recent accomplishments long term projects...2018/01/05 · report to grc january 2018 graduate...

Report to GRC January 2018

Graduate Students’ Association of the University of Calgary ES 1030, 844 Campus Place NW Calgary AB T2N 1N4 www.gsa.ucalgary.ca

Brit Paris President [email protected]

Recent Accomplishments Understanding Your Collective Agreement Workshop

• Workshop held on January 18th from 5-6:30pm. Attendance was poor, but the event was fantastic and we are looking at bringing the workshop around to faculties, as well as presenting it at GRC in April.

Long Term Projects That GRAD Space

• Continuing talks with VP Finance and Services, as well as the university architect to move forward on our new That GRAD Space, an exciting collision space just for graduate students. Stay tuned for a launch date and the location reveal!

Collective Agreement (CA) Negotiations (In conjunction with VP External)

• Ongoing meetings with our researcher to prepare for the CA negotiations. Informal discussions have begun, but nothing official as of yet.

Short Term Projects GRC Initiative Committee

• Leadership workshops scheduled (See Appendix A)

• GRCI Initiative award online – deadline February 16th!

Other • Academic and Research Plans approved by GFC, launching Feb 8th

• Observed the GSA council at the University of Alberta on January 22nd

• Tuition freeze announcement means we are continuing to advocate for international tuition to also be frozen at current levels

Meetings Attended BOG Finance & Property Meeting Monday 27-Nov

APPC Monday 27-Nov

BOG Environmental Health Safety & Sustainability Meeting

Tuesday 28-Nov

BoD Meeting Tuesday 28-Nov



VPTL Search Committee Tuesday 28-Nov

Lisa Young 1:1 Tuesday 28-Nov

Provost 1:1 Tuesday 28-Nov

GRC Tuesday 28-Nov

Stitch N' Bitch Wednesday 29-Nov

Diane Kenyon 1:1 Wednesday 29-Nov

Advanced Ed Conference Call Thursday 30-Nov

Labour Relations Committee Meeting Thursday 30-Nov

Ab-GPAC Governance Committee Thursday 30-Nov

UofA GSA President Thursday 30-Nov

Dec 6th Event Meeting Friday 1-Dec

SLT Holiday Party Saturday 2-Dec

GFC Student Appeal Hearing Monday 4-Dec

BoD Meeting Tuesday 5-Dec

WCDT Planning and Development Tuesday 5-Dec

WCDT Board Meeting Tuesday 5-Dec

Dec 6th Memorial Event - MC Wednesday 6-Dec

Undergrad Research Symposium Awards Wednesday 6-Dec

Grad Student Groups Meeting Thursday 7-Dec

General Faculties Council Thursday 7-Dec

Meeting Re: Research Integrity processes Friday 8-Dec

AB-GPAC Board Meeting Monday 11-Dec

BoD Meeting Tuesday 12-Dec

SU 1:1 Tuesday 12-Dec

Joint Committee Wednesday 13-Dec

TA s and Mat Leave Meeting Thursday 14-Dec

FGS Executive Lunch Thursday 14-Dec

FGS Executive Thursday 14-Dec

BOG Dinner Thursday 14-Dec

BOG Friday 15-Dec

GSA Christmas Lunch Saturday 16-Dec

Grad Space Meeting Monday 18-Dec

Lisa Young 1:1 Monday 18-Dec

Student Meeting Monday 18-Dec

APPC Monday 18-Dec

BOD Tuesday 19-Dec

Grad O Friday 5-Jan

Ab-GPAC Monday 8-Jan

BoD Tuesday 9-Jan



Crownest Architect Tuesday 9-Jan

Meeting with potential VP Tuesday 9-Jan

TA Orientation Wednesday 10-Jan

President Cannon 1:1 Wednesday 10-Jan

GRCI Committee Thursday 11-Jan

CA Workshop Planning Meeting Thursday 11-Jan

CA Meeting Thursday 11-Jan

FGS Council Thursday 11-Jan

Nursing Orientation Friday 12-Jan

Beers with BOG Friday 12-Jan

APPC Monday 15-Jan

BoD Meeting Tuesday 16-Jan

Ab-GPAC Governance Committee Tuesday 16-Jan

Governance Committee Wednesday 17-Jan

Internationalization awards Wednesday 17-Jan

GFC Thursday 18-Jan

CA Workshop Thursday 18-Jan

Stitch N' Bitch Monday 22-Jan

U of A GSA Council Monday 22-Jan

BoD Meeting Tuesday 23-Jan

IDEA Review Meeting Tuesday 23-Jan



Appendix A – Upcoming GRCI Leadership Workshops Developing Your Facilitation: Experiential Learning and Classroom Management Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 10:00am-1:00pm, BI (Biological Sciences) 542 In the second of this three-part workshop series, learn best practice tips and strategies for presenting, facilitation and the management of learning environments. In this workshop, you will also have the opportunity through mock presentations to put these tips and strategies into practice. Developing Your Conflict Style: Exploring Creative Strategies Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 10:00am-1:00pm, BI (Biological Sciences) 542 Most people consistently identify conflict as a top fear. In the third of this three-part workshop series, explore your perceptions of/response to conflict and learn your individual conflict style. This workshop will also explore strategies to navigate conflict, through both creative and structured frameworks.


Graduate Students’ Association of the University of Calgary MLT 214, 2500 University Dr. NW Calgary AB T2N 1N4 www.gsa.ucalgary.ca

Negar Mohammadi VP-Academic [email protected]

Upcoming Awards • GSA Emerging Leader Award (deadline: Feb 5)

o If you are in the first year of your graduate studies and have demonstrated excellence leadership potential, apply for the GSA Emerging Leader Award. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the GSA VP Academic.

• GSA Leadership Award (deadline: Feb 5) o If you have shown outstanding leadership in the university, GSA, and or community,

apply for the GSA Leadership Award. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the GSA VP Academic.

• GSA Excellence Award (deadline: Feb 12) o Nominate an excellent administrator, supervisor, research assistant, or teaching

assissUpdated awards and academic standing committee terms of references. Any questions or concerns should be directed to [email protected]

• Political Leadership Award (deadline: Feb 12) o This award was established by the Graduate Students’ Association of the University

of Calgary (GSA) to recognize the significant effort by an elected public official to undertake action on issues facing graduate students specifically at the University of Calgary, or more generally in the province of Alberta.

• Graduate representative council Initiative award (deadline: Feb 16) o This award was established by the Graduate Representative Council in recognition of

students who have demonstrated initiative in improving the graduate student experience for graduate students at the University of Calgary. This award is not meant to fund an initiative, but rather recognize individuals who have created an initiative, which benefits the graduate community at the University of Calgary. Questions can be sent to [email protected]

• GSA Sustainability Award (deadline: Feb 21) o You can nominate individual or a group of graduate students. You can also nominate

yourself. The $1,500 award value is funded by the Quality Money Grant of the GSA ($1,250) and the Sustainability Office ($250). The winner will receive a joint-award

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]?subject=2018%20IDEA%20Inquiry%20mailto:[email protected]?subject=2018%20IDEA%20Inquiry%20mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]



from the GSA and the Sustainability Office. Questions can be sent to [email protected]

• Innovation, Development, Entrepreneurship Award (deadline: March 5) o This award aims to support and develop innovation and entrepreneurial thinking

among the University of Calgary’s graduate student body by making local funds and expertise available over an 8-month consultation, guidance, and collaborative process with Innovate Calgary. If you have questions, please email [email protected]

Upcoming Events

• Peer Beyond Graduate Symposium (Feb. 20: MacEwan hall); Abstract submission deadline (Jan 29)

o The Peer Beyond Graduate Research Symposium is a unique opportunity for graduate students to present their innovative research at an interdisciplinary conference. Hosted by the Graduate Students’ Association, the mission of this conference is to showcase the research on campus through adjudicated student oral and poster presentations and to cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations within the graduate community.

• Open Education Week (March 5-9: all around campus)

o Open education encompasses resources, tools and practices that employ a framework of open sharing to improve educational access and effectiveness worldwide. Open Education combines the traditions of knowledge sharing and creation with 21st century technology to create a vast pool of openly shared educational resources, while harnessing today’s collaborative spirit to develop educational approaches that are more responsive to learner’s needs.

Long Term Goals

Awards/Scholarships Terms of references for the awards/bursaries/grants will get updated for each application closer to the deadline. Confirmation of funding for each type of financial support will get reviewed. Transparency on awards adjudication will be encouraged. Academia

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]



Advocate on behalf of graduate students at the University committees. Receive and review abstract applications for the Peer Beyond Graduate Symposium. Continually respond to students’ concerns on academic matters.

Short Term Projects Awards/Scholarship Review

• Adjudication of APSG (Winter Intake)

• GSA Bursary Funding Confirmation

• IDEA Pitch Ceremony organization

• Awards Gala

Volunteer Opportunities None at this time.

Meetings Attended Meeting Name Date Day of the Week

SLT Slide Review 23-Nov Thursday BOD 28-Nov Tuesday GRC 28-Nov Tuesday Reable meeting: Innovate Calgary 29-Nov Wednesday

SLT Holiday Party 2-Dec Saturday 1:1 Leslie 5-Dec Tuesday BOD 5-Dec Tuesday APSG review 8-Dec Friday BOD 12-Dec Tuesday FGS Awards Oversight 12-Dec Tuesday

GSA Holiday Party 16-Dec Saturday BOD 19-Dec Tuesday



Board Retreat 19-Dec Tuesday BOD 16- Jan Tuesday BOD 16- Jan Tuesday Meet with potential VPA 16-Jan Tuesday Meet with potential VPA (2) 16 – Jan Tuesday

IDEA past winners event organization 16 – Jan Tuesday OER Working group 16 – Jan Tuesday GFC 18- Jan Thursday BOD 23- Jan Tuesday IDEA past winners event 23 – Jan Tuesday

1:1 Leslie Reid 23 – Jan Tuesday GSA Bursary Evaluation 23- Jan Tuesday


Graduate Students’ Association of the University of Calgary 1030 ES, 844 Campus Place NW Calgary AB T2N 1N4 www.gsa.ucalgary.ca

Willem Klumpenhouwer VP External [email protected]

Recent Accomplishments Labour Relations Pilot Committee:

• The LRPC has met and reviewed preliminary changes to the labour portion of the bylaws. We also had a discussion about common labour issues to inform our Collective Agreement negotiations.

Alberta Graduate Provincial Advocacy Council

• Ab-GPAC has continued to work on strengthening internal policy and financial sustainability. Quarterly meetings with the government and student leaders continue.

• In early December, the Graduate Students’ Association of the University of Lethbridge submitted their intent to withdraw from ab-GPAC. They will remain a member until at the earliest December 2018.

• A presentation from ab-GPAC Executive Director Nicole Van Kuppeveld is planned for February GRC.

Collective Agreement

• We have been conducting research on various graduate student collective agreements throughout the country, and are assembling a list of features which can be included in the negotiations.

• The collective agreement workshop organized for January 18 was very helpful in collecting information about student concerns and information gaps.

Short Term Projects Bylaw Overhaul

• In response to Bill 7, a Labour section for the bylaws has been developed and is currently making its way through the governance and legal process. We will be submitting our Bylaws in February to the Labour Relations Board for their approval.

• As part of these major bylaw changes, we are removing references to the Societies Act to simplify our organizational requirements and align with other Students’ Associations across the province.

Labour Relations Committee

• Work continues on the structural and financial implications of having a Labour Relations Committee. The committee will be comprised of academically employed graduate students and handle all labour relations affairs of the GSA. The Chair will be the official representative of the GSA for all labour issues, and members will guide the labour

mailto:[email protected]



discussions for graduate students at the university. Think about running for next year!

Strategic Planning

• We are continuing to develop our strategic plan as we transition to our plan management and execution software. I am continuing to meet with staff and other board members to integrate goals and drive our strategic plan, Peer Peyond.

Meetings Attended

Meeting name Day of the Week Date

SLT Slide Review Thursday November 23

EVDS Decanal Search Committee Meeting Friday November 24

Travel to Edmonton Monday November 27

Preliminary UofA GSA ab-GPAC Meeting Monday November 27

Met with Nicole van Kuppeveld (ab-GPAC) Monday November 27

Travel to Calgary Monday November 27

GRC Meeting Tuesday November 28

Board Meeting Tuesday November 28

Met with Researcher Tuesday November 28

Tuition announcement from Government Thursday November 30

Labour Relations Pilot Committee Meeting Thursday November 30

SLT Holiday Party Saturday December 2

Senate Engagement Committee Monday December 4

Hosted Trivia Monday December 4

Board Meeting Tuesday December 5

Online Executive Meeting Tuesday December 5

GSA Christmas Party Saturday December 16

Met with Nicole van Kuppeveld (ab-GPAC) Monday December 18

Board Meeting Tuesday December 19

Board Retreat Tuesday December 19

EVDS Decanal Search Committee Meeting Tuesday December 19

Met with John Alho Thursday January 4

Met with Nicole van Kuppeveld (ab-GPAC) Thursday January 4

Mentorship GSA Brainstorming Friday January 5

Winter Graduate Orientation Friday January 5

ab-GPAC Board Meeting Monday January 8

Board Meeting Tuesday January 9

Travel to Edmonton Wednesday January 10

Met with UofA GSA Board Wednesday January 10



Travel to Calgary Wednesday January 10

Understanding Your Collective Agreement Planning Thursday January 11

Met with Researcher Thursday January 11

Faculty of Graduate Studies Council Thursday January 11

Beers with BoG Friday January 12

Met with Nicole van Kuppeveld (ab-GPAC) Monday January 15

Board Meeting Tuesday January 16

Lawyer Meeting Tuesday January 16

ab-GPAC Governance Committee Meeting Tuesday January 16

Governance Committee Meeting Wednesday January 17

Internationalization Awards Wednesday January 17

EVDS Decanal Search Committee Meeting Thursday January 18

General Faculty Council Thursday January 18

Understanding Your Collective Agreement Thursday January 18


Graduate Students’ Association of the University of Calgary ES 1030, 844 Campus Drive NW Calgary AB T2N 1N4 www.gsa.ucalgary.ca

Taha Afyouni VP Student Life [email protected]

Recent Accomplishments Winter Graduate Student Orientation

Highest turnout in the past 5 years, even though registration numbers were low!

The GradO committee decided to stop signing students in this term, so students were able to just walk into the room. This made the whole process smoother and the vibe less formal. This might become the norm from now on.

I organized the catering in the morning, the lunch at LDL, and the campus tours. Based on the survey responses, students really enjoyed the lunch and tours.

Given that the university is implementing a full-week reading break in Fall 2018, GradO in September will look very different than usual, and the committee is discussing logistics.

2017 GSA DGA Holiday Food Drive

Thank you to the DGAs that donated food items!

Winners will be announced during GRC. Fall 2017 Events by the Numbers



Discounted Tickets

Check out discounted tickets at https://gsa.ucalgary.ca/events/discounted-tickets/

Thanks to Thao Nguyen, the GSA Events Coordinator, for compiling these tables! Highlighted GSA Committee Accomplishments

Newcomers and International Students Committee: “Letters to Home” booths were very successful and over 100 letters were sent!

Events Committee: The chocolate fountain event during de-stress week in December was very popular.

Community Engagement Committee: The United Way Campaign wrapped up; thank you to all the graduate students that donated!

[GSA]2 (GSA Gender and Sexuality Alliance) Committee: Pronoun initiative is on-going. Pass by the GSA office to pick up pronoun buttons. New vice-chair: Kaylee Rich.

Graduate Residence Committee: Move Night at Varsity Courts was super successful, with over 70 children attending.

Long Term Projects Supporting Indigenous Graduate Students GSA Elections Volunteer Appreciation Party Highlighted GSA Committee Long Term Projects

Mental Health and Wellness Committee: Event themes for Winter 2018: January (Self-care), February (Mental Health Awareness), March (Sexuality and/or Culture and Religion), April (Addiction)

Short Term Projects FGS/GSA Photo Competition Highlighted GSA Committee Short Term Projects

Graduate Residence Committee: GResC is thinking of implementing an ESL group at Varsity Courts.

https://gsa.ucalgary.ca/events/discounted-tickets/



[GSA]2 (GSA Gender and Sexuality Alliance) Committee: Valentine’s Party and Art Night are coming up soon.

Mental Health and Wellness Committee: Cooking Class and Speed Friending are coming up soon. Survive & Thrive graduate student support group and graduate student-specific Mindfulness Workshops are still on-going.

Newcomers and International Students Committee: New “NISC goes to [insert sports event here]” series to introduce international students to popular Canadian sports.

Events Committee: Keep an eye out for Paintball, Snow Tubing, and a trip to Flying Squirrel.

Upcoming Events

Volunteer Opportunities Looking for volunteer opportunities? Sign up for our new Volunteer Recruitment Program! Check it out at https://gsa.ucalgary.ca/services/volunteer/

https://gsa.ucalgary.ca/services/volunteer/



Meetings Attended

Meeting Title Date Day

Events Committee Meeting 22-Nov Wednesday

Meeting with SESC Vice-Chair 22-Nov Wednesday

Student Experience Standing Committee Meeting 22-Nov Wednesday

Karaoke Night 22-Nov Wednesday

University of Calgary International Achievement Awards Selection Committee

23-Nov Thursday

GSA Staff Insights Meeting 23-Nov Thursday

Pre-GRC Slide Review 23-Nov Thursday

Foothills Trivia 24-Nov Friday

2nd Annual GSA Indoor Soccer Tournament 25-Nov Saturday

Events Planning Meeting with Thao 27-Nov Monday

Trivia 27-Nov Monday

GSA Board of Directors Meeting 28-Nov Tuesday

Volunteer Appreciation Budget Meeting 28-Nov Tuesday

Monthly GSA Meetings with Wellness Center 28-Nov Tuesday

GRC 28-Nov Tuesday

Bystander Intevention Working Group 30-Nov Thursday

[GSA]^2 Meeting 30-Nov Thursday

GSA SLT Holiday Party 2-Dec Saturday

Events Committee Meeting 3-Dec Sunday

Trivia 4-Dec Monday

GSA Board of Directors Meeting 5-Dec Tuesday

Board Game Night 5-Dec Tuesday

Cannabis Working Group Meeting 15-Dec Friday

GSA Staff Holiday Party 16-Dec Saturday

Winter GradO Planning 18-Dec Monday

Events Planning Meeting with Thao 18-Dec Monday

GSA Board of Directors Meeting 19-Dec Tuesday

GSA Board Retreat 19-Dec Tuesday

Winter GradO Planning 2-Jan Tuesday

Events Planning Meeting with Thao 2-Jan Tuesday



Substance Use Working Group 3-Jan Wednesday

Departmental Orientation - Chemical Engineering 3-Jan Wednesday

Winter GradO 5-Jan Friday

GSA Board of Directors Meeting 9-Jan Tuesday

ThatGradSpace Furniture Meeting 9-Jan Tuesday

Grad Success Week Planning Committee Meeting 9-Jan Tuesday

GSA Rep at Crowsnest Hall's Welcome Event 9-Jan Tuesday

UCalgaryStrong Volunteer Subcommittee Meeting 10-Jan Wednesday

International Student Support Network Meeting 10-Jan Wednesday

UCalgaryStrong Festival Main Committee Meeting 10-Jan Wednesday

Calgary Regional Mental Health Network Meeting (@ MRU) 12-Jan Friday

Beers with Board of Governors 12-Jan Friday

Implementation Committee for the Prevention of SHSV 15-Jan Monday

NISC Meeting 15-Jan Monday

BoD Meeting 16-Jan Tuesday

IDEA Feedback Event Planning 16-Jan Tuesday

Volunteer Appreciation Party Planning 16-Jan Tuesday

Board Game Night 16-Jan Tuesday

GResC Budget Meeting 18-Jan Thursday

GFC 18-Jan Thursday

[GSA]^2 Meeting 18-Jan Thursday

Grad Success Week Planning Committee Meeting 22-Jan Monday

Winter GradO Debrief 22-Jan Monday

Events Planning Meeting with Thao 22-Jan Monday

Trivia 22-Jan Monday

BoD Meeting 23-Jan Tuesday

Meeting with 2016-2017 IDEA Winners 23-Jan Tuesday

International Graudate Student Appreciation Day Planning 24-Jan Wednesday

MHWC Meeting 24-Jan Wednesday

January 2018 GRC Report PRESRecent AccomplishmentsLong Term ProjectsShort Term ProjectsOtherMeetings Attended

January 2018 GRC Report VPAUpcoming AwardsUpcoming EventsLong Term GoalsShort Term ProjectsVolunteer OpportunitiesMeetings Attended

January 2018 GRC Report VPERecent AccomplishmentsShort Term ProjectsMeetings Attended

January 2018 GRC Report VPSL

recent accomplishments long term projects...2018/01/05 · report to grc january 2018 graduate...

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