Quality Money Allocations 2008-2009
Quality Money
2008/2009 Allocations
Quality Money is an initiative of the Students' Union (SU) to provide funding to projects at the University of Calgary (U of C) that enhance the overall student experience. Quality Money was originally attached to the tuition consultation decisions announced at the University Board of Governors meeting in December 2003 and subsequently the Quality Money initiative was first introduced in 2004
For 2008--09 approximately $1,604,162 was allocated, funding sixteen projects.
1 Campus Improvement Fund Top-Up - $125,000.00
2 Mac Hall Student Space Expansion - $600,000.00
3 Bicycle Root Community Bike Shop - $7,050.00
4 Student Ticket Subsidy for Fine Arts Events - $53,756.00
5 Career Education Program (Career Services) - $37,455.75
6 Teaching Excellence Awards Top-Up - $143,350.00
7 Instructional Skills Workshop for Faculty (T&LC) - $47,000.00
8 Course Design Program for Faculty (T&LC) - $58,500.00
9 Campus Community Connections (CISSA) - $23,400.00
10 Writers’ Block II (Effective Writing Program) - $25,000.00
11 Craigie Hall Bus Loop Upgrade - $35,000.00
12 NδD Magazine - $8,500.00
13 Student Book Loan Program - $57,675.82
14 Community Green Space (ESS) - $97,000.00
15 Bermuda Shorts Day - $90,000.00
16 CJSW Relocation Project - $195,475.00
2008-09 Project Descriptions
1. Campus Improvement Fund Top-Up
$125,000.00
The Campus Improvement Fund was created to allocate funds to SU faculty representatives for projects to improve the quality of the student experience at the U of C.
Since its inception in 2005-2006, the SU has approved and allocated $250,000 in support of many innovative projects. With a number of projects forthcoming, a $125,000 “top-up” of the Campus Improvement Fund provided continued support to future faculty representatives to fund projects that improve the student experience within their faculty.
2. Mac Hall Student Space Expansion
$600,000.00
In 2007 the SU proposed to renovate 7,400 square feet of MacEwan Student Centre (MSC) to provide more social and study space for students. Renovation plans included transforming the currently underutilized back corridors on the second floor of Mac Hall, increasing seating and vendor space in the food court and expanding the functionality “That Empty Space” as both a music venue and study space.
The 2007/08 Quality Money Committee funded $300,000 to begin concept design studies for this space. With that grant, the SU worked with Marshall Tittlemore Architects to assess the space, develop designs, and determine costs for the project.
The 2009-10 Quality Money Funding provided additional financial support for the actual renovations which were completed in 2010.
3. Campus Bike Initiative – Community Cooperative Bike Shop and Bike-Lending Library
$7,050.00
The Campus Bike Initiative promotes the use of bicycles as the preferred mode of transportation at the U of C and in the surrounding community. This initiative assists in fostering healthy lifestyles, a sense of community and environmental sustainability.
Quality Money project funding in 2007-2008 saw the opening of a community bicycle shop (The Bike Root) administered by volunteers who share a strong desire to build a cycling community at the university. Funds made available for 2009-2010 assisted in operating costs for the Bike Root, bicycle library and replacement of tools and shop consumables. Funding was also used for recruitment efforts, to build membership, find volunteers, staff and ensure long-term success.
4. Student Ticket Subsidy for Fine Arts Events
$53,756.00
This project’s aim was to facilitate participation and awareness of the arts at the U of C by offering undergraduate students compensated admission to Faculty of Fine Arts events.
This initiative provided reduced ticket prices for 134 performances at 88 different events over a two-year span. This access assisted in fostering an appreciation for the arts within the campus community, giving students a heightened social and intellectual experience and access to a new way of thinking through the arts.
5. Career Education Program (Career Services)
$37,455.75
Career Services strives to provide University of Calgary students with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to successfully manage all aspects of their careers. Funding was provided for three modules designed to be delivered within an encompassing Career Education Program aligned with the new Co-Curricular Record (CCR) initiative.
The three modules included:
- WRK 4U Series
This program is a series of in-person sessions providing students with career information focused on industry opportunities rather than field of study.
- Optimal Online Resume Building/Interviewing
Through the purchase, customization and delivery of Optimal Resume software, students have access to a premier online resume and cover letter builder as well as an interview tool.
- Networking/Etiquette 101 (first year goal – 50 student participants)
This event includes a presentation and a practical application component. Students network with fellow participants as well as invited guests, faculty and staff from various university departments.
6. Teaching Excellence Awards Top-Up
$143,350.00
Since the inception of the program in 1984-1985, the SU has continued to celebrate the accomplishments and positive impact of university instructors with its annual Teaching Excellence Awards (TEA).
The creation of the TEA by the SU was an effort to improve the profile and the importance of high quality undergraduate instruction at the University of Calgary. The TEA have become a highly recognized program in the university community and the only award program based entirely on student feedback.
TEA winners receive a cash prize and a matching donation on their behalf for either:
- Providing financial support to The Teaching and Learning Centre to facilitate the participation of faculty members in the Teaching Certificate Program, with priority to those members having the lowest USRI scores in the most recent academic year; or
- Financial support to the U of C Library toward the purchase of library resources.
Funds received from the 2009-2010 Quality Money allowed the monetary reward component of the TEA program to continue.
7. Instructional Skills Workshop for Faculty (Teaching and Learning Centre)
$47,000.00
The Instructional Skills Workshop is a program designed to help faculty members develop their teaching skills and enhance their classroom effectiveness. The program delivers six sessions annually to faculty members, offering a total of 90 seats.
Each Instructional Skills Workshop has the capacity to benefit 15 faculty members and indirectly benefit participant’s students and colleagues with whom they share teaching ideas. The program is currently only offered in face-to-face classroom formats. The program is open to faculty, sessional instructors, and post-doctoral students.
The Teaching & Learning Centre utilized Quality Money funding to implement a blended learning format for the Instructional Skills Workshop. This approach was designed to increase accessibility for those who cannot attend on-campus sessions, whose learning preferences are better accommodated in the blended environment, and who prefer to try an alternative delivery format.
8. Course Design Program for Faculty (Teaching and Learning Centre)
$58,500.00
Quality Money was provided to the Teaching & Learning Centre to:
- Design, deliver and support effective course design workshops;
- Facilitate an ongoing course design community; and
- Offer one-on-one consultation to participants requiring additional support in the pedagogical design of their course.
The program was designed to focus on first-year and large-enrollment courses in the workshops, with the overall goal of increasing student engagement, achievement, and retention rates.
9. Campus Community Connections (CISSA)
$23,400.00
Campus Community Connection was developed to retain and engage international undergraduate University of Calgary students. The program aims to facilitate participation and awareness of the variety of services and experiences both on campus and within the local Calgary community. The program also provides a venue for international students to meet other students.
Student participation in events and activities are facilitated through experienced students liaising with new incoming international students.
10. Writers’ Block II (Effective Writing Program)
$25,000.00
Building on the successful Writers’ Block Quality Money project initially funded in 2007-2008, thanks to additional funding in 2009-10 this program added two key writing instruction programs for undergraduate students including:
- Writing Workshops
This program consists of a series of 50 free writing workshops open to all undergraduate students. The workshops are limited to 20 students to allow for active learning activities and small group interaction.
- Drop-in Writing Consultations
This program consists of a series of 10 free 15-hour a week consultations open to all students. The consultations provide students with writing advice and instruction as they work on papers in the Information Commons.
11. Craigie Hall Bus Loop Upgrade
$35,000.00
The Craigie Hall Bus Loop Upgrade was intended to provide students and staff with a higher quality and safer space while increasing the visibility of sustainability and transit on campus.
The project replaced the existing bus shelter with a more functional and comfortable one that offers higher usability for an extended period during the year. Planning also included improvements to the public amenities in the immediate area including lighting, seating, tables, and public art to create an attractive integrated outdoor community space.
12. NδD Magazine
$8,500.00
Since its formation in 2005, NδD magazine has provided a venue for emerging artists to display their work alongside veteran artists in a professional publication that invites contributors to try something different.
As a certified publication NδD showcases creative undergraduate work bringing together communities in the literary and visual arts both on and off campus. NδD Magazine opportunities are open to any student at the University of Calgary interested in interdisciplinary efforts of creative work.
Undergraduates and recent graduates from the University of Calgary with close ties to the magazine and the creative writing program at the university constitute the editorial board that assists in determining the contents of each issue. NδD Magazine also offers valuable publishing experience to undergraduates interested in editing and publication.
Funds made available by 2009-2010 Quality Money assist ed in the printing and publication of NδD Magazine as well as ensuring sustainability for the future of this publication.
13. Student Book Loan Program
$57,675.82
The Student Book Store Loan Program was created in 2003 with the mandate to “assist students in their quest for a university degree and provide support for those students who may require financial aid” through a textbook loan agreement.
Quality Money Funding in 2009-10 allowed for expansion of this project, providing textbooks loans for an additional thirty deserving students each academic year. The Book Store Loan Committee, consisting of members of the SU and the University Book Store staff also developed a communications strategy to raise awareness of the Student Bookstore Loan Program.
14. Community Green Space (ESS)
$97,000.00
The Engineering Student Society proposed to create an outdoor community green space in the northwest quadrant of campus, adjacent to the Schulich School of Engineering building. This upgrade was intended to transform an inaccessible and largely unused area into a multifunctional outdoor community green space for students and student events.
The SU’s contribution to this project was intended to support a door installation in the Engineering Student Lounge that opens to a new deck with multi-tiered seating. Metal sculptured benches and landscaping were planned to complete the green space.
15. Bermuda Shorts Day
$90,000.00
Bermuda Shorts Day (BSD) marks the last day of scheduled classes each academic year and is the largest student run, campus-wide event.
With the construction of the Taylor Family Library, BSD had to be moved to a new location for the next three years. The SU faced challenges with a new venue resulting in significant cost increases including:
- Additional security staff;
- Generators (access to electricity);
- Additional security fencing;
- Additional staffing cost; and
- Additional stage and venue set-up.
Quality Money funding ensured BSD could continue as a free, safe, and enjoyable social event for students celebrating the end of the year.
16. CJSW Relocation Project
$195,475.00
CJSW Radio, the University of Calgary Student Radio Society relocated its offices and broadcast studios to the third floor of MacEwan Hall in 2010. This move was necessary to accommodate its growing membership and expanding music library, and to provide a better space for staff and over 150 volunteers.
The new location includes professional quality DJ booths, production rooms, and broadcast studios acoustically engineered and accessible by the station’s volunteers. The new location allows CJSW to increase the quality of programming and provide students with a unique opportunity to explore broadcasting in a professional setting. The broadcast facilities also proved members with better access to production rooms and other equipment for conducting and editing interviews, producing news stories, airing live performances and hosting radio programs.
Quality Money funding assisted in completing the public student spaces of the project, including the reception and volunteer lounge, volunteer work areas, volunteer coordinator office, meeting area and coffee room.
