School of Environment & Sustainability Students Association 117 Science Place, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. MEETING MINUTES DATE: IN ATTENDANCE: December 5, 2014 Aimee Schmidt, Evan Andrews, Hardi Shahadu, Kathleen Aikens, Krystal Caldwell, Manuel Chavez-­‐Ortiz, Martin Boucher, and Naomi Maina REGRETS: Amandeep Sangha MOTION K. Caldwell 1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 12:40 p.m. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA "Move to accept the Agenda" E. Andrews/ K. Caldwell K. Caldwell/ A. Schmidt E. Andrews / K. Caldwell E. Andrews / K. Caldwell DISCUSSION 2. Approval of previous minutes “Move to accept the minutes of Nov. 20, 2014” 2. Approval of GSA report “Move to accept the GSA report” 2. Approval of Academic report “Move to receive the academic report” 1
ACTION CARRIED CARRIED CARRIED CARRIED Discussion: GSA Report • There was no quorum at the previous meeting, hence no motions were approved
• On the next December 11 meeting, a motion will be brought forward to increase graduate students’ fees • The proposed fee increase is $3.27 per year for full-­‐time students and $1.84 for part time students • A motion to hire a GSA lawyer at $9,000 a year will also be tabled. It is not clear at this point why the GSA needs a lawyer. SENSSA councilors will get clarification on the role and costs associated with hiring a lawyer at the next GSA meeting
• Another motion is to approve changes to communication between GSA and student body i.e. the executive to approve communication by majority vote before it is sent out to the entire student body
• Due to concerns of power misuse, a motion will be tabled to limit the president’s powers temporarily until the next executives are elected in May 2015.
• Hardi to compile future GSA motions for discussion by SENSSA • It was agreed that SENSSA will vote ‘yes’ on the motion to increase graduate students fees, subject to the condition that such a motion is still passable due to strict deadlines from the university. Academic Report • The Academic Program Committee (APC) has met twice since the beginning of the academic year
• APC members were informed of the decision to run the Ethics course as in-­‐class exercise for first year for Ph.D. and MSEM students, instead of the use of online method for previous years. SENSSA academic affairs coordinator made follow-­‐ups to ensure all affected students were informed about the changes and date and time for the training
• A proposal for a new course-­‐based Master’s program in Water Security is being developed and taken through various stages of approval by the GIWS
Sustainable Dialogue Initiative Update • A student from McGill University contacted SENSSA president about the above named initiative • The 15-­‐20 people workshop is centered around perspectives on Canadian vision on environment, economics, and politics • It is part of other nation-­‐wide dialogues, and the student needs help with recruiting, advertising, and other event logistics for the Saskatoon workshop.
• It was decided that SENSSA will not pursue this project and instead refer the student to the Sustainability Office for help
Waste Reduction Award Update • SENSSA has received an invitation to apply for the Waste Reduction Award
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The deadline for submission is February 20th, 2015
There are two categories within which SENSSA can apply; the partnership and school service award • There was a discussion on how to go about the partnership award application in collaboration with Ness Creek – Kelly was a main connection between SENSSA and Ness Creek
• Manuel to contact Ness Creek to determine how to proceed with the partnership award application
• Include the bottled water project from last year and other waste reduction initiatives such as our social events, workshops etc. These will be included if SENSSA does not apply in the partnership category
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Photo Contest Update • The Facebook photo contest has not received enough publicity
• The deadline has therefore been extended to December 12, 2014 • SENSSA members to encourage their colleagues to participate
Interview Progress • A few Ph.D. students that are away have requested to have the interview questions emailed to them – Aman has emailed the questions Fall and Winter Party th
• SENSSA to have a dinner event on the December 13 weekend – Evan and Aimee to coordinate this event and communicate with the rest of SENSSA
• Tentative date for winter party is January 9, 2015
• Start planning for winter party early and possibly combine it with a gaming activity
Other Business • Martin has been working up on integrating energy efficiency in Kirk Hall – more updates will be given in the coming meetings
Naomi Maina Recording Secretary Meeting adjourned at 1:56 p.m. 3