Monday, March 21 caucus meeting to discuss alleged shenanigans in the GSS election

Hi grads

As outlined by Thomas, there have been allegations of problems with the GSS election.  All students are invited to meet at 10:30 AM, Monday March 21 in the 7000 level biology graduate lounge to share your thoughts on the allegations below.

As this is a last-minute special meeting, we will only discuss this particular issue to keep the meeting short.

Brett, caucus chair

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear BISC grads,
An emergency Council meeting has been called to address concerns over the current GSS elections. Graduate student members are welcome to attend.

Subject: Fwd: Agenda for Emergency Council Meeting
Good afternoon everyone,
Please find attached the agenda for the Emergency Council Meeting that will be held on Monday, March 21 2011, at 2:00 - 4:00 PM.
The meeting will take place in the Maggie Benston Centre, in rooms 2290 and 2292 (behind the SFSS Copy Centre).
Raged Anwar, who is our current Operations & Finance Officer, will act, if approved by Council, as the Speaker of the meeting.
The attached agenda is based on the agenda that Health Sciences representative Sarah Chown had proposed, but, adjusted to reflect what Council can and cannot do.
The Electoral Committee has been invited to take part in the meeting to provide additional information and responses to concerns that have been voiced.
The concerns from Caucuses and Councillors will provide the opportunity for all members present to share their personal thoughts, or those of their Caucus, regarding the electoral process, the regulations and bylaws regarding the elections, and identifying opportunities to improve the process and rules for the future.
The motion regarding whether there has been an infraction of the by-laws is presented in the negative specifically to not presume blame.  It will require a mover and seconder, and will be voted upon by Council.
The second motion regarding whether Council wishes to recall the current members of the Electoral Committee will also require a mover and seconder to go forward, and will be voted upon by Council.
The Next Steps is an opportunity for future actions to be proposed by Council.  Please note that these steps must also fit within the purview of what is allowed in the By-laws and regulations.
Graduate students members are welcome; however, if we do not reach quorum (15 Councillors or Alternates), the meeting cannot take place officially.
To clarify, there are no "in camera" items listed in the agenda.  Only Council can vote to go "in camera" and even if that occurs, no motions may be moved or voted on while "in camera".
Please do feel free to circulate this to Caucus members as you see fit.

Correction: Caucus will meet this Wednesday March 16, 3:30 to 4:30 PM 7000 level biology grad lounge

Hi grads

It turns out there are a few people who couldn't make it next Wednesday.  We came up with the idea of switching meeting times to facilitate reimbursements for the grad hosted speaker event, but we'll change it back to the normal time, this Wednesday 3:30 to 4:30.

Consequently, one of our important meeting issues will be to pre-approve expenses for the grad hosted speaker.

Other important issues:
- Notice of elections - Caucus executive positions are coming back up for election.  In keeping with the caucus constitution the incumbent chair (that's me) must give at least one months' notice of election, so I will officially give that at the meeting this week.  Nominations will be open until Tuesday April 12, and then campaigning will be permitted from Wednesday April 13 to Tuesday April 19, and then the election will take place on Wednesday April 20, the final caucus meeting of the semester. 

I will not be running for re-election, so you won't have to go up against my well-oiled campaign machine.  In the past, very few people have run, and there are therefore many positions that are assigned without a race.  This is a great way to build up your CV, learn something about student government at SFU, and meet people within the department.

- Publishing workshop #2 is coming up.  We need volunteers, so come lend a hand in return for a shiny "community service" line on your CV

- Discussion of the caucus' position on the President's Research Stipend

Please review the attached draft agenda and get back to me with additions.

Also, B9242 is occupied, so we will meet in the 7000 level biology graduate lounge at 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brett Favaro, caucus chair

Caucus meeting will be NEXT Wednesday the 23rd, not this week

Hi grads

Just a notice - instead of holding our caucus meeting this Wednesday, we'll hold off and have the meeting  next Wednesday the 23rd so that we can do a proper wrap-up of the grad-hosted speaker.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brett Favaro, caucus chair

Feb 9 Biology Grad Caucus meeting minutes available

Here are the minutes from the last caucus meeting:

http://www.sfu.ca/biology/grad_caucus/Business/minutes.html

Highlights include:
-grad-hosted speaker and grad symposium updates
-an update from the Scholarship sub-committee
-TSSU bargaining going slow
-call for GSS nominations and general meeting Feb 23

Cheers,
Matt

GSS Annual General Meeting (& Social at Himalayan Peak)

Just an reminder: I hope many of you will be able to attend!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & SOCIAL

Wednesday, February 23 2011

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Halpern Centre (Burnaby Mountain Campus)

The GSS will be hosting its Annual General Meeting where we will be providing an update on activities over the past year, discussing graduate student space & space for the GSS, reviewing our audited financial documents, and, most importantly, hearing your questions and concerns.

The first 100 graduate students at the AGM will receive VIP Passes to skip the lineup at the social following the meeting at Himalayan Peak (in Cornerstone) starting at 6:00 PM.  We will be providing free buffet dinner (including several vegetarian options), with a cash bar available

For more information, and to view the AGM agenda, please visit:

http://www.sfugradsociety.ca/AGM_2011.html

Thomas Unsoeld

Biology graduate caucus meeting TOMORROW Feb 9, 3:30 PM B9242

Hi grads

We forgot that reading week is next week.  That's why instead of having a meeting next week, you're getting late notice for a biology graduate caucus meeting:

Tomorrow, Feb 9, 3:30 to 4:30 in B9242.

Please review the attached agenda and let me know if you have any additions or if anything is missing.

One of the big highlights of tomorrow's meeting will be that we learn all kinds of cool insider information about scholarships at SFU.

Also there will be wonderful treats.

See you there

Brett

Caucus meeting TODAY 3:30- room change to Bisc 7000 level lounge

Hi all,

We'll be having our meeting today in the Biology 7000 level lounge instead of B9242.

Steph

Caucus meeting this Weds Jan 19 @ 3:30pm

Hi all,

I hope everyone had a great winter break. Our next grad caucus meeting is this Wednesday, Jan 19,  from 3:30-4:30pm in B9242.

On the agenda (attached):

- Planning for three events this semester: Biology grad symposium/recruiting event, Grad-hosted speaker, and Publishing Workshop Part 2
- Formation of a scholarship sub-committee
- Call for nominees for a GSS representative position

Email me if you've got something else to add.

Come on out for some free drinks & snacks, and get involved!

See you then,

Steph