AGM 2021
Hello Grad Students!
The GSS is holding its 2021 Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, February 23 at 4pm, this time virtually. This is one of the most important events at the GSS.
The meeting is open to all members in good standing of the Society, i.e., all currently enrolled (not on leave) graduate students at SFU. Virtual door opens at 3:45 pm.
Please RSVP hereΒ (a link to the meeting will be sent later). Only members in good standing who RSVPed in advance and remained until the end of the meeting will be eligible for prizes.
The full agenda for this meeting may be found below. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email our Director of Internal Relations atΒ internal@sfugradsociety.ca.
We look forward to “seeing” you at the AGM!
AGM 2021 Agenda
Click here for fullΒ online agenda document (with all motions)
1. Call to Order
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Appointment of Speaker
4. Appointment of Secretary
5. Declaration of Quorum (full or functional)
6. Adoption of the Agenda
7. Approval of the February 9, 2020 AGM Minutes
8. Reports:Β
a. GSS Annual Report 2019-2020 (Director of External Relations)
b. Auditorβs report
Β Β Gary Wozny of Tompkins Wozny LLP will present GSSβs audited Financial Statements for the 2019-2020 FY.
c. Question PeriodΒ
9. New Business:
a. Receiving the GSSβs audited Financial Statements for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year [unapproved draft until received at AGM]
b. Appointment of the auditor for the 2020β2021 Fiscal Year
c. Receiving and approving of regulations approved by Graduate Council since February 1, 2020 (Director of Internal Relations)
[The policy and regulation changes made by Graduate Council since February 1, 2020 may be found here.]
d. Motion in opposition to tuition increases at SFU (Director of External Relations)
Motion:
Β Β Β Be It Resolved That the GSS membership reiterates its long-standing opposition to tuition increases at SFU, especially in the midst of a global pandemic; and
Β Β Β Be It Further Resolved That the GSS membership calls on the SFU Administration to seriously consider changes to its long-term cost structure with student affordability and the core components of the educational experience in mind.
e. Motion in support of the unionization of RAs at SFU (Director of Academic Relations)
Motion:
Β Β Β Be It Resolved That the GSS membership denounces SFUβs ongoing delays in implementing the Research Assistant (RA) voluntary recognition agreement and calls on the SFU Administration to commit itself to taking the following actions: Recognize immediately all RAs as workers, including those whose work overlaps with their studies; provide healthcare and dental benefits for all RAs, including group MSP enrollment for the International Student Health Fee; reimburse the International Student Health Fee for all RAs, backdated to September 1, 2020, to provide immediate relief; and begin bargaining with TSSU for a first collective agreement for RAs.
10. Presentation:
a. Guest Speakers:
Sean Carleton and Julia Smith are former SFU graduate students and TSSU members. They have been involved in graduate student worker organizing in multiple provinces, including a campaign to unionize research assistants at Trent University in Ontario. Currently, they both work at the University of Manitoba.
The presentation will be followed by an update from TSSU regarding Research Assistant (RA) contract negotiations.
11. Announcements:
a. Prize draw for attendees (Director of Student Life)
b. Spring 2021 GSS Elections (Electoral Committee)
c. Charter of Values (Governance Committee)
12. Adjournment