U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A N I T O B A’ S G R A D UA T E S T U D E N T M A G A Z I N E
This issue:
UMGSA CRO on upcoming election Graduate Students’ Association AGM HSGSA curling league in full sweep
FEBRUARY 2011
GSA lounge renos
University of Manitoba’s Graduate Student Magazine
Gradzette
c/o The Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation 105 University Centre University of Manitoba Winnipeg MB, R3T 2N2 General inquiries and advertising Phone: (204) 474.6086 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: publisher@gradzette.com
A space for grad students to call their own
Editor: Si Chen Reporter: Vacant Copy Editor: Leif Larsen Designer: Kevin Doole Contributors to this issue: Morgan Modjeski, Ashley Gaboury, Noreen Ritsema, Brian Hauri
by Noreen Mae Ritsema
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paces for grad students on campus are about to get a lot more inviting. Contrary to the signs, the GSA lounge is located in the GSA office space, with a small conference room beside the office. Along with more accurate signage, these spaces will soon see some major changes. Meaghan Labine, president of the GSA, explains the rationale for the upcoming renovations. “The GSA office should be a place where graduate students A competition was set up where feel welcome, and want to visit. Right grad students were invited to now the space isn’t being used to its full potential, and with this renovasubmit proposals for loungetion, we hope to realize that potential space transformations and give graduate students a space that they feel is their own.” With these goals in mind, a competition was set up where grad students were invited to submit proposals for lounge-space transformations. Along with a cover letter outlining project goals and an overall vision for the space, entrants were asked to include a floor plan drawn to scale, a list of furniture or other items required to complete the project, a budget of expenses and a time-line for how long their renovation project would take. There were a few stipulations that were participants in the contest had to consider, such as space for student computers, a sitting area, space for the office manager’s desk, printer and fax machine space, the inclusion of graduate student art, information boards and shelving. It was also stressed that the GSA office is used for both work and relaxation, and would like for the proposals for renovations to reflect this. Labine is eager to see the diverse contest submissions. “We left the parameters of the renovation fairly open, so that students could send in something that we didn’t expect.” As for the conference space next to the office and lounge, that room will be getting some attention as well, but not as part of the design contest. “We are looking at turning the space into a more multipurpose room for grad students,” says Labine. Stay tuned to the Gradzette for a full report on the renovation contest winner and the changes they will make happen.
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The Gradzette is the official student newspaper of the University of Manitoba’s graduate student community and is published at the end of September, October, November, January February and March by The Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation. The Gradzette is a democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens. The newspaper’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objectively on issues and events of importance and interest to the graduate students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of opinions and ideas and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society in general. The Gradzette serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism. Students and other interested parties are invited to contribute. Please contact the Editor for submission guidelines. The Gradzette reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or libelous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are solely those of the authors. The Gradzette is a member of the Canadian University Press, a national student press cooperative with approximately 65 members from St. John’s to Victoria. All contents are ©2010 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation. Yearly subscriptions to the Gradzette are available, please contact for more information.
Transparency and fairness UMGSA CRO on the upcoming election by Leif Larsen
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successful Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) election will be “one in which all the candidates, regardless of who wins, feel that the election was handled fairly.” This is according to Alan McGreevy, who was recently hired as the Chief Returning Officer (CRO) for the March 14-16 GSA election. The Gradzette sat down with McGreevy in early February to talk about the upcoming election, his plans to ensure a fair campaign and what he will bring as the CRO. McGreevy, who served as the GSA council chair for the 2010-11 year, feels that his experience has prepared him for the task at hand, and that this is why he was hired. “[The GSA] had faith in my ability to oversee the election fairly and impartially, and to make sure that all the rules were followed and to execute reasonable judgment; which is a lot of what the CRO is called upon to do over the course of the election.” In regard to executing his judgment, McGreevy says that a recent decision by the GSA has given the CRO more discretion in determining what actions can be leveled against a candidate. “In the past there has been some difficulty with the application of the elections bylaws. They tended to be pretty harsh. They didn’t allow for a lot of leeway in terms of innocent misinterpretation of the rules.” The new rules, according to McGreevy, “gives [the CRO] much more leeway in terms of penalties that are not disqualifications, for instances where an individual may have had a minor infraction of the policy manual, they are no longer disqualified, and there is a lot more transparency involved in that decision making process.” He points out that this will go a long way toward making GSA elections fairer, because he feels that the students should decide who is representing them, not the CRO. Mention the word “election” these days, and it isn’t
long before someone mentions “social media.” The Gradzette asked the CRO if he would be allowing candidates to use the medium for campaigning. McGreevy said that while he was unclear on the exact ramifications the new wording of the bylaws would have on the use of social media during the election, he did say that no matter the medium, all messages would have to go through him before being sent out to voters. “If someone sends me an email ‘In the past there has ‘I would been some difficulty with saying like to send this the application of the tweet please,’ I have 24 hours to elections bylaws. They that tweet tended to be pretty harsh.’ evaluate and grant or deny — Alan McGreevy permission for that communication.” McGreevy feels that by acting as the intermediary for all campaigning, he can personally make sure that rules are followed and prevent any kind of negative messaging from reaching potential voters. The Gradzette asked McGreevy specifically about negative campaigning, and whether he foresaw it as being an issue in this election. “One of the things is that any statement of claim or fact used in Campaign material should provide an appropriate citation or reference.” Said McGreevy. This essentially means that if someone were to make an accusation against an opponent, they would need to base it on recorded facts in order for it to be used in a campaign. He expanded on this comment by saying that GSA council documents are available online, and that the way an individual has acted in the past, in relation to GSA governance, is a matter of public record. “I think it’s hard to run a smear campaign when you are required to provide sources.” Throughout the interview the CRO stressed his commitment to fairness and transparency, and that this upcoming election be a “true representation of the will of the students.” Campaigning for the 2011 UMGSA election begins on Feb. 28 and goes until March 11. The election will be held between March 14 and 16.
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Researcher Profile: Doug Alar M.A. Psychology Doug Alards-Tomalin is a University of Manitoba graduate student, researching the relationship between the elapse of time and how the brain perceives it. The Gradzette sat down with AlardsTomalin to talk about his interests in- and outside of the lab. Doug Alards-Tomalin is a University of Manitoba graduate student, researching the relationship between the elapse of time and how the brain perceives it. The Gradzette sat down with Alards-Tomalin to talk about his interests in- and outside of the lab. Gradzette: Did you know you were going to major in psychology when you came to the U of M? Doug Alards-Tomalin: I had an idea that I might major in psychology in my last year of high school. When I was 16, I took several early admission courses through the U of M, one of which was “Introduction to Psychology.” By my second year I was doing a general Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy. It wasn’t until my fourth year that a professor suggested I do an Honours Psychology degree which has led me to where I am today. G: What drew you to study psychology? DAT: Initially, I thought it might be useful as a way of “messing” with people. However, after learning the scientific method, psychology became a useful tool for me in understanding the brain and people’s behaviour. G: Where do you get your ideas and main research questions from? DAT: Firstly, I identify a highly specific area of research that is both of interest to me, and one in which I have some basic ideas of potential experiments to run. I then perform an exhaustive literature review, pulling up every study I can in the area, reading them all, and writing summaries of each. I critique the articles in these summaries and try and relate their methods to each-other finding possible avenues of research that haven’t been explored yet. I then generate a bunch of general research questions and design experiments that could address them. From here, I try and formulate more specific hypotheses which will answer
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focused questions. G: What research are you currently conducting? DAT: My current interests lie in the fields of time perception and memory. I recently conducted a series of studies on how people make duration judgments for different sounds. The brunt of my research, however, examines how people make time-based prospective memory judgments. Prospective memory involves forming a plan to carry out a behaviour at some point in the future (i.e., pick up groceries tomorrow). It is considered time-based when the behaviour is cued by a specific clock time (i.e., I have a meeting at 3 p.m.). G: How is the research conducted? DAT: Generally speaking, my research is conducted in a laboratory setting with the use of computers. The participants are drawn from the Introduction to Psychology subject pool. G: What was your initial interest in this field of research? DAT: It is an under-studied area of the memory literature, with few theoretical models explaining how people are able to accurately perform prospective memory tasks. Currently, it is thought that people have an internal (or cognitive) clock that keeps track of time. This answer seems kind of ridiculous to me and I think there is a better explanation. G: Why is this research important? DAT: Time-based prospective memory is important for many reasons. Primarily, the window for error when making these types of judgments is small, and prospective memory errors can result in a person forgetting to pick up their kid after soccer practice, or could be as serious as forgetting to take one’s medication at a specific time. The driving force behind this research is finding ways of eliminating prospective memory errors.
lards-Tomalin, by Brian Hauri
G: What do you see as the main challenge for your research field in the future? DAT: At this point, the major challenge will be to solve the ongoing theoretical debate over the cognitive systems that are involved in timebased prospective memory. Currently, the only theory is the Test-Wait-Test-Exit model. This theory states that people continuously monitor (or “test”) real time by checking an external clock, this is said to reset the internal, cognitive clock which continuously emits pulses. Another part of the brain is then said to sum up the number of pulses and use that as a subjective measure of how much time has passed. When the person feels enough time has passed they then make a response (or “exit”). In essence this theory doesn’t take into account external factors that can influence time-perception, for instance one’s general surroundings, previously formed expectations, and prior experiences all can exert influences on time perception, and none of them are accounted for by the internal clock model.
‘Currently, it is thought that people have an internal clock that keeps track of time. This answer seems kind of ridiculous to me . . . ’ — Doug Alards-Tomalin
G: What career goals do you have for the future? DAT: To obtain my PhD within the next few years, and then after having amassed several publications, go on to do a post-doctorate. G: When you’re not working, how do you “escape” from your work? DAT: I spend so much time in-doors that I try to get out of the city and get some physical activity if I can. During the summer I ride my bike a lot and do some hiking, during the winter I’m more involved in skiing (cross-country and downhill). Outside of that I spend a lot of time reading. I also play various musical instruments, including the banjo.
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Constitution with by-laws 2011 Graduate Students’ AGM sees big changes GSA Upcoming Events: GSA election campaign
Between Feb. 28 and March 11, candidates for the upcoming GSa election will be out and about, campaigning.
GSA executive meeting
tuesday March 1, 5 p.m., GSa office. 211 University Centre
GSA executive meeting
tuesday March 8, 5 p.m., GSa office. 211 University Centre
For more info, visit Umgsa.ca or visit the GSA offices: Fort Garry campus - 221 University Centre Health Sciences campus - 114 Brodie Centre
Freelance.
Gradzette relies on paid freelance submissions from graduate students. To fi nd out more email: publisher@gradzette.com
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n Jan. 26 graduate students at the University of Manitoba gathered in the Graduate Students Association (GSA) lounge, located in 217 University Centre, for the 2011 GSA annual general meeting (AGM). At the meeting a number of things were discussed but the topics that generated the most interest were the reforming of the GSA constitution into a set of by-laws, the debate over a referendum and a proposed freeze on GSA membership fees. Minutes of the past GSA meeting, on Jan. 27, 2010 were voted on and approved. The executive reports started with the presidential report, in which Meaghan Labine updated attending GSA students on the executive’s ongoing progress of making the association autonomous. She also reported on the GSA office renovation project, which is “an endeavor by the GSA executive to turn our space into something that [graduate students] can use, work and study in.” The next executive report Gonsalves also talked about was given by Farhoud Delijani, the issue of international vice president (internal), who reported that the GSA has now students’ healthcare being on opened a file to get a credit hold due to outstanding fees card to prevent GSA executives from having to be reimbursed for out of pocket GSA purchases. Delijani also reported that the GSA budget is solid and that they expect surplus year. Delijani also reported that since the resignation of the Gradzette Editor in 2010, the production of the magazine has been handed over to the Manitoban and has already produced two issues. He also explained that the finance committee has dispersed the departmental grants and encouraged students to apply. Delijani said that a lack of applications compared to last year has caused them to come in under budget. Delijani also noted that the special project budget has reached its cap and they’re trying to stop accepting new applications. He also added that they have dispersed $41,000 of the GSA’s $65,000 budget for conference grants. He also added that the GSA is working on the by-laws for a revised version of election policy to present at the next AGM. Vice President (academic) Peter Nawrot’s report consisted of congratulating past recipients GSA awards committee awards, and he
on replaced ws
anges by Morgan Modjeski
encouraged people to apply for awards. Nawrot also added that the awards committee will take over the Nursing Bursary award. Nawrot also mentioned that he is now responsible for any advocacy issues grad students are facing with the university, and encouraged students to approach him with any related concerns. Liz Gonsalves, vice president (external), who resigned her position on Jan. 31, gave her report next saying that she was responsible for establishing a better office network between the Fort Garry Campus and the Bannatyne campus. The process has taken over half a year, and Gonsalves said that she is currently in negotiations with a company and expects it will be solidified before the end of February. Gonsalves also talked about the issue of international students’ healthcare being on hold due to outstanding fees, and reported that it has been resolved, blaming the problem on a communication error.
Gonsalves added that GSA is looking for a tax-filing service for graduate students come tax time. She also said that one of the newest campaigns the GSA is working on is a housing initiative for international students who do not qualify under the Manitoba housing initiative. Neil Salter, Health Science senator, explained that the Health Science GSA have continued the bus-ticket program where, through the assistance of the associate dean of graduate studies, students traveling from the Health Science centre to St. Boniface Hospital for classes are given bus-tickets. He also added that they have been involved with a number of events including the Canadian Student Health Research Days along side several socials. Some concern was raised about the International College of Manitoba (ICM) and space issues. Labine said that the contracts signed with ICM and the university were still valid, so not much could be done except the continuous posing of questions at U of M senate and Board of Governors meetings. The GSA budget was reviewed and the budget audit was approved. The GSA chose BDO Canada LLP as their auditor for next term. The GSA also voted to revamp their entire governing policy by changing their constitution to a set of by-laws, explaining that the by-laws can be changed at a council meeting instead of only at an AGM. Some attendees voiced concern from the floor, but the conflict was eventually resolved and resulted in the GSA voting for the change. In other business, Nig Ma, GSA senator, proposed a motion that would freeze the GSA membership fees for the next year. After some explanations and debate on the effect of this motion (i.e., how this would prevent the GSA from holding a referendum on this issue) the motion was defeated.
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HSGSA Curling League by asHLey gaboury
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ooking to get graduate students out of the labs and onto the ice, the third annual Health Sciences Graduate Students Association (HSGSA) curling league kicked off on Jan. 29 at the West Kildonan Curling Club. Cordula Buse, HSGSA vice-president (communications) and coordinator of the league, said that the 10-team league continues to grow in popularity, with all 50 spots having been filled. “Every year we’ve gotten feedback and everyone is happy. They think it’s good and they want to come back,” said Buse. The teams have grown from four to five players to include a spare, said Buse, and now they extend to incorporate Fort Garry campus students. “There are always people who come back from previous years and there are always new people, too,” she said. The first day of the league is always a clinic for new curlers, said Buse, during which time experienced curlers scrimmage amongst themselves. “We have people from the Manitoba Curling Association teaching us how to [curl].” While the league is primarily focused on recruiting graduate students, those who would like to bring their partner or friends are welcomed too, said Buse. With a focus on bringing graduate students together for a couple hours of fun on Saturday afternoons, Buse said that the league is “not that competitive.” “I’m very excited about [the league]. I like curling a lot and I’m very excited to see the new people, too,” said Buse.
The HSGSA curling league meets on Feb. 19, March 5, March 12 and March 19 at the West Kildonan Curling Club.
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“I started curling because I’ve never done it before. [ . . . ] If you come to Canada you have to curl at least once. It’s a very social sport and you get to know a lot of people.” Buse believes that taking part in an extracurricular activity can have numerous benefits for graduate students. “You get a more rounded profile,” she said. “As graduate students, you usually hang out in your lab and this way you meet other people from other departments that you might not run into if you hang out in the lab every day.” Neil Salter, HSGSA president, echoed Buse’s feelings, and said it’s a great way to meet new people. “There are a lot of people you don’t even see when you’re at school unless you get out of school,” he said. “[ . . . ] It’s a good causal event. It’s not too competitive, so it’s a good way to make friends and not make enemies.” Courtney Watt, who is working on a PhD in biology, said that she joined the league as a way to get out and meet other graduate students. “I like curling,” said Watt. “I watch it on TV all the time, but I’m not good enough to play in a league so I thought it would be fun to come here.” She too feels that it’s important for graduate students to get out and take a break from their research. “It gives you a break from your computer, and you need to get out and mingle and meet people. Sometimes when you’re stuck working on your thesis you forget about having a life, so I think it’s nice to come out [and curl].” The HSGSA curling league meets on Feb. 19, March 5, March 12 and March 19 at the West Kildonan Curling Club.
‘There are always people who come back from previous years and there are always new people, too.’ - Cordula Buse