Bisc Grad Caucus Meeting Minutes
Friday, September 30, 2005, 3:30pm
In attendance: Jason Catterson, Niki Cook, Lucy Harrison, Karl Laroche, Sam Quinlan, Eric Siljander, Jenn Sunday, Martin Brummell, Oliver Lover, Katrina Salvante, Theingi Aung, Dawn Cooper, Raul Ursic, Keith Tierney, Jeff Joy, Heather Major, Suzanne Gray, Sandra Webster, Nicole Tunbridge, Dave Redding.
1. Welcome to grad students new and old
a. Dawn Cooper welcomed all and the agenda was introduced.
b. All caucus members in attendance introduced themselves and indicated
any committee or caucus positions held.
c. A general introduction was provided about the graduate caucus, its
functions, supported events and how students can get involved.
2. Approval of meeting expenses
a. Moved by Dawn Cooper, seconded by Jeff Joy, caucus expenses for the
meeting were approved.
3. Motion to collect money
a. Moved by Dawn Cooper, seconded by Raul Ursic, core funding was approved.
4. Biology graduate directory
a. Theingi Aung: the directory is done – get your copy from the
Biology office.
5. Financial Report
a. Theingi Aung: we have $2000 in our trust account. This can be used
for BBQs, symposiums and other special events.
6. Motion for signatures for caucus reimbursement
a. In order to allow our Treasurer to keep track of finances, please
use Theingi as a second signature on any receipts. If this is not possible,
please send an email to Theingi indicating the expense(s).
b. Moved by Dawn Cooper, seconded by Martin Brummell, Carried.
7. Motion to cover overdraft
a. Moved by Dawn Cooper, seconded by Raul Ursic, a transfer of funds
from trust to core was approved to cover the overdraft.
8. News from committees
a. Scholarships:
i. Representative Sandra Webster will be leaving at the end of semester.
Please contact her if you have interest in the position (sjwebste@sfu.ca).
ii. We have 11 SFSS travel scholarships ($100 ea) per year. If you win
the lottery (held during the March Caucus meeting), apply in the semester
of intended travel. Expenses of registration, travel and hotel may be
covered. If you plan on not using money, please advise the Caucus Treasurer.
A copy of the SFSS travel rules will be posted shortly on the Caucus
website (www.sfu.ca/biology/grad_caucus).
b. DGSC: Suzanne Gray
i. This year there were 31 graduate fellowships given out, which is
down slightly from 41. 52 will be given out next year.
ii. There remains anxiousness due to the inability to deduct tuition
monthly from RAships. Chair Tony Williams is still trying to get this
computer problem resolved. As an interim fix, your supervisor may be
able to provide you with a cheque at the start of the semester to cover
tuition. Barb Sherman can help facilitate this.
iii. NSERC travel awards – award allocation remains 1st come,
1st serve. Last year the caucus was denied a more formal application
system. Traditionally Biology grads have received many awards. This
year, only six of these awards will be allocated per department. This
number is quite down from before. New applications will go through Larry
Dill and Ron Ydenberg. Awards will then be distributed based on merit.
Eligible expenses include air travel and registration. NOTE: NSERC travel
awards will only continue for this year only. However, if caucus provides
a letter to the chair, the department may consider replacing the six
awards. Jeff Joy and Dawn Cooper volunteered to formulate the letter.
c. GIC: Raul Ursic – The last meeting was mostly housekeeping.
Remember, the new health plan includes global travel insurance. New
graduate socials will be announced soon…
d. TSSU: More reps are needed! In the past there was a $130 stipend
per semester for reps, and there are 4-5 allowed from Biology Caucus.
If interested, please contact Katrina Salvante or Dawn Cooper (kgsalvan@sfu.ca;
dmcooper@sfu.ca). To be eligible for a position, you must be a TSSU
member (i.e. have TA’d within the last year).
e. Faculty mole: Oliver Love – no news.
9. Other business
a. A motion was tabled to permit monthly Steering Committee meetings.
i. Moved by Katrina Salvante, seconded by Suzanne Gray, Carried.
b. The Gries Lab was presented with a $50 gift certificate to the SFU
Highland Pub for winning the ‘best lab turnout’ at last
summer’s barbeque.
c. Inquiries were made into the location of a beverage tray borrowed
from biochemistry.
d. Mentorship program – Suzanne Gray has passed off duties to
the Caucus. If interested in the position, email Dawn Cooper (dmcooper@sfu.ca)
e. Christmas Party – start collecting ideas and video footage
for a funny biology movie. Send emails and ideas to Oliver Love (olovea@sfu.ca)
and Keith Tierney (ktierney@sfu.ca).
f. 7000 level grad lounge – details of the upgrade are being discussed.
A timeline for upgrades has not been completed.
