The Computer Student Association (CSA) was founded in 2006 as the UFV Computer Information Systems Student Association (CISSA). They exist to represent and support the computing students of UFV. They strive to provide a safe and pleasant space for students to hang out, make friends, get the tutoring they need, or get assistance with assignments from like-minded students in the computer science community. The Student Computing Centre is in room D224 on the Abbotsford campus, where students can find support in these areas, and also regarding computing courses, printing, 3D printing, and also a place to hang out between classes. In addition, they offer advice if you have an event you wish to organize, or an idea for a project. If you stop by their office and ask, they will be more than willing to work with you to help make your vision a success.
Last Monday, November 20, the CSA held a games day in Evered Hall. The purpose of this event was to bring students together outside of a learning environment, and to build connections and friendships, especially with exam season fast approaching.
Attendees of this recurring event are encouraged to bring their favourite board games, video games, card games, and more. Group members recognize a myriad of different games that are brought every month. Everything from classics like Settlers of Catan and Coup, to newer games such as Sub Terra and Snake Oil, have been seen on their tabletop.
The next games day will likely take place in late January or early February, but you don’t have to wait that long to experience more of their games-focused events: Winter FUNderland, a 24-hour gaming marathon, is scheduled to begin on December 1 in Evered Hall in the SUB from 10:00 a.m. on Friday, to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. This collaborative annual event is made possible in part by E-Sports Valley, and the Pen & Paper Tabletop club. All funds raised will be donated to the UFV SUS Angel Tree program. CSA claims it will be one “funderful” experience.
During Monday’s event, we were able to sit down with Dennis Semeniuk, vice-president of the CSA, and ask about what the CSA stands for. Semeniuk said, “We represent all computer information systems and computer science students at UFV. We are responsible for helping and guiding students, from student to student. We are also there to give help on assignments, if they need it.”
Semeniuk would like to see more students taking advantage of the services CSA has to offer.
“If they are a student in the computer science or computer information systems departments, they can approach us in our room [The Student Computing Centre] or on Discord.” Links to the group’s Steam and Discord accounts are available via their Facebook page.
The CSA also invites students to join them in their online gaming community. Their Discord channel offers voice and text chats to both members of the group and the public. In addition to weekly meetups hosted every Friday night on their channel, there is most always someone online on other nights of the week, if you find yourself in need of someone to game with.
