Hello UCalgary students,
I’m Frank Finley, your SU President. I’ve got a few quick updates for you on our advocacy efforts and some upcoming events that are happening around campus.
Advocacy Updates
Earlier this week, UCalgary held a tuition town hall to announce proposed increases to tuition and fees. We have heard your voices on social media and saw the remarkable student attendance at this town hall, and we will represent you at the Board of Governors meeting on Dec. 11 when these increases are put to a vote. It is our belief that there is no worse time to raise tuition than during the largest crisis of our lifetimes, and we continue to fight against increased costs to students.
In other news, the UPass program will continue to be on hold for the Winter 2021 term. Discounted Calgary Transit ticket books are available to current UCalgary students at the Campus Service Centre, Main Campus Bookstore, and Foothills Medical Bookstore with your UCID. You can direct questions about this program to campusservicecentre@ucalgary.ca.
Other ongoing advocacy is focused on CR/F for fall and winter 2021, an extension of the add/drop/swap deadline, an extension of time off in the winter 2021 semester, and quality of online academic instruction.
URS Research Week: Nov. 23 – 27
The 15th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium is happening this week. This year’s event is a virtual showcase of undergraduate student research from all faculties, hosted here on YouTube. Forty-eight undergraduate researchers have submitted short video presentations, and are competing for $23,000 in prizes and scholarships. Judges have been busy adjudicating these presentations, and the awards will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Stress Less in December
We know this year has been stressful, to say the least, so we have collected a series of quick, easy de-stressing activities that you can do at home. Watch the SU’s Instagram for no-bake holiday recipes, crafts, and even some special guests (hint: if you’ve been missing Fitness in the Space, your instructors have been missing you, too!) Stress Less runs from Dec. 1 – 11 on Instagram stories.
Textbook Consignment
Are you ready to say goodbye to some old textbooks? Bound and Copied can help you turn them into cash. Bring your used textbooks to the consignment window at Bound and Copied, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Are you already thinking about 2021? So are we.
Clubs Week We are excited to announce that January Clubs Week will be held virtually through our ClubHub platform from Jan. 19 – 21. Each club will have their own virtual “table”, and event participants will have a chance to chat with participating club executives over Zoom. Watch our social media channels for more information over the next few weeks.
SU General Election
Have you ever thought about taking on a leadership role at the SU? Official nomination packages will be available Jan. 25 – 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? Stay tuned to social media and our website for dates of pre-election workshops in January.
Holiday Closure
The SU offices and Bound and Copied will be closed after Friday, Dec. 11, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
Good luck on your exams! You’re only a few weeks away from a well-deserved break.
Frank
President, The Students’ Union
The University of Calgary