ArtSci Assembly Meeting Minutes - November 18th, 2014
Present
President
VP Internal
VP External
VP Communications
VP Finance
VP Academic
SASSS
SACS
NiRC Co-chair
SSMU Rep
Senator
Absent
VP FYA
VP External
-postponed caramel apple & popcorn sale
-last AUS council
-VP Social resigned, new one will be appointed next council
-equity complaint filed against work study motion
-will be revisiting the motion
-said it was not financially equitable to not increase amount of hours
-tomorrow at SUS GC will be going over motions
MESS
-Environment talks this Thursday
-profs that talk about their research
-free bagels & coffee
-expecting about 99 people
-lots coming in from Mac
SASSS
-potluck tomorrow & samosa sale this week
SSMU Rep
-last council we received budget, looks good
-presentation available on website (about us, fiscal responsibility)
-two motions for upcoming council
-Redpath door closing, trying to get them open
-other one is creating student engagement committee
-their purpose is communication, consultative forms (town halls, surveys),
updating and amending communication guide and strategy that SSMU has,
ArtSci Assembly Meeting Minutes - November 18th, 2014
-the Nest is now serving breakfast
-planning on creating exam snack packs (protein packs)
-sales have been down in SSMU/ issues with the Nest
-brought up in operations mgmt that long term sustainability of Nest is important
-if they are still running deficit, will update budget, etc
-revision made recently (predicted budget for sales was a lot higher), so that is why
numbers show large deficit
-students are still going, popular items selling out
-building is less accessible because of construction
-they are down within range of all other tenants in building
-getting a graphic designer to make new promotional material
-will send presentation about this with link to full budget in email
SSMU Senator
-discussion happening about Militarize McGill
-at previous GA, a motion was passed opposing McGill's military technology involvement
-a lot of people were not okay with DeMilitarize McGill's actions on Remembrance Day
-if you have strong opinions, contact councilors before Thursday
-will push for SSMU to release a statement to indicate what their role is/stance is with
DeMilitarize McGill
-important that students are represented
-important to stick to what its mandated to do
-VP External affairs will clarify things
-senate meeting on Wednesday
-trying to get McGill to answer about financial situation & budget cuts
-how will they affect students(?)
-which services will be cut(?)
-it's online, check out it or ask me about it
-community engagement
-meeting that happens every year, discuss community engagement
-will be releasing statement about it
-one panelist was Hydro Quebec person
-contradictory bc they are having some issues
-next meeting in December
-question about interdisciplinary programs
-what is McGill's strategy to better incorporate this kind of learning
-talk about the programs
-if anyone has any concerns, contact me
-will compile document that we can give to university about any problems
-will send out question to Linda
-Mental Health Forum for Mental Health Week
-went really well, about 20 people there
-wanted to have better idea of how students are struggling with Mental Health services
at McGill, their experiences, etc
ArtSci Assembly Meeting Minutes - November 18th, 2014
Question: Did CEO issue ever get resolved?
Saurin: I'm in nominating committee & bylaw review committee. We changed the amount of
voting members & amended bylaws- explained when candidates should be selected. This year,
there was no ratification, this year will ensure nominating committee will be included. If anyone
is interested in position of CEO or DEO, they are open -will send out link in next BASiC listserv.
Question: How will SSMU be advertising it?
Saurin: Just like how they advertise their other open positions - on SSMU website, will update
you with more details
NiRC
-had first meeting today
-talked about logistics, general info
-funding is due December 1st
-Thompson house booked for March 20th
-deciding on whether or not should book something else bc it is costly
-will contact VP Internal about booking SSMU building
SACS
-had colloquium last Saturday, went well, great attendance
-looking it as model for future events
-had samosa sales in past few days
-clothing orders done, arriving in early December
-had language exchange with SLUM
-gave presentations on their respective languages
-computer languages
-will be having bonding at Gerts soon
-Nov 26th mountain hike
-organizing study session on December 5th
-will book a room, will have some food & tea
-on Research Day, someone from UQAM was there
-he's interested in promoting cogsci community within Montreal
-have some ideas rounded up - maybe another colloquium
-met up with Ian & Wendy who are looking for more ways to advertise the cogsci program
-first year experience is a big priority
-going to start making some guidelines & info to help students
-want to lay out all the options for students
-had discussion with SOUSA about giving out academic advice
Question: Any way for cogsci students to be counted as psych students for example when
registering for a course?
Matt: We would have to buy spots to be able to reserve them this way. Only a certain amount is
reserved for cogsci. We are trying to get more funding to open up more spots. A way around the
problem is to change your major when choosing classes, then change it back.
ArtSci Assembly Meeting Minutes - November 18th, 2014
VP Academic
-committee is working on getting resources for students in honours
-if anyone knows any students who are doing/have done honours, tell them to email
academic@mcgillbasic.com
-looking to compile info
VP Internal
-semi-formal went well, photos are up online
-received funding but not enough
-not eligible for an appeal
-can ask funds committee
-apartment crawl this Thursday at 8:30pm
-sign up!!!
-will send blurb to you guys to send out in your listservs
-10 teams of 5, still spots left
-for next semester, thinking of doing more chill events
-will do movie night
-coffee house
-if anyone has any ideas for next semester, email me
Question: Which funds are we eligible to apply for through SSMU? Is there a deficit?
Saurin: There was not a major deficit in funds this year. You should contact funds committee
about it.
VP Finance
-funds applied for C2C
-money for SACS & SASSS
-clothing orders submitted
VP FYA
-George is at FUSS meeting right now
-establishing connections with them
-reminder that there is a lasertag event happening on Saturday
-everyone is welcome to come
President
-last weekend, BASiC execs went to SEAMLESS workshop
-got to meet presidents from across campus
-were joined by Dean of Students
-hopefully going to have monthly or bimonthly presidents round table hosted by
him instead of by SSMU
-will try to get good connection going with administration
ArtSci Assembly Meeting Minutes - November 18th, 2014
-still waiting to hear back when first one will be
-met with Prep101 contact this week to further relationship with them
-looking to increase collaboration with them
-they want to do exam snack packages/pamphlets
-program administration meeting this Thursday
-were not able to present all student survey results last PAC meeting but this time we
are included in agenda
-will be presenting all of issues brought up in the survey
-there's an upcoming presidents round table with SSMU on Thursday
-if anyone has any concerns, let me know, can bring it up
-had presidents round table two weeks ago, turnout was very poor
-was a casual discussion, nothing too much happened
-C2C conference happening Jan 31st & Feb 1st
-SSMU Ballroom booked
-BASiC is only entitled to certain amount of hours per month in SSMU
-no one else will be able to book any SSMU building rooms in January
-have three speakers confirmed
VP Communications
-posted semi photos
-post reach was 11k
-received poli updates from Senator
-let me know if you want blurb in listserv or something else
-photography club, bonding event at lasertag