Hello Grads,

Welcome to the July GSS Newsletter!

As always, if you’d like to share your ideas, questions, and concerns with the GSS, or if you’d just like to stop by and have a cup of coffee, please don’t hesitate to drop by our office and lounge (MBC 2205). But, remember, we currently have Summer hours. The GSS offices and lounge are open Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm. We hope to see you around!

Mental Health Well-Being Blurb

Hey Grads, did you know Health and Counseling hosts weekly guided meditation sessions?! Every Wednesday from 12:30-1:20pm in Burnaby and every Tuesday from 4:30-5:15pm at Harbour Centre a knowledgeable mediation practitioner will lead you through a 50 minute relaxation routine. This is a great way to get into mediation if you have no or limited experience. I personally meditate 10-15 minuets every day, sometimes longer, and I have found it makes quite the impact in my awareness, focus, stress level, self-control, and overall mental well-being. So come on, try something different. You could leave with a new, healthy, and lifelong routine!

In Burnaby, the classes are held on Wednesdays from 12:30-1:20pm in Group Room 1 and 2 MBC 0101. Downtown, the classes are held on Tuesdays from 4:30-515pm in Wellness Studio Room 253. For more information click here.

Announcements from the GSS

STIPENDED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY – Speaker of Graduate Council

Please apply no later than August 1, 2018 at 11:59pm.

Position Description

The GSS is looking to appoint a Speaker of Graduate Council. The Speaker appointment is for one year and will be selected at the August 14, 2018 Council Meeting, starting at 4pm at SFU Burnaby, Maggie Benston Centre, room 2294. The speaker is expected to be available for all Council meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of each month, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at SFU Burnaby, Vancouver or Surrey. Council meetings are scheduled at least one semester in advance; please refer to our website for the exact location of future meetings.

Required Skills

• Communication, time-management, collaborative working, public and strategic speaking

Highly Desired Skills

• Knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order (especially in a student society/association setting)
• Good knowledge of GSS’s constitution & bylaws, policies, regulations and procedures (especially as they apply to Graduate Council)
• Knowledge of GSS’s services and operations

How to apply

• Submit a short (200 words or less) statement of intent explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position no later than August 1, 2018 at 11:59pm
• Make a short presentation at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 (4:00 – 6:00 pm) at SFU Burnaby – MBC 2294
• If you have not yet attended a meeting of Graduate Council, it is suggested the you be present at the July 10, 2018 meeting (SFU Burnaby, Main Library, room 7200)

Compensation

The Speaker of Graduate Council receive a $50.35 stipend for each meeting attended. If you are interested in this position, please email: Nancy Kwong, Director of Internal Relations at internal@sfugradsociety.ca and Pierre Cenerelli, Executive Director at pierre.cenerelli@sfugradsociety.ca

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Academic Supervision – Volunteer Opportunity

The Graduate Student Society and Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies are co-chairing a committee with the aim of reimagining graduate student supervision at SFU over the next few years. The purpose of this work is to positively transform the graduate student supervisory experience and it is part of SFU’s new student experience initiative (more info found here: https://www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/SEI.html)

In an attempt to get graduate students from a range of supervisory experiences involved in this work we are still looking for a graduate student volunteer from a professional program who would be interested in being part of this committee.

Please email Chantal Turpin, Director of University Relations at ur@sfugradsociety.ca with your expression of interest or if you have any questions about this volunteer opportunity.

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Dean, Faculty of Education Search Committee – Volunteer Opportunity

SFU is in the process of forming a Search Committee for the Dean of the Faculty of Education and we are looking for a graduate student from that faculty to serve on this hiring committee. This is an opportunity that will look great on your resume and is a wonderful learning opportunity for anyone who is planning to pursue a career in academia or for anyone who wants to learn more about the internal workings of a hiring process before they begin seeking their own employment opportunities.

If you or a fellow SFU graduate student in the Faculty of Education are interested in this opportunity, please submit a 200 word (or less) expression of interest outlining why you want this position and your basic qualifications to Pierre Cenerelli at pierre.cenerelli@sfugradsociety.ca and Chantal Turpin at ur@sfugradsociety.ca as soon as possible.

To minimize scheduling difficulties, SFU has set meetings for the Search Committee in advance. Anyone serving on the Committee is asked to block the following dates/times in their calendars. Please note, however, that the times indicated below represents only the time you are being asked to hold in your calendars; the actual time commitment will typically be significantly less (particularly for the interview days) and will be communicated to you ahead of time:

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Dean, Faculty of Environment Search Committee – Volunteer Opportunity

SFU is in the process of forming a Search Committee for the Dean of the Faculty of Environment and we are looking for a graduate student from that faculty to serve on this hiring committee. This is an opportunity that will look great on your resume and is a wonderful learning opportunity for anyone who is planning to pursue a career in academia or for anyone who wants to learn more about the internal workings of a hiring process before they begin seeking their own employment opportunities.

If you or a fellow SFU graduate student in the Faculty of Environment are interested in this opportunity, please submit a 200 word (or less) expression of interest outlining why you want this position and your basic qualifications to Pierre Cenerelli at pierre.cenerelli@sfugradsociety.ca and Chantal Turpin at ur@sfugradsociety.ca as soon as possible.

To minimize scheduling difficulties, SFU has set meetings for the Search Committee in advance. Anyone serving on the Committee is asked to block the following dates/times in their calendars. Please note, however, that the times indicated below represents only the time you are being asked to hold in your calendars; the actual time commitment will typically be significantly less (particularly for the interview days) and will be communicated to you ahead of time:

More GSS Volunteer Opportunities:

The GSS is actively seeking volunteers among our members. Volunteering is a great way to feel more connected and to build community. Here are the current opportunities:

1) On July 24th the GSS is celebrating our 11th anniversary and we are hosting a trivia competition. We are looking for a grad student or two to help out at the event and take photos of all the fun for GSS social media.

2) The GSS is looking for graduate students to be apart of our space working group. We are actively addressing office space concerns and we would love to here from our membership as we tackle this upcoming issue.

3) the SFU Student Experience Initiative is looking for graduate students to sit on committees and to be engaged in the process of improving the overall experience of students here at SFU. There are 8 committees each working on a range of topics ranging from building community to supervision for the 21st century. For more information on this specific opportunity click here.

4) We are assembling a list of volunteers for the Fall Graduate Orientation. There are a variety of things we will need help on from giving campus tours the day of, to stuffing goodie bags in the days before. This should be a ton of fun!

If you have any further questions or are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact the Director of Student Life, Dylan Flint, at student-life@sfugradsociety.ca, or if you’re eager to get started please fill out our volunteer sign-up form here.

Graduate Caucus Funding

Did you know that every graduate caucus gets money to spend on almost anything that benefits the grad students in your department? (See the Caucus Funding Spreadsheet for funds available to you for the rest of this fiscal year.)

Playland Tickets

Discounted Playland tickets are available using the GSS discount code. General admission and season pass
discounts for general and junior admission. This code is posted in the GSS Lounge and available by email: info@sfugradsociety.ca.

Please note: The GSS info email is only checked during office hours.

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GSS Events

1) Get your teams ready! Our 11th Anniversary Celebration Trivia Competition is in two weeks:

2) Remember, graduate orientation is right around the corner and we need your help:

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Announcements and Events from SFU

Get Ready! SFU Mail Is Coming to Students in August 2018

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Feminist Family Story Time!

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Announcements and Events from the Community