SUS hears petition for fee increase, executives present goal plans

The Student Union Society (SUS) board of directors is the highest governing body of SUS. In addition to discussing matters related to oversight of the society, the board approves changes to policies, the annual operating budget, and project initiatives. They are also responsible for both supporting the SUS executive team and holding them accountable. Executives give a report at the monthly meetings on their activities and the progress of their goal plans. There are currently seven members on the SUS board of directors, which includes the four executives. 

Presentation from WUSC students

SUS heard a petition from the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) committee at UFV to increase the fees students pay by $2 per semester in order to sponsor two refugee students each year.

WUSC is a non-profit organization that organizes the sponsorship of refugee students on campuses across Canada. WUSC UFV formed in January 2018 and welcomed their first sponsored student in August 2019. The sponsorship pays for a year’s tuition, housing, and living costs at UFV. The group also supports the student transitioning into independence in Canada through finding a job and applying for student loans, as the student becomes a permanent resident of Canada through the program. 

The group said that fundraising at UFV is currently not sustainable, and they will be petitioning to the university as well as other community organizations for funding. 

Any increase in fees paid by students would require SUS to hold a referendum so students could vote on the fee increase. 

Executive team goal plans

SUS executives are just over halfway through their year-long terms, and presented on the progress of their goal plans to the board. 

Tripat Sandhu, SUS president, discussed several ongoing projects, including the revamped website that is set to launch later this semester and the work being done to improve the emails students receive from SUS. She was part of a petition for free menstrual products in all bathrooms on campus, which was delivered to UFV this fall. There is also progress on hiring a new executive director after the most recent hire left early in the fall semester.

Tania Smart, vice president internal, reported that she has been working on updating SUS’s policies and has completed six of them. One focus group with students regarding policy changes was held earlier this year and another one is planned. She has also been working to ensure that the chief electoral officer for the upcoming elections has all of the resources they will need to operate with minimal interaction with the SUS executive team. 

Gurvir Gill, vice president external, has been working on external campaigns with the Alliance of B.C. Students, where Gill is the chairperson, and the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, where Gill was elected as the treasurer of the board. 

Kimberly Hunter, vice president students, reported that she has been working to improve communication with Clubs and Associations on campus, maintaining an updated email list, and attending Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and meetings of the groups. She discussed some upcoming potential events as well as events that have been held over the last semester. 

Call for elections and AGM date

SUS announced that their annual elections will begin Feb. 17. 

The annual AGM will be held on April 2 at 4:00 p.m.

Jessica Barclay

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