ANSSA Referendum!
So the SMUSA elections are fast approaching! Not only are there candidates this year, but there’s a referendum question on the ballot that can affect YOU as a student! The Alliance of Nova Scotia Students Associations are asking students in their member institutions about whether or not they’d support an increase in fees to support the organization. The question is the following:
The Alliance of Nova Scotia Students Associations (ANSSA) is SMUSA’s current provincial lobby group for student interests. Would you support a per-student fee change from $2.68/year to $5.59/year for full-time students, and a change from $1.58/year to $3.33/year for part-time students.
To get more information on this what ANSSA does for NS students now, and to find out what they want to do with the increased fee, check out this video:
Also, check around campus for information in pamphlets and posters in high-traffic areas (including the Student Centre!)
I sincerely hope you all:
1. VOTE! and
2. EDUCATE yourself on what you’re voting for.
Voting for all candidates as well as referenda take place online with your A-numbers February 14th and 15th at any computer you find yourself in the vicinity of! 
Sarah
New Year!
Alright, so I’ve hit the ground running this semester, seeing as classes only started last week. Some of my projects include working with the VP University Affairs (Aayoosh) on some initiatives for better 24hr or longer running study spaces on campus. This is very important, as budget season at SMU is just around the corner!
Speaking of budgets, the NDP provincial government, through Minister Marilyn More, has announced that we will be experiencing another cut (SMU’s portion is sitting at a 3.5% decrease, on top of the previous year’s 3% cut). Also, just recently (you might’ve caught it on the news), the Minister admitted that next year will see another decrease of about 3%. This is all on top of the terrifying notion that our 3% tuition cap is only guaranteed for the next year (after that – anything goes!). The scary reality of PSE in Nova Scotia is really sinking in these days, and I urge students to let their friends, blogs, newspapers, and most importantly their MLAs know. Students are getting the short end of the stick here, paying more for less education.
I’ve mentioned it before, but ANSSA is our provincial lobby group who has been working against these problems. Their website is here: http://www.anssa.ca/.
Other issues that are coming up for me are dealing with typical committee work, including the Sustainability Committee, who will be having their Sustainability Week from March 12th-16th this coming year. Be sure to watch out for that!
Finally, while I’m working on a number of other projects, one that has come forward fairly quickly is the Copyright Committee. This committee handles the issues surfacing in the federal government and through Access Copyright, like reproduction of work (like articles, chapters, and coursepacks) for class reading and work materials. What does this mean for a student, you ask? Well lately Access Copyright, who SMU had been paying a fee to in order to cover copyright costs at the institution, has been demanding over 10x the amount of previous years. This has made the university (like most others) re-evaluate how they deal with copyright issues. This may lead to less coursepacks, more online content, and more textbooks in your future. What is important, is that the quality of reading and work materials remains the same in your classes, while maintaining relative cost for students (we don’t wanting you paying even more now, do we?).
Just a few projects I’m working on right now. Stay tuned for more as the semester progresses!
Sarah
Long time no blog!
Allo!
So I haven’t blogged in forever. Think of it as me doing a lot of stuff for students!!!
Seriously, that’s basically the case. I haven’t really had any time because it is quite busy here at SMUSA and around campus. I just wanted to let you know about some of the stuff I’ve been working on lately in my little ol’ office.
Meetings: As usually, I have a lot-a-lot-a meetings. I sit on most Senate Committees, and others around campus (it just increases, usually – hah!). So, I am repping students well, and often!
Research: I am a researcher by trade (well.. if anyone will pay me to do it!). The ol’ boss man is putting this to good use. I’m working on three different reports this month on the administrative side (mostly) of academics at SMU. I will let you know my findings once they’re done, and perhaps post them so that students can have access to them as well! Most of you may find them boring, but they’re really quite interesting if you’re a giant dork like me. They have a lot to do with your money and experience here at SMU!
Board of Directors: I am currently the Secretary for the SMUSA Board of Directors. This allows me to be updated about what is on the go policy-wise in the organization. While it’s a lot of typing and editing, I find it fairly fulfilling. I’m able to keep up on the discussions and every once in a while give my experienced expertise (heh). These meetings are open, and you should check them out if you’re ever in the mood, or have something to say to the Board. They’re every third Wednesday at 5:30-7:30 in the SMUSA Board Room on the 5th Floor of the Student Centre. The next one is November 23rd.
Anyway, that’s a little bit of what I’m up to. Feel free to come and chat, email, phone, or comment!
Thanks,
Sarah
THE EDUCATION WEEK SCHEDULE!
MONDAY
President’s BBQ – FREE food, drink, and information about the rest of Education Week!
12pm-2pm
Student Centre Front Entrance
Health Workshop – Learn about the services provided at SMU Health – also understand how to protect your health in Halifax!
3pm-4pm
Loyola 117
ALL AGES College Movie Night! – Free popcorn, cotton candy, and soda (courtesy of Coca Cola)! We’ll be watching a college classic under the stars! Bring your blankets and snuggle up! This is an ALL AGES event!!!
8:30pm-10:30pm
Student Centre Front Entrance
TUESDAY
There will be a “Welcome to the Library” event going on all day with coffee and sweets at the entrance!
Library Workshop – Sick of wasting time not understanding databases, libraries, or how to find a frickin’ book? Come to this workshop! There will also be free food!!
11am-12pm
Library Classroom
Budgeting Workshop – Half of your student loan is gone? ALREADY? Check out this workshop on how to budget for the rest of the semester and school year!
1pm-2pm
Library Classroom
Library Workshop – Sick of wasting time not understanding databases, libraries, or how to find a frickin’ book? Come to this workshop! There will also be free food!!
4pm-5pm
Library Classroom
ALL AGES SMU Trivia! – Come to the Gorsebrook and show your SMU smarts! The trivia will be SMU themed and anyone can attend! Lots of prizes for the winning team! Also: free non-alcoholic drinks!
WEDNESDAY
Student Assistance Workshop – Think you got gipped by your Student Loan? Not really sure how to apply for financial need or grants from the NS government? Here’s where to show up! And.. free refreshments!
11am-12pm
McNally North 519
MAJORS FAIR! – Do you have a major? Do you want one? Do you know what a major is? Check out this spot for all the information from the departments and faculties themselves! Booths from different departments all over the university will be able to help you and guide you on your way!
Loyola Conference Hall
1pm-4pm
Open Mic – This event is 19+! A Gorsebrook staple!
THURSDAY
Career Services Workshop – Don’t know what to do after you graduate? Don’t know what to even take to secure a job or find a career path? This is the workshop for you!
1pm-2pm
Loyola 282
Student Services Workshop – Unsure about where to turn about personal or academic issues? Check out this workshop about what services this department has available – the list is certainly long!
3pm-4pm
Loyola 117
Wing Night – This event is 19+! Another Gorsebrook staple in the week!
FRIDAY
Research Ethics Board Information Session – Doing your Honours or MA and have no clue what’s going on with ethics? This will definitely clear things up for you! Come on by to ask questions and find out how to find the answers!
1pm-2pm
Atrium 212
Football Game! – The SMU Huskies are taking on St. FX at 7pm at Husky Stadium! Check out the action and cheer on our boys! A classic SMU activity to say the least!
EDUCATION WEEK!! WOO!!
Hey guys!
So this update will be short and sweet – I’ve been working pretty hard on this Education Week thing for some time now. It’s a mix of awesome workshops and fun events to let students on campus know a little bit more of what’s available to them!
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE!!!!
ALMOST ALL EVENTS ARE ALL AGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALL WORKSHOPS AND ALMOST ALL EVENTS HAVE FREE FOOD OR DRINKS!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE ARE EVEN PRIZES!!!!!!!!!!!
So…….GO ALREADY! And then I’ll stop using exclamation points so much.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=166398043445658
VOLUNTEER! And go to a Fashion Show!
Today’s office work consisted of a couple of things. Today was the Volunteer Fair at SMU, which is a great chance to help out students trying to find opportunities in the community and abroad! I hope you checked it out! If you didn’t though, you can contact our wonderful Volunteer Coordinator, Carrigan Desjardin! Her email is:
volunteering.smusa@smu.ca!
She can hook you up with wicked-awesome events that you can join in on if you feel like it’s something you’re interested in!
ALSO: Thursday evening there will be a Fashion Show at The Gorsebrook! It’s a bit of a pet project of mine, with all of the proceeds from the door cover going to Shinerama! There will be over $1000 dollars in prizes given out, just for showing up – including a $500 dollar shopping spree!! So… ya better come!
Facebook event is the following: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=261851380512338.
Hope to see you out volunteering and at the show!
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Yes, I suppose I’ve been indoctrinated by Staples (the business people). Ah well.
So things are really starting to kick into high gear with the anticipation of September (ONLY A WEEK AWAY)! Pretty scary stuff, really. Here are some things I’ve been working on:
Shinerama Website: You can visit our online campaign (AND DONATE!) here at the following website – http://tinyurl.com/3m323mc.
Shinerama Bar Blitz: This Friday, August 26th, the Shinerama Committee, as well as some SMUSA employees (and any lovely volunteers who would like to join us!) are taking to the streets (and bars) of Halifax to raise money for CF Research! We’ll be headed to the local watering holes, pubs, bars, and clubs around HRM to sell candy, condoms, and glow sticks to folks in support of our Shinerama campaign!
Shinerama Fashion Show: I’m meeting with some lovely companies and reps this week to start another fundraiser in the form of a fashion show!! It will be held at the Gorsebrook in a couple of weeks – all cover charges will go to SMUSA’s Shinerama Campaign!
Orientation Week: We’re all getting really excited for this over here at SMUSA!! The VP Student Life, Justine Stacey, is working her keister off to get this going as the best O-Week ever! Not a frosh? NO SWEAT! Tonnes and tonnes of great events (at low cost!) to go to as a SMU student in the upper years! Tailgate parties, big ticket concerts (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=261757870515303), hypnotists, and a heck of a lot more!
Education Week: My work is still going strong on Education Week for October. Planning is massively underway with lots of cool (and informative – yes they can be both!) activities to be had!
ANSSA: Alwyn and I just got back from our Alliance of Nova Scotia Students’ Associations Planning Retreat this weekend, and I must say – it was no retreat. Hours and hours of planning mean jobs well done and money well spend in terms of ANSSA dues! Be on the lookout for ANSSA on your SMU campus this year – there’ll be a lot more in store!
So that was a long-winded, but very called-for update. Have a fantastic last week of August, folks!
Sarah
