Senate

Erin Sobat

Apply to Sit on a McGill Committee: April 6th Council Report

Have you ever wanted to see how McGill works behind the scenes? Are you passionate about campus issues like student services, academic programs, or equity? Do you have a great idea to improve student life? Then apply to sit as a student representative on a university committee! This is your opportunity to get involved on campus and work with the McGill administration and SSMU. Apply by Monday, April 17th at 5:00pm.

This week also marks the final Report of the VP University Affairs to the Legislative Council. However, the current executive term runs until May 31st, so stay tuned for a year-end report! In the meantime, check out some recent UA portfolio highlights:

  • Student working group released open letter regarding issues with campus mental health services
  • McGill’s Provost is holding drop-in hour at Gert’s this Thursday, April 6th from 4-5pm
  • Student senators are submitting April Senate questions on campus Islamophobia & student diversity
  • Library Improvement Fund Committee made final allocations & is reporting to Council
  • Nominations for AVEQ executive elections are open now until Friday, April 7th
  • Open forum on Tuesday, April 11th regarding improved reporting for complaints of sexual violence
  • We are preparing to train the incoming executive team in May!

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

  • Launched 2017-18 university committee recruitment
  • Equity Policy revisions approved
  • Made final Library Improvement Fund allocations
  • Sent monthly UA listservs
  • Submitted charter case on academic accommodations
  • Launched sexual violence policy committees & campus study
  • Formed working group on academic accommodation policies
  • Prepared May executive training schedule
  • 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
  • Policy against Unpaid Internships approved
  • Indigenous Solidarity Policy revisions approved
  • Internal Regulations for Board of Directors approved
Erin Sobat

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
Erin Sobat

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):

 

Erin Sobat

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):

Erin Sobat

Board of Governors, Unpaid Internships & Student Support: February 9th Council Report

SSMU Executive nominations are now open! Find more information on requirements and the nominations process here. Check out our February 9th Report to the Legislative Council to learn more about the busy upcoming month of advocacy projects.

Recent UA highlights:

  • Submitted motions to February 15th Senate meeting regarding formal recognition of Black History Month & review of Board of Governors practices
  • Circulated joint letter from McGill Communities Council (MCC) regarding concerns with Board of Governors (related to recommendations from SSMU research report)
  • Bringing Policy against Unpaid Internship, revised Equity Policy and revised Indigenous Solidarity Policy to SSMU Legislative Council this week (first readings)
  • Currently determining best means to address ongoing issues with implementation & communication of new “stepped care” model in Student Services
  • Working with Social Equity & Diversity Education (SEDE) Office, Campus Life & Engagement (CL&E), Scholarships & Student Aid Office (SSAO), Enrolment Services & other units to develop more targeted student support programs (first generation students, students from foster care, etc)
  • Open Educational Resources Researcher is presenting at Legislative Council meeting this week!

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

Erin Sobat

Do my Job! Exec Info Session, Shadowing Program, & January 26th Council Report

Think you could be the next VP University Affairs? This is your chance! Executive nominations open on Monday, January 30th, and we’re hosting a SSMU Executive Info Session for you to learn more about the role. In addition, you can now sign up for our “A Day in the Life” shadowing program in order to spend a day (or an afternoon) with any Executive and see what their job really entails. Finally, as always, you can check out my bi-weekly Report to the Legislative Council for the latest updates on UA projects & responsibilities.

Recent UA highlights:

  • Asked Senate question regarding Board of Governors reform at the January 18th meeting
  • Met with Deputy Provost & university committees to advocate for faculty mental health literacy training
  • Meeting with VP Student Life & Student Services to discuss issues with transition to stepped care & student consultation going forward
  • Working with McGill Communities Council (MCC) to address concerns with Board of Governors & advocate for recommendations from SSMU research report
  • Met with Social Equity & Diversity Education (SEDE) Office, Campus Life & Engagement (CL&E), Scholarships & Student Aid Office (SSAO), & Enrolment Services regarding student diversity in enrolment
  • Attended AVEQ Members’ Assembly in Chicoutimi & provided student feedback on government consultations for university sexual violence legislation

 

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

  • Organized Student Senator Info Session
  • Hosted Add-Drop “Know Your Student Rights” campaign
  • Completed research report on first generation students at McGill