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Students' Society of McGill University

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  • Senate Caucus Biweekly Report for Nov 21-Dec 5, 2016

    report

    Now that we’ve reached the end of the term, the Senators are wrapping up their work as well. Here is the last biweekly report of the term! You can also find our previous biweekly reports here.

    A few highlights:

    • At the November 21 Senate, the McGill Policy Against Sexual Violence was passed!
    • We discussed governance reform at McGill, in light of the analysis done by SSMU that was recently released about McGill University’s Board of Governors. Read the full report here
    • We discussed the construction around campus and how it was hindering accessibility for some students. After asking a Senate Question on this topic, we discussed some improvements that were immediately acted upon or promised in the future (e.g. fixing gaps between the street level and the sidewalk in crossings on McTavish).

    Minutes of each Senate Caucus meeting is available upon request via email.

    If you’re interested in attending a Senate Caucus meeting to learn more about what the Senators do, feel free to email me (the UA Secretary) to get more information. Senate Caucus meetings are held every Monday at 6:30 PM in the SSMU Office.

  • MUSA Mandalas for Mental Health

    The end of another term can bring a varying set of emotions and for many of us these emotions included high levels of stress and anxiety with looming finals, performances, juries, practicums etc.  It’s important not to become so over consumed in studying that you forget to check in with yourself and ensure #SelfCare.

    The Music Undergraduate Student Association (MUSA) has created a Self-Care Campaign feat. Finals: MUSA Mandalas for Mental Health to help students de-stress during this period. Mandala Located in the Strathcona Lobby, C-201, the Music Cafeteria, and the printers outside the E-Wing for students to sit and colour or to take one (or four) to go (because lets face it, students are always on the go!)

    This time can be a very stressful time and busy time especially for music students but remember to take care of yourselves – in whatever way feels best to you! As always, if you need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a MUSA exec, a friend, a faculty or admin member, McGill Mental Health, or the McGill Nightline (514-398-6246).

    Remember, You Are More Important Than Your Finals!

    MUSA Mandalas for Mental Health

  • Final Fall Update: December 1st Council Report

    How is it almost December already? Procrastinate from your exam studying by reading our December 1st Council Report to learn where planned projects have landed this term!

    Stay tuned for a January progress report along with revised goals for the Winter 2017 term.

    Recent UA highlights:

    • The McGill Policy against Sexual Violence was unanimously approved by McGill Senate on November 23rd (now awaiting final approval by the Board of Governors on December 1st);
    • We are recruiting volunteers for the January Know Your Rights campaign; sign up by December 9th!
    • Student Services has implemented a new category of “urgent appointments” for Counselling and Mental Health Services, beginning December 1st;
    • We submitted a question regarding Faculty internship programs to the December Senate meeting;
    • The Association of McGill University Support Employees (AMUSE) has reached a tentative agreement with the administration; more details will be announced in the coming weeks;
    • The VP UA is currently working with Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) & the Associate Vice-Principal (Innovation) to implement a global access licensing framework for health innovations;
    • We are recruiting for a new Harmful Military Technology Researcher; apply by December 8th!

    Fall goals completed to-date (italics = since last report):

  • Senate Caucus Biweekly Report for Nov 7-21, 2016

    report

    Presenting the SSMU Senators’ fifth biweekly report! You can also find our previous biweekly reports here.

    A few highlights:

    • The Senators attended the annual Joint Board-Senate Meeting, with the topic of “McGill’s Sustainability Plans and Initiatives” on Thursday, November 10. The discussions have been compiled into a report presented to the November Senate here.
    • We discussed the recent changes to access for urgent care at McGill’s Counselling and Mental Health Service (CAMH). The recent changes left a gap in which students who do not fall into the category of “Safety Appointments” are left without any options for urgent mental health service at McGill. We are working together with CAMH to address this issue.
    • We discussed the policy for preferred first names. From now on, all issues related to preferred first names can be addressed to Heidi Emami (the Associate Registrar in charge of the preferred first name policy).

    Minutes of each Senate Caucus meeting is available upon request via email.

    If you’re interested in attending a Senate Caucus meeting to learn more about what the Senators do, feel free to email me (the UA Secretary) to get more information. Senate Caucus meetings are held every Monday at 6:30 PM in the SSMU Office.

  • Deferred Exam Pilot Project Takes Off

    The Subcommittee on Student Undergraduate Advising (SUSA) has recently announced a new pilot project for the academic year.  The project is allowing first time exam deferring students to apply without the need for supporting documentation.  This policy was designed to allow students who need to defer exams due to medical or mental health circumstances, the opportunity to do so while helping to alleviate pressures on Health Services for required documentation.

    The project (spanning the 2016-2017 academic year) applies to the following faculties:

    • Agricultural & Environmental Science
    • Arts (inclusive of Social Work & Religious Studies)
    • Education
    • Law
    • Management
    • Science

     For further questions, please contact your respective Student Affairs Office or visit the Deferred & Supplemental Exams Website

     

  • Late Semester Slowdown: November 14th Council Report

    It’s that time of term: days are getting shorter, policies still aren’t writing themselves, and it’s hard to find energy to keep pushing projects forward. But the work continues, and you can check out the details in my November 17th Council Report. Also, don’t forget to vote for the SSMU Fall Referenda and General Assembly Ratification, ballots for which can be found at www.ssmu.simplyvoting.com!

    Recent UA highlights:

    • The final draft of the McGill Policy Against Sexual Violence, including many of our recommended changes, will be presented for approval at the November 23rd Senate meeting
    • We met with Student Services & the Dean of Students to voice our concerns with new medical note policies (documentation will only be provided to students already followed by a clinician or who qualify for restrictive “safety appointments”)
    • The VP University Affairs participated in a 3-day cyclical review of Enrolment Services (Service Point, Exams Office, Registrar, Admissions, & more), during which they provided detailed input based on student consultation
    • Senators submitted Senate questions regarding campus accessibility during construction & university regulation of unpaid internships
    • We continue to update the Student Rights website & develop Faculty association partnerships in preparation for the January “Know Your Rights” campaign (volunteer recruitment launching soon)
    • Mid-term performance evaluations are in-progress for portfolio student staff

    Fall goals completed to-date (italics = since last report):