USSU Executive Blog

Why are we here at the University of Saskatchewan? I’m not talking about some larger philosophical or existential question; I am talking about why we are really here. As students we come to school everyday, day after day, first and foremost to learn (and to pick up good looking people, but mostly to learn). Some classes we take because we must, some we take because they seem cool or interesting and some we take because we would rather not take something else. Whatever the case classes need professors to mark our exams, answer our questions and bore their abundant knowledge as deeply into our brains as possible. However, like all human endeavours, some people are much better at this task than others and that is where I come in.

In my experience here at the USSU so far, I have found nothing more satisfying than my involvement with our USSU Teaching Excellence Awards. Nominations for term two professors opened this past Monday (January 23) and close on Friday February 3. Nominating a professor is easy, just fill out a nomination form (available online from our website, in our main office and any of our USSU Centres) and submit to the USSU main office. It takes only one student to nominate a deserving professor for one of these awards.

In a job that is as long, multifaceted, demanding and thankless as a professor’s, it is as important that we as students take the time to give back even a fraction of the attention that they bestow upon us everyday in so many ways.

Kelsey

Posted by jbv373 at 10:08 AM | Permalink

Below is a position paper concerning creation of a new dedicated student fee to be used for the purpose of funding a Childcare Centre on campus. This position adopted by the USSU Executive and ratified by University Students’ Council (USC) on January 12, 2012.

Preamble

The University of Saskatchewan currently has two on campus daycares totaling 110 Childcare spaces between them: the USSU Childcare Centre and the Campus Daycare. These serve a total campus population of around 25,000 comprised of students, staff and faculty; however the USSU Centre is dedicated exclusively to undergraduate student.

In the 2011 Provincial budget the University of Saskatchewan received $1.36 million towards adding 110 new childcare spaces. This would double the number of spaces on campus.

The University has examined its options to implement these new spaces. The option it is pursuing involves two parts. The first is a renovation of the Campus Daycare facility in the Education Building. The second option is to develop a new or re-purposed building located on the College Quarter. The total cost of these projects is estimated at $4.3 million.

USSU Position

While the plans have been formalized, proper funding has still to be assembled. The University has yet to make their funding commitment to this project. Many stakeholders, including the USSU, have been approached and asked for a financial contribution.

Due to the recently completed Place Riel renovation and expansion project the USSU needs to operate in a fiscally conservative manner. With this in mind the USSU does not have the funds or reserves to make a financial contribution to this project.

It has been suggested that the USSU implement a small Childcare fee to its members for a limited number of years to raise funds to contribute to the capital portion of the project. As per the USSU Bylaw, introducing a new dedicated student fee would require a referendum to be held and the proposition passed by USSU members. The Executive does not feel there should be a referendum, but rather that if the University wants a fee that they should institute a fee themselves. Imposing a general student fee, rather than a USSU specific one, would ensure that all students, undergrads and graduates, would be subject to the fee and would support the childcare spaces that ALL students will use.

The USSU does support the initiative for more childcare for students on campus. However, at this time does not have the resources to financially contribute and does not feel it appropriate to seek another dedicated student fee.

Reid

Posted by jbv373 at 03:47 PM | Permalink

As term 2 begins I am pleased to announce that this year there are already 102 campus clubs, which has surpassed last year’s total of 99. It is great to see so many clubs ratifying on campus. Campus clubs serve to make the campus a lively place with the many events they hold and also offering students lots of opportunity to get involved.

Next week is Campus Club week where the tables in the Arts tunnel are set aside for clubs to book to promote themselves, gain membership and advertise for the events they are holding for the rest of the year. There are still spots available so if you are a ratified campus group interested in participating you can email tables@ussu.ca and say what club you are with and what day you wish to book a table.

There are many diverse campus groups that make up the 102 campus clubs. There are numerous college student societies, departmental associations, faith-based clubs, social justice groups and university chapters to political parties. These areas represent a large portion of the campus groups, however clubs are not limited to these categories. Here are a few clubs that represent the other groups that are here on campus. The Chinese Students & Scholars Association and Malaysian Student Association are groups that aim to promote cultural collaboration with their members and other organizations around campus. Teams such as Edwards School of Business JDC West team and U of S Concrete Toboggan club travel to annual competitions around Canada to compete under the banner of their college and the University of Saskatchewan. Other groups such as the German Circle aim to promote proficiency in language, while the Saskatoon Teelo Association is a club founded around sport. Teelo is a sport that is a precursor to Cricket… who knew? Finally there are also general interest clubs such as the U of S Gamers Club where students come together to share a pastime they all enjoy.

A complete list of Campus Clubs can be found online. It’s never to late to get involved and campus clubs offer a great opportunity to do so.

Reid Nystuen

Posted by jbv373 at 03:40 PM | Permalink

I know. We are all depressed that we have to come back to school during this beautiful January weather leaving behind the delights/horrors of our boring/stressful/exciting/relaxing/borderline criminal Christmas break. So, for those in need of some respite, I offer my tale of what happened to me this Christmas. Some of you may remember my tale of last Christmas were I was accidentally left behind by my family who were going to France and the ensuing mayhem I cause while being home alone. This year seemed much more promising as my family had decided to spend Christmas in Miami Florida. However, this plan went awry when I mistakenly boarded a flight to New York City.

Alone in a strange city I did the only rational thing and checked into a hotel using my Dad’s credit card (which I thankfully/luckily/serendipitously had with me) and ordered lots of room service and watched my favourite movie Angels with Dirty Faces. The next day being Christmas eve I went out to enjoy a little shopping and happened upon a store called Duncan’s toy chest where the kindly owner told me that all of the Christmas profits from the store would be donated to the Children’s Hospital.

Anyways, on my way back to the hotel I ran into my old friends the Wet Bandits and after escaping that I was also forced to flee from the hotel after the concierge confronted me about my dad’s credit card and how it was “stolen.” Remembering my Uncle Rob lived in New York I stopped by his place for a nice Christmas visit. Once I arrived I discovered that Uncle Rob was not there so instead I did the only logical thing which was to booby trap the entire place. It was lucky I did this because those nasty Wet Bandits followed me. I watched as they did all sorts of stupid stuff including: watching bricks get thrown at their faces, stapling their own butt, sliding around on grease-covered floors into shelves full of paint cans, getting tools dropped their heads, getting their heads set on fire and a clever revision of my old swinging paint can trick but with a huge iron pole. Those dang robbers are harder to keep down than Wile E. Coyote.

I was reunited with my mom in front of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza and my whole family was treated to a massive amount of Christmas presents and I was basically a Christmas hero until my dad found out I spent $967.43 on room service.

Oh well, here’s hoping my new year will be as adventurous as the last.

Kelsey

Posted by jbv373 at 11:02 AM | Permalink