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Chemistry Graduate Association at Simon Fraser University
Meeting Minutes
June 5, 2015
Shrum Science Centre C7080
In Attendance:
John Thompson (President), Ryan Clarke (Vice-President), Kate Prosser (Treasurer), Stephanie
Chang (Secretary), David Ester (Sports Coordinator), Fatima Garcia (GSS Councillor), Matthew
Brown (Graduate Information Coordinator), Ania Tersakian (GSS Councillor Alternate), Kailey
Wright (TSSU Steward), Heather Wiebe (Social Coordinator), Rhea Bains (TSSU Steward),
Shaima Kammoonah (TSSU Steward)
Regrets:
Motahareh Safiollah (TSSU Steward), Adam Barlev (TSSU Steward), Matt Alteen (DGSC
Representative), Yumeela Ganga-sah (TSSU Steward), Tasleem Muzaffar (TSSU Steward)
1. Call to Order
 Meeting was called to order at 10:32 AM in SSC-C7080.
2. Appointment of the Chair
 MOVED to appoint John Thompson as Chair for this meeting.
Moved by: Ania Tersakian
Seconded by: Shaima Kammoonah
MOTION CARRIED.
 John Thompson (President) was appointed Chair for this meeting.
3. Appointment of the Secretary
 MOVED to appoint Stephanie Chang as Secretary for this meeting.
Moved by: David Ester
Seconded by: Ryan Clarke
MOTION CARRIED.
 Stephanie Chang (Secretary) was appointed Secretary for this meeting.
4. Approval of Minutes
 MOVED to approve the minutes of the May 29, 2015 Chemistry Graduate Caucus
meeting.
Moved by: John Thompson
Seconded by: Kate Prosser
MOTION CARRIED.
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5. Reimbursements
Departmental Softball Game (July 3, 2015)
 MOVED that the Chemistry Graduate Association designate John Thompson to
spend $25 from the cash box for purchasing the liquor license.
Moved by: Stephanie Chang
Seconded by: Fatima Garcia
Abstentions: John Thompson
MOTION CARRIED.
Old Business
6. Departmental Softball Game (July 3, 2015)
 John Thompson (President) met with Peg Johnsen (Director Administration,
Student Services) regarding the special occasion license for the social following
the softball game. Johnsen requested that a copy of the confirmation of the
softball field booking and that SFU Recreation is providing equipment be
included with the regular paperwork.
 Johnsen (Director Administration, Student Services) also insisted on the drink
ticket system. Ryan Clarke (Vice-President) will give 3 tickets to each attendee
upon arrival and then they can obtain more tickets from him if they wish to
continue drinking.
 SFU Recreation told David Ester (Sports Coordinator) that they have enough
gloves for the game but the caucus will need to purchase softballs.
7. Departmental Soccer Game
 Possible Fridays include: July 24, July 31, Aug. 7, and Aug. 14.
o Terry Fox Field is not available until 4 pm on Aug. 7 and we would have
to vacate the field by 5:30 pm. Field 4, a turf field behind Terry Fox
Field, is available at 3:30 pm.
 The caucus decided on Friday, Aug. 7 at Terry Fox Field for the departmental
soccer game.
o John Thompson (President) is going to speak to the Faculty Team
captain, Zuo-Guang Ye (Professor), before booking the field to ensure
that this day is suitable.
New Business
8. GSS Update
 The GSS is exploring hiring a strategic planning consultant. The consultation
would identify the future goals of the GSS and develop plans on how to meet
those goals. The GSS is asking for the caucus’ support in engaging the services of
the consultant.
o The caucus wants more discussion at the next GSS meeting on this
before supporting the hiring of a strategic planning consultant. Ania
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Tersakian (GSS Councillor Alternate) will vote according to the results of
this discussion. Caucus concerns include:
 What are the GSS’s expectations of this consultation?
 If increased capital/revenue for the GSS is a potential result of this
consultation, will this revenue benefit graduate students? Is this
revenue going to be the result of increasing the GSS Student Fee?
The position of GSS Executive Director has recently been vacated. The search
must begin for hiring a new Executive Director.
MOVED that the Chemistry Graduate Association approve the Terms of
Reference for the Executive Director position.
Moved by: Heather Wiebe
Seconded by: Kailey Wright
MOTION CARRIED.
MOVED that the Chemistry Graduate Association support the appointment of
Mike Soron, Greg Christie, and Katie Hearn to the Executive Director hiring
committee.
Moved by: Rhea Bains
Seconded by: Matthew Brown
MOTION CARRIED.
MOVED that the Chemistry Graduate Association approve the posting of an ad
for the position of Executive Director.
Moved by: David Ester
Seconded by: Stephanie Chang
MOTION CARRIED.
MOVED that the Chemistry Graduate Association approve the wage cap for the
Executive Director position.
Moved by: John Thompson
Seconded by: Kate Prosser
MOTION CARRIED.
The GSS wishes to allocate the returns from the capital fund differently than
usual. They wish to move 50% of the returns back into the capital fund, 25% into
the operating fund and 25% into the operating budget.
MOVED that the Chemistry Graduate Association approve the allocations listed
in the above point for the returns from the capital fund.
Moved by: Ryan Clarke
Seconded by: Shaima Kammoonah
MOTION CARRIED.
The TSSU is currently on strike and has written a letter to Andrew Petter
(President, SFU) outlining their issues with how bargaining has been progressing
on certain proposed changes to the TSSU Collective Agreement.
MOVED that the Chemistry Graduate Association endorse the above mentioned
TSSU letter addressed to Andrew Petter.
Moved by: Matthew Brown
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Seconded by: Rhea Bains
MOTION CARRIED.
The GSS offers discounts to BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps games as well as
admission to the PNE.
9. Adjournment
 MOVED to conclude the meeting.
Moved by: Kate Prosser
Seconded by: Rhea Bains
MOTION CARRIED.
Meeting concluded at 10:52 AM.