UVIC undergrads follow GSS in leaving CFS. [Times Colonist report.]
Showing posts with label defederation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label defederation. Show all posts
Friday, April 1, 2011
UVic referendum on CFS membership attracts record turnout
UVic [undergrad] referendum on CFS membership attracts record turnout
Thursday, March 24, 2011
A little GSS history
I admit to watching with interest as Pro- and Ant- CFS campaigners dash about campus for the pending UVSS referendum on CFS memebrship, and my thoughts turn to our own departure from the CFS in March 2008.
No doubt for similar reasons, I was asked by some undergrads what our reasons for leaving were. I am not sure the situation of undergrads in 2011 is the same as those at the GSS in 2008, but I posted the GSS articles from the era here for those who are curious.
No doubt for similar reasons, I was asked by some undergrads what our reasons for leaving were. I am not sure the situation of undergrads in 2011 is the same as those at the GSS in 2008, but I posted the GSS articles from the era here for those who are curious.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Yes and No CFS Campaign websites launched
The NO (campaign to leave the CFS) and YES (campaign to stay) have had their websites approved by the Referendum Oversight Committee.
No Campaign: http://cogitoergono.blogspot.com/
Questions for the No side can be sent to Joe Kolthammer gssdcomm [at] uvic.ca or by phone cell 889-4134
The "Yes" campaign (campaign to stay with the CFS) website is here.
Also, you can contact the CFS yes side with questions etc at campaigns [at] cfs-fcee.ca
General information on the referendum (rules, where to vote, etc) is here.
For those who prefer to read about the synchrotron there is also this site.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Other referenda?
You may have heard there are other students in BC holding referenda on CFS membership. This is true. They are Simon Fraser Students Society (which currently includes both grad students and undergraduates) and Kwantlen College Students Association.
Cape Breton University Students Union has also posted a notice of referendum for next week.
Cape Breton University Students Union has also posted a notice of referendum for next week.
Referendum update
Some news on the referendum on CFS membership.
Referendum Oversight Committee meeting minutes from March 3 are now online and posted
outside the GSS office.
Campaign period has now begun (until March 20), and graduate students interested in campaigning can join a campaign team via contacts here. It is important to remember that campaigners must register with the campaign teams prior to campaigning.
Referendum Oversight Committee meeting minutes from March 3 are now online and posted
outside the GSS office.
Campaign period has now begun (until March 20), and graduate students interested in campaigning can join a campaign team via contacts here. It is important to remember that campaigners must register with the campaign teams prior to campaigning.
Monday, February 25, 2008
GSS in the news re: referendum on CFS membership
The Muse, a student paper from Memorial U in Newfoundland quoted GSS Director of Communications, Joe Kolthammer, on the CFS referendum on whether UVIC grad students will stay in the CFS last week. Read it online here: http://www.themuse.ca/view.php?aid=40916
In related news (but not quoting anyone from the GSS) Camosun College Students Union has voted to devote money and resources to the referendum campaign on the pro-CFS side. It was reported in York's student paper, The Excaliber, here: http://www.excal.on.ca/cms2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5751
The referendum on whether UVIC grad students wish to remain part of the CFS is being held March 18, 29, 20 at UVIC and information on the process can be found here: http://gss.uvic.ca/cfsreferendum.htm
In related news (but not quoting anyone from the GSS) Camosun College Students Union has voted to devote money and resources to the referendum campaign on the pro-CFS side. It was reported in York's student paper, The Excaliber, here: http://www.excal.on.ca/cms2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5751
The referendum on whether UVIC grad students wish to remain part of the CFS is being held March 18, 29, 20 at UVIC and information on the process can be found here: http://gss.uvic.ca/cfsreferendum.htm
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Upcoming important GSS decisions! Building, CFS, budget, elections!
1. NOTICE OF Special General Meeting considering expansion of Halpern
Graduate Centre
Date: Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Time: 5pm
Location: Grad Centre Room 112-108
All graduate students are encouraged to attend with valid student card.
Special GM Agenda
1. Approval of agenda
2. Approval of Building Expansion Plan
If approved, an expansion of the Halpern Centre could proceed Summer 2008.
Proposal includes creation of dedicated grad student lounge, expansion of
kitchen and a minor office renovation.
If approved, financing options could include one or a combination of the
following:
-borrowing from UVic**
-re-distribution of a portion of Capital Fund membership fees to the
Building Fund
-establishment of a line of credit**
Architect’s diagrams, financing options, and sustainability plan for
the proposal will be posted at http://gss.uvic.ca and outside the GSS
office by February 13, 2008.
SGM followed immediately by a regular meeting of Grad Council.
**requires special resolution (75% members present in favour.)
2. OTHER UPCOMING GSS EVENTS:
Referendum on Defederation from Canadian Federation of Students:
March 18-19-20. Have your say on whether we should stay in the CFS.
NOTE: There will be NO WEB VOTE on this referendum.
Instead, there will be polling at two on campus polling
stations from 9-5 each day. Polling station at the University
Centre has been confirmed, but the other is TBA.
This referendum is governed by CFS Bylaws found here.
For ongoing updates on the CFS referendum watch this site for
info: http://gss.uvic.ca/cfsreferendum.htm
GSS Elections: Nominations: March 10 to March 17.
Voting: March 26, 27.
Your chance to get involved in the GSS and work on
everything from finances to special events to the restaurant!
GSS Semi-Annual General Meeting:
Tuesday April 1, 2008, 5pm in the Grad Centre.
This meeting passes the budget for the upcoming year,
ratifies the election, and receives the report of the
outgoing Executive Board.
Info: http://gss.uvic.ca
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
CFS referendum question, voting method determined
Graduate students at UVIC are going to the polls March 18, 19, and 20 2008 to consider whether to maintain membership in the Canadian Federation of Students.
The Referendum Oversight Committee made the following decisions in their February 4 meeting.
The Question:
The referendum question will be:
Are you in favour of maintaining membership in the Canadian Federation of Students?
YES or NO
Method of voting:
The referendum is governed by CFS Bylaws and is overseen by a referendum oversight committee as per those bylaws.
GSS members should note there will be no web vote in the CFS defederation referendum. Voting will be done at two on-campus polling stations.
Proposed location for the polling stations is the University Centre and the MacPherson Library foyer, but this is subject to bookings so watch for final notice on this on.
Keep up to date
News updates and information on the referendum, referendum rules, etc. will be posted here.
The Referendum Oversight Committee made the following decisions in their February 4 meeting.
The Question:
The referendum question will be:
Are you in favour of maintaining membership in the Canadian Federation of Students?
YES or NO
Method of voting:
The referendum is governed by CFS Bylaws and is overseen by a referendum oversight committee as per those bylaws.
GSS members should note there will be no web vote in the CFS defederation referendum. Voting will be done at two on-campus polling stations.
Proposed location for the polling stations is the University Centre and the MacPherson Library foyer, but this is subject to bookings so watch for final notice on this on.
Keep up to date
News updates and information on the referendum, referendum rules, etc. will be posted here.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Referendum Oversight Minutes posted
Minutes of the first CFS Referendum Oversight Committee meeting on January 24 have been posted on the GSS website. Have a look!
http://gss.uvic.ca/cfsreferendum.htm#minutes
UPDATE: Feb 4 minutes are now up too.
http://gss.uvic.ca/cfsreferendum.htm#minutes
UPDATE: Feb 4 minutes are now up too.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
CFS Referendum Updates
Reformation information website
The GSS has established a website to house information on the upcoming referendum on whether to leave the CFS.
The website is a neutral space meant to keep students appraised of the workings of the referendum oversight committee and thus the rules of the campaign. It will likely link to online campaign material for both sides when available.
Referendum oversight committee
The process of the referendum is a bit convoluted. The GSS served the required 6 months notice, and now a Referendum Oversight Committee has been formed. I am calling it "ROC", affectionately.
The ROC is a 50-50 committee made up of two delegates elected by the CFS and two delegates elected by the GSS. The committee is:
From the GSS:
Nicole O'Byrne (Law) and Takuto Shiota (Philosophy)
From the CFS:
Lucy Watson (Campaign Staff) and Ben Lewis (CFS National Treasurer)
GSS ROC reps "arms length"
The GSS Exec has decided, in consultation with O'Byrne and Shiota, that the GSS delegates to the ROC will be "arms length" from the GSS. The GSS Exec felt it was important for GSS members from either (or no) side of the debate have representation on the committee, and the focus of the ROC be on establishing fair referendum procedures.
Since the GSS Executive has formally supported the petition to leave the CFS, the formal independence of the GSS delegates to the ROC formal was especially important.
GSS Office space to be "campaign neutral"
The GSS executive has also designated the GSS Office as "campaign neutral". All materials related to referendum campaigning will be kept out of Grad Centre 102 to ensure all grad students feel welcome in their student union office with questions about referendum rules and processes.
The GSS has established a website to house information on the upcoming referendum on whether to leave the CFS.
The website is a neutral space meant to keep students appraised of the workings of the referendum oversight committee and thus the rules of the campaign. It will likely link to online campaign material for both sides when available.
Referendum oversight committee
The process of the referendum is a bit convoluted. The GSS served the required 6 months notice, and now a Referendum Oversight Committee has been formed. I am calling it "ROC", affectionately.
The ROC is a 50-50 committee made up of two delegates elected by the CFS and two delegates elected by the GSS. The committee is:
From the GSS:
Nicole O'Byrne (Law) and Takuto Shiota (Philosophy)
From the CFS:
Lucy Watson (Campaign Staff) and Ben Lewis (CFS National Treasurer)
GSS ROC reps "arms length"
The GSS Exec has decided, in consultation with O'Byrne and Shiota, that the GSS delegates to the ROC will be "arms length" from the GSS. The GSS Exec felt it was important for GSS members from either (or no) side of the debate have representation on the committee, and the focus of the ROC be on establishing fair referendum procedures.
Since the GSS Executive has formally supported the petition to leave the CFS, the formal independence of the GSS delegates to the ROC formal was especially important.
GSS Office space to be "campaign neutral"
The GSS executive has also designated the GSS Office as "campaign neutral". All materials related to referendum campaigning will be kept out of Grad Centre 102 to ensure all grad students feel welcome in their student union office with questions about referendum rules and processes.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Referendum Oversight Committee
The Canadian Federation of Students bylaws set down rules for a referendum on CFS membership, including the creation of a Referendum Oversight Committee. This committee is made up of two members elected by the CFS National and two members elected by the Graduate Students ' Society Executive Board.
The GSS has elected Nicole O'Byrne, graduate student in Law and Takuto Shiota, graduate student in Philosophy as the GSS representatives to the Referendum Oversight Committee.
Watch this space and the GSS website for updates on the referendum process and news of the CFS delegates to this committee.
The GSS has elected Nicole O'Byrne, graduate student in Law and Takuto Shiota, graduate student in Philosophy as the GSS representatives to the Referendum Oversight Committee.
Watch this space and the GSS website for updates on the referendum process and news of the CFS delegates to this committee.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Upcoming issues for grad students at UVIC
At the beginning of each semester I start thinking about what the key priorities will be at the GSS office. I am always a bit overwhelmed at the broad range of subjects I am expecting to deal with, and a bit nervous I am missing something. So here is my list, and I am wondering if others see some I don't?
GSS members have some major decisions to make about our internal affairs.
Building expansion:
Should we expand our building, and if so, how much should we invest in expansion (and how will we get the money?!) Watch for a Special General Meeting in February to look at architects plans and to give your executive board direction on what you want your building to be like, and how it should be financed.
CFS Membership:
March 18-20 graduate students will go to the polls an decide on whether to continue membership in the Canadian Federation of Students. The referendum will be governed by CFS bylaws so the GSS so my big concern at the moment is whether our familiar processes can be used--most of our members use web vote in GSS referenda and elections, but it remains to be seen whether the CFS will agree to that process.
Beyond our student union, grad students also continue to face many other issues in their studies:
Office space continues to be a big concern for students on campus. Perhaps the engineers, with so much experience stuffing themselves into beetles could offer advice on sharing an office with 10 other students (and two desks!)
Expansion of the graduate student population through new provincial funding also poses some problems for our members--what if there aren't enough resources in your department already, and now your population is doubling? Some students are worried they may never find a supervisor.
Funding. After much pressure from both students and university administration, the BC government created a graduate scholarship program in 2007 and redesigned some others, like MITACS. Great news! But is the program design working for graduate students? I would like to hear more from students who are involved in the various funding programs established this year.
Most frustrating to me is that fellowships administration continue to be a problem... and so we continue to be a thorn in the side of the administration. Check out our original report on fellowship policy if you don't know about this issue.
For many students, poverty, housing, immigrant/international students rights and lack of adequate childcare are problems faced in their lives outside of school--but that cause problems academically. Generally support for these campaigns comes in the form of writing letters in support of agencies lobbying effots. For example, the GSS has been active in supporting the BC childcare campaign.
GSS members have some major decisions to make about our internal affairs.
Building expansion:
Should we expand our building, and if so, how much should we invest in expansion (and how will we get the money?!) Watch for a Special General Meeting in February to look at architects plans and to give your executive board direction on what you want your building to be like, and how it should be financed.
CFS Membership:
March 18-20 graduate students will go to the polls an decide on whether to continue membership in the Canadian Federation of Students. The referendum will be governed by CFS bylaws so the GSS so my big concern at the moment is whether our familiar processes can be used--most of our members use web vote in GSS referenda and elections, but it remains to be seen whether the CFS will agree to that process.
Beyond our student union, grad students also continue to face many other issues in their studies:
Office space continues to be a big concern for students on campus. Perhaps the engineers, with so much experience stuffing themselves into beetles could offer advice on sharing an office with 10 other students (and two desks!)
Expansion of the graduate student population through new provincial funding also poses some problems for our members--what if there aren't enough resources in your department already, and now your population is doubling? Some students are worried they may never find a supervisor.
Funding. After much pressure from both students and university administration, the BC government created a graduate scholarship program in 2007 and redesigned some others, like MITACS. Great news! But is the program design working for graduate students? I would like to hear more from students who are involved in the various funding programs established this year.
Most frustrating to me is that fellowships administration continue to be a problem... and so we continue to be a thorn in the side of the administration. Check out our original report on fellowship policy if you don't know about this issue.
For many students, poverty, housing, immigrant/international students rights and lack of adequate childcare are problems faced in their lives outside of school--but that cause problems academically. Generally support for these campaigns comes in the form of writing letters in support of agencies lobbying effots. For example, the GSS has been active in supporting the BC childcare campaign.
Friday, September 21, 2007
CFS defederation petition makes the news
Five student unions have submitted petitions to defederate from the Canadian Federation of Students, including UVic's Graduate Students' Society (as posted directly below) and two other graduate student bodies--Concordia graduate students and Simon Fraser Student Union (which is mixed graduate and undergraduate).
The Macleans magazine online has picked up on the story here.
The Macleans magazine online has picked up on the story here.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
CFS Defederation petition
Many of you will have seen petitions in your departments and the grad centre calling for a referendum on membership in the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS).
On Friday September 14, the GSS received a petition with 11.4% of currently registered graduate students' signatures calling for this referendum. Accordingly, notice has been sent to the CFS of a referendum to be held March 18-20, 2008, which is in accordance with the CFS requirement of six months notice of a defederation vote.
If you have read the latest issue of the GSS magazine, Unacknowledged Source you will find an article on the reasons behind the petition, as well as a piece by CFS-BC Chairperson, Shamus Reid discussing the merits of the CFS. Over the next six months, expect to hear more from both sides of the membership debate.
More information on the defederation campaign can be found here:
http://petitioncfs.blogspot.com
Note that students at SFU and Kwantlen College are also holding membership referenda.
More information from the CFS about their campaigns and services can be found here:
http://iamcfs.ca
On Friday September 14, the GSS received a petition with 11.4% of currently registered graduate students' signatures calling for this referendum. Accordingly, notice has been sent to the CFS of a referendum to be held March 18-20, 2008, which is in accordance with the CFS requirement of six months notice of a defederation vote.
If you have read the latest issue of the GSS magazine, Unacknowledged Source you will find an article on the reasons behind the petition, as well as a piece by CFS-BC Chairperson, Shamus Reid discussing the merits of the CFS. Over the next six months, expect to hear more from both sides of the membership debate.
More information on the defederation campaign can be found here:
http://petitioncfs.blogspot.com
Note that students at SFU and Kwantlen College are also holding membership referenda.
More information from the CFS about their campaigns and services can be found here:
http://iamcfs.ca
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