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Budget 2024 Indirectly Cuts Post-Secondary, Leaves Student Talent on the Table
Budget 2024 Indirectly Cuts Post-Secondary, Leaves Student Talent on the Table 150 150 admin

CALGARY – Yesterday’s provincial budget amounts to an indirect cut on a post-secondary education system already on life support. Budget 2024 continues a familiar theme with this provincial government: post-secondary education gets defunded and Alberta’s students are asked to foot the bill.

“As students, everything we are doing here at post-secondary is to build a better future. Ideally, our elected officials present a plan that does the same. Sadly, even with the small allotments to student needs, this budget commits to the further decline of Alberta’s once-leading post-secondary education system,” said SU President Shaziah Jinnah Morsette.

“Despite the overwhelming need for funding to increase, any amount that refuses to keep up with inflation on a system already near a breaking point may as well be a cut. We cannot sacrifice the needs of today and expect a better tomorrow.”

While the SU is happy to see the University of Calgary receive funding earmarked specifically for STEM students, this runs the risk of putting an additional burden without providing funding for the staff and resources needed to provide a worthwhile education to those new students. Class sizes continue to balloon in size, and many students are forced to take their classes in buildings that are falling apart as the university is $740 million behind in repairs and maintenance.

On the whole, Alberta’s 2024 budget has cut per-capita spending on post-secondary funding by 7.3%.

The SU is also concerned that the province will once again look towards major tuition increases to make up the difference. Without an increase in operating funding for universities, students’ quality of education will continue to be jeopardized. When students’ education is at risk, the Albertan economy is at risk.

“It is alarming to see the Alberta government put funding aside for a future that students might not be able to afford, when we need major investment now. Albertans today are going to suffer so we can say we had a minuscule ‘accounting surplus’. This budget borrows from the future of not just students, but every Albertan,” said SU VP External Mateusz Salmassi.

The real risk in that future is that Alberta is going to be leaving talent on the table. Without proper funding for post-secondary education, fewer courses are available for students, which delays graduation and turns away countless talented, prospective students. Despite a target of increasing Alberta’s post-secondary seats by 30,000,  this budget falls short while students and graduates are continuing to leave the province to seek opportunities elsewhere.

The SU will continue to advocate for the needs and issues of the students not just of U of C, but for all Albertan students. The hope is that this budget will be the last of this kind before irreversible damage is done to Alberta’s future and that the priorities of those living, working, and studying in the province today are met.

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Media Inquiries may be directed to:

Nathan Ross
Manager, Communications & Government Relations
nathan.ross@ucalgary.ca // 403-835-1836

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NOTICE OF ELECTION: General Election 2024
NOTICE OF ELECTION: General Election 2024 150 150 admin

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

  • President (1)
  • Vice President Academic (1)
  • Vice President Internal (1)
  • Vice President External (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Cumming School of Medicine (2)
  • Faculty Representatives, Faculty of Arts (4)
  • Faculty Representative, Faculty of Kinesiology (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Faculty of Law (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Faculty of Science (3)
  • Faculty Representative, Faculty of Social Work (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Haskayne School of Business (2)
  • Faculty Representative, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Schulich School of Engineering (3)
  • Senate Student at Large Representative (2)
  • Board of Governors Student at Large Representative (1)

Online voting will take place on the 5th, 6th, and 7th days of March, 2024 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 5th and closes at 4 p.m. on March 7th, 2024. All University of Calgary undergraduate students registered in the Winter 2024  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 Representative, Veterinary Medicine (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Werklund School of Education (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Nursing (1)

For all SU Election news and udpates visit WWW.SU.UCALGARY.CA/ELECTIONS.

 

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President’s Message: Last chance to nominate your teacher, or complete the SU Survey
President’s Message: Last chance to nominate your teacher, or complete the SU Survey 150 150 admin

Hello UCalgary,

Just a quick reminder that Teaching Excellence Award nominations close this week on Friday, Feb. 16 at 4:30 p.m. Teachers always tell us how much these awards mean to them, because they are nominated by students in their classrooms. If you have great teacher this semester, nominate them for a Teaching Excellence Award. It’s quick and easy: just complete a short online form.

SU Survey: complete the survey by Feb. 16

Have you had a chance to fill out the SU 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. Take the survey now.

SU Club Awards (nominations due Feb. 16)

Nominations for SU Club Awards close Friday, Feb. 16. Help us recognize excellence in team leadership, service, sustainable practices, advocacy, and innovation. Nomination forms can be found here.

Food and Housing Insecurity at the University of Calgary Research Survey

The GSA is conducting an online survey about food and housing insecurity at UCalgary and we are helping to get the word out! Please see this message from the research team about the survey:

Share your experiences with food and housing security with us by participating in an online research study! Given the demands placed on students and the rising costs of living, it can be difficult to meet basic needs. We are conducting a research study to understand food and housing security in the University of Calgary student population. Your voice will help us advocate for supports to ensure all students have access to food and housing. The University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board has approved this research study (REB 23-1211). The Principal Investigator is Dr. Erin Spring (erin.spring@ucalgary.ca). To participate in the research study survey, please click HERE.

And finally, Term Break is Feb. 18-24! This time is intended to be free of compulsory academic events and assessments for students, so take some time to reassess, reach out, and recharge. Check out some resources from the Student Success Centre.

Enjoy your break, UCalgary!

Your Students’ Union President,
Shaziah Jinnah Morsette

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President’s Message: Nominate your prof (or your club!), and take the SU Survey
President’s Message: Nominate your prof (or your club!), and take the SU Survey 150 150 admin

Hello UCalgary,

Just a few quick reminders and events happening next week. Not that anyone’s counting, but as of today you are only a week away from term break! Hang in there – you’ve got this.

Sex Week (Feb. 12 – 16)

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

SU Survey: complete the survey by Feb. 16

Have you had a chance to fill out the SU 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. 16. Take the survey now.

SU Club Awards and Eric Lahoda Scholarships (nominations due Feb. 16)

We are accepting nominations for SU Club Awards now until Feb. 16. Help us recognize excellence in team leadership, service, sustainable practices, advocacy, and innovation. Nomination forms can be found here.

Teaching Excellence Awards: nominate your prof by Feb. 16

Do you have a prof that has been going the extra mile this semester? Or a TA that makes it worth getting up for an 8 a.m. lab? Show them you appreciate their efforts and nominate them for a Teaching Excellence Award! The deadline for all TEA nominations is Feb. 16.

 Upcoming SU General Election and Referendum

This year’s General Election will include a referendum question about merging the SU Constitution and SU By-laws into one document. You can read the question and learn more here.

Nomination Days are from Feb. 12 – 14. If you have decided you’re going to run for a position, download the nomination package here, and make sure to drop it off at the designated times. The Elections team will accept nominations virtually from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day (zoom link on SU website, or in person at the SU Main office (MSC 251) from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

You’ll hear from me again soon, but in the meantime the best way to stay up to date is to follow the SU on Instagram or TikTok at @SUUofC.

Shaziah Jinnah Morsette
Your Students’ Union President

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President’s Message: Fines-for-Food, Black History Month movies, and SU Election details
President’s Message: Fines-for-Food, Black History Month movies, and SU Election details 150 150 admin

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 for just the first half of the month:

Support the SU Campus Food Bank: Fines-for-Food runs Feb. 5 – 11

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. 5 – 11, 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.

Black History Month Movies and Short Films: Feb. 8

Join us for a selection of feature-length films and National Film Board short films in celebration of Black History Month. This event runs Feb. 8 in That Empty Space, with Selma at 10 a.m., NFB short films at 12:15 p.m., and Summer of Soul at 1:00 p.m.

SU General Election and Referendum: important dates

  • Do you have questions about running, or what life is like as an SU elected official? Join us for an election orientation session, happening in Council Chambers at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 and online at 2 p.m. on Feb. 1. Zoom link is available on the SU website.
  • Nomination Days are from Feb. 12 – 14. If you have decided you’re going to run for a position, download the nomination package here, and make sure to drop it off at the designated times. The Elections team will accept nominations virtually from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day (zoom link on SU website, or in person at the SU Main office (MSC 251) from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Voting days will be March 5, 6, and 7 through your my.ucalgary.ca student centre.
  • The General Election will include a referendum question about merging the SU Constitution and SU By-laws into one document. You can read the question and learn more here.

Sex Week (Feb. 12 – 16)

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

SU Survey: complete the survey by Feb. 16

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. 16. Take the survey now.

Students for Literacy Book Sale: Feb. 5 – 9

Browse through a tonne of books for just $1 – $3 from February 5 – 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the South Courtyard, Mac Hall. All proceeds will go directly towards supporting literacy in our community.

Student Strike Info Session: Feb. 1

Learn about the student strikes – the history, impact, and how the student strike process works. This info session runs Feb. 1 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in Cassio (next to Mr. Pretzel in Mac Hall).

Teaching Excellence Awards: nominate your teacher by Feb. 16

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 16.

You’ll hear from me again soon, but in the meantime the best way to stay up to date is to follow the SU on Instagram or TikTok at @SUUofC.

Shaziah Jinnah Morsette
Your Students’ Union President

Follow us!
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NOTICE OF REFERENDUM: GENERAL ELECTION 2024
NOTICE OF REFERENDUM: GENERAL ELECTION 2024 150 150 admin

Background:

Between 1948 and March 2023, the Students’ Union (SU) experienced significant changes to its governance processes due to changes in provincial legislation and the strategic decisions of past Students’ Legislative Council (SLC) cohorts. These changes have resulted in the SU having two main governance documents: (a) the SU Union Bylaw, which incorporates information from the Post Secondary Learning Act and the SU Constitution, thus making it a significant reference document for guidance and direction over the SU governance processes and operations; and (b) the SU Constitution, which is a residual document due to most of its provisions already being reflected in the SU Union Bylaw.

In line with best practices, the SU aims to modernize its governance processes by improving student accessibility and ease of understanding of its governing documents. To implement this governance modernization, the SU proposes a consolidation of the SU Union Bylaw and the SU Constitution, by incorporating the only provision of the SU Constitution not reflected in the SU Union Bylaw, into the SU Union Bylaw. This will make the SU Union Bylaw a “one-stop-reference” document students can rely on for all information on the SU governance processes and operations. Thereafter, the SU Constitution would be repealed for being redundant.

Other student associations in post-secondary learning institutions within Alberta such as the University of Alberta, Mount Royal University, MacEwan University and Athabasca University have either repealed their constitutions or recognise their union bylaw as their highest governing document in their governance processes. The SU has also consulted the Governance and Oversight Committee which comprises Active Members, the University and Government Relations, and the SLC on its proposed direction and these bodies have indicated their support for the following question to be presented to all Active Members.

Question 1:

Do you support the proposed incorporation of the SU Constitution into the Union Bylaw, and the subsequent rescindment of the SU Constitution effective on April 16, 2024?
• YES
• NO

Full details of the proposed update to the Students’ Union’s governance documents and a Referendum FAQ are available. Complete details and updates on the 2024 General Election can be found on the www.su.ucalgary.ca/elections page.

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NOTICE OF NOMINATION: GENERAL ELECTION 2024
NOTICE OF NOMINATION: GENERAL ELECTION 2024 150 150 admin

Notice is hereby given that Nomination Days are Monday, February 12 to Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Nominations for the election of a candidate for the following offices will be held virtually from 9 to 12 p.m. and received in-person at the SU main office from 12 to 3 p.m. on these days.

OFFICES AVAILABLE (NUMBER OF VACANCIES)

  • President (1)
  • Vice President Academic (1)
  • Vice President External (1)
  • Vice President Internal (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Arts (4)
  • Faculty Representative, Cumming School of Medicine (2)
  • Faculty Representatives, Haskayne School of Business (2)
  • Faculty Representative, Kinesiology (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Law (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Nursing (1)
  • Faculty Representatives, Schulich School of Engineering (3)
  • Faculty Representatives, Science (3)
  • Faculty Representative, Social Work (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Veterinary Medicine (1)
  • Faculty Representative, Werklund School of Education (1)
  • Faculty Rep., School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (1)
  • Board of Governors Student at Large Representative (1)
  • Senate Student at Large Representative (2)

More information and announcements can be found on the www.su.ucalgary.ca/elections page.

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STUDENTS’ UNION 2023 BY-ELECTION RESULTS ANNOUNCED
STUDENTS’ UNION 2023 BY-ELECTION RESULTS ANNOUNCED 150 150 admin

Five new members elected to join the 81st Students’ Legislative Council 

CALGARY, AB – Results of the University of Calgary Students’ Union (UCSU) By-Election were announced at the end of the day on Friday. There was a total of five seats available across four different faculties, with Engineering, Nursing and Veterinary Medicine each electing one representative and Arts electing two.  

Looking first at the multiple positions open within the Faculty of Arts, students elected Naomie Bakana and Tanner Neigel out of the six candidates who ran in the by-election. Naomie and Tanner captured 21.2% and 24.8% of the vote, respectively.

In the Schulich School of Engineering race, Seniru Ruwanpura has been elected out of the four candidates who ran. Seniru was elected with 65% of the vote. There were two candidates running to represent the faculty of Nursing. Colton Channon was elected with 50.4% of the vote. Finally, in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine election, students confirmed sole candidate Nancy Ngo to the elected position. Ngo was previously filling the position as an appointed representative, over the spring and summer. She received a Yes vote of 100%. “I would like to congratulate and welcome our new faculty representatives to the Students’ Legislative Council. It is always a good thing for students when they have the most representation possible, so we are thrilled to welcome five new elected officials. I look forward to working with all of them for the remainder of this legislative year,” said Shaziah Jinnah Morsette, SU President.

It is also worth mentioning that in September, SLC received a resignation from one of the current Faculty of Arts Representatives. As the By-Election process was already underway by the time of their resignation, their seat was ineligible for candidates to run for. This final, vacant position will be filled by appointment in the coming weeks.

This year’s By-Election saw 1,115 students vote. As this was a By-Election, votes were limited to students currently enrolled in the applicable faculties which had races. By-Election results become official on October 23.

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Media Contact: 
Nathan Ross, Manager of Communications and Government Relations 
403-835-1836 // nathan.ross@ucalgary.ca 

2023 By-Election Faculty Representatives (left to right): Seniru Ruwanpura (Schulich), Naomie Bakana (Arts), Tanner Neigel (Arts)

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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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Release: City Council fails students, misses opportunity to address housing crisis
Release: City Council fails students, misses opportunity to address housing crisis 150 150 Michael Brown

Calgary – Calgary City Council defeated expert housing recommendations yesterday that would have created additional housing units and taken a first step to addressing Calgary’s housing crisis, a crisis students are acutely feeling again this year. A handful of students resorted to temporarily living in their vehicles as they could not find housing last year.

City Council’s refusal to take action on housing will compound an already difficult housing supply and housing market. As students begin to look for housing ahead of a return to Calgary for their studies in September, Council has thrown up additional and unnecessary barriers that affect students and vulnerable Calgarians.

“There’s no other way to say it: Eight members of City Council have made a bad situation worse. Students are at a breaking point and have been left behind by these members of Council,” says Mateusz Salmassi, Students’ Union VP External. “Let’s be clear about what those eight members of Council voted against, they voted against 1,000 additional homes and 3,000 affordable housing units added per year above the normal number of homes. They voted against enabling secondary and backyard suites to add to housing supply. These are basic measures that Calgarians support.”

In the City of Calgary 2022 Fall Survey of Calgarians, affordable housing was identified as one of the areas of lowest satisfaction with the City. A great majority of Calgarians (78%) identified affordable housing as an important City program, with 74% calling for the City to invest in such housing. Investment in affordable housing was top of the list when Calgarians were asked about investment in programs.

“City Council is well aware that Calgary’s reputation as an affordable city is at risk,” says Salmassi. “City Council has money to pay 97% of the up-front cost of the new arena, but apparently neither the money nor the will to support lower income Calgarians, including students, when it comes to housing. This decision risks Calgary’s competitive advantage and risks losing the young, educated people in our city. If they can’t find housing, how can they stay and why would they want to? This decision puts Calgary’s economic future at risk.”

For the second year in a row, residence buildings on the UCalgary campus will be full and the university has no plans to add residence units in the near future. In addition, the University District, a development overseen by the university, has frozen out students by making units largely unaffordable.

On top of that, housing in close proximity to the university remains unavailable or unaffordable for students. Students are being pushed into unsafe rental housing or housing in the far corners of the city, poorly served by transit. This should not happen in a city like Calgary.

While the recommendations may not have had an immediate impact on these concerns, approval would have allowed for the creation of more secondary suites and other housing that would be safe and affordable for students in the medium and long term.

Media Inquiries may be directed to:
Mike Brown
Manager, Communications & Government Relations
Michael.brown1@ucalgary.ca // 403-560-0577

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