Halloween Movie Night (Wed Oct 28th)!

Hello Grads,

It is my pleasure to announce the first annual Biology Grad Caucus Halloween Movie night!

*Where*: MBC 2212

*When*: Wednesday October 28th 5-10 (First movie will start at 5:30, the second ~ 7:30)

*Food*: Pizza and pop will be provided, other beverages will be $2.

*Movies*: In order to make this democratic please have a look at the available movies: (http://www.criterionpic.com/cpl/qsearch.htx) and send me your two choices by Friday. I will then send out a reminder email with the movies that were picked.

Regards,

Brendan

Pumpkin carving!

Hello Biology Grad Students, Faculty and associates,

Hallowe'en is almost upon us, and it's time for the second annual Biology pumpkin carving contest.  The fun begins on Wednesday, October 28th, with the pumpkins arriving that morning and judging commencing at 4pm that afternoon.  Pumpkins are free this year, courtesy of the biology grad caucus, for whoever would like to carve.  Dr. Kennedy is providing prizes for first and second place and giving $5 to the BC SPCA for each carved pumpkin donated.  Judging will be by distinguished members of our department, who have yet to be asked.  All who want a pumpkin just email me with your request, so we know approximately how many pumpkins we need.

Thanks and Happy Hallowe'en!

Jennifer Trowell

Reminder: Caucus meeting, Wednesday, Sept 23, 3:30pm

Hello everyone,

This is a reminder that we will be having our September Caucus meeting this Wednesday, September 23rd, at 3:30pm in the bio grad lounge.

See you all there,
Janey
BISC Caucus Associate Chair

Your Union is Meeting - Monday, Sept. 21

Hi Folks,

I am writing to remind you that the first TSSU General Meeting of the
semester will take place next Monday, Sept. 21 from 12:00-1:30 in MBC
2290.   In addition to informing you about how GM's work and how your
union works on your behalf- this meeting will be a great opportunity
for you to meet new people that share your experiences as
TAs/TMs/Sessional Instructors.  There is also a FREE LUNCH provided.
If you have any questions about TUGS, Benefits, or you just want to
grab a Collective Agreement or Logbook, your Salaried Officers will be
available in MBC 2290 for a half hour before the meeting and will be
going to the Highland Pub afterwards.

I will be leaving the department at 11:45 from the bio grad lounge
and I encourage you to head down with me.

This will be a very important meeting as we will be accepting
nominations for the TSSU Bargaining Committee.  If you have any
questions about how to get involved, please email tssu@tssu.ca

Please also fill out the TSSU Bargaining Survey for a chance to win a
FREE ipod Touch:  www.tssu.ca/2010_bargaining_survey.  You can do so
until Oct. 8th. Good luck!

See you on Monday!

Mike Wogin, TSSU Steward

TSSU/GSS FALL SOCIAL! Friday, Sept. 11th @ 4pm

Hi folks,

Just a heads up that there will be a raging TSSU/GSS Fall Social following TA/TM Day this Friday - September 11th from 4-8 in the Highland Pub (In the MBC Building across from the library).  Come for door prizes, FREE burgers, veggie burgers, and the fixings. As well - we have $2 beers. Some come celebrate the end of the first week - it is the social event of the season! https://webserver.lidc.sfu.ca/tep/fall-09/getPdf.php?c_id=104.


For your convenience, the Fall TA/TM Day Program is available online at
https://webserver.lidc.sfu.ca/tep/fall-09/getPdf.php?c_id=104&pdfnum=1.

See you there!
TSSU/GSS

Thomas Unsoeld

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Department of Biological Sciences / B7225
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC Canada V5A 1S6
778.782.4284 - Lab
tunsoeld@sfu.ca

Health Insurance and Benefit Plan Info Fair - next week Tuesday and Wednesday

The Graduate Student Society is hosting an Info Fair for the various health and dental benefits plans that are offered by organizations on campus, including the SFSS, the TSSU, SFU International, and ourselves, the GSS.  This event will be held on

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
and
Wednesday, September 16, 2009

10am - 2pm both days

in MBC 2212 (the graduate lounge in the Maggie Benston Centre.  It's between the SFSS offices and the convenience store).

Drop in at any time during those hours to learn about your health insurance, how to get a BC health care card (MSP), claims, opt-ins/opt-outs and to answer any other questions you may have.


The Graduate Student Society at SFU

Thomas Unsoeld

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Department of Biological Sciences / B7225
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC Canada V5A 1S6
778.782.4284 - Lab
tunsoeld@sfu.ca

--
Alex M. Chubaty, PhD Candidate
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC  V5A 1S6

phone: +1.778.782.4512
fax: +1.778.782.3496
email: achubaty@sfu.ca

NEW TIME: Welcome back / new student BBQ Sept 10 @ 4:45 pm

Due to conflicts with the departmental seminar and a health sciences course, we will be starting the BBQ at 4:45 pm in the physics-bio courtyard.

Mentors, please arrive at 4:30 to meet your mentees.

--
Alex M. Chubaty, PhD Candidate
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC  V5A 1S6

phone: +1.778.782.4512
fax: +1.778.782.3496
email: achubaty@sfu.ca

FALL TA/TM DAY (Fri., Sept. 11/09)

Fellow workers,

Please save the date: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 at SFU Burnaby:  Mark your calendar and plan to take part in the 24th Annual Fall Semester TA/TM Day:  The Teaching Orientation Program for SFU teaching assistants and tutor markers (and graduate students who plan to TA &/or TM one day)!  Don't miss this opportunity for peer-based support.  Come share your teaching strategies, best practises, your challenges, successes, your fears and concerns in a supportive environment, which encourages your participation.  (Please note:  Advance registration is not required.)

For your convenience, the Fall TA/TM Day Program(16 pg. pdf) is available online at https://webserver.lidc.sfu.ca/tep/fall-09/getPdf.php?c_id=104&pdfnum=1 Check it out!

And, don't forget to attend the Fall Social right after TA/TM Day:https://webserver.lidc.sfu.ca/tep/fall-09/getPdf.php?c_id=104



SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Learning and Instructional Development Centre presents

The 24th Annual Fall Semester TA/TM Day
The Teaching Orientation Program
https://webserver.lidc.sfu.ca/tep/fall-09/progdesc.php?c_id=104
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
8:30 am to 4:00 pm
SFU Burnaby
Make plans to attend the major TA/TM event of the Fall!
Advance registration is notrequired.

Opening Plenary Session begins at 8:30 am at the West Mall Centre (3rd Floor Atrium).
Workshops will be conducted at the West Mall Centre Atrium, Halpern Centre, Maggie Benston Centre, and the Library Lab.

**Remember:  Your time at TA/TM Day counts toward your TA/TM work
hours for the Fall Semester.

---
Sean Carleton
Organizer - Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU)
organizer@tssu.ca
www.tssu.ca