National Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federation of Students Thursday,

8/14/2019 National Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federation of Students Thursday,

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MINUTESNational Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federation of StudentsThursday, November 27, 2008 to Sunday, November 30. 2008

CALL TO ORDER - Thursday, November 27, 200812.02pm National Graduate Caucus Chairperson Graham G. Cox called the meeting to order.1. ROLL CALL OF MEMBER LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

Local 03 University of British Columbia Students' Union-Okanagan PresentLocal 21 University of Calgary Graduate Students' Association AbsentLocal 09 University of Regina Students' Union AbsentLocal 101 University of Saskatchewan Graduate Students' Association AbsentLocal 96 University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association AbsentLocal 102 Brock University Graduate Students' Association AbsentLocal 78 Carleton University Graduate Students' Association PresentLocal 62 University of Guelph Graduate Students' Association PresentLocal 32 Lakehead University Student Union AbsentLocal 11 0 Laurentian University Graduate Students' Association AbsentLocal 39 McMaster University Graduate Students' Association AbsentLocal 94 University of Otlawa Graduate Students' Association Presentdes atudiant-e-s diploma-e-sLocal 27 Queen's University Society of Graduate and Professional Students AbsentLocal 24 Ryerson Students' Union PresentLocal 85 Saint Paul University Students' Association AbsentLocal 19 University of Toronto Graduate Students' Union PresentTrent Graduate Student Association AbsentLocal 47 University of Western Ontario Society of Graduate Students PresentLocal 56 Wilfrid Laurier University Graduate Students' Association PresentLocal 48 University of Windsor Graduate Student Society PresentLocal 84 York University Graduate Students' Association PresentLocal 83 Concordia University Graduate Students' Association AbsentLocal 79 Post-Graduate Students' Society of McGill University PresentLocal 67 University of New Brunswick Graduate Students' Association PresentLocal 70 University of Prince Edward Island Graduate Student Association PresentDalhousie Association of Graduate Students AbsentLocal 34 Mount Saint Vincent University Students' Union AbsentLocal 100 Graduate Students' Union of the Memorial University of Newfoundland Present Prospective members

2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA2008/11:01

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MOTIONLocal 78/Local 94Be it resolved that the agenda for the May 2008 meeting of the National GraduateCaucus be adopted.CARRIEDMOTIONLocal 78/Local 94Be it resolved that the agenda be amended to move item four to just beforeadjournment.CARRIED


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MINUTESNational Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federation of StudentsThursday, November 27,2008 to Sunday, November 30,2008

3. WELCOMING REMARKS AND INTRODUCTIONSNational Graduate Caucus Chair, Graham Cox welcomed the delegates to the meeting. G. Coxnoted that there was information and materials produced by the Caucus Executive at the backof the room for delegates to pick-up including three campaign packages for locals. G. Cox notedthat there would be an event that evening for graduate locals. G. Cox highlighted some of themain campaigns of the Caucus including copyright and open access; intellectual property; post-residency fees. G. Cox expressed a hope that the remaining Manual of Best Practices would becollected and/or filled out over the course of the meeting.Local 94 Delegate Federico Carvajal asked how many locals had turned in manual of bestpractices.G. Cox said about half of locals had turned them in.

5. SELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR PLENARY SUB-COMMITTEESStanding Resolution 1, Section 2, Committee Composition states that:"Each caucus, constituency group and provincial component shall have the right to select onevoting member to sit on each standing general meeting committee."The Caucus will select representatives for each of the following plenary sub-committees:

BUdget Committee;Organisational and Services Development Committee; andPolicy Review and Development Committee.MOTIONLocal 19/Local 84Be it resolved that J. Wood (Local 62) and B. Taylor (Local 48) represent the NGCat the Budget Committee.CARRIEDMOTIONLocal 94/Local 62Be it resolved that G. West (Local 19), T. AI-Geddaway (Local 48) and HeatherFinn (Local 78) represent the NGC at the Organisational and ServicesDevelopment Committee.

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CARRIEDMOTIONLocal 94/Local 67Be it resolved that Meghan Gallant (Local 19) and A. Massecar (Local 62)represent the NGC at the Policy Review and Development Committee.CARRIED

6. REVIEW OF MOTIONS FOR CONSIDERATIONMotions N15, N13, and N03 were flagged for consideration by the NGC prior to the sub-committee meetings.S. Suliman (19) noted she is against N15 as it is logistically problematic, diversity will beundermined; every single local is present at opening and closing plenary.


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2008/11 :06 MOTIONLocal 94/Local 67Be it resolved that the NGC committee delegates vote to defeat N15.

Local 94 delegate Carvajal noted that plenary subcommittees often have a diversity of viewsthat does not always get expressed in plenary.Local 19 delegate Rose DaCosta agreed that representatives should recommend defeat of thismotion, and highlighted that students of colour will also be recommending defeat. She furtherhighlighted that the motion fails to acknowledge what the constituency groups are supposed todo: including diverse voices and perspectives ultimately making our positions stronger.

2008/11:06 CARRIEDLocal 47 delegate Dechene provided some background on N03, indicating it was based on anadministration policy at the University of Western Ontario. Both the university administration andLocal 47 felt there was a need for consistency across the Tri-Council maternity and paternityleave policies.Local 19 delegate Gallant highlighted two things: first, this is an important issue becausematernity and paternity leave policies often poorly defined and are major issues in TA unions aswell. Sometimes it is 2 months for Teaching Assistants at the University of Toronto, but notconsistent across the university, it seems to depend on departments, so very important issueworth discussing. However, she would like to know what policies are being highlighted incontrast with university unions. She said the NGC ought to have break-out groups to discusswhat kinds of policies it ought to support based on ideas and experience, not on an externalreport from another organisation or body.G. Cox said that the Caucus can circulate document and report on mat leave for this eveningand save discussion for then. This motion going to campaigns and probably will not bediscussed this evening, so we should be good to discuss it later tonight.Carvajal started the discussion on N13 by indicating that academic freedom was important. Hesaid government programming to fund certain films is being threatened when the films are not inagreement with public policies. Censorship is clearly an issue here, especially when weconsider that creative arts programs are dependent on this funding. We need to take a stanceas NGC: He recommend we pass this motion.Local 78 delegate N. Hauch said this is general censorship, and there is a social conservativecomponent is underlying this policy. It also challenges academic freedom.

Federation Communications Officer Ben Lewis said that Bill C-10 is a big package of changesand this part is only one aspect of it.Local 24 delegate J. Bagnall said it is important for Caucus to support motion N12 as it links tothe privatization of campuses as well. Critical work that gets people thinking is threatened withthese funding cuts, so the NGC ought to make sure it get this funding back to support artistsand get work out into public.

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MOTIONLocal 94/Local 24Be it resolved that the National Graduate Caucus committee delegates vote infavour of N13.CARRIED

MOTIONLocal 24/Local 19Be it resolved that the National Graduate Caucus committee delegates vote infavour of N12.


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MINUTESNational Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federation of StudentsThursday, November 27,2008 to Sunday, November 30,2008-- - .-

2008/11:08 CARRIED

Local 67 delegate Neil Cole said a resolution to discussions of motion N14 was problematic aswe do not know when the minority government will fail and this could incapacitate the NationalExecutive (NE) to be able to respond to campaignSuliman said that the motion seems quite insulting to National Executive and that elections arecalled very quickly without much notice and the NE has to be able to respond and cannotnecessarily wait for a national general meeting.

2008/11 :09 MOTIONLocal 19/Local 100Be it resolved that the National Graduate Caucus committee delegates vote todefeat N14.

Hauch said they supported the motion to defeat as the motion also seems to suggest the NEhas to get approval for every single action it takes between general meetings. This is not onlyinefficient he said, but would make all strategies public. He said that the NE exists to carry outthis work on member locals' behalf between meetings.Carvajal said they supported motion to defeat as the NE works very hard to be involved infederal elections and campaigns. The strategy was very good during the last federal electionbut elections are often planned hastily; if this passes, the NE cannot do anything should anelection be called and NE not be able to move forward without approval.National Graduate Caucus National Executive Representative Melanee Thomas indicated that,as member of the National Executive, delegates could ask her questions or for informationabout elections planning and strategising. She said the nature of last election was such thatinformation was only released after platforms were released-as in the case of theConservative Party's in the most recent federal election, when the platform was not releaseduntil the last week of the campaign.Local 100 delegate Matt Fuchs said that NE information and campaign materials were veryinformative and useful and he supports the motion to defeat this motion.

2008/11:09 CARRIEDLocal 48 delegate T. AI-Geddaway wondered why motion N11 discussion bulk purchasing waspresented at this meeting, and did not understand what the purpose is of it was. Even if a localdoes not put the name in, the CFS logo in on materials and usually the local number on itanyway.Gallant indicated that some of the locals do not want CFS but would rather only have localinformation on it. She thought the CFS logo should be on it if using the service and memberlocals should be proud of the eco-friendly nature of many of the services.Carvajal thought it was a good motion, and noted that it comes from a local that did not have ahistory of using CFS services. It is important that the CFS individual members should knowwhere there services and materials come from-it is about awareness; the motion onlyencourages it does not require. Local 94 started this year to include all CFS and local info onmaterials and it seems to help raise awareness and promote CFS.Lewis was involved in graphics and design of all the different local designs on materials. Manylocals were putting university logos, but not even student union info on the materials. The ideathat the Federation should be encouraging members and locals of what the Federation is, andthe services it offers.Local 62 delegate J. Wood wondered why the Federation needed a motion for this if it onlyencourages rather than mandates.AI-Geddaway said he still did not understand as even if a local does not print the CFS name onmaterials, does not it already come with CFS logo on it.


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Suliman provided a background: a local requested that CFS logo not be on aT-shirt producedthrough the bulk purchasing service. This motion seems to be in response to the idea that alocal use a service, but then hide the service source.Lewis clarified that the CFS name and logo is not necessarily on materials. It used to be thatlabels were sewn onto T-shirts, but pens and water botlles do not necessarily have the CFSlogo.Da Costa said that if bulk purchasing is a good idea and locals use it, we should be proud toadvertise its source. It is not actually fair that we would not give credit to this bulk purchasingprogram. It would be good to make the motion wording stronger and actually require the CFSlogo on goods.MOTION:

2008/11:10 MOTIONLocal 19/Local 67Be it resolved that motion N11 be amended to read: "CFS be identified on allmaterials produced through the bulk purchasing program.n

Carvajal said that bilingualism is important, so the name should be bilingual.Fuchs argued that, coming from distinct province it might be good for provincial offices to alsoinclude their information on materials.Carvajal asked if the NE can mandate or even recommend things to provincial offices. Hethought it was up to the provincial offices to decide on what they would do with something likethis.G.Cox indicated that any recommendation or mandate from the national organization would beout of order.Gallant asked, on a point of order, what the voting procedure was.G. Cox clarified it was one local, one vote.

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CARRIEDMOTIONLocal 94/Local 110Be it resolved that the meeting recess until this evening, Thursday, November 27,2008.CARRIED

The meeting recessed.CALL BACK TO ORDER-Thursday, November 27,2008National Graduate Caucus Chair Graham Cox called the meeting to order.

7. REPORT ON CAUCUS ACTIVITIES BY THE CAUCUS EXECUTIVECaucus Chairperson Graham Cox and Caucus National Executive Representative MelaneeThomas provided a brief report of the last meeting of the Canadian Association of GraduateStudies (CAGS). Key issues discussed included post-doctoral taxation and restrictions ongraduate student travel for research and field work due to Department of Foreign Affairs andInternational Trade (DFAIT) safety ratings.G. Cox reviewed all the NGC-related campaigns documents.Local 96 delegate Aaron Bonar noted that electronic versions of all documents would be veryuseful for distribution


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MINUTESNational Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federat ion of StudentsThursday, November 27,2008 to Sunday, November 30,2008

Local 33 delegate M. Thorogood asked if the Public Risk/Private Gains document was availableonline.G. Cox indicated that all documents are available Online. Any local interested in broaderdistribution of documents can request them from the National Office.

8. CAMPAIGNS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DISCUSSIONG. Cox opened the post-residency fees campaign discussion. He said post-residency fees aretuition fees levied on graduate students who have completed coursework and are the in writingstage of their degree. He said that the Caucus have posters for schools whose post-residencyfees are being threatened, or for those schools that have full fees but want to pressure theadministration to have them reduced. Pledge forms are also available. G. Cox also noted thatposter and pledge forms constitute the basic campaign kit for locals.Local 78 delegate N. Hauch said that the specific language to be used is under discussion, forexample "losing" versus "reintroducing" etc., based on the context of individual campuses.G Cox indicated that the new posters reflect new language that takes that discussion intoaccount.Local 56 delegate D. Adams asked what a university's rational was for maintaining high fees forgraduate students once they had completed their course work.Local 94 delegate Federico Carvajal said that universities have increasingly become oriented torevenue seeking, and that their bottom line was paramount.Hauch mentioned that post-residency fees have a domino effect: once one university eliminatesthem, others will follow.Local 19 delegate Greg West mentioned that Local 19 is working hard on this issue. Their Deanof Graduate Studies suggests higher tuition encourages students to leave and graduate.Local 47 delegate Kai Pisters said that Western graduate students have guaranteed funding for4 years, so the universities argument is that paying fees after 4 years encourages people toleave.Local 78 delegate Heather Finn said it was different at Carleton, as their Dean acknowledgesthe issue but suggests there is an issue of solidarity with other schools. This keeps them fromchanging fee structure and reinstating post-residency fees.Local 19 delegate Rose Da Costa said that it is important to note that in Ontario there are nopost-residency fees because of the Ontario provincial government's lack of investment inuniversities. She said meetings a few years ago indicate that there used to be support for post-residency fees, but that U of T seems to stand alone. De Costa said students there have hopeand there has been limited movement.Adams said he was concerned about post-residency fees being an issue during a recession. Heasked if there was going to be campaigning at provincial level, given the already large under-funding at schools.Carvajal argued post-residency fees needs to be addressed as such, not same issue as tuitionfees. In all cases, it requires more funding from government. Locals have to be part of puttingpressure on government. The student movement needs one institution to move on this, and thenothers will follow.G. Cox said whistleblower posters are available, locals should let us know if people want more.CFS-Ontario Researcher James Beaton highlighted Chris Radzminski's case. He said Chris'M.Sc. thesis on research on water issues was plagiarised and that industry sponsors wereinvolved in his research. Beaton noted that Radzminski saw research misconduct happeningand tried to pursue university-level resolutions and had limited luck so he asked the Federationfor help. James said the Federation went to NSERC and tried to pursue legal action but thecourts ruled that NSERC acted appropriately, demonstrating that in Canada there is no legal


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recourse for whistleblowers or oversight for research misconduct. Beaton said a few years agothere was an initiative that attempted to pursue the establishment of a national oversight bodylike in the US and that the whistleblower campaign comes out of this background and seeks toget locals involved in information dissemination and raising awareness.Adams asked if there was money available for court cases.G Cox indicated there is, but that people will not come forward without whistleblower protection.G. Cox said that the Intellectual Property rights campaign needs more information from locals inorder to move forward. The copyright campaign is also underway. There is information andmaterials out on that, but there has been a limited reception among locals in terms ofimplementation. G. Cox indicated that there are also open access information and fact sheetsavailable. G Cox asked the assembled members how the Caucus should proceed with thecopyright campaign.Local 79 delegate Adrian Kaats indicated that, after significant time and effort, he finally got inMcGill's intellectual property information to the NGC executive. A copyright event was held atLocal 79: Brett Gaylor came in for a radio panel. In spite of this, people not very engaged in thesubject. Kaats indicated he thought that maybe a larger campaign on privatization might drawpeople in, and has been working on this with the CFS-Quebec office.Local 24 delegate J. Bagnall wanted to have an openlfree lunch to get people out to events onthese subjects, and was hoping to invite some speakers. He noted it is hard to get grads out todo anything. He thought a national tour with experts would be good.Carvajal indicated that campus involvement is hard because copyright is a dry subject, but thefilm today (RIP: A Remix Manifesto) was awesome and would be a great segue into this kind ofdiscussion.G. Cox said the executive can put together a list of speakers.Kaats indicated a large list of speakers on a variety of topics would be helpful.Thomas said the best way to kick-start this list on campaigns would be for locals who haveconducted such events to send the executive any information on speakers they have had,including feedback on the calibre and quality of those speakers.

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MOTIONLocal 94/Local 100Be it resolved that the meeting recess until Saturday, November 29,2008.CARRIED

9. REVIEW OF CAUCUS FINANCESCaucus Deputy Chair Amy Cox provided the caucus with an update of NGC finances. A. Coxhighlighted that the campaign finances are where the caucus anticipated they would be: themedia fee was for press releases on the newswire. Other expenses included post-residency feeresearch, some travel to CAGS and delegate fees and G. Cox and Thomas went on behalf ofthe Caucus. Communications is higher than anticipated due to a high volume of conferencecalls. Membership development includes the generic graduate student handbooks and otherinitiatives that are done annually. The executive has revised the May 2009 travel pool for threepeople just in case.Local 79 delegate Adrian Kaats asked if the Caucus expected to be on target this year withrespect to expenses.A. Cox said that there is no reason that the Caucus would not fulfil the financial plans forexpenses.Kaats indicated an unused $33K, which is a third of the annual bUdget, based on May


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MINUTESNational Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federation of StudentsThursday, November 27, 2008 to Sunday, November 30, 2008

discussion.G Cox indicated that the budget for the NGC comes from a certain proportion of membershipfees from locals, and that surpluses and deficits do not carry forward. There are a number ofthings that are not reflected in the financial statement that reflects NGC work (research, officestaff, printing, etc). G Cox said that the Caucus is under budget is not because work is not beingundertaken; it has to do with the spending priorities of the NGC. If those priorities require thosefunds, then they will be used, but if not, there is no reason to use the full amount for the sake ofusing the money. G Cox noted that the Caucus would be addressing campaigns later in theagenda, so some new spending on campaigns will likely come up.Local 96 delegate Aaron Glen asked further that, given that it is consistent that we do not spendbetween thirty and forty thousand dollars consistently, if the caucus expects to be under-budgetagain. In terms of dollars, that money could be spent on a graduate issues researcher for thecaucus. Given that the Caucus spends money on democratically-determined priorities, he askedif there has been a discussion with the national executive about a researcher.Local 56 delegate D. Adams asked about executive honouraria.G. Cox indicated the honoraria was about $4,600 per year.Local 94 delegate Federico Carvajal commented that the statement made about changing thenational office staffing structure is flawed. He said if the NGC thinks a researcher would bebeneficial, a motion could be tabled.G Cox indicated that there has been no specific shortfall of research requested by the Caucus.There is information that has been requested from graduate member locals that has been slowto come in; without that broader mandate, having a researcher is not necessarily the answer toproducing more campaigns at the local level.Local 96 delegate A. Bonar asked for clarification.G. Cox (NGC) indicated that many things would have to happen prior to a researcher beinghired. There have been discussions, they are ongoing at the National Executive level, there arebroader hiring priorities within the organisation, and the Caucus executive is undertakingresearch and can do more. He said that if the load becomes too mUCh, then the Caucus shouldre-evaluate human resource needs.Local 78 delegate Hauch indicated that this issue had been dealt with at the May meeting; givenhow recent that was and that there is no new development, the focus should be on newbusiness.Local 19 delegate Sarah Suliman expressed a desire to not repeat the discussion from May, andexpressed discomfort creating new funds and then deciding what to do with them. She said thatit was better to decide priorities and take finances from there.M. Fuchs (100) expressed shock at the honoraria level and asked what the executive weeklyhours worked were.The Caucus executive members generally indicated they do not count hours.Thorogood indicated that the research opportunities that could arise would be new campaignsand evaluating existing campaigns, and suggested that member locals could promote thoseavenues for research within graduate programs themselves.Adams asked about the honoraria, clarifying that three executive members get the honoraria,and asked if it was attached to something specific, such as hours per week.G. Cox indicated that there is no hourly total, but requirements are associated more withresponsibilities such as meeting attendance.Beaton highlighted that, with respect to research, having been a National researcher and nowwith the Ontario office, he works with the Caucus issues regularly, and this is not reflected in theresearch line item for the Caucus, even though it was done for the Caucus. Beaton said the lineitem reflects a research division that does not really exist in the Federation.Local 62 delegate A. Rivera commented that, on the honoraria, for those who volunteer their


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time that it is important that the NGC, place the proper value on the work that is being done. Hesaid value is displayed by dollar amounts, it should be just remuneration. He indicated thereshould be a model for how the NGC can appropriately value the time and work of executivework. He argued that member locals cannot make argument that time is valuable when we donot value it with funds.

12 . ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONCaucus members will provide a local-by-Iocal update on the status of implementation ofFederation campaigns and services.

2008/11 :13 MOTIONLocal 79/Local 19Be it resolved that universities be lobbied to make up the difference in take homepay that post-doctoral scholars ("post-docs") will lose under the new CRA taxregulations via wage increases from their respective universities;BIFRT the CRA be lobbied to delay its change to taxation policy for post-docs inorder to allow universities time to arrange for proper replacement funding to post-docs and to enable appropriate consultations regarding its implications for post-docs;BIFRT coalition partners be sought to develop a communication strategy on theissue of post-docs rights to a fair wage that advocates a fair and workable long-term approach to post-doctoral funding.

Kaats motivated that the root of this issue seems to be funding for post-docs. If they are paidbetter, then taxing them will not be an issue.Massecar asked how this is different than what NGC has been doing.Local 27 Delegate Mark Rosner said it was his understanding that post-docs are no longertreated as students but instead as employees.Local 19 delegate Gallant indicated that Quebec post-docs are called different things than post-docs in other provinces and this could be some of the difficulty. She further elaborated that theNGC has had conversations in the past about whether or not post-docs are one thing or anotherand how they are classified.Rosner indicated that, in the past universities have at times given the post-docs an option ofwhat they want to be considered.Carvajal said this issue came up at the last CAGS meeting, and that the there seems to be noclear consensus yet from post-docs how they want to be classified. He argued that, simplybecause the government changes its policy does not necessarily mean that the NGC shouldfollow the government. The NGC is mostly comprised of graduate students and it has to becareful of what we suggest they should be called without their input.Local 78 delegate Finn said McMaster post-docs recently unionized and are negotiating theirfirst agreement. There are some differences among post-docs in terms of their classification.The NGC should be careful because they are workers and maybe losing or calling themstudents is not a beneficial thing, but rather they need to decide for themselves.Local 78 delegate Hauch acknowledged there are many questions in terms of post-docs: whatare the implications of money, taxing, titles, etc. We need to get some research on this issue.Coming to any conclusions too quickly without enough information will not be helpful.G.Cox said that the NGC has been discussing the issue and communicating with unions andother organizations. It was discussed a little during the CAGS meeting. The role the NGC haveplayed so far has been consultative. And this motion would enable us to act on a few things andpressure the government

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MOTIONLocal 79/Local 24Be it resolved that packages to be distributed to locals to help implementcampaigns.

Local 84 delegate K. Holloway said that it was a good idea to prepare a package to helpimplement campaigns, but that member locals should be careful not to overburden theexecutive. The motion reads this should be compiled by the NGC and member locals all needto participate in its production, circulate information to the NGC listserv, and work together.Kaats agreed, and said the motion is supposed to encourage locals to be involved, but sincethe Caucus cannot technically have a motion requiring member locals to do something, themotion is really supposed to spark that sort of engagement.

CARRIEDMOTIONLocal 79/Local 100Be it resolved that all surveys be editable and, where possible, documents beproduced using open source software.

Kaats motivated that he filled out the Manual Best Practices before, but have no hard copy onfile that he can just update yearly. If there is an editable version, then it encourages memberlocals to update their surveys yearly.Local 48 delegate B. Taylor asked why there has not been editable forms earlier, or are theredrawbacks to having editable electronic versions.Campaigns and Government Relations Coordinator I. Boyko indicated that the Federation ismoving in this direction but there is not really any issue.Local 24 delegate J. Bagnall asked if the motion permits hard copies.Kaats indicated that nothing prevents locals from hitting print.T. AI-Geddaway had some concerns about passing on information.Local 62 delegate A. Massecar indicated that he had had trouble in the past finding goodopen source software. He asked Kaats if he could recommend or help member locals findgood software.H. Finn indicated she thought she might be misunderstanding the point, and asked if therewere issues with editable versions resulting in more errors.A. Kaats repeated that soft copies can easily result in hard copies. Anyone can always printthe documents and keep them around and pass them on. What the NGC is missing is the softversion that allows the Caucus to have these things into the future. PDF forms also allowsimilar functionality. Kaats indicated that, as far as open source software goes, he could helpothers find software.F. Carvajal asked about the wording on the open source portion of the motion, particularly ifthe clause mandating the executive or Federation staff to use free software was going tohinder their ability to do the work.Local 19 delegate S. Suliman said that if the office already has purchased software, then shehad no problem with the office using proprietary software.

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MOTION TO DIVIDELocal 621Local 56Be it resolved the motion be divided.CARRIED


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2008/11 :15a MOTIONLocal 79/Local 100Be it resolved that all future surveys be editable electronically.

Local 62 delegate J. Wood asked if a motion was necessary.A. Massecar indicated that the NGC could have spent this time discussing something morepertinent to our Locals.

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CARRIEDAbstention: Local 78MOTIONLocal 79/Local 100Be it resolved that all documents be produced using open source software whereapplicable.MOTION TO TABLE 2008/11:15bLocal 94/Local 3Be it resolved that Motion 2008/11 :15b be tabled.CARRIED

13. UPDATES FROM PLENARY SUBCOMMITTEESCaucus representatives on each plenary sub-committee will reported on the deliberations of thesub-committees.Local 62 delegate J. Wood reported that, at the budget committee, there were no amendmentsand the budget was approved.Local 78 delegate H. Finn reported that an amendment was proposed to bulk purchasingmotion, but it was changed back to encourage not require. And then it passed. N15 wasdefeated.Local 48 delegate T. AI-Geddaway reported that N01 was amended back to 5%.A. Massecar reported that, at National Policy and Student Rights subcommittee, everythingpassed. A few minor changes but general spirit of them all stayed the same.F. Carvajal reported that, at Campaigns Forum, the break-out discussions on a variety ofsubjects. The privatization break-out group noted that food services is a big issue on campusesand how they are being owned and run by corporations. Also discussed the creation of aporthole for CFS members to exchange information.Local 67 delegate C. Butts reported that the report on the copyright group was confusing. Wetalked about the tour of R.I.P. Film and how important of an issue this is. We want locals to goback and promote and talk about this issue in preparation of the tour. Creating posters usingquotes from all kinds of famous people from the past and present tracing their sources is a greatidea.I. Boyko reported that the group on federal funding discussed the campaign for a dedicatedtransfer, and highlighted this campaign is a bit more obscure so we need to do some moreawareness raising before we can move into mobilization.H. Finn reported that the Canadian Labour Congress is organizing demonstrations against theHarper budget update, and suggested members contact the CLC if they are interested in gettinginvolved in this.Local 56 delgate D. Adams reported that the sustainability group discussed what everyone isdoing on this issue. The sustainability group concluded there are three main areas to focus on:"no bottled water" campaign; energy and its uses; transportation; and trying to work towards the


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free/student U-Pass; also ideas on rooftops gardens, bike co-ops. J. Bagnall (24) asked whatthe issue was with the energy campaign, as it was not clear.D. Adams (56) indicated it was not a major focus and there were some examples of localimplementation mentioned.

14. ADJOURNMENT2008/05:15 MOTIONLocal 27/Local 24

Be it resolved that the meeting be adjourned.2008/05:15 CARRIED11 :27 the meeting adjourned.

Documents

National Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federation of Students Thursday,