visiting sogs.ca/columbia
Employee Store PricingBring up to four guests each time you visit
Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store
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EXCLUSIVELY FOR: WESTERN UNIVERSITY - SOCIETY OF GRADUATE STUDENTS
VALID DATES: NOV. 17 - DEC. 10, 2017
Monday - Friday: 10am - 7pmSaturday: 10am - 6pmSunday: 11am - 5pm
*See below for holiday hours
**HOLIDAY HOURS START NOVEMBER 22ND** NOV. 22 - DEC. 10
Monday & Tuesday: 10a - 7p Wednesday - Friday: 10a - 8p
Saturday: 10a - 6p / Sunday: 11a - 5p