McGill has encountered challenges in its efforts to enable more student refugees to enroll in its academic programs. On Oct. 21, the McGill Senate addressed the university’s role regarding the current Syrian refugee crisis, and measures for allowing more refugees to study at McGill. A question addressed to Senator and[Read More…]
SSMU
WUSC event sparks campus debate
A campus event which intended to raise awareness for Canada’s Student Refugee Program (SRP) erupted into controversy this past week after the Facebook page for the event was titled “Mock refugee camp at the Y-Intersection.” The McGill chapter of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) sought to construct a[Read More…]
AUS considering change in appointment process of VP Finance
On Oct. 21, the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) Council discussed a motion to hold a referendum to change the appointment process for the Vice-President (VP) Finance position. “[Option one: The] future AUS VP Finance will be appointed solely by [the] AUS Council,” read the motion. “[Option two:] Future AUS VP[Read More…]
AMUSE addresses floor fellow negotiations in open letter to Fortier
On Oct. 15, an open letter directed to McGill Principal Suzanne Fortier was published by the Association of McGill University Support Employees (AMUSE). The letter addressed grievances that arose during floor fellow unionization, and the way in which McGill University is interacting with floor fellows during collective agreement bargaining processes,[Read More…]
Self-inflicted harm not covered by international student health insurance
Of the 10,000 international undergraduate and graduate students at McGill, some 7,000 are insured by a mandatory health insurance plan. This plan, privately contracted out to Medavie Blue Cross by McGill, has a premium of $906 per year for single person coverage. The Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ),[Read More…]
SSMU Council adopts climate change policy
Following lengthy discussions, a global climate change policy and a motion regarding Demilitarize McGill’s proposal for campus alterations were adopted by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Council this past Thursday. Adoption of climate change policy Council, following extensive debate, passed a climate change policy. Engineering Representative to SSMU,[Read More…]
The changing face of family care at McGill
McGill’s Social Equity and Diversity Education Office (SEDE) hired Tanya Lalonde in August as McGill’s first family resource coordinator, marking a consolidation in services for students and staff with children. The funding for the position came from the Sustainability Projects Fund, a student-funded program matched by the administration to ensure[Read More…]
AUS Council presents 2015-2016 budget for notice
The Arts Undergraduate Society of McGill University (AUS) held a Council meeting on Oct. 7, and discussed its budget, amendments to the climate change proposal brought forth by the Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU), and updates on SNAX’s Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). AUS budget AUS Vice-President (VP) Finance, Mirza[Read More…]
SSMU to close club offices this month in space reallocation
The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Building will be vacated this month, with the space being redesigned into bookable rooms and storage space for clubs. The plan includes two board rooms and one multi-purpose space, as well as desk space to be used for club office hours. The fourth[Read More…]
SSMU Council discusses resignations of VP Internal, General Manager
The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Council met on Oct. 1 to discuss motions regarding improvments to student life, the resignation of vice-president (VP) Internal Affairs Lola Baraldi, and a SSMU climate change policy. Resignations of executive positions The loss of general manager Jennifer Varkonyi in August is[Read More…]