About Us
USask Society for Postdoctoral Scholars (SPS) is a society run by postdocs for postdocs with the main aim of enhancing a positive experience that will benefit postdoctoral professionals and USask. SPS represents all postdocs at USask and welcomes any postdoc to join its activities!
Objectives- To foster communication between postdocs so that they can share their experiences, resources, and knowledge and to provide information to postdocs that supplements and enhances the postdoc experience.
- To act as a social hub for postdocs at the USask by organizing meetings and social events throughout the calendar year.
- To provide a formal and continuous structure through which we can communicate with USask administration and the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS/ACPP).
SPS Governing Documents
The Constitution of the Society of Postdoctoral Scholars at the University of Saskatchewan can be downloaded here [Dr. M. J. Wesolowski rev 3/24/15].
USask Governance
The Act (1995) establishing the University of Saskatchewan was passed by the Legislative Assembly of the Province on April 3, 1907. The Senate held its first meeting on January 8, 1908, when elections to the Board of Governors were held. In August 1908 W.C. Murray of Dalhousie University was appointed first President of the University. He continued to hold that office until June 30, 1937. The current President of the University is Peter Stoicheff. USask follows a tricameral governance structure.
Employment Agreements
Postdocs in scope of the PSAC collective agreement are eligible for benefits (health, dental, life) if they work at least half-time (0.5 FTE), with a term appointment of at least six (6) months. Individuals must be residents of Canada and be eligible under the provincial health care program.
Benefit premiums are paid by the employer/supervisor, except for basic life insurance, which the individual pays.
Out-of-scope postdocs are not eligible for benefits under the PSAC collective agreement. Instead, they are eligible to purchase a membership to the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA). With a GSA membership, postdocs can enroll in and purchase coverage in the Graduate Students’ Health & Dental Plan. Coverage is not automatic - self-enrolment is required.
Visit www.studentcare.ca for rates and gsa.usask.ca for enrolment info.
The Role of CGPS
What does CGPS do? The College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) is home to approximately 4,700 graduate students enrolled in over 180 different graduate programs and is the administrative unit that oversees the appointment, policy and process of over 300 postdoctoral scholars engaged in a diverse and intense research environment.
- Postdocs often identify with their academic unit or college but can also go to CGPS for guidance.
- CGPS relies on unit recommendations and insight which in turn allows CGPS to provide oversight, policy, and leadership.
The SPS Managing Director holds voting rights on several of CGPS' decision-making bodies representing the needs of USask's postdoc scholars and is often relied on in ad-hoc working groups and special committees at CGPS and elsewhere across campus.
Membership
SPS membership is open to any appointed USask postdoctoral scholar. Only members may vote in elections and hold executive positions. The Society does not place any limits on members based on age, gender, race, religion, language, or disability.