GSS Sustainability - Documentary & Speakers Series: "No Impact Man" (Friday, October 1, 12:00 - 2:30pm)

Dear Fellow Grads,

tomorrow, Friday, October 1, 12:00 - 2:30pm, the first Documentary & Speakers Series will be hosted at the GSS offices (MBC 2212).  We will be showing the film "No Impact Man" and following the screening with a presentation and discussion by members of the SustainabilityCommittee, lead by Duncan Wlodarczak, GSS Sustainability & Operations Coordinator. 

More info and trailer:

http://tiny.cc/gss-sustainability1

Thomas Unsoeld

TSSU GM Tomorrow @ 12:30 // FREE LUNCH and Bargaining Update for TA's, TM's, and Sessionals

Greetings Teaching Support Staff Union Members,

Come out to the first General Membership Meeting of the 2010/11 school
year. Bargaining has just begun and it is already a struggle to
convince the University to discuss contract issues, and improve the
educational atmosphere at SFU. An update about the specifics of
bargaining and other grievances will be given over lunch, along with
an overview of the TSSU committees and their activities, and
opportunities for essential feedback from you (the membership).

We'll be opening elections for the Coordinator, Trustee, Chair, and
Secretary positions, as well as electing a new GSS Representative from
the TSSU.

Looking forward to seeing many of you there! Maggie Benson Centre 2294
at 12:30, Thursday the 30th of September.

Nicholas Perrin

 --
Nicholas Perrin
Interim TSSU Organizer
778.782.4735

GSS news for late September 2010

1.  GSS Benefit Plan Bursary

2.  Homecoming

3.  Sustainability Fair & Documentary

4.  Volleyball (LAST CHANCE)

5.  Volunteer Opportunities

6.  Upcoming meetings & Deadlines

7.  Random GSS Fact

-------------------------

1.  GSS Benefit Plan Bursary

The Graduate Student Society is pleased to offer a Benefit Plan Bursary for students in financial need.

Applicants should complete the Benefit Plan Bursary Application Form and submit it, with supporting documentation, to the GSS office by Friday October 1st at 4:00 PM.

Applications may be mailed in, or dropped off in person to the GSS Office (MBC 2205).

Application forms and additional details can be found at:

http://www.sfugradsociety.ca/News/Entries/2010/10/1_GSS_Benefit_Plan_Bursary.html

2.  Homecoming

Your Graduate Student Society is encouraging members to attend Homecoming 2010.  The event is hosted by the SFU Alumni Association and features a BBQ lunch, NCAA football game, raffle, and several family-friendly activities.  Homecoming is a great opportunity to show your school spirit and support our varsity football team.  Consider attending as a group from your department, class, or lab!

Graduate student tickets are $2 for the football game, and just $7 for the BBQ lunch and raffle.  Purchase your tickets online at the link provided below.  The deadline to purchase tickets is September 29 2010. Bring your ticket back to the GSS offices before Friday October 15 2010 for a full reimbursement!

For Tickets & Additional Information: http://www.sfu.ca/alumni/homecoming2010/

3.  Sustainability Fair & Documentary

The GSS Sustainability Committee is kicking off a series of events next week.  The GSS will be present at the SFU Sustainability Festival on September 29 in Convocation Mall - we will be highlighting our sustainability initiatives and signing up individuals who'd like to get more involved with our activities.

On Friday October 1, the first Documentary & Speakers Series will be hosted at the GSS offices.  We will be showing the film "No Impact Man" and following the screening with a presentation and discussion by members of the Sustainability Committee, lead by Duncan Wlodarczak, GSS Sustainability & Operations Coordinator.

(note: for those who attended the last caucus meeting: The Documentary "King Corn" will be shown on a later date instead.)

Sustainability Festival:

http://www.sfu.ca/sustainabilityfestival/

GSS Documentary & Speakers Series:

http://tiny.cc/gss-sustainability1

4.  GSS Volleyball Team

Block! Pass! Serve! Spike! Rotate! If you love volleyball, or maybe you just feel like some activity after a full day at SFU, join the Co-Ed Intramural Recreational Volleyball group.

When: Tuesdays between 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Where: Gym on Burnaby Campus

Who: Any graduate students are welcome to join

Cost: FREE

To get involved, contact Samantha at skb20@sfu.ca.  Please provide your full name, email and Rec Tag # (which you can get for FREE from SFU Athletics)

5.  Volunteer Opportunities

The GSS needs volunteers for the following committees:

* Graduate Student Advocacy Group

As a member of the Advocacy Group, you can represent fellow graduate students in issues such as supervisory problems and administrative troubles.

* Electoral Committee

You can be part of this independent body tasked with overseeing the Society's elections to ensure fair process every step of the way.

Interested? fill out our volunteer form or email us at info@sfugradsociety.ca

Volunteer form can be found at: http://www.sfugradsociety.ca/Committees.html

6.  Upcoming meetings & Deadlines

* Benefit Plan change-of-coverage period & Deadline

September 1 - 27 2010

Opt-out (with proof of comparable coverage), add dependents, or learn more about the plan at www.ihaveaplan.ca or call 1-866-369-8795

* GSS Council

Open to all - learn about what your GSS is working on.

Council representatives from every department are the official voting members, however, everyone is welcome to attend.

Sept 27 @ 12:00 PM (MBC 2212)

http://www.sfugradsociety.ca/Council.html

* GSS Benefit Plan Bursary (application Deadline)

October 1 2010 @ 4:00 PM

Information listed above.

* GSS Documentary & Speaker Series: No Impact Man

October 1 2010 @ 12:00 - 2:00 PM (MBC 2212)

Information listed above.

* GSS Grants Allocation

November 5 2010 @ 4:00 PM

(Caucuses can apply for these funds for special academic or professional development events.  Applications will be considered by the Grants Allocation Committee on November 15 2010, and recommended applications will be revised by Council on November 22 2010)

7.  Random GSS Fact

*In this section, find out weird and wonderful facts about the GSS, our services and projects!*

DID YOU KNOW - The GSS has a graduate student liaison that is available to help international graduate students with any questions they may have.  In addition to dealing with questions raised by international graduate students (working with SFU International if needed); this individual helps organize social events, educational activities, and work with the GSS to follow up on major issues faced by this important segment of our university community.

Contact international@sfugradsociety.ca for more information or to get help with any of the above-mentioned services.

-- 

The Graduate Student Society at Simon Fraser University

MBC 2203, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6

(778) 782-3899  --  info@sfugradsociety.ca

http://www.sfugradsociety.ca

Bisc Grad Caucus meeting, Wed Sept 15 3:30-4:30pm B9242

Hello biology grad students,

This Wednesday Sept 15 3:30 to 4:30 PM in B9242 we are having our first caucus meeting of the Fall semester.  If you are a biology graduate student, you should attend this meeting (there are refreshing refreshments)

For new students - learn about the grad caucus here: http://biscgrads.blogspot.com/ 

Important things that effect each and every student are discussed and acted on at these meetings.  Mentors, remember to bring your mentees so we can all get in the habit of participating.  This year we are aiming to create a culture of participation among students in the department. That means we strongly encourage everyone to come and pitch in - more voices mean we can tackle bigger issues, and become more effective as a caucus that serves graduate students.

We are also looking for an event planning officer (in fact, more than one).  If you are not going to be in the field from now until the end of the Spring semester, I strongly encourage you to consider this position.  Time commitment will be reasonable, and it will look great on your CV.  For those applying to NSERC this month, consider this last-minute addition to your application!

Please let me know if you want to add anything to the agenda

See you Wednesday

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brett Favaro (Caucus chair)

New Graduate Student Orientation Meeting - 9 September at 1330

Good afternoon,

If you have new students in your lab, can you please tell them that on

9 September 2010 at 1330 in the Biological Sciences Seminar room B9242

we have an Orientation Meeting for New Graduate Students (followed by a welcome party hosted by the BISC Graduate Caucus). Graduate students that started in your lab in spring 2010 or summer 2010 are also very welcome to attend! The agenda is here. New students will receive an information package at the orientation.

I would also appreciate it, if you ask your new students to provide me with their SFU e-mail address (if they haven't done so) so that I can add them to our 'bisc-grads' e-mail list.

Best regards.


Marlene