Volunteer

The University Student Appeals Office is recruiting female undergraduate students (including JD, MD, and DVM students) to volunteer as members of the University Appeals Committee (UAC) and the University Appeals Tribunal (UAT). Student representatives are appointed by the SU and should represent as many different disciplines as possible at the University. Applications from female undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Arts are not being accepted at this time.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

As an UAC or UAT panel member, you will hear undergraduate student appeals relating to academic assessments, academic progression, and academic and non-academic misconduct. In this important role, you facilitate the system through which student appellants and faculty respondents are given an opportunity to state their cases. Together with your fellow panel members and with the support of legal counsel, you will decide on student appeals. From the in-depth knowledge you will gain about the appeals process, you will also be able to provide the Student Appeals Office with feedback to improve the student experience.

The ideal appointee would have a commitment to fairness and impartiality, an interest in learning more about institutional policies and regulations, and excellent interpersonal skills. You must be in good academic and conduct standing.

COMMITMENT

Your appointment to the UAC/UAT would be for the period of Jan 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. Appointees must have the ability to respond to Student Appeals Office requests/correspondence within 48 hours and be able to attend in-person hearings on Main Campus during business hours. All appointees are required to attend one orientation/training session (typically 1-2 hours in length) at the start of their term. On average, appointees support 1 or 2 appeal hearings per year based on their availability. Appeal hearings involve time to review the appeal file (approx. 2-3 hours), a 1-hour panel prep meeting (held virtually), and a 3–4-hour student appeal hearing (held in-person).

If you have any questions about the role, please don’t hesitate to contact the Student Appeals Office at appeals@ucalgary.ca.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the application form and submit it via email alongside a copy of your Academic Requirements Summary document from your Student Centre page to SU Policy Analyst, ifeanyichukwu.ezeume@ucalgary.ca by 4:00 PM Friday, November 29, 2024.

The Student’s Union (SU) Volunteer Tax Program (VTP) provides complementary personal income tax filing services by professional student volunteers who are trained to Canada Revenue Agency standards.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), in conjunction with the Students’ Union Volunteer Tax Program team, provides training and tax software to nearly 100 volunteers who help to file hundreds of returns annually. In the 2024 tax season, we were able to file over 750 tax returns. This year, with your help, we hope to support even more members of our community.

Our program assists low-income individuals and families in the University of Calgary community (students, staff, faculty and alumni) in filing their tax returns at no cost. The VTP makes a measurable difference in the campus community, saving clients thousands of dollars each year, while giving program volunteers valuable tax return preparation skills.

The volunteer position is integral to the functioning of the VTP. Volunteers are the individuals that execute the operations of the VTP as well as dealing with clients on a first-hand basis. The volunteers ensure the program runs smoothly once open to clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide professional and friendly service to all VTP clients and anyone who may approach the clinic
• Accurately document client information, input information into tax filing software, and audit returns.
• Communicate effectively with the program coordinators and fellow volunteers to ensure a high quality service.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all VTP clients

Commitment

• Volunteers must attend 1-2 mandatory training sessions (including a full day of CRA training) to familiarize themselves with the policies and procedures of the program.
• Volunteers must commit a minimum of four (4) hours per week for the duration of the program. (program runs end of February to mid-April)
• Completed Police Information Check

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application to Better Impact expressing interest in the Tax Program. We are accepting applications until 4:00pm on Friday November 29, 2024, or until our volunteer quota is met.

We are currently interviewing candidates.

[ MyImpactPage – SU Volunteer Services Recruitment Application Form (betterimpact.com) ]

Questions can be sent to vstax@ucalgary.ca.

Volunteer Positions are open to Undergraduate Students Only.

Position Title: Review Board and Tribunal Non-Student Member
Position Status: SLC Appointment
Position Type: Volunteer
Honoraria: None 

POSITION SUMMARY (Overview and Purpose)

The Review Board and Tribunal are independent, arms-length committees of the Students’ Legislative Council, charged with the judicial functions of the Students’ Union. Students can apply to the Review Board to appeal SU decisions that they believe were unfair or in violation of the SU’s Union Bylaw or Union Policy. The Tribunal has jurisdiction over decisions of the Review Board. A student who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Review Board may be able to appeal to the Tribunal.

The Review Board consists of at least nine members, at least two of whom must be non-students. The Tribunal consists of at least five members, at least two of whom must also be non-students.

Non-student members of the Review Board and Tribunal are appointed for two-year terms and serve with a minimal time commitment. After an orientation session, each body meets only when its respective chair receives an application.

One student member serves as the Chair of the Review Board. The Tribunal is chaired by a non-student member.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Members of the Review Board and Tribunal have the following responsibilities:
• Attend an orientation session;
• Attend meetings as called by the Chair, potentially with only a few days’ notice;
• Declare conflicts of interest;
• Review applications;
• Participate in hearings;
• Review and interpret the SU Union Bylaw and Union Policy;
• Examine evidence; and
• Render decisions.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To qualify, applicants must:

• Hold a Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and be eligible for membership in the Law Society of Alberta.
• Have no conflicts of interest with SLC members or SU employees.
• Not have held any SLC or SU executive roles within the past three years.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of student association governance and operations.
• Research, analysis, and problem-solving abilities.

Read the full Position Description here. 

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter to resumes@su.ucalgary.ca.

STATEMENT ON EMPLOYMENT EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

The Students’ Union is committed to ensuring that members of equity-deserving groups, from a broad range of communities, feel empowered to apply for positions within the organization. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Black, Indigenous, and/or other racialized communities to apply. Qualified candidates who identify as 2Spirit and/or LGBTQIA+ or are otherwise marginalized on the grounds of gender expression, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation are also strongly encouraged to apply.

The Students’ Union welcomes applications from people with disabilities and believes strongly in accessibility in the work we do. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process – please advise us at any point and we will work with you to meet your needs while respecting your privacy as much as possible.

The Students’ Union is grateful to work on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikuni, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. The University of Calgary is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is Moh’kins’tsis, which we now call the City of Calgary. The Students’ Union also recognizes that land acknowledgments are not enough. We need to pursue truth, reconciliation, decolonization, and allyship in an ongoing effort to make right with all our relations.