Report to GRC - University of Calgary in Alberta

Report to GRC March 2017

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

Sam Hossack GSA President [email protected]

GSA Elections Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2017 GSA General Elections. We had an impressive voter turnout this year and are pleased to announce your executive-elect:

President: Brit Paris VP Academic: Negar Mohammadi

VP External: Willem Klumpenhouwer VP Student Life: Taha Afyouni

VP Finance and Services: Christiana Manzocco

Recent Accomplishments Finances

• GSA Finances have formally been transitioned from BMO to RBC o We have already seen significant benefit in both our investment account and our

workshop/seminar series on financial health Accountability

• Continuing to work on parity for graduate students in Mac Hall “Who is a Graduate Student?” Campaign

• New ethics regulations in Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning Building have delayed progress

Meeting with Ministry of Economic Development and Trade

• Met with officials from Ministry (as part of ab-GPAC) to discuss graduate students’ roles in this sector of government as well as the importance of innovation

• Ministry is very supportive of graduate students and building innovation

• Alberta Innovates has two main sectors (tech solutions and health solutions) but is building capacity for a third (clean energy)

• Alberta Innovates has two important innovation programs that graduate students can participate in:



o CARES (for new entrepreneurs) o Incubator programs (mostly tech related)

Current Projects Federal Activities

• Nearly complete a beta version of information/data sharing platform; will be attempting to test with ab-GPAC

Governance

• Student Bill of Rights undergoing revisions

• Strategic Plan metrics undergoing revisions Annual Survey

• Draft survey complete; working with CampusLabs to create survey and implement FGS Funding

• FGS is in the midst of a funding review looking at minimum funding for PhD students, allocations of funding, etc.

• If you have thoughts on internal funding for graduate students, please send an email to [email protected]

Updates

Energizing Eyes High

• Document passed both General Faculties Council and Board of Governors with unanimous approval

• Key Updates include emphasis on campus culture, student experience, and entrepreneurial thinking

• Research and Academic Plan updates will begin in May

Excellence Awards

• Awards recipients have been selected for all GSA Awards; recipients will be announced at the Awards Gala on 6 April

• Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination – we had a record number of nominations this year!

West Campus Development Trust

• West Campus (University District) opened its Discovery Center (across from the Alberta Children’s Hospital) on 10 March

o Great opportunity to take a look at the development plans for the land west of campus

• Construction on first two sites will begin in Summer 2017

mailto:[email protected]



MacKimmie Complex

• Funding for the redevelopment of the MacKimmie Complex was announced as part of the Provincial Budget on March 16

• The funding will allow the University to renovate MacKimmie Tower (where FGS and GSA offices are located)

o FGS and GSA Offices will be decanted to Earth Sciences beginning in July 2017 o We are currently working with University to ensure our space is productive

Meetings Attended Meeting Name Date Day of the Week

FGS/GSA Awards Policies/Procedures 1-Mar Wednesday

FGS Council Executive 1-Mar Wednesday

GSA Awards Gala Prep 2-Mar Thursday

Academic Planning and Priorities Committee 6-Mar Monday

Trivia Hosting 6-Mar Monday

WCDT Board Meeting 7-Mar Tuesday

University District Discovery Centre Launch 7-Mar Tuesday

Board of Directors 8-Mar Wednesday

Bank Transfer 8-Mar Wednesday

GSA Residence and Family Housing Town Hall 8-Mar Wednesday

Meeting with Student and Enrolment Services Team 9-Mar Thursday

Meeting with Dru Marshall and Bart Becker 9-Mar Thursday

GFC 9-Mar Thursday

Leadership/Newcomers Award Adjudication Meeting 14-Mar Tuesday


Lunch with Chancellor Thirsk 15-Mar Wednesday

Awards Gala Meeting 15-Mar Wednesday

GSA Election Results Party 15-Mar Wednesday

Lisa Young 1:1 16-Mar Thursday

ED Performance Review 16-Mar Thursday

Survey softward Meeting 16-Mar Thursday

FGS Council 16-Mar Thursday

Board of Governors 17-Mar Friday

Meeting with incoming President 17-Mar Friday

Ucalgary 50th/Alberta Ballet 50th Event 17-Mar Friday

Celebration of Teaching Awards Prep 20-Mar Monday



Meeting with Ministry of Economic Development and Trade 21-Mar Tuesday

Meeting with Minister of Post-Secondary Education 21-Mar Tuesday

Meeting with ab-GPAC Executive Director 21-Mar Tuesday


Lynn Taylor 1:1 22-Mar Wednesday

MackImmie Tower Announcement 23-Mar Thursday

Diane Kenyon 1:1 23-Mar Thursday

Celebration of Teaching Awards 23-Mar Thursday

Diversity Week Closing Ceremony 24-Mar Friday

Awards Policy/Procedure 24-Mar Friday

Mental Health Survey Data 27-Mar Monday

APPC 27-Mar Monday

BoG/SLT Event 27-Mar Monday

GRC Committee 28-Mar Tuesday

Leadership/Newcomers Award Adjudication Meeting 28-Mar Tuesday

GRC 28-Mar Tuesday

Report to GRC

March 2017

Yangyang Fang

VP External

[email protected]

Recent Accomplishments

I have a successor!

• Meet your next VP Ex: Willem Klumpenhouwer!

Political Leadership Award

• Winner has confirmed attendance to the Awards Gala.

Budget 2017 – Post-Secondary Highlights

• Continued (domestic student) tuition freeze for 2017/2018

• 2% increase to university operating grants, but no tuition backfills.

• $3.6 million to mental health initiatives

• Alberta Innovates budget has been streamlined (no longer different sections such as AIHS

and AITF, everything is in one bucket now).

• U of C received full funding towards renovating the MacKimmie Tower.

Long Term Projects

Alberta Graduate Provincial Advocacy Council (Ab-GPAC)

• Continuing on-boarding of Executive Director (three meetings so far)

• ED attended budget lock-up and budget Q&A.

• Revising all ab-GPAC policies and documents and working with CAUS to develop HR and

personnel policies.

• Planning for transition

• Working on annual report

• Meeting with the ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

• Meeting with the Minister of Advanced Education.

• Responded to the Open Letter addressed to ab-GPAC and presidents of the four

Comprehensive Academic and Research Institutes.

• Funding Phase II consultations expected to begin end of May/beginning of June.

• Legislation currently being written about changes in labour relations, outcomes expected to

become public sometime in June.

Tuition and Fees External Stakeholder Advisory Group (ESAG)

• Was appointed as one of two graduate student representatives on the ESAG. Will be

working closely together with undergraduate representatives and the Provost over the next

three months to advise government on tuition and fee models best serving graduate students.

• Attended five full-day meetings thus far, discussing:

o Principles of tuition and fees

Report to GRC

March 2017

o Tuition fee increase models

o Exceptional tuition fee increases

o International student and apprentice fees

o Mandatory non-instructional fees.

• Notes and feedback on each meeting is available upon request.

Senate

• 33 new Senate applications to fill 10 vacant spots.

• Solidified media engagement plan for OTUC and HD

• Invited Senators to the LDL after the last Senate meeting in Feb to facilitate informal

discussions. 11 Senators attended and very much enjoyed the opportunity to chat after

official senate meetings. Will work together with the office of the Chancellor and Senate to

make LDL-hangouts a recurring event moving forward.

• Organized semesterly GSA-Chancellor/Senate lunch and introduced incoming board.

• Will introduce successor Willem to Senate at Large at the April 20th Senate meeting.

• Invited Senators to the GSA Awards Gala, the Graduate College capstone event, and the

IDA pitch competition.

GSA Mentorship program

• Continue to receive increased engagement both in the numbers of protégés and mentors

signing up!

• To date, including the March cohort, From September 2016 to March 2017 a total of 43

students have participated in MENTORSHIP GSA. From 2005 to 2015 we only did ~25 per

year, so we’re seeing a significant increase in student participation!

• 15 students attended the orientation for the March cohort - 5 of those applied and 1 was put

on the waiting list. The other 10 indicated they wanted to wait for the April cohort to apply.

• A total of 6 students were accepted for the March cohort.

• Julie has about a 98% success rate of matching a mentor with a protégé, and about an 85%

success rate of it being the student protégé’s first choice.

Short Term Projects

President’s Award Selection Committee

• 31 files received.

• Review is ongoing.

• Adjudication to take place on April 6th

Reassigned portion of VP Academic portfolio

• In charge of overseeing the Academic Standing Committee.

Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO)

• Re-evaluated CCVO membership benefits to graduate students and, deeming them relatively

insignificant, made the decision with the board to discontinue membership, saving over

$600 per annum.

External Relations Standing Committee (ERSC)

Report to GRC

March 2017

• Working on position paper for secondary suites

• Organizing a town hall with municipal mayoral candidates.

FYI & Highlights

Graduate College Capstone Event: the Screen Age

• March 27, 2017

• 6:15 p.m. – doors open to the public

6:40 – 8:15 p.m. – panel discussion

8:15 – 9:15 p.m. – dessert/coffee and conversation

• Alberta Children’s Hospital, 4th floor conference area

• Register at: https://eventbrite.ca/e/the-screen-age-registration-32233010803

ERSC Municipal Town Hall with 2017 Mayoral Candidates

• March 30, 4-5:30PM, ST 147

• Come meet and greet the 2017 Calgary Mayoral candidates and ask questions!

• Register at: https://municipaltownhall.eventbrite.com/

GSA Mentorship program

• Deadline to apply for April cohort is April 15th

• More info: https://gsa.ucalgary.ca/services/employer-liaison/mentorship/

• Applications to Julie Brown: [email protected]

Meetings Attended

Meeting name Date Day of the week

Feeding 9 Billion event provocateur training 21-Feb Tuesday CDCI advisory council meeting 21-Feb Tuesday US-Canada talks (former US ambassador to Canada) 22-Feb Wednesday Peer beyond research symposium 22-Feb Wednesday Clay 101 22-Feb Wednesday Political Leadership Award communications discussion with Thao and Claire 23-Feb Thursday BoD 23-Feb Thursday Willem lunch - transition chat 23-Feb Thursday Ucalgary anniversary concert 26-Feb Sunday ESAG #3 27-Feb Monday SLT 28-Feb Tuesday Student Leaders meeting (call in to Edmonton) 28-Feb Tuesday Coffe Jim McNeil (Senate check-in) 28-Feb Tuesday Senate at large meeting 28-Feb Tuesday Election Forum 28-Feb Tuesday GRC 28-Feb Tuesday NISC meeting 1-Mar Wednesday

https://eventbrite.ca/e/the-screen-age-registration-32233010803

https://municipaltownhall.eventbrite.com/

https://gsa.ucalgary.ca/services/employer-liaison/mentorship/


Report to GRC

March 2017

BoD Lunch 1-Mar Wednesday Grad college dinner 1-Mar Wednesday Speech from the Throne 2-Mar Wednesday Wellness fair - Clara Hughes talk 7-Mar Tuesday Call Nicole (ED) 7-Mar Tuesday Ab-GPAC board meeting 7-Mar Tuesday BoD 8-Mar Wednesday Meeting Jason about performance review 8-Mar Wednesday Meeting with student & enrolment leadership team 9-Mar Thursday GFC 9-Mar Thursday Meeting Linda Dalgetty 9-Mar Thursday Research in the pubc 9-Mar Thursday ESAG #4 & Meeting Nicole 10-Mar Friday Youth Mental Health Conference 13-Mar Monday Feeding 9 Billion 14-Mar Tuesday BoD 15-Mar Wednesday Lunch w/ Chancellor and Senate 15-Mar Wednesday Senate Executive Committee meeting 16-Mar Thursday FGS Council 16-Mar Thursday Budget 2017 Call-in 16-Mar Thursday HD committee meeting 17-Mar Friday Meeting Nicole (ab-GPAC transition) 18-Mar Saturday Chamber of Commerce breakfast Minister Ceci 20-Mar Monday Meeting with Ministry of Economic Development and Trade 21-Mar Tuesday Lunch meeting Minister Schmidt 21-Mar Tuesday ESAG #5 22-Mar Wednesday



Adrianne Offenbecker VP Student Life [email protected]

Recent Accomplishments Residence & Family Housing

• The annual GSA Residence & Family Housing Town Hall event was held on March 8 in Crowsnest Hall. The goal was to gather info on the graduate student experience in UofC residence; address concerns; gather feedback for both the GSA Residence & Family Housing Committee and Residence Services. Feedback was recorded and is in the process of being analyzed; once analyzed the GSA will meet with Residence Services to discuss results.

• Online Feedback form was created on the GSA website under the Residence & Family Housing Committee page

Service Day – Pluralism & Religious Diversity Week (March 15, 2017)

• The GSA Community Engagement Committee organized and hosted the 2017 Service Day at Pluralism & Religious Diversity week in collaboration with the Faith & Spirituality Centre. We made 500 sandwiches that were donated to the Calgary Drop-In Centre!

2017 Women’s Leadership Conference (March 11, 2017)

• Moderated the Academic Survival Guide panel; panelists included UofC graduate students Delshani Peiris and Emily Marasco and Dr. Jessalynn Keller

Short Term Projects

Innovation Development Awards – Pitch Competition & Awards Ceremony

• Currently working with Awards Chairs on logistics and planning for April 13 event

• Top 3 teams are awarded monetary prizes ($10k, $7k, $4k); Top 5 teams compete for “Fan Favourite Award” ($2k)

GSA Awards Gala

• Coordinating with GSA Events Coordinator, Awards Chair, and GSA President on 2017 Awards Gala (April 6, 2017; invite only)



Hair Donation Event with Mechanical Engineering Graduate Students’ Association

• Sponsored MEGSA hair donation event (March 6-11, 2016)

• Six hair donations were made to the Kids Cancer Community GSA Outstanding Volunteer Awards

• Created Terms of Reference for OVA, which are presented to volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty in service to the GSA and its members; awards to be presented at the annual GSA Awards Gala

Long Term Projects Orientation: Grad O Online Videos

• Interviewed four candidates for the graduate assistant position

[GSA]2

• The GSA Gay-Straight Alliance [GSA]2 has been holding regular networking events to build a stronger LGBTQA+ graduate community at the UofC

• We will be putting a call out for a Co-Chair of this GSA committee (currently part of the GSA Events Committee) in late March/early April

VP Academic Portfolio

• Now responsible for Innovation Development Awards (Pitch Competition & Awards Ceremony), Awards Gala, various committees (e.g., General Faculties Council Executive Committee, Graduate Academic Programs Subcommittee)

Services Highlight

• Preliminary bank of services to highlight is being created

FYI & Highlights

Congrats to Taha Afyouni, recently acclaimed GSA VP Student life for 2017-2018! Campus Community Hub – NOW OPEN! *Located at the bottom of Yamnuska Hall next to Subway

• Supported by the Campus Mental Health Strategy & SU Wellness Centre, this space is designed for students, faculty, and staff to learn, play, interact, help, and connect. Workshops, support groups, and various other wellness activities will be held in this space!

The Postsecondary Education Partnership – Alcohol Harms: Western Regional Symposium

• March 31, 2017 (9:30am – 3:00pm)

• Blue Room, Dining Centre, University of Calgary



• Free to attend & lunch is provided!

• Register here International Scholarship Mentor Program

The GSA Newcomers & International Students’ Committee (NISC) is starting a peer-mentoring program where students provide scholarship application assistance to international graduate students. This is a great opportunity to help your colleagues, as well as build your CV! Please email [email protected] if you are interested in becoming a mentor.

Upcoming Events

Wine Wednesday: April 5 (6-8pm), Last Defence Lounge - $15 GSA Dodgeball Tournament: April 9 (9am – 3pm), Jack Simpson Gymnasium – FREE! Paint Party: April 11 (5-7:30pm), Last Defence Lounge - $10 GradFest 4.0: April 12 (5-9pm), Last Defence Lounge - $5 *Please see the GSA Events Newsletter for a complete list of March GSA events

Volunteer / Student Engagement Opportunities

GSA Community Engagement Committee: Volunteer Opportunities

• TD Read With Me: Looking for graduate students to participate in the TD Read With Me program through the Calgary Public Library. The program pairs a graduate student with an elementary school student to practice reading skills. To participate or for more information, email Amanda Bishop ASAP.

• High School Talks: Looking for graduate students who are interested in speaking with high school students about their research and graduate studies. Transportation to and from the school and lunch is provided. To participate or for more information, please contact Amanda Bishop ASAP.

Calgary Youth Science Fair – Volunteers Needed! The Calgary Youth Science Fair will take place this April at the UofC Olympic Oval and they need volunteers to assist with set-up and crowd control during the event. This is a great way to get involved with the Calgary community and show your support for engaging youth with science. Volunteers shifts are as follows:

• Wednesday, April 19: 8am – 12pm o Table and barrier setup – physical work, though not heavy

• Friday, April 21: 7:15am - 3:30pm

http://www.ucalgary.ca/wellnesscentre/pep-ah?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTXprd1pERTJaak16TVRZNSIsInQiOiJNOWoxaHU5K3pOZ1cxVFd6S3YrbmVvUktDVXVHSmhaOEVsczdWWjFvNW05djZMTjBrUWJld0dLSnRqXC9oaGJEUzlXTmZqenBLZk9yaUVsZWFDakdVZWc9PSJ9






o General supervision of the competitors/crowd control – no physical work o Do not have to work entire shift (11:00am – 3:30pm is critical shift)

Please email [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering.

Meetings Attended Meeting name Day of Week Date

GRC Tuesday February 28

Newcomers & International Students’ Committee Meeting Wednesday March 1

GSA Awards Gala Meeting Thursday March 2

US Regional Advisory Council Friday March 3

Meeting w/Simon Barrick re: Residence & Family Housing Town Hall

Monday March 6

Pluralism & Religious Diversity Week Planning Meeting Monday March 6

Weekly 1:1 meeting with GSA Events Coordinator Monday March 6

Calgary Youth Science Fair Meeting Tuesday March 7

P&RDW – Service Day meeting Tuesday March 7

GSA Board of Directors Wednesday March 8

Meeting w/Provost Dru Marshall re: Fall Reading Week Wednesday March 8

Residence & Family Housing Town Hall Wednesday March 8

Meeting w/Women’s Resource Centre Thursday March 9

Meeting w/Student & Enrollment Leadership team Thursday March 9

General Faculties Council Thursday March 9

Meeting with NISC Chairs Thursday March 9

Mental Health Strategy Meeting Friday March 10

Interviews for Grad O videos assistant Friday March 10

1:1 meeting with Events Committee Chair Monday March 13

1:1 meeting with Community Engagement Chairs Monday March 13

Weekly 1:1 with GSA Events Coordinator Monday March 13

Meeting with Mental Health & Wellness Committee Chairs Tuesday March 14

GRC Debrief with SEDVS DGA Tuesday March 14

Board of Directors Wednesday March 15



Lunch with Chancellor Thirsk Wednesay March 15

GSA Election Results party Wednesday March 15

Implementation Committee – SHSV Tuesday March 21

Weekly 1:1 meeting with GSA Events Coordinator Tuesday March 21

Meeting with Student Success Centre Tuesday March 21

Board of Directors Wednesday March 22

Global Families meeting Wednesday March 22

Survivor Services subcommittee meeting Wednesday March 22

Graduate Academic Programs Subcommittee Wednesday March 22

Mental Health & Wellness Committee Meeting Wednesday March 22

Newcomers & International Students Committee meeting Thursday March 23

Meeting re: Grad Nomads support group Thursday March 23

NCHA Survey Data presentation Monday March 27

Weekly 1:1 meeting w/Events Coordinator Monday March 27

Monthly 1:1 w/Jen Quin Tuesday March 28

General Faculties Council Executive Tuesday March 28

Monthly meeting w/Wellness Centre Tuesday March 28



Arash Afshar GSA Vice-President Finance & Services [email protected]

Recent Accomplishments • Sustainability Award

o Received 21 applicants, results will be announced in Awards Gala

• Sustainability Workshops o Held two workshops, with speakers from office of sustainability and City of Calgary

• Health and Dental Couples and Families fees o Analyzed the impact and consulted with StudentCare o Will present two options at March GRC

• Quality Money o Allocated all the budget of this year!

• GSA budget o The draft of the budget has been approved by the FSC based on the 5% fee increase that

was approved by the GRC. The new budget will be presented at March GRC for approval.

Long Term Projects • Financial Transparency

o As a first step towards this goal, I held a Finance 101 at the October GRC.

• Streamline financial support

o I have made the changes in the Quality Money and emergency bursaries. I am also

working with VPA to merge the different processes of receiving financial support

through the GSA into one easy to follow/decide mechanism from the user perspective.

• Sustainability Awards

o To promote sustainability to our membership, the sustainability committee is working

towards developing sustainability awards. The applicants are being evaluated.

• Sustainable GSA

o As the GSA we aim to have a sustainable organization, from a financial point of view as

well as environmental, wellbeing, and society points of view. The sustainability

committee is working on assessing the current state of the GSA and propose guidelines

on how to improve the status quo.

Short Term Projects • Raise awareness on Collective agreement

o Developing an FAQ



• Sustainability workshops

o Held the first one on Feb 23rd.

o Held the second one on March 16th

FYI & Highlights N/A

Upcoming Events • Sustainability Award, March 15th

Volunteer Opportunities N/A.

Meetings Attended Meeting Name Date Day of the

Week

Sustainability committee meeting 6-Mar Monday

BoD 8-Mar Wednesday

GSA FH townhall 8-Mar Wednesday

Meeting with Student Enrollment 9-Mar Thursday

GFC 9-Mar Thursday

Digitization openhouse 10-Mar Friday

Quality Money discussion 13-Mar Monday

BoD 15-Mar Wednesday

Meeting with Chancellor Thirsk 15-Mar Wednesday

GSA Election Results Party 15-Mar Wednesday

Sustainability Award Judging 16-Mar Thursday

FGS 16-Mar Thursday

Final budget meeting 17-Mar Friday

Campus and Facilities Development meeting 21-Mar Tuesday

BoD 22-Mar Wednesday

Meeting with StudentCare 22-Mar Wednesday

FSC 22-Mar Wednesday

Sustainability Award Ceremony 22-Mar Wednesday

MacKimmie Tower Project Ribbon Cut 23-Mar Thursday



Mental Health Survey data presentation 27-Mar Monday

Meeting with BoG, SLT 27-Mar Monday

Report to GRC - University of Calgary in Alberta

Documents

Transcript of Report to GRC - University of Calgary in Alberta