Posts from ‘January, 2009’

Please join the TSSU and the broader campus community for a DAY OF ACTION on
February 4th starting at 12:30. The DAY OF ACTION will consist of two
separate, though intricately linked, events.

1. Save SFU From Underfunding Rally. Convo Mall – 12:30-1:00PM

The rally is organized by a coalition of various SFU organizations,
including the Simon Fraser Student Society, The Simon Fraser University Faculty
Association, the Graduate Student Society at SFU, the Teaching and Support
Staff Union, CUPE 3338, Poly Party and APSA.

Most important to mention is that academic amnesty has been granted by
senate, as a way of promoting the event. So cancel tutorials and come on out to
the rally.

If you are interested in participating in any way (AND WE NEED YOU) – please contact
organizer@tssu.ca by Friday at noon.

http://www.sfss.ca/cgi/page.cgi?aid=29&_id=14&zine=show

2. Olympics, SFU, & You: Is There a Connection? MBC 2290 – 2:30-4:30

This community forum is sponsored by the TSSU Social Justice Committee, the
SFSS, the GSS, and SFPIRG and promised to raise awareness about the Olympics
and how it will influence people living, working, and studying at SFU.

Featured speakers include:

Derrick Harder – former SFSS president and Student Senator

York U won’t bargain

CUPE 3903 takes the high road, will not pursue lawsuit
to allow a resumption of classes

TORONTO, Ont. – After waiting in vain for the past critical day and a
half for York University to negotiate an eleventh hour settlement, the
union representing striking contract professors and teaching, graduate
and research assistants says it is shifting gears and preparing for
members to return to the classroom.

"It is obvious that the York administration has no desire, indeed has
never intended to reach a negotiated settlement," said CUPE 3903
spokesperson Tyler Shipley. "We have done everything in our power to
stand up for the quality and accessibility of education at York in
this round of negotiations but, for now, it’s time to get our students
back to class. Our local has decided not to pursue a legal challenge
to Premier Dalton McGuinty’s back-to-work legislation at this time."

CUPE 3903 Chair Christina Rousseau noted that the local’s 3300 members
"have fought a courageous fight against an administration who put
their own narrow vision ahead of the interests of students, academic
integrity, job security and workers rights."

This coming Wednesday, Jan. 28th, from 12:00-1:30PM in MBC 2290, will be the first TSSU
General Meeting of the Spring semester.

Please join your Departmental Steward and fellow members for important conversation about our work, news about our union, and, of course, FREE FOOD! There will be free food, including delicious wraps, pizza, fruit, cookies, and juice, tea, and coffee etc. Plus, there will be a discussion about Time Use Guidelines (TUGS), an update about striking workers at York University, and information about the upcoming rally to save SFU from underfunding (including the possible threat to TSSU members) that will be important to us all.

Even if you can only make part of the meeting, come anyway and you will be welcomed warmly: your grumbling tummy will be satisfied and your departmental knowledge greatly appreciated!

Please join us on Wednesday and for the rest of the Spring General Membership Meetings!

January – Wednesday, Jan. 28th, 12:00-1:30PM, MBC 2290

February – Tuesday, Feb. 24th, 4:00-5:30PM, Harbour Centre 2250

March – Monday, Mar. 23, 3:00-4:30, MBC 2290

A TUG, or Time Use Guideline, is a form that outlines the time allotted for the duties and responsabilities that a TA or TM is expected to perform over the course of his/her appointment. Course Supervisors should consult with their TAs and TMs and fill out the TUG in the FIRST week of the semester. For more information see FAQ for TA/TM/SI Issues or contact us at tssu@tssu.ca

Whether you are a new TA/TM or an experienced TA/TM looking to infuse new ideas into your pedagogy TA/TM Day has the stuff for you. The Learning and Instructional Development Center (LIDC) and the Office of the Dean of Grad Studies present the 13th Annual Spring semester ‘Teaching Orientation Program.’ The day long program offers workshops in surviving your first tutorial; "W" course instruction; facilitating effective discussions; using technology in teaching; helping students think critically and work cooperatively; understanding the contract and its lingo as well as many other areas. Check out the program for specific details and times of workshops: https://webserver.lidc.sfu.ca/tep/spring-09/getPdf.php?c_id=100. *Don’t forget up to 6 hours attendance at TA/TM Day counts towards professional development in your TUG hours! For more information on TUGs see the FAQ for TA/TM/SI issues section of the TSSU web site.

Friday, January 9, 2009

8:30am – 4:00pm

West Mall Centre (3rd Floor) Lounge & Halpern Centre (SFU Burnaby)