- Plants-grads - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

IMPORTANT CIC CHANGES - Postgraduation Work Permits]
by Martha Blouw 01 May '08

01 May '08

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[Fwd: PSGSA BBQ/Election-Wed May 7]
by Bev Godard 01 May '08

01 May '08

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: PSGSA BBQ/Election-Wed May 7 Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 12:29:20 -0500 From: umbagava(a)cc.umanitoba.ca To: godardbd(a)cc.umanitoba.ca Hi Bev, Please forward this along to all graduate students in our department. Thanks Muthu ---------------- Hi all, The end of winter/welcome summer BBQ will be held on wednesday May 7 between 12 and 1pm at the plant science lawn (beside the atrium). It is also the time when we will elect new executives for PSGSA office positions. There are some new students starting in the summer term. Please come out - this is a good opportunity to meet fellow GRAggies in the department. The BBQ is FREE! See you all there. Thanks Muthu -- Bev Godard Secretary Department of Plant Science University of Manitoba 66 Dafoe Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-8563 Fax: (204) 474-7528 Bev_Godard(a)umanitoba.ca

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[Fwd: PSGSA nominations]
by Bev Godard 01 May '08

01 May '08

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: PSGSA nominations Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 11:23:28 -0500 From: umli267(a)cc.umanitoba.ca To: godardbd(a)cc.umanitoba.ca Hi Bev, Please forward this to all graduate students in Plant Science. Thanks Li Ru ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi all, This is a reminder about the PSGSA nomination deadline: tomorrow (Friday) at 4:30pm. Please be advised that any nominations received after this period will not be accepted. Nominations from the floor will be accepted during the elections,only for the positions for which no nominations were received before the deadline. Thanks Li Ru -- Bev Godard Secretary Department of Plant Science University of Manitoba 66 Dafoe Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-8563 Fax: (204) 474-7528 Bev_Godard(a)umanitoba.ca

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note from Anndrea
by umneufe5＠cc.umanitoba.ca 29 Apr '08

29 Apr '08

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd share with you a short note I received from Anndrea yesterday: ------------- I am doing better and am going home to my grandmas today from the hospital. It has been a tough month. I should be returning to Canada in 2-3 weeks. Please tell everyone thanks for the positive vibes and energy. Anndrea ------------- Simon.

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[Fwd: Call for nominations: PSGSA election]
by Bev Godard 29 Apr '08

29 Apr '08

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Call for nominations: PSGSA election Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:49:43 -0500 From: umbagava(a)cc.umanitoba.ca To: godardbd(a)cc.umanitoba.ca Hi Bev, Please forward this to all graduate students in plant science. Thanks Muthu --------------- Hi All, Li Ru is interested in volunteering as the CRO for PSGSA elections. Please forward your nominations (self nominations are accepted) to her at *umli267(a)cc.umanitoba.ca *before *4:30pm Friday, May 2*. Nominations received after that period may not be accepted. It is very important to keep the deadline in order to plan the ballots. The following positions are available: 1. President - Overall representative for plant science graduate students association -Liasion with all other departments (i.e. for faculty student events) -Supervise all positions, ensuring proper responsbility is taken (i.e. ensure regular monthly activities are kept up, including departmental BBQ's) -Maintain student morale -One of two persons with signing authority for plant science graduate student association -Organize the annual plant science graduate student symposium (it is our turn- March 2009) -Maintain lunch room clean up list and ensure volunteers follow through -Oversee all other new responsibilities and delegate responsibility when needed 2. Treasurer -Keeper of the cash box -Maintain small level of petty cash on-hand -Review all expenditures -Balance cheque-book -Fill out and send in the semi-annual GSA grant application form 3. Social Director -Oversees PSGSA social committee -Attend all departmental social committee meetings -Present student input -Keep students informed of general issues 4. Social Committee members ( 6 positions) -Plan annual charity BBQ in July (Donations, etc.) -Plan monthly activities -Ensure activities are completed 5. Department of plant science council representative (1 meeting/month) -Attend all departmental meetings -Present student input -Keep students informed general issues 6. Advanced plant science seminar series rep (1-4 meetings/year) -Attend all committee meetings -Present student input for potential invited speakers -Ensure graduate student participation during class 7. GSA representative (1 meeting/month) -Attend all GSA monthly meetings -Report important issues to plant science graduate students - i.e. written (e-mail) and oral/hallway discussion -Keep plant science graduate students up-to-date with general issues 8. Sports representative -Student representative for departmental sporting activities -i.e. collect prizes for annual point curling bonspiel (usually in March) -Collect prizes for graduate student events -Alltend all departmental sports committee meetings 9. Depart of plant science safety committee (1 meeting/year) -Attend all departmental meetings -Present student input -Keep students informed of general issues 10. Department of plant science computer committee (1 meeting/year) -Attend all departmental meetings -Present student input -Keep students informed of general issues 11. Department of plant science library committee (1 meeting/year) -Attend all departmental meetings -Present student input -Keep students informed of general issues In case there are no nominations received for any position prior to the nomination deadline, nominations for those position (s) will be accepted from the floor during the election. The end of winter BBQ (with the election) will be held sometime next week depending on the weather conditions. The date will be communicated shortly. Thanks very much for your co-operation. Muthu -- Bev Godard Secretary Department of Plant Science University of Manitoba 66 Dafoe Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-8563 Fax: (204) 474-7528 Bev_Godard(a)umanitoba.ca

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[Fwd: PSGSA elections]
by Bev Godard 25 Apr '08

25 Apr '08

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: PSGSA elections Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:50:31 -0500 From: umbagava(a)cc.umanitoba.ca To: godardbd(a)cc.umanitoba.ca Hi Bev, Please forward this along to all graduate students in plant science. Thanks Bev --------- Hi all, Hope you are all doing well. It is the time to elect next executives for PSGSA council. Further details about the date, positions, etc. will be communicated shortly. Traditionally it will be a part of the end of winter BBQ which will be held in the near future. At this time, we need a Chief Returning Officer (CRO) to look after the election process. Please note that the CRO may not be eligible to run in the elections. Please let me know, no later than Monday, April 28, if you are interested to serve in this position . The CRO will be appointed as a first come basis. Please let me also know if you have any comments/suggestions. Thanks Muthu -- Bev Godard Secretary Department of Plant Science University of Manitoba 66 Dafoe Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-8563 Fax: (204) 474-7528 Bev_Godard(a)umanitoba.ca

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[Fwd: Good news from Immig. Canada for international students]
by Bev Godard 24 Apr '08

24 Apr '08

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Good news from Immig. Canada for international students Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:05:32 -0500 From: umbagava(a)cc.umanitoba.ca To: godardbd(a)cc.umanitoba.ca ------- Hi all, I thought it might be of interest to many graduate students. Government of Canada introduces changes to work permits for international students, making Canada more attractive for skilled individuals *Vancouver, April 21, 2008* ? The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced changes to work permits for international students who graduate from eligible programs at certain Canadian post-secondary institutions, making it easier to attract foreign students to Canada. Effective immediately, and for the first time, these international students would be able to obtain an open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer. In addition, the duration of the work permit has been extended to three years across the country. Previously, the program only allowed international students to work for one or two years, depending on location. Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit Program The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows most international students who have graduated from an eligible program at a post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. A minimum of one year of work experience in managerial, professional or technical positions (i.e., at level 0, A or B under the National Occupational Classification system) will be necessary to apply to stay permanently through the Canadian Experience Class. The changes to the program include extending the duration of the work permit to three years across the country for those whose program of study is at least two years (previously, permits could be granted for only one or two years, depending on location); providing the flexibility for new graduates to work in any field and not just their field of study; and removing the requirement to have a job offer. To be eligible for the program, international students: * Must have studied full-time for the eight months preceding the completion of their program of studies and have graduated from: o a public post-secondary institution, such as a college, university or CEGEP (in Quebec); or o a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, and that receives at least 50 percent of its financing for its overall operations from government grants (currently, only private college-level educational institutions in Quebec qualify); or o a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial or territorial statute to confer degrees. * Must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation (for example, a transcript or an official letter) from the institution that they have met the requirements of the academic program. * Must have completed and passed the program of study and received a notification that they are eligible to obtain their degree, diploma or certificate. * Must have a valid study permit when they apply for the work permit. Note that if the student?s program of study is less than two years but at least eight months, the student would be eligible for a post-graduate work permit. However, the validity period of the work permit must not be longer than the period of study of the graduate at the particular post-secondary institution in Canada. *International students not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program include the following:* * Students participating in a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program or a Government of Canada Awards Program funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. * Students receiving funding from the Canadian International Development Agency and participating in a distance learning program. * Students who have previously been issued a post-graduation work permit after any other program of study. However, note that graduates who are already working with a work permit issued under the previous rules are eligible to apply for an extension. For more details, and the news release at Immigration Canada website, pl visit http://www.cic. gc.ca/english/ <http://gc.ca/english/> department/ media/releases/ 2008/2008- 04-21.asp Regards, Muthu -- Bev Godard Secretary Department of Plant Science University of Manitoba 66 Dafoe Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-8563 Fax: (204) 474-7528 Bev_Godard(a)umanitoba.ca

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Happy Earth Day
by Simon Neufeld 22 Apr '08

22 Apr '08

Hello fellow grads, I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine today. Seeing as today is Earth Day (when we take a bit of time to think about what the planet does for us all and how easily it is for us to harm it) I thought I'd share a few ideas that we can do around the University to lessen our impact on the planet. The funny thing about a lot of these ideas is that they end up saving money - either for the department or the university or yourself. 1. Reduce paper use. There is an option you can set on your computer that allows you to print on both sides of the paper. ALSO you can put more than one page on a sheet - and it's still legible! So you could reduce your paper printing by 75% just by printing 2 pages per sheet and printing double sided! 2. Reduce paper waste. For some reason there is a garbage can right beside the printer in the office. BUT, that isn't for the print job you just realized went wrong. NO - put waste paper in the RECYCLING box over by the photocopier. ALSO, some people (like me) make regular trips to the recycling box to take all that great paper that was only printed on one side. I take that home and use it for printing my drafts. 3. Reusable lunch containers. When you bring in your lunch, take it in reusable containers. If you are buying your lunch, you can bring your own container to have the lunch put into. Same goes for coffee cups. I bet you every person going to seminar has a mug on campus, but how many paper cups are sitting in the garbage afterwards? Also, packing your own lunch is better for the environment than buying lunch at a restaurant. 4. Turn off electrical things. Leaving your computer turned off over night saves a lot of energy. If you don't want to shut down, put it to sleep, which is just about the same thing but doesn't quit any of your applications. Turn off lights when no one is in the room for any period of time. 5. Walk/bike to school. It's warm now (or it will be soon). Certainly the risk of frostbite is gone. So get some fresh air and use your legs to get you to campus. Some people live too far away for this, and they are allowed to take the bus or carpool. But try not to drive to school alone in a car. Happy spring, Simon.

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Farewell to Diana
by Debbie Bialek 22 Apr '08

22 Apr '08

Good morning everyone, Diana Amey will be leaving us at the end of the week to join the Faculty of Engineering. We will be giving her our best wishes and a fond farewell during the Good News Meeting being held tomorrow morning in the seminar room. Please come out for some cake and to wish Diana well in her new position. Debbie -- Debbie Bialek Administrative Assistant Department of Plant Science Rm. 223 Agriculture Bldg. The University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Tel. (204) 474-8226 Fax (204) 474-7528

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Good news meeting
by Bev Godard 17 Apr '08

17 Apr '08

Good morning to all, At the Good News meeting, awards that students have won will be announced. I had previously asked for the awards you had won in 2007, however, if you have received an award in 2008 you can send that information to me too. Time permitting, all the awards will be announced. Thanks, Bev -- Bev Godard Secretary Department of Plant Science University of Manitoba 66 Dafoe Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-8563 Fax: (204) 474-7528 Bev_Godard(a)umanitoba.ca

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