USSU News and Events

A special University Student Council Meeting to present an update on Place Riel Renovations will be held this Thursday, October 29th starting at 6:00 p.m. at Arts 133. The event is open to the public.

Among the presenters will be:
- Justin Wotherspoon, Place Riel Renovation Project Manager;
- Ron Cruikshank, Director of Projects and Engineering, University of Saskatchewan;
- Mike Chysowsky, CEO of Quorex Construction;
- Beth McConnell, Relationship Manger, TD Canada Trust;
- Doug Tremblay, Facilities Management Division, Place Riel Renovation Project Accountant

Following the Presentations, attendees are invited to participate in an open microphone question and answer session.

Free Pizza, dessert and refreshments will be served.

For more information about this Place Riel open event, please contact the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union at 966.6960, go to www.ussu.ca, or go to the official Place Riel renovation website www.renewplaceriel.ca.

Posted by ajb125 at 09:15 AM | Permalink

Participate in the USSU Annual General Meeting

6:00 p.m., Thursday, November 12,2009 in room 146, ARTS. Don't forget your student card!

To download and view the proposed AGM changes, visit www.ussu.ca

It's Your Campus. It's Your USSU.

Posted by jbv373 at 01:27 PM | Permalink

The USSU is now accepting nominations for teaching excellence at the University of Saskatchewan, leading up to the USSU Experience in Excellence Awards in March, 2010.

Go to ussu.ca and download a form to nominate a deserving professor. You can also pick up a form at the USSU Main Office located in Room 103 at the Memorial Union Building, or any of the USSU Centre offices located at Lower Sask Hall.

Nomination forms must be completed and brought into the USSU Main Office by 4:30 p.m., Friday, November 6, 2009.

Posted by ajb125 at 11:18 AM | Permalink

Join the USSU and several campus groups for a Climate Change Awareness March through downtown Saskatoon on Saturday, October 24, at Kinsmen Park.

This march will be in support of the global 350.org movement and the International Day of Action for Climate Change events. The march is intended to raise awareness of the international campaign dedicated towards creating an equitable global climate treaty that lowers carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to below 350 parts per million - the safe upper limit now widely agreed upon by climate change scientists.

Everyone will meet at 10:00 a.m. in Kinsmen Park located on Spadina Cresent East, off 25th Street East. There will also be face painting, fun and games, and speakers including renowned climate change scientist Elaine Wheaton.

The march will go through downtown to the Farmers Market, where there will be an Eco-Fair with environmental organizations showcasing their work. Everyone is encouraged to wear red to stand out, and to bring banners, signs and noise makers.

Join the USSU, and be part of a global movement to show world leaders that citizens demand less talk and more action on this important issue!

For more information contact Ben Fawcett, USSU VP Student Affairs at 966.6970, or by email. Or visit 350.org to find out more about the International Day of Action for Climate Change.

Posted by ajb125 at 10:22 AM | Permalink

Show your acceptance of all genders and sexual orientations by participating in the USSU Ally Promotion Week, October 26-30 on the University of Saskatchewan campus. The USSU Pride Centre will be at various locations on campus throughout the week, so stop by and pick up a free pink ally button and information about gender and sexual diversity.

The USSU Pride Centre will be at the following locations:

Monday October 26:
Education Building (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

Tuesday October 27:
Engineering Building (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Agriculture Building (Noon - 3:00 p.m.)

Wednesday October 28:
Arts Building (9:00 a.m. - Noon)
Biology Building (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

Thursday October 29:
Health Sciences (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

Friday October 30:
Arts Tunnel (11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Come see the queer services community fair featuring local groups including the Avenue Community Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, AIDS Saskatoon, and other on-campus groups.

For more information about Ally Promotion Week, please contact the USSU Pride Centre 966.6615, email pride.centre@ussu.ca, or visit the USSU Pride Centre at Room 43, Lower Sask Hall.

Posted by ajb125 at 11:45 AM | Permalink

The Place Riel renovation project will be undergoing a major concrete pour for its third floor on Friday, October 23 (weather permitting). The pour will begin around 6:00 a.m., and continue throughout the morning and possibly into the afternoon on that day.

Students, faculty and employees should be aware that concrete trucks will be passing through the Bowl at approximately 15-minute intervals. Flag persons will be on hand to direct pedestrian traffic. Please exercise caution when moving through the Bowl area.

For more information about the Place Riel renovation and construction project, please go to the official project page www.renewplaceriel.ca.

Posted by ajb125 at 10:59 AM | Permalink

Time is running out to cast your vote at advanced polls for the upcoming Saskatoon Civic Election. To cast your vote for mayor, council and school boards, just go to the advanced polling station located in Lower Place Riel (by the Murray Library elevator, near the entrance to the Arts Tunnel).

In order to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the CIty of Saskatoon for at least three consecutive months preceding election day (October 28, 2009), and a resident of Saskatchewan for at least six consecutive months preceding the election day. You must sign a declaration that you are eligible to vote at the polling station.

The advanced polling station will be available until 4:00 p.m., Friday October 23. For more information, please contact Chris Stoicheff, USSU VP External @ 966.6985, or by email vpexternal@ussu.ca

Posted by ajb125 at 10:42 AM | Permalink

The USSU and several campus groups have joined with environmental NGO groups to organize a Climate Change Awareness March through downtown Saskatoon on the 24th October. This walk is in support of the global 350.org movement and the International Day of Action for Climate Change events. We are working to raise awareness of the international campaign dedicated to creating an equitable global climate treaty that lowers carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to below 350 parts per million – the safe upper limit now widely agreed upon by scientists. Current levels are already at 390 ppm so governments around the globe must work together to lower carbon dioxide levels. 
 
The October 24th events are scheduled to occur six weeks before the international climate treaty talks begin in Copenhagen to create a strategy to replace the Kyoto Accord. This event is one of over 1,800 that will be happening around the globe on the 24th October. Be part of a global movement to show world leaders that citizens demand less talk and more action on this important issue!
 
We will meet at 10am in Kinsmen Park, where there will be face painting, fun and games, and speakers, including renowned climate change scientist Elaine Wheaton. We will then walk through downtown to the Farmers Market, where there will be an Eco-Fair with environmental organizations showcasing their work. Wear red to stand out. Bring your banners, signs and noise makers! There will be opportunities to win prizes including bike gear and certificates for free bike tune-ups.
 
For more information contact lisaf@oxfam.ca or visit www.350.org and join our facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137915720035&index=1
www.350.org

Posted by jbv373 at 03:47 PM | Permalink

The USSU, in recognition of the 7th Annual Campus Sustainability Day, is proud to present Green Yourself Week, October 19-24. Take part in a number of sustainability-focused events during the week, including forums, debates, information sessions, an eco-fair, and a windup rally and walk on October 24 to celebrate the International Day of Climate Action.

Watch for daily updates on the ussu.ca website, PAWS and through the USSU iPhone app button.

For more information about Green Yourself Week, go to ussu.ca.

Posted by ajb125 at 04:07 PM | Permalink

The USSU Office of External Affairs is pleased to present the USSU 2009 Saskatoon Mayoral Debate Forum, on Wednesday, October 14 starting at 3:00 p.m. at Arts 241 (Neatby-Timlin Theatre). Moderated by Professor Ken Pontikes from the U of S Department of Political Studies, the debate will feature participation by four Mayoral candidates, including Donald J. Atchison, Roger Chernoff, Steve Lawrance and Lenore Swystun.

The debate will begin with an introduction of the candidates, including opening remarks. Following that, questions will be presented by the moderator. The debate will also feature questions from the attending audience.

For more information about the USSU 2009 Saskatoon Mayoral Debate Forum, please contact the USSU VP External Affairs at 966.6985 or email vpexternalaffairs@ussu.ca.

Posted by ajb125 at 01:45 PM | Permalink

The USSU is proud to participate in Academic Integrity Awareness Week. Join Daniel McCullough (USSU VP Academic Affairs) for Burst the Bubble on Academic dishonesty starting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7 in Lower Place Riel. Each case of academic dishonesty from the 2008-09 academic year will be represented by an inflated balloon. Burst the bubble and correctly answer questions about academic Integrity for the opportunity to win a great prize. The USSU will also be giving out free pizza! (first come, first serve).

Academic Integrity Awareness Week is brought to you by the USSU and the University of Saskatchewan.

Posted by ajb125 at 11:32 AM | Permalink

Mental Health First Aid training can prepare you to help a person who is developing a mental health problem or someone in crisis. It teaches participants to recognize the signs of mental health problems and develop the skills needed to properly assist that person. The training also links participants with a network of helpers in the community to ensure long term care of those in crisis. This 12 hours training course is held October 17th and 24th (attendance required both days).

To sign up, contact the USSU Help Centre at 966-6982 or help.centre@ussu.ca. Cost: Regular rate $175, Student rate $100, (*USSU volunteers may be trained at no cost).

Posted by jbv373 at 02:50 PM | Permalink

It’s Hike, Bike & Roll Week at the University of Saskatchewan. Hike, Bike & Roll is a chance to use active human-powered transportation options like blading, cycling, walking or any other way of getting around by using your own energy.

For the week of October 5-9, get your family, friends and co-workers together – or just participate on your own. Keep track of the number of human-powered trips you take each day. Make a tally sheet of your activity, and divide your trips into three categories:

- “Jaunt” (less than 2km)
- “Outing” (between 2-5km)
- “Trek” (more than 5km)

Include trips to and from campus, as well as errands you make during the day. Drop off your sheet at any of the Hike, Bike & Roll displays in the campus bowl by 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9th, and you’ll be entered into a draw to win some great prizes!

Get involved. Participate in the Hike, Bike & Roll Challenge!

The Hike, Bike & Roll Challenge is brought to you by the following sponsors:

- The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union
- Move Us!
- The University of Saskatchewan
- In Motion
- Bike Universe
- Bruce’s Cycle Works
- Doug’s Spoke n Sport
- City Park Cycle
- Bike Doctor
- Brainsport
- Escape Sport

Posted by ajb125 at 11:09 AM | Permalink