University Affairs

Students' Society of McGill University

Blog

  • Spring Soon? March 23rd Council Report

    Spring is (technically) almost here! We hope that the longer daytime hours are helping you make it through that midterm-paper grind. Just a reminder that we’re currently hiring for a University Affairs Secretary General and two Equity Commissioners. Apply by March 31st!

    Highlights from this week’s Report of the VP University Affairs to Legislative Council include:

    • SSMU Equity is hosting a Comedy Night with Hari Kondabalu this Monday, March 20th at 6:00pm
    • Our Students from Care Researcher is organizing a Cafe Collab consultation session with the Social Equity & Diversity Education (SEDE) Office this Tuesday, March 21st at 4:00pm
    • McGill Senate will be discussing the university budget, proposed revisions to Policy on Intellectual Property, strategic enrolment management & student aid this week
    • The Library Improvement Fund Committee is reviewing project proposals for final allocation decisions
    • Nominations for AVEQ executive elections open on Monday, April 3rd

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

    • Policy against Unpaid Internships approved
    • Indigenous Solidarity Policy revisions approved
    • Internal Regulations for Board of Directors approved
    • Released first generation students research report
    • Create Indigenous course content advocacy plan
    • Developed long-term student staffing plan
    • Organized Student Senator Info Session
    • Hosted Add-Drop “Know Your Student Rights” campaign
    • Released foster care students research report
    • Launched University Affairs staff hiring

  • Senate Caucus Biweekly Report for Feb 20-Mar 13, 2017

    report

    School seems to be on full speed these weeks, and the Senators seem to be seeing a slow week as well, as seen here in their latest biweekly report! You can also find our previous biweekly reports here, or in the Senators’ blog.

    A few highlights:

    • The McGill Non-Smoking Policy is ready to be presented to the highest admins, before it is brought to the McGill Senate. The plan is to implement it by September 2017.
    • Discussed the implications of the report from Scholarship and Student Aid Office (SSAO) that there is a huge surge in bursary applications this year, especially from international students.
    • Most of the new Student Senators for 2017-2018 has been elected!

    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.

  • Work for us next year! Job Opportunities & March 9th Council Report

    SSMU is hiring for 2017-2018! Work under the University Affairs portfolio or in another area at SSMU. Available positions include University Affairs Secretary General, Equity Commissioner, and much more. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2017. Contact SSMU Human Resources with your questions or visit recruitment drop-in hours between 11am-4pm every Monday and Wednesday in March.

    Wondering what University Affairs staff do? Check out this week’s Report of the VP University Affairs to Legislative Council for some ideas. Recent UA highlights include:

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

     

  • Fostering Post-Secondary Success: Support Programming for Students from Foster Care

    SSMU University Affairs has released a new research report, entitled Fostering Post-Secondary Success: Support Programming for Students from Foster Care. This document examines current issues faced by students from the welfare system and their transition to post-secondary education, as well as targeted recruitment, retention, and support strategies in place at other institutions. A survey of student experiences and existing programming indicates that McGill University provides no dedicated support resources for this population, nor do they currently collect relevant demographic data beyond some financial aid applications.

    The report makes clear that much more can be done to promote educational access and success for students from foster care entering McGill. Proposed recommendations include developing dedicated financial aid opportunities; conducting targeted outreach and recruitment campaigns; creating specific student mentorship and psychological support programs; and collecting comprehensive data on student admissions and experiences. Any questions regarding the report can be directed to the VP University Affairs.

     

  • Senate Caucus Biweekly Report for Feb 6-20, 2017

    report

    Reading week is only a week away, and with this we’re halfway through the Winter term! The Senators have a lot going on as you can see here in their latest biweekly report! You can also find our previous biweekly reports here, or in the Senators’ blog.

    A few highlights:

    • In the February 15 Senate Meeting, a Senate Motion submitted by a SSMU Senator, to recognize and promote Black History Month at McGill, was passed.
    • The Senators discussed the University’s Strategic Academic Plan (2017-2022), which was up for open discussion at the February 15 Senate Meeting.
    • The implementation of preferred names at McGill has seen progress in recent weeks, allowing students to use their preferred names in McGill-related contexts if they choose. Find out more about it here.

    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.

  • Fleeting February: Policies, Policies & more Policies

    Despite being the shortest month, February sure has been hectic! Reading Week is close, so let’s push through this last week until the break. In the meantime, check out my February 23rd Report to the Legislative Council for all of the updates.

    Recent UA highlights:

    • McGill Senate approved a motion to formally recognize & celebrate Black History Month every year
    • Proposed Policy Against Ancillary Fee Increases will be presented to the Winter General Assembly
    • Bringing SSMU Policy against Unpaid Internships, revised Equity Policy and revised Indigenous Solidarity Policy to Legislative Council this week for approval
    • Releasing research report on students coming from foster care in the coming days
    • Currently reviewing new draft Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) from the administration

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