Students' Union, UCalgary

SU @UCalgary
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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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SU Survey, Run in the Election, and Trivia Night at the Den
SU Survey, Run in the Election, and Trivia Night at the Den 150 150 Gene Baines

Happy New Year, UCalgary!

In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Nicole Schmidt – your Students’ Union President. I have a few updates for you as you ease back into classes as well as updates on events for the winter semester.

Take the SU Survey: Open now until Feb. 13

Take the annual SU Survey now and enter to win one of ten $100 Amazon.ca gift cards. It’s your chance to voice your thoughts on the SU and your student experience – we want to make them even better, but we can’t do it without your help. It only takes 10 minutes: take the survey now.

SEED Conference: RSVP by Jan. 13

Explore what leadership means to you, and discover resources that you can use to support yourself and your peers right here on campus. The SEED Conference will be held in MacEwan Conference and Event Centre on Friday, Jan. 27 beginning at 10 a.m. Sessions will include Mental Health and Wellbeing, Conflict Management, and other leadership topics, with an insightful keynote talk from our VP Academic, Shaziah Jinnah Morsette.

RSVP by Jan. 13: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/students-union-seed-conference-tickets-473425015967

Trivia Nights at the Den!

Who is the manager of Central Perk? Who gets meat sweats? Join us for F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Trivia night at the Den: Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 6 – 8 p.m.

Run in the SU General Election 

Have you ever thought about taking on a leadership role at the SU? The SU General Election is coming soon. Official nomination packages will be available at the end of the month – but in the meantime, we’re regularly updating our election webpages with important information and deadlines.

Want the details about what it’s like to campaign? Need insight into the life of an SLC member? Attend one of our Pre-Election Workshops (Jan. 24 online, and Jan. 25 in person).

SU Clubs Week: Jan. 16 – 20

Clubs Week is back! Stop by the North and South Courtyards in Mac Hall – there’s bound to be one or more clubs that’s a perfect fit for you. If you are a club leader and want some help getting the word out about your events, we are happy to help. Make sure to connect with @SUUofCClubs on Instagram.

Wayback Wednesday: movies in That Empty Space Jan. 25

Put a movie break in your calendar this month. Drop by That Empty Space any time Jan.25 for free movies, snacks, and fun activities. We’re showing The Devil Wears Prada at 11 a.m., and School of Rock at 1:30 p.m.

More events in That Empty Space…

The puppies are back! Pet Therapy returns on Jan. 18 at 12 p.m.

Mind and Body in the Space: join us for free guided meditation sessions at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and free yoga classes at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

Last call to join our Election Staff Team! Part time work in February and March.

Join our elections team to help run the SU’s General Election this semester. The deadline has been extended to Tuesday, Jan. 10. Apply on the SU website.

Health and Dental Plan Deadline (Opt-out and Family Add-on): Jan. 27

If you are a new student this semester, you should know that you are automatically enrolled in the SU’s health and dental plan. If you have alternate coverage, you may opt out by Jan. 27.

If January is your enrolment anniversary (you are not a new student but you started at UCalgary in a previous January), then this is also your annual deadline for adding family members. Details and forms are all here at: https://www.mystudentplan.ca/uofcalgary

 

All the best,

Nicole Schmidt,
President, Students’ Union

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Undergraduate Research, Stress Less Events, and World Cup at the Den
Undergraduate Research, Stress Less Events, and World Cup at the Den 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello UCalgary,

I know it’s crunch time right now, but if you need a quick break we’ve got a few events to help you recharge before exams, and a few more updates to look forward to in the new year.

Undergraduate Research Symposium (Nov. 23 – 24 in MacEwan Conference and Event Centre/MacEwan Hall)

The SU’s 17th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium is happening this week. On Wednesday, we are hosting six different research workshops with topics like how to find research opportunities and even presentation techniques. On Thursday, we celebrate the undergraduate research award winners with an all-day drop-in event in MacEwan Hall. Drop by any time beginning at 10:00 a.m. to see short presentations from across all faculties! See the full schedule of presentations on our website.

StressLess Week is next week (Nov. 28 – Dec. 2)

StressLess Week returns to Mac Hall just in time. Drop by the North Courtyard every day for fun activities like aromatherapy, painting, and origami. Or join us in That Empty Space for a free meditation session on Tuesday, and yoga on Thursday. And last, but never least, we’ve got Pet Therapy on both Monday and Friday.

SU Living Room (Dec. 7)

Take a study break with us! Drop by That Empty Space any time Dec. 7 for free movies, snacks, and fun activities. We’re showing Lightyear at 10 a.m., Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings at 12 p.m., and The Incredibles at 2:30 p.m.

Q Centre presents Intro to Dungeons and Dragons (Nov. 30)

Q Centre is hosting an intro to Dungeons and Dragons on Nov. 30 from 4 – 6 p.m. Beginners are welcome – come and learn the basics of character creation and gameplay!

Catch World Cup Games at The Den

The Black Lounge will be showing World Cup games at noon weekdays beginning Nov. 21.

Textbook Consignment

Are you ready to say goodbye to some old textbooks? Consignment will be happening in the North Courtyard from 11AM – 2PM the week of Dec 12-16 BUT consignment can be brought directly to Bound & Copied during regular operating hours; 9:00AM to 5:00PM.

Locker Rentals

It feels like winter is going to stick around – are you tired of lugging a heavy jacket around campus? We’ve got lockers in convenient locations all over campus, and you can rent one through your my.ucalgary.ca student centre.

Are you already thinking about 2023? So are we.

Clubs Week

Clubs Week returns Jan. 16 – 19 in the Mac Hall North and South Courtyards.

SU General Election

Have you ever thought about taking on a leadership role at the SU? Official nomination packages will be available Jan. 23, but in the meantime, we’re regularly updating our election webpages with important information and deadlines. If you have questions about life as an SU elected official or campaigning, we are also hosting pre-election workshops Jan. 24 and 25.

Good luck on your exams! You’re only a few weeks away from a well-deserved break.

All the best,

Nicole Schmidt
President, Students’ Union

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University refuses to allow students to be consulted on upcoming tuition increases
University refuses to allow students to be consulted on upcoming tuition increases 150 150 Michael Brown

Calgary – The Students’ Union is sounding alarm bells after University of Calgary administration has refused to allow the SU to discuss with undergraduate students on upcoming increases to tuition and fees. As a result, students have not yet been made aware of the details of upcoming increases.

 

The Finance and Property Committee of the UCalgary Board of Governors will vote on tuition increases on November 21. It is not until November 29th that the university will speak to elected student leaders. The item will then go to the Board of Governors on December 9. In previous years the university has held student town halls on tuition and attended the SU’s student council much earlier in the process. This has not occurred this year.

 

“The university will essentially be approving the tuition and fee increases before students even know about them,” said SU President Nicole Schmidt. “The university has shared the proposals privately with the SU but is unwilling to allow us to consult with students about these increases.”

 

In a 2021 judicial review of tuition increases at NAIT, brought by its student association, the judge ruled that consultation must go beyond the simple creation of the consultation mechanism and two student council meetings.

 

“The university has failed to meet its obligations under the Tuition and Fees Regulation and Alberta Tuition Framework,” says SU VP External Mateusz Salmassi. “By blindsiding students with tuition and fee increases and failing to report, as required, on how fee revenue is being spent, the university is being secretive and unaccountable to its largest stakeholder.”

 

Alberta’s Tuition and Fee Regulation requires the university to report specifically on how mandatory fee revenue, collected from students, is being spent. The university has failed to produce a report on two of its three mandatory fees.

 

The SU has asked for the vote on the tuition and fee proposals at committee and the December 9th Board of Governors meeting to be delayed to ensure that students are meaningfully consulted. The university has refused both of these requests, allowing only for elected student representatives to be able to receive the tuition and fee increase details.

 

As a result, the SU has written to Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides asking him to intervene and ensure that students are engaged and consulted. This is not the first time that the SU has asked the Minister to intervene due to inadequate consultation. In 2021, the university also failed to adequately consult with students on Exceptional Tuition Increases, resulting in the university being required, by the Minister, to re-start the consultation process properly and delay the government approval of large tuition increases to two faculties.

 

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Brown, External Communications Specialist

University of Calgary Students’ Union

403-560-0577 or Michael.brown1@ucalgary.ca

 

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SU Teaching Excellence Awards: Nominations Close this Friday, Oct. 21
SU Teaching Excellence Awards: Nominations Close this Friday, Oct. 21 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello UCalgary,

Thank you so much to all those who voted in the SU By-Election and Referendum last week. I’ve got just a few more quick reminders for this month.

Teaching Excellence Nominations close on Friday, Oct. 21

This is the last week to nominate your prof or TA for an SU Teaching Excellence Award. Has an instructor or TA gone the extra mile this semester to make your class extraordinary? Nominate them for a Teaching Excellence Award. It’s super easy: just complete the short online form.

Fall Food Drive continues until Oct. 31

October is Food Security Awareness Month at the SU, and we are holding our annual Fall Food Drive. You can make a donation in person at the Information Centre in Mac Hall, or a monetary donation on our GoFundMe page. Your support helps us provide healthy food options for campus community members in need.

SU Quality Money proposals are due Nov. 25

Finally, SU Quality Money is a program that funds projects and programming that improve campus life. In the past, we’ve funded brilliant ideas like club scholarships, the SU Pride Scholarship, study space renovations, and free menstrual products in Mac Hall. If you’ve got a big idea, apply for a SU Quality Money grant and make it a reality. The deadline is November 25. Need some inspiration? Check out the hundreds of projects we’ve funded already.

I’ll be back with another email soon, and in the meantime, the best way to stay up to date is to follow the SU on social media, @SUUofC.

All the best,

Nicole Schmidt
President, Students’ Union

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2022 Students’ Union By-Elections – The Results are In
2022 Students’ Union By-Elections – The Results are In 1934 1004 Michael Brown

Calgary – The Students’ Union is today announcing the results for the 2022 By-Election. Those who have been elected will join the 80th Students’ Legislative Council and will serve until the end of April 2023. In addition, students were asked to vote in a referendum on the topic of the SU Health and Dental plan. Those results are also being announced.

In the three-person race for Vice-President External Mateusz Salmassi won with 39% of the vote.

Faculty representatives were also elected for the Haskayne School of Business, Faculty of Kinesiology, Schulich School of Engineering. The vacancy for the UCalgary Board of Governors Student-at-Large role was also filled by election today.

For the Haskayne School of Business, Aly Samji was elected by business students with 64% of the vote.

Over in Kinesiology, students elected Jessie Dinh with nearly 67% of the vote.

The two students running for the two previously vacant faculty representative positions at the Schulich School of Engineering were each successful in achieving a majority of ‘yes’ votes required to be elected to the role. Jacob Artuso and Abhari Limbu received a majority of ‘yes’ votes and were elected.

Finally, Muntaha Aamir was elected to the UCalgary Board of Governors with 50.6%.

Students were asked to vote on proposed amendments to the SU constitution in relation to the SU Health and Dental Plan. The cost of the health and dental plan is currently subsidized by the SU  and the viability of the plan is at risk. The proposed amendment was to allow the Health and Dental Plan fees to increase with the Consumer Price Index by up to 4% per year to keep up with inflation, without requiring further referendums each time an increase is necessary. Students voted in support of this with nearly 69% of the vote.

In all, 2,132 students voted in the 2022 By-Election. The results announced today are provisional and become official on October 24, 2022.

The roles of Vice-President Operations and Finance and Faculty Representative for the Faculty of Social Work will remain vacant and may be filled by appointment at a later date.

All SU elected positions will go up for election in March 2023 to determine the student leaders who will make up the 81st Students’ Legislative Council.

 

Inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Brown
External Communications Specialist
Michael.brown1@ucalgary.ca
Cell: 403-560-0577

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SU Advocacy Blog – September
SU Advocacy Blog – September 150 150 Michael Brown

Back to school has been a busy time for the SU, and advocacy throughout September is no exception. The SU has been in the media throughout September talking primarily about students heading back to class, their expectations, and the housing crisis in Calgary.

Starting in September and continuing through the fall semester, SU staff and elected officials will be hearing from the university on their plans for tuition. The SU will be advocating for students to be given a break after three consecutive years of increases well above inflation. We have heard from students that they are not only broke but at a financial breaking point.

The SU closed its advocacy survey which will help inform our discussions with the university around tuition and will be valuable to our efforts with the three orders of government as well. We heard that students do not feel they are getting good value for their tuition dollars and the quality of education has not increased despite students paying at least 25% more in tuition since 2019.

We also heard that students want more accountability from the university on how student dollars are spent through mandatory fees like the student services fee and the Dinos athletics fee. Stay tuned for updates on this work.

In September, SLC discussed a document formalizing what the SU, and students, expect for meaningful consultation from the university when it comes to tuition and other issues that affect students. The SU will be sending this to the Provost to formalize a consistent consultation process.

SLC also discussed a series of issue sheets that will be used to advocate to government, primarily the Government of Alberta. As Alberta heads into a provincial election in May 2023, the SU intends to be active to raise the profile of student and post-secondary issues. Stay tuned for more.

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Food Security Month, Q Centre Open House, and SU By-Election Candidates
Food Security Month, Q Centre Open House, and SU By-Election Candidates 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello UCalgary,

We have lots going on in October – here is a quick round-up of upcoming events and important deadlines:

Fall Food Drive and Stack the Mac

October is Food Security Awareness Month at the SU, and we are holding our annual Fall Food Drive. You can make a donation in person, a monetary donation on our GoFundMe page, or join us on Wednesday, Oct. 5 in Mac Hall for our Stack the Mac event. (Bring a box of mac and cheese and help us build a tower taller than Rex!)

Q Centre Open House

Join us on Thursday, Oct. 6 from 1 – 4 p.m. for our Q Centre Open House. Tour the space, play some games, and meet the Q Centre team!

SU By-Election

Nominations are in, and voting days are next week: Oct. 12 – 14. You will be voting for your Vice President External, a Board of Governors representative, and Faculty Reps for Kinesiology, Haskayne, Schulich, and Social Work. Get to know your candidates here.

Health and Dental Referendum

You will also be voting on a referendum question during the SU By-Election. The referendum question proposes an amendment to the SU Constitution that would link the Health and Dental Plan fee to the Consumer Price Index. It’s really important that you learn about this issue and vote even if you don’t use the plan yourself. For many students, this plan is their only option for affordable insurance. You can read the question and learn more on our website.

Teaching Excellence Awards

It’s time to start thinking about your excellent teachers this semester. Do you have a prof or TA that goes above and beyond in your class? You should nominate them for a Teaching Excellence Award! It’s super easy: just complete the short online form. All nominations must be received by October 21.

SU Quality Money

Finally, SU Quality Money is a program that funds projects and programming that improve campus life. In the past, we’ve funded brilliant ideas like club scholarships, the SU Pride Scholarship, study space renovations, and free menstrual products in Mac Hall. If you’ve got a big idea, apply for a SU Quality Money grant and make it a reality. The deadline is November 25. Need some inspiration? Check out the hundreds of projects we’ve funded already.

I’ll be back with another email soon – there is always lots to share. In the meantime, the best way to stay up to date is to follow the SU on social media, @SUUofC.

 

All the best,
Nicole Schmidt

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Notice of Election: By-Election 2022
Notice of Election: By-Election 2022 150 150 Gene Baines

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

Vice President External (1)
Board of Governors Representative (1)
Faculty of Social Work Representative (1)
Faculty of Kinesiology Representative (1)
Haskayne School of Business Representative (1)
Schulich School of Engineering Representative (2)

Online voting will take place on the 12th, 13th, and 14th days of October, 2022 through the myUofC Student Centre. Voting opens at 9 a.m. on October 12th and closes at 4 p.m. on October 14th, 2022. All University of Calgary undergraduate students registered in the Fall 2022 session are eligible to vote.

VACANCY

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

Vice President Operations and Finance (1)

For more information, visit www.su.ucalgary.ca/elections.

DATED at the University of Calgary in the City of Calgary, Province of Alberta, this 29th day of September 2022.

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Clubs Week, SU By-Election, and Pet Therapy
Clubs Week, SU By-Election, and Pet Therapy 150 150 Gene Baines

Hello UCalgary,

There’s already a lot happening this fall, and we are only in the third week. Here is a quick round-up of upcoming events and important deadlines:

Clubs Week

Clubs Week is back in Mac Hall! Check out hundreds of different clubs, explore your interests, and make some new friends. You can preview the whole Clubs list here, or just drop by Mac Hall North and South Courtyards all this week.

Pet Therapy

The puppies are back, too. Join us on Wednesday from 12 – 1:30 p.m. in That Empty Space (lower level Mac Hall), and enjoy a visit with our friends from PALS.

SU By-Election

Are you a leader in the campus community? Would you like to be? Consider running in the upcoming SU By-Election. We have eight vacancies (faculty rep positions for Kinesiology, Social Work, Haskayne, and Schulich (2), a Board of Governors Student-at-Large, Vice President Operations and Finance, and Vice President External. Nomination days are coming up Sept. 26 – 28. All the info you need is here on our website.

Health and Dental Referendum (SU By-Election)

You may not have heard yet, but there will be a referendum question on the ballot during the SU By-Election. We’re asking students to make a decision about indexing the SU Health and Dental Plan fees to inflation, to maintain existing benefits and keep the cost of the plan predictable over time. It’s really important that you learn about this issue and vote (on your Student Centre, October 12 – 14!), even if you don’t use the plan yourself. You can read the question and learn more on our website.

Advocacy Survey

We are running an advocacy survey right now to learn how students feel about the return to campus, access to voting, and rising costs. Your responses will guide our efforts on these issues. We have extended the deadline until this Friday, Sept. 23 in order to hear from as many students as possible. Please take a few minutes to fill out the to fill out the 2022 SU Summer Advocacy Survey.

Fall Food Drive and Stack the Mac

October is Food Security Month, and we are holding our annual  Fall Food Drive. There are three easy ways to make a difference on campus. You can make a donation in person, a monetary donation on our GoFundMe page, or join us Oct. 5 in Mac Hall for our Stack the Mac event. (Bring a box of mac and cheese and help us build a tower taller than Rex!)

Are you an undergraduate researcher?

Finally, have you spent some time in the lab and made a unique discovery? Will your critical analysis lead to positive social change? Share your accomplishments at the Undergraduate Research Symposium for the chance to win a scholarship. Abstracts are due Sept. 29 at 4:00 p.m. For more information or to submit an abstract, visit our website.

I’ll be back with another email soon – there is always lots to share. In the meantime, the best way to stay up to date is to follow the SU on social media, @SUUofC.

 

All the best,

Nicole Schmidt,
President, Students’ Union

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