Friday May 26th, 2006, 3:30 pm
In attendance: Daniel (Yin) Duan, Sudip Ghose, Suzanne Gray, Lina Perez,
Erica Jeffery, Clea Moray, Melanie Hart, Agnes Kwok, Theingi Aung, Christiana
Cheng, Reza Babajani, Raul Ursic, Keith Tierney.
1. Welcome and introductions
a. Keith Tierney in stead for Dawn Cooper welcomed all.
2. Adoption of the Agenda
a. The agenda was introduced and members were surveyed for additions
or changes; there were none.
Motioned by Suzanne Gray and seconded by Raul Ursic, the Agenda was
adopted
Carried
3. Approval of meeting expenses
Motioned by Suzanne Gray and seconded by Raul Ursic, expenses for the
meeting were approved
Carried
4. Summer BBQ
a. Last year’s event was held mid-July during the week and was
a huge success. Having an event during the week avoids any summer crowding.
Caucus members agreed that this year we could use the event as a fundraiser.
Continental Meats will be approached again for supplies as they gave
us a great deal on meat last year. The funds could be useful in a variety
of ways, including enabling other events or hosted speakers. Raul Ursic
volunteered to be Chair of the committee for this event. It was briefly
discussed if we wished to host other departments and perhaps sell tickets
for the event. These issues will be discussed further in future and
an email will be circulated. A discussion ensued on providing some funds
(which will be recovered) to enable the event. Members agreed $500 should
provide sufficient budget.
Motioned by Lina Perez and seconded by Mel Hart, $500 was approved for
the event.
Carried
5. Graduate student payment and tax
a. Clea Moray was asked to speak about grant funding and tax deductions:
it may be that if we are paid through a supervisor’s grant, some
expenses (such as books or computers) can be deducted whereas they cannot
be if we are paid as an employee. Clea volunteered to follow-up with
Barb Sherman.
b. The grad student survival book: in most cases students should be
deducting $3000 from the value of bursaries and scholarships received
when entering this income on their tax returns; however, some new students
seem to be unaware of this deduction. Suzanne Gray and Erica Jeffery
commented that some electronic tax-filing software programs deduct this
amount automatically but others do not. It was decided that a paragraph
will be added to the Grad Student Survival Guide to alert new students
to this deduction.
6. Steering committee elections:
a. Nominees were tabled for the following positions:
i. Keith Tierney – Chair
ii. Carolina Perez – Secretary
iii. Dawn Cooper – Member-at-Large
Motioned by Erica Jeffery and seconded by Suzanne Gray, the nominees
were acclaimed.
Carried
iv. Treasurer – three nominees were tabled:
1. Theingi Aung
2. Daniel Duan
3. Lucy Harrison
Candidates were asked to speak briefly about themselves. Erica Jeffery
spoke on behalf of Lucy, who was in-field. Caucus members in attendance
were asked to vote on the candidates. Private ballots were tallied by
a member not in the elections. In a very close vote, Theingi Aung was
re-elected.
Motioned by Christiana Cheng and seconded by Agnes Kwok, Theingi Aung
was ratified as Treasurer.
Carried
7. News from committees
a. DGSC
i. Suzanne Gray – the DGSC will be discussing the external review
next week. As you know, a letter was written regarding BISC 800; this
has gone to DGSC. The calculations on the difference in cost of a biology
PhD and UBC vs. SFU have also gone to the DGSC. The DGSC is aware that
our financial position is not good and that our salary places us below
the poverty line. In fact, money comes up at every meeting. Suzanne
Gray actively communicates our issue. It is hoped that more formal pressure
(i.e. with the letter), plus that of the external review, will help
improve the situation. The last review may have helped facilitate an
increase in GF funding… Changes do occur.
ii. Clea Moray enquired whether a comparison could be carried out on
the difference in expense for a master’s degree. Suzanne will
carry out the calculations, but the difference is small. UBC MSc students
pay less tuition and have lower student fees, and are guaranteed slightly
more funding.
iii. Caucus members agreed to invite Larry Dill to speak at an upcoming
meeting. It would be particularly appreciated if he would explain the
Department’s stance on funding.
b. GIC
i. Raul Ursic – There are discussions of holding a social event
complete with a couple bands this summer in the convocation mall.
ii. Regarding the Health care plan renewal with Gallivan & Associates,
the rates will go up slightly, partially to offset the tremendous enrollment.
The plan will be up from the ~$228/year, but it will remain less than
$300/year. We will try to get better benefits from this.
iii. Need a break from thesis writing? If anyone is interested in participating
in the Health plan working group, please email Raul (rursicbe@sfu.ca).
Duties for this may include attending meetings, suggesting ideas and
working through scenarios. It will be a great experience and will be
worth it.
c. Scholarship Committee
i. Erica Jeffery – as per last month’s minutes, we didn’t
get as many GFs as previously. Later in the summer we will learn who
received the awards.
d. TSSU
i. Paul Mages – Please double check how much bonus you were entitled
to and verify that is indeed how much you received.
ii. Clea Moray enquired whether the TSSU health plan was still needed.
Christiana Cheng noted that on the TSSU plan they pay for MSP (i.e.
basic coverage), whereas they do not on the grad plan. On the TSSU plan
you have to purchase extended coverage
8. Other business
a. Paul Mages sent a note reminding all that there will be a burger
and beer fundraiser for a synchronized swimming team, to be held at
the Mountain Shadow Pub Saturday, June 3 from 7 pm onwards. Tickets
are $10 and are available from Paul (pmages@sfu.ca).
b. Excellence in teaching award: once per year in May the Dean of Science
calls for nominations for this award. These requests are passed to the
Department, who in turn pass them out to its members (i.e. bisc-all).
To be nominated as a TA, the course instructor must write a letter,
and the TA must submit a teaching philosophy statement and course evaluations.
Congratulations to this year’s winner Mel Hart!
c. An email for voting on the Caucus-hosted speaker will be circulated
this week.
9. Meeting was adjourned
