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President’s Message: Welcome Events!
President’s Message: Welcome Events! 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello and welcome back, UCalgary students!

If I haven’t had the chance to meet you yet, my name is Shaziah Jinnah Morsette and I am your Students’ Union President. You’ll get an email like this from me a few times each month to let you know what the SU is up to, but this one is all about fun events.

September is packed with events where you can meet new friends, learn about the SU’s services, and pick up some fun swag. Join us at:

Dinos’ Kickoff Tailgate Party – Sept. 1 at McMahon Stadium

The Dinos are playing UAlberta Golden Bears on Friday, Sept. 1 at McMahon Stadium. We’ve teamed up with the Dinos and UCalgary Alumni to host the Kickoff Tailgate Party starting at 3:30 p.m. on the east side of McMahon Stadium. Join us for a free barbecue, games and prizes, a petting zoo, live music, and Dunk-a-Dino in support of the SU Campus Food Bank.

Welcome Fair in Mac Hall – Sept. 5 and 6

Next week, join us in the Mac Hall courtyards for a Welcome Fair on Sept. 5 and 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a great place to stop by and learn about volunteer opportunities, clubs, concerts, and other SU programs. Pick up some swag and enter to win some prizes, too.

Trivia Nights are back at The Den, starting Sept. 12

Have you heard of the Den, yet? Best place to get wings or nuggets on campus, and they’ve got Trivia Nights planned all semester. (The first one is The Office on Sept. 12!)

Clubs Week in Mac Hall – Sept. 18 – 22

One of the best ways to make new friends and enrich your student experience is to join a club. Hundreds of clubs will be there, and the best advice I can give you is to join at least one.

Live Music in Mac Hall

Mac Hall Concerts has a huge list of shows this fall, including Erin Nam, Cooper Alan, and The Beaches. Get on the mailing list or follow us @macewanhall so that you always know who’s coming to town.

I’ll be back later this week with another quick list of “things you need to know”. In the meantime, the best way to stay up to date is to follow the SU on Instagram or TikTok at @SUUofC.

Shaziah
Students’ Union President

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Advocacy wrap-up and a farewell message from Nicole
Advocacy wrap-up and a farewell message from Nicole 150 150 Gene Baines

As my term as Students’ Union President comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to say goodbye and reflect on the past year. Looking back, I am incredibly proud of what the 80th SU Elected Officials have accomplished together: from fighting against term break assignments and ensuring students’ academic rights are upheld, to lobbying on behalf of students to all three levels of government. Some of the most notable advocacy wins from the year include:

  • Student Mental Health: We are excited to announce a new SU Mental Health Bursary, funded to $700,000. Beginning in fall 2023, SU Quality Money will fund $1,000 bursaries for mental health therapy and services for UCalgary undergraduate students.
  • Price Tags: Over the years, students have wondered when price tags are coming to Stör. We are pleased to announce that by fall semester, Stör will have a new system of price tags in place.
  • UPass: SU leaders continue to meet with city councillors to work to provide a better transport option for students that is more equitable for all student needs. Summer UPass eligibility has also been expended to more undergraduate programs starting Summer 2023.
  • Preferred Names: The SU has been advocating to the university to make preferred name changes across university systems accessible and available for students. Students seeking name changes are now able to do so with one request to change their name on a variety of systems. All information regarding this process can be found here.
  • Get Out the Vote: The SU GOTV Campaign continues asking students to pledge to vote in the provincial election. Students can sign up here to pledge to vote and get reminders regarding voting information, the election, and voting locations. Students who pledge to vote will also be entered into a draw to win one of two $250 bookstore gift cards or one of five $100 Den gift cards.
  • Provincial Election Advocacy: The SU hosted Opposition Leader Rachel Notley who took questions from students about post-secondary issues. During her address, she committed to rolling back tuition to 22-23 levels, if elected. This means students will not have to pay the latest UCalgary tuition hike of 5.5%. Other announcements included additional mental health supports, no tuition increases above inflation, and to bring in a summer employment program for students. Many of these commitments are thanks to ongoing SU advocacy with political leaders of all stripes.
  • Board of Governors protest: The SU led a student protest against a fourth consecutive tuition increase in January. About 250 students joined and made their voices heard outside the boardroom, as students were not allowed in. This protest and our calls for inflation supports for students led to Premier Smith committing to financial supports for students the following day. The protest showed how strong students can be when we speak with one voice. Should the university again fail to consult with students on matters, like tuition, that affect them, they know that students will make their displeasure known.

To conclude, I would just like to say thank you to all of the students who voted in the SU General Election for once again putting your trust in me to represent you and lead you this year. I am incredibly honoured to be the first two-term female president in the 80-year history of the Students’ Union. It has been an honour working with you all and I am so proud of what we have accomplished together.
Congratulations on making it to the end of the term – we did it.

Nicole Schmidt
President, The Students’ Union

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SU Announces 2023 Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award Winners
SU Announces 2023 Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award Winners 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello UCalgary students,

Since 1975, the SU has been giving you the opportunity to nominate and recognize excellent instructors and TAs. We received 980 nominations from students this year. From these nominees, the Teaching Excellence committee has chosen the following honourable mentions and winners:

 

Teaching Excellence Awards – Teaching Assistants

[half]Mannat Bansal
Adam Bass
Austin Che
Raylene Jessica Dunn
Andrew Henderson[/half][half]Tanisha Henry
Omid Khajehdehi
Danika Lipman
Hannah Porter
Rounak Uppal[/half]

 

Teaching Excellence Awards

[half]Alan Martino (Cumming School of Medicine)
Dr. Patrick F. Lee (Cumming School of Medicine)
Dr. K. Sélom Gbanou (Faculty of Arts)
Loïc Million (Faculty of Arts)
Dr. Safaneh Mohaghegh Neyshabouri (Faculty of Arts)
Prof. Tricia Stadnyk (Faculty of Arts)
Dr. Rod T. Squance (Faculty of Arts)
Saied Jalal Aboodarda (Faculty of Kinesiology)
Dr. Maureen T. Duffy (Faculty of Law)
Dr. Cydnee Seneviratne (Faculty of Nursing)[/half][half]Dr. Kori Czuy (Faculty of Science)
Dr. Thi Dinh (Faculty of Science)
Jerrod M. Smith (Faculty of Science)
Chantel Aurora Large (Faculty of Social Work)
Dr. Anne E Kleffner (Haskayne School of Business)
Dr. Justin Weinhardt (Haskayne School of Business)
Maryam Badv (Schulich School of Engineering)
Dr. Emmanuel Stefanakis (Schulich School of Engineering)
Mr. Harrison Campbell (Werklund School of Education)
Dr. Ning Cheng (Veterinary Medicine)[/half]

 

Teaching Excellence Awards – Honourable Mention

[half]Dr. Dinu S. Attalage
Dr. Leigh Gabel
Randolph (Randy) Head
Janna Klostermann
Justin Knibbe[/half][half]Erin McFarlane
Mr. Eric S Myers
Dr. Eve Robinson
Dr. Stephen MacGregor
Jason Stein[/half]

 

Winners of the SU Teaching Excellence Award receive an apple award and a framed certificate. In addition, the SU will make a $5,000 donation in recognition of the winners to the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.

Congratulations to all of these winners and honorable mentions, and huge thanks to those students who took the time to tell us about your amazing teachers.

Nicole Schmidt
President, The Students’ Union

 

Photographs by Gene Baines

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Q&A with Rachel Notley, Disney Trivia at the Den, and BSD
Q&A with Rachel Notley, Disney Trivia at the Den, and BSD 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello UCalgary,

April is finally here, and we have a few more notes on events and programs for this winter term. The big event this week is a Q&A with Opposition Leader Rachel Notley – there are still a few seats left, and you can RSVP below.

Evening Q&A with Rachel Notley: April 5

The SU is hosting Opposition Leader Rachel Notley for an evening Q&A on post-secondary and Calgary issues. Join us Wednesday, April 5 at 5 p.m. in MacEwan Ballroom for this free event. RSVP at this link.

Disney Trivia Night at the Den: April 4

Who is the villain in Sleeping Beauty? Who is Pinocchio’s conscience? Join us for Disney Trivia night at the Den: Tuesday, April 4, from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

SU Living Room: April 5

Take a study break with us! Drop by That Empty Space any time April 5 for complimentary movies, snacks, and fun activities. We’re showing Top Gun Maverick at 10:30 a.m., and Everything Everywhere All at Once at 1:00 p.m.

Bermuda Shorts Day (BSD) in the Den: April 12

Celebrate the last day of classes in the Den: April 12, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be drink specials and special drinks (with alcohol and alcohol-free), free food and snacks, games and prizes, DJs, karaoke, and more.

Get Out the Vote: now until May 29

Alberta’s provincial election is coming up at the end of May. Are you new to voting, or wondering how to vote on campus? Sign up for text and email updates from the SU and you will be entered to win great prizes like $250 at the campus bookstore or $100 to spend at the Den! Sign up here to get out the vote.

Good Food Box order deadline: April 11

The SU Campus Food Bank is your local Good Food Box depot. The next order deadline is April 11. Order a small, medium, or large box of affordable fruits and vegetables by emailing foodbank@ucalgary.ca

Ramadan hampers: now until April 17

From March 13 – April 17, the SU Campus Food Bank is offering a special food hamper for those campus community members who may need a little support to celebrate the occasion this year. Request a Ramadan Hamper through the SU Campus Food Bank by emailing foodbank@ucalgary.ca

Lockers
Make sure you clean out your locker by April 26. If you leave anything behind, you’ll be able to retrieve it at a cost of $10/bag at Bound and Copied. Unclaimed items will be donated to local charities. Please visit the locker page on our website for more information. If you need a locker for the spring or summer semesters, they’re available on your Student Centre now!

Consign your used textbooks

If you need to get rid of some of those textbooks from your locker, consign them and make some money. Bring your used textbooks to Bound and Copied, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Check out Bound and Copied’s website for more information.

Good luck with your final projects and exams – you’ve got this.

 

All the best,

Nicole Schmidt
President, Students’ Union

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Q&A with Rachel Notley, Alberta Student Day of Action, and BSD
Q&A with Rachel Notley, Alberta Student Day of Action, and BSD 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello UCalgary,

We are less than four weeks away from the last day of classes. And there is still a lot going on and a lot to look forward to – including a Student Day of Action, a Q&A with Opposition Leader Rachel Notley, and of course, Bermuda Shorts Day (BSD).

Alberta Student Day of Action: March 27 

Join us in the TFDL Quad on March 27 at noon for the Alberta Student Day of Action. We’re standing up against tuition increases, the cancelled student jobs program, and lack of mental health support on campus. Let’s show politicians that these issues matter. Will you be there? Let us know.

Evening Q&A with Rachel Notley: April 5 

The SU is hosting Opposition Leader Rachel Notley for an evening Q&A on post-secondary and Calgary issues. Join us Wednesday, Apr. 5 at 5 p.m. in MacEwan Ballroom for this free event. RSVP at this link.

Bermuda Shorts Day (BSD) in the Den: April 12 

Celebrate the last day of classes in the Den: April 12, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be drink specials and special drinks (with alcohol and alcohol-free), free food and snacks, games and prizes, DJs, karaoke, and more.

Trivia Night at the Den: The Office 

Who is Big Tuna? What is the name of Angela’s favourite cat? Join us for The Office Trivia night at the Den: Tuesday, Mar. 21, from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Pet Therapy in That Empty Space 

Join our fluffy friends from P.A.L.S. on Wednesday, Mar. 22 in That Empty Space. (This is the last Pet Therapy of the year, so make sure you come by for a visit!)

The SU Volunteer Tax Clinic 

The tax clinic is open and accepting new clients until April 6. Tax filing services are provided by CRA-trained volunteers for qualifying clients at no charge. Eligibility and booking on our website.

Ramadan hampers 

From March 13 – April 17, the SU Campus Food Bank is offering a special food hamper for those campus community members who may need a little support to celebrate the occasion this year. Request a Ramadan Hamper through the SU Campus Food Bank by emailing foodbank@ucalgary.ca

All the best,

Nicole Schmidt
President, Students’ Union

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Results Announced: 2023 SU General Election
Results Announced: 2023 SU General Election 1400 560 Gene Baines

Election Results: 2023 Students’ Union Elections

 

Calgary – The Students’ Union (SU) is today announcing the results of its general election which will form the 81st Students’ Legislative Council (SLC). Undergraduate students have made their voices heard and have chosen fellow students who will represent them to faculties, the university, and the three orders of government.

With a return to campaigning as usual and in person, candidates were able to speak directly with students through forums, debates, interviews, and one-on-one conversations.

Two candidates with previous SU executive experience, Mickail Hendi and Shaziah Jinnah Morsette, sought the role of President to succeed two-term President Nicole Schmidt. The 81st SU President is Shaziah Jinnah Morsette with 64% of the vote.

For the role of Vice-President Student Life, two candidates were vying for student votes. In the end, Ermia Rezaei-Afsah was elected with 66% of the vote.

In the race for the role of Vice-President External, Mateusz Salmassi defeated one other candidate and earned 53% of student votes.

The remaining two executive roles went to a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote with one candidate running for each role. Sandra Amin was elected as Vice-President Academic with 90% of the ‘yes’ vote, while Arlington Antonio Santiago was elected to the role of Vice-President Operations & Finance with 86% of the ‘yes’ vote.

In the race for the Board of Governors student-at-large role, Taimur Akhtar was elected with 51% of votes cast.

In Faculty Representative races, Jessie Dinh was elected as Kinesiology Representative garnering 69% of the vote. Over in the Faculty of Science, Ben Shi, Erica Peng, and Eyerusalem Tadese were elected with 31%, 27%, and 23%, respectively.

Other Faculty Representative races asked students to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for candidates. All candidates running received a majority of ‘yes’ votes in their respective races:

  • Faculty of Arts: Muntaha Aamir, Siraaj Shah
  • Cumming School of Medicine: Angelica Uy , Chaten Jessel
  • Haskayne School of Business: Hari Sing, Md Asif Khan
  • Faculty of Law: Safaa Al-Khaz’Aly
  • Schulich School of Engineering: Abhari Limbu, Fardeen Islam
  • Faculty of Social Work: Jessica Klaassen
  • Werklund School of Education: Elsa Stokes

Finally, Senate student-at-large candidates were elected with Aly Samji and Reeana Tazreean garnering a majority of ‘yes’ votes.

Students were also asked, via a plebiscite, about their thoughts on the mandatory Athletics Fee imposed by the university. Students each pay about $115 annually and the fee supports the Dinos Athletics program. The SU decided to ask for student feedback on the fee to inform advocacy efforts towards the university after years of consecutive increases to the fee and a lack of financial transparency on the part of the university.

Students were provided seven options to choose from and could choose any number of options. The top three choices were: Students being able to opt out of the fee, the fee is not good value for money, and the fee should be reduced.

3,865 students voted in the 2023 General Election. The results announced today are provisional and become official on March 17, 2023. Students elected in this general election will take office at the beginning of May 2023.

The SU will hold a by-election in October 2023 to fill the following faculty representative vacancies: Faculty of Arts (2), Schulich School of Engineering (1), Faculty of Nursing (1), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (1).

 

Inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Brown
Manager, Communications & Government Relations
Michael.brown1@ucalgary.ca
Cell: 403-560-0577

 

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Teaching excellence, SU election candidates, and jobs at the SU
Teaching excellence, SU election candidates, and jobs at the SU 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello UCalgary,

I hope you are enjoying a well-deserved rest on your term break. (And if you have a few extra minutes, consider nominating your most deserving prof for an SU Teaching Excellence Award!)

SU Teaching Excellence Awards: nominations are due this Friday

If your professor or TA has helped make this semester great, it might be time to nominate them for an SU Teaching Excellence Award! Show them you appreciate their efforts and help us recognize them by filling out a quick online form. The deadline for nominations is this Friday, Feb. 24, so please make some time this week to let us know who they are, and what makes them so excellent.

SU General Election: get to know your candidates

This is the time of year that you get to select who represents you at the SU. Check out all the candidate platforms to learn about who is running, and watch one or more of the candidate forums next week to see them in action. This year’s General Election ballot will also have a plebiscite question about the mandatory Dinos Athletics fee. You can preview the question here. Voting days to elect SU leaders and participate in the plebiscite will be March 7, 8, and 9 through your my.ucalgary.ca student centre.

The SU is hiring: student staff positions available

We’re hiring! The SU is looking for a variety of part-time positions for the spring/summer and for next fall. Are you looking for real world experience in planning events, administrative or volunteer leadership experience, or social media marketing? See all the opportunities on our website.

The SU Volunteer Tax Clinic opens next week

The tax clinic will open on Monday, Feb. 28. Tax filing services are provided by CRA-trained volunteers for qualifying clients at no charge. Eligibility and booking on our website.

All the best,

Nicole Schmidt, President, Students’ Union

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GENERAL ELECTION 2023: NOTICE OF ELECTION
GENERAL ELECTION 2023: NOTICE OF ELECTION 1920 1080 Gene Baines

Notice is hereby given that an election will be held for the filling of the following offices:

(Parentheses denotes number of positions to appear on the ballot.)

  • President (1)
  • Vice President Academic (1)
  • Vice President External (1)
  • Vice President Operations and Finance (1)
  • Vice President Student Life (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Arts (2)
  • Faculty Representative, Cumming School of Medicine (2)
  • Faculty Representatives, Haskayne School of Business (2)
  • Faculty Representative, Kinesiology (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Law (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Schulich School of Engineering (2)
  • Faculty Representatives, Science (3)
  • Faculty Representative, Werklund School of Education (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Social Work (1)
  • Senate Student at Large Representative (2)
  • Board of Governors Student at Large Representative (1)

Online voting will take place on the 7th, 8th, and 9th days of March, 2023 through the myUofC Student Centre. Polling stations will be available at these locations: MacEwan Student Centre, Science Theatres, and TFDL. Voting opens at 9 a.m. on March 7th and closes at 4 p.m. on March 9th, 2023. All University of Calgary undergraduate students registered in the Winter 2023 session are eligible to vote. 

VACANCIES

In accordance with section 48 of the The Union Bylaw, the Chief Returning Officer declares the following positions vacant:

  • Faculty Representatives, Arts (2)
  • Faculty Representative, Nursing (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Schulich School of Engineering (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Veterinary Medicine (1)

 

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WinterActive, Sex Week, and SU Election details
WinterActive, Sex Week, and SU Election details 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello UCalgary,

February is just around the corner and it’s going be another busy month around the SU – here’s what we have lined up:

WinterActive: physical fitness, games, and prizes

We’ve partnered with Active Living to help you jumpstart your semester. Drop by Mac Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and participate in some easy physical games and activities designed to energize you. Looking for a bigger challenge? Register your team of five for a dodgeball tournament in the Gold Gym on Thursday, Feb. 2. (Participants on both days will be entered to win lots of prizes, including a Nintendo Switch!)

SU General Election: important dates

Nomination Days are from Feb. 6 – 8. If you have decided you’re going to run for a position, download the nomination package here, and make sure to drop it off in person at Council Chambers 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Voting days will be March 7, 8, and 9 through your my.ucalgary.ca student centre.

Sex Week (Feb. 13 – 17)

Join us in the Mac Hall North Courtyard on Monday for a resource fair/carnival, and all week long for trivia, speakers, and other events throughout Mac Hall. Check out the full week of events here.

Sex Week Speaker Event: a Conversation with Martin Boyce

Join us on Thursday, Feb. 16 for a conversation with Martin Boyce, LGBTQ2SIA+ activist and participant in the Stonewall riots. This event is presented by SU Q Centre, RBC, and your SU. RSVP at this link.

Fines for Food (Feb. 13 – 19)

We are excited to continue our partnership with UCalgary’s Parking and Transportation Services – it’s called Fines-for-Food. Have you got outstanding parking fines? Pay them between Feb. 13 – 17, and half of the revenue will be donated to the SU Campus Food Bank!

All tickets paid during this period will be included in the program, regardless of when they were originally issued. Not sure how to pay your tickets? Visit parking.ucalgary.ca.

SU Survey

Got a few minutes to fill out a survey? You could win one of ten $100 Amazon gift cards just for letting us know what you think of the SU’s programs, services, and advocacy. The survey is open until Feb. 13. Take the survey now.

Students for Literacy Book Sale

Browse through a tonne of books for just $2 – $3 from February 6 – 10 in the North Courtyard, Mac Hall. All proceeds will go directly towards supporting literacy in our community.

Trivia Night is back at the Den

Join us for a Valentine-themed trivia night at the Den: Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 6 – 8 p.m.

Teaching Excellence Awards

Last (but not least) – do you have an exceptional prof or a TA this semester? Show them you appreciate their efforts and nominate them for a Teaching Excellence Award! The deadline for all TEA nominations is February 24.

All the best,

Nicole Schmidt,
President, Students’ Union

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General Election 2023: Notice of Plebiscite
General Election 2023: Notice of Plebiscite 150 150 Gene Baines

Background

Students pay a mandatory fee called the Athletics Fee to subsidize the Dinos Athletics program. For the current academic year (fall 2022 and winter 2023), undergraduate students pay $115.16 ($57.58 in each term) for the Athletics Fee. In return, students receive free admission to Dinos regular season games. Students would need to attend more than 7 games per year to recoup the costs of the fee. The university could raise this fee by up to 5.5% for the 2023-24 academic year. Students contribute about 48% of the Dinos’ operational budget through this fee. The university contributes about 30% by comparison.

The SU is asking this question to better understand how students perceive this fee, to inform our advocacy efforts towards the university. The fee amount is ultimately set by the university, not the SU. 

Question:

Which option(s) below describe your opinion of the Athletics Fee? (Select all that apply).

Students should be able to opt out of the fee.

  • The fee should be eliminated entirely.
  • The fee should be reduced.
  • The fee should remain the same.
  • The fee should be increased.
  • The benefit of free Dinos games is not good value for the money paid by students.
  • The benefit of free Dinos games is good value for the money paid by students.

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