december 2013 - Laurier Students' Union

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Dec 1, 2013 - incredibly hard to make sure that your experience at Laurier is the best it can possibly be! We've been ..
DECEMBER 2013

Hello Laurier!   During the Fall term, the entire Management Team and I have been working incredibly hard to make sure that your experience at Laurier is the best it can possibly be! We’ve been involved with some big projects like Orientation Week, Fall Reading Days, Food Services Agreements and all the incredible concerts including Passion Pit and Down With Webster.   A major focus of my Presidential Platform was to increase communication and transparency between the Students’ Union and students, which is why I have started ‘State of the Union’. My goal with this initiative is to give students the opportunity to voice any questions or concerns as well as find out a little bit more about Laurier and their Students’ Union. This report is a component of my communication efforts and it’s meant to be a comprehensive overview of what the past term has looked like for us.   I’d also like to note that I can’t believe we’re almost 2/3 through my term as President! It’s been quite the experience so far and I couldn’t be more happy with where we are today and all the great work that is to come in the Winter term. If you have any questions about the report, feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Other than that, I wish you all safe and happy holidays!  

Annie Constantinescu President/CEO Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union

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ORIENTATION WEEK IS A SEVEN DAY LONG EVENT THAT THIS SCHOOL PRIDES ITSELF ON. FROM THE INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES TO THE STUDENT SPIRIT, IT’S DEFINITELY A TIME WHERE IT’S TRULY GREAT TO BE A GOLDEN HAWK. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS THAT WE’D LIKE TO MENTION. ›❯  THIS YEAR WE HAD 2940 [WATERLOO] AND 675 [BRANTFORD] FIRST YEAR STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OWEEK. ›❯  THE PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT WORKED HARD TO COLLABORATE WITH CAMPUS PARTNERS AND ENSURE THAT AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT WAS AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS. THIS INCLUDED ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING FOR NIGHT TIME EVENTS AS WELL MORE DIVERSE MEAL OPTIONS FOR THOSE WITH DIETARY RESTRICTIONS. ›❯  THERE WAS A STRONG FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH THIS YEAR AS SHANE KOYCZAN, WELL KNOWN SPOKEN WORD POET, CONNECTED WITH STUDENTS THROUGH HIS POEMS ABOUT THE VARIETY OF STRUGGLES LIFE SOMETIMES OFFERS. ›❯  POPULAR SINGER LIGHTS HEADLINED AT BOTH CAMPUSES. ›❯  THIS YEAR WE ENDED UP RAISING OVER $170,000 FOR SHINERAMA ACROSS BOTH CAMPUSES. ›❯  CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GREEN AVIATORS [BRANTFORD] AND GOLD RANGERS [WATERLOO] FOR TAKING THE PRIZE OF TOP TEAM FOR O-WEEK 2014.

AMERICAN INDIETRONICA BAND FROM MASSACHUSETTS PERFORMS AT LAURIER. THE EVENT WAS HELD AT THE TURRET AND THE SHOW WAS SOLD OUT AT 570 PEOPLE.

AT THIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, THE DIRECTORS RECEIVED A PRESENTATION FROM CAMPUS PARTNER LSPIRG (LAURIER STUDENTS’ PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP) AS WELL AS A REPORT FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLY WEBSTER ABOUT THE OPERATIONS OF THE STUDENTS’ UNION.

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THE FIRST STATE OF THE UNION TAKES PLACE IN THE CONCOURSE IN WATERLOO. WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY STUDENT PUBLICATIONS WERE GREAT TO WORK WITH AS THEY USED THEIR CHANNELS TO BROADCAST THE EVENT AND ITS MESSAGES TO STUDENTS. THEY WERE ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN THE PUBLIC INTERVIEW PROCESS AS WLUSP ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UNION AS WELL AS BRINGING UP WHAT THEY’VE BEEN HEARING FROM STUDENTS.

AT THIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, THE DIRECTORS WERE PRESENTED WITH THE AUDITED STATEMENTS FOR THE 2012-2013 FISCAL YEAR. THE MONITORING REPORTS FOR EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS #2B (TREATMENT OF STAFF), #2C (COMPENSATION & BENEFITS), #2G (COMMUNICATION & SUPPORT TO THE BOARD) WERE PASSED.

WHO DOESN’T LOVE A DAY THAT IS SOLELY DEDICATED TO DRESSING UP IN PURPLE AND GOLD AND SHOWING AS MUCH GOLDEN HAWK SPIRIT AS POSSIBLE? THIS YEAR, HOMECOMING HOSTED OVER 10,000 STUDENTS, ALUMNI AND MEMBERS FROM THE LAURIER COMMUNITY WHO CHEERED ON LAURIER IN THEIR FOOTBALL GAME AGAINST WINDSOR. OUR HOSPITALITY SERVICES WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TAILGATE AT THE GAME AND HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL TURNOUT.

STUDENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME VISIT THE PAUL MARTIN CENTRE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 130+ CLUBS THAT LAURIER HAS TO OFFER.

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STUDENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME VISIT THE 22 CLUBS AND LEARN ABOUT HOW THEY CAN GET INVOLVED/START THEIR OWN.

IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO A TRIVIA NIGHT, YOU’LL KNOW HOW MUCH FUN (AND AT TIMES COMPETITIVE) THIS PROGRAM CAN BE! SO, IT ONLY MADE SENSE THAT WE’D TRY AND BRING IT TO THE BRANTFORD CAMPUS. THANKS TO GABY (AKA TRIVIA GUY) AND HIS ENTERTAINING PERSONALITY FOR A GREAT KICK OFF TO WHAT IS SURE TO BE A VERY POPULAR EVENT!

THE GRADUATE STUDENT ALLIANCE, THE STUDENTS’ UNION AND THE MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION GROUP HAVE BEEN COMBINING EFFORTS TO BRING STUDENTS AN ONLINE PLATFORM TO ENGAGE WITH WELLNESS/MENTAL HEALTH RELATED TOPICS. THE FACEBOOK PAGE LAUNCHED AT THE MENTAL HEALTH “LOVE MY LIFE” WALK AND IS CONTINUING TO PROVIDE CONTENT FOR STUDENTS THAT WILL SUPPORT AND EDUCATE.

THE FIRST STATE OF THE UNION TOOK PLACE IN THE RCW LOBBY IN BRANTFORD. SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN WATERLOO, WLUSP WAS A GREAT CAMPUS PARTNER TO WORK!

THE CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS DEPARTMENT GAVE CLUBS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE THE LAURIER EXPERIENCE. WITH THE HELP FROM THE STUDENT LIFE LEVY, THEY ASKED CLUBS TO CREATE A VIDEO BASED ON THEIR IDEA AND THE ONE WITH THE MOST VOTES WOULD WIN $5,000. THIS TERM, THE LAURIER MUSICAL THEATER CLUB WAS SUCCESSFUL, PULLING IN THE MOST VOTES. THIS INITIATIVE WILL REOCCUR NEXT TERM WHERE STUDENTS WILL VOTE FOR NEW IDEAS.

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ALTHOUGH IT WAS A BIT RAINY THIS YEAR, LAURIER BRANTFORD STUDENTS WERE STILL PROUDLY WEARING THEIR PURPLE AND GOLD AS THEY PARTICIPATED IN HOMECOMING 2013 AND CHEERED ON THE MEN’S HOCKEY TEAM WHEN THEY FACED THE WINDSOR LANCERS.

AT THIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, THE MONITORING REPORTS FOR EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS #2H (EXECUTIVE SUCCESSION) AND #2J (HIRING PRACTICES – UNPAID STAFF) WERE PASSED.

THIS TERM ANNIE HAD THE OPPORTUNTIY TO PARTICIPATE IN CONVOCATION AND SIT ON STAGE AS NEWLY-GRADUATED STUDENTS WALKED ACROSS. THIS EVENT CELEBRATES STUDENTS WHO HAVE WORKED TOWARDS THEIR DEGREE AT LAURIER AND ALTHOUGH WE’LL MISS THEM, WE WISH THEM ALL THE BEST AS THEY TAKE THEIR NEXT STEPS IN LIFE.

TONY LEE IS NO STRANGER TO THE LAURIER FAMILY. HIS HILARIOUS HYPNOSIS CONVINCES VOLUNTEERS TO PERFORM XXX RATED ACTS. THIS YEAR WE HAD 260 STUDENTS ENJOY WHAT WAS SURLY AN UNFORGETABLE SHOW.

AS THE TOPIC OF FALL READING DAYS BECAME MORE PROMINENT ON BOTH CAMPUSES, STUDENTS HAD A CHANCE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND VOICE THEIR CONCERNS REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FALL READING DAYS THROUGH AN ONLINE REDDIT AMA FORUM. THE MANAGEMENT TEAM WAS GATHERED TOGETHER AND WORKED ON ANSWERING EACH OF THE QUESTIONS TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE BOTH INFROMATIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE.

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THE ONTARO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ALLIANCE (OUSA) IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF THE UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE AT A GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL. THIS YEAR AT THE ANNUAL OUSA FALL GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE STUDENTS' UNIONS FROM VARIOUS ONTARIO UNIVERSITIES GATHERED TOGETHER AT WESTERN FOR A THREE DAY CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS, IMPROVE AND APPROVE THE OUSA POLICIES ON UNIVERSITY ACCESS, ANCILLARY FEES AND STUDENT SUCCESS. THE DELEGATES WHO ATTENDED FROM LAURIER WERE STRONG ADVOCATES FOR OUR UNDERGRADUATE CLASS.

BY WINNING THE STUDENT LIFE NETWORK CONTEST, NOT ONLY DID THE BENDS GET TO OPEN FOR LIGHTS DURING O-WEEK, BUT LAURIER ALSO WON A FREE DWW CONCERT! THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO VOTED IN THE SUMMER, ALLOWING US TO HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE EVENT! WE HAD 375 STUDENTS ATTEND THE EVENT.

AT THIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, THE DIRECTORS COMPLETED THE MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT AS WELL AS MAKING SOME POLICY CHANGES TO EXECUTIVE LIMITATION #2H AND BOARD MANAGEMENT DELEGATIONS #2D2.

AROUND A HUNDRED LAURIER GOLDEN HAWKS GATHERED TOGETHER IN THE COMMUNITY TO SHOW THEIR SCHOOL SPIRIT IN KW’S ANNUAL SANTA CLAUS PARADE (OBVIOSULY WHILE ROCKING SOME SERIOUS GOLD AND PURPLE SWAG).

TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO ALL OF THE FANTASTIC INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN CLUBS AND/OR ASSOCIATIONS, MEMBERS GOT TO ENJOY A RELAXING MORNING AND AFTERNOON IN THE TWITTER-THEMED TURRET WITH #WAFFLES #LOTSANDLOTSOFWAFFLES!

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AT THIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, THE DIRECTORS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO MAX BLOUW, PRESIDENT AND VICECHANCELLOR OF LAURIER, AS HE CAME IN AND PRESENTED ON THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE UNIVERSITY. THE BOARD THEN PASSED THE MONITORING REPORTS FOR EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS #2A (TREATMENT OF CONSUMER) AND #2F (ASSET PROTECTION)

LOOKS LIKE TODAY WAS A BUSY DAY IN NOVEMBER! FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD WEEK OF THIS MONTH, CLUBS COMPETED FOR THE ULTIMATE PRIZE OF $500 BY COLLECTING THE MOST AMOUNT OF FOOD FOR FOOD BANK’S CHRISTMAS DRIVE. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION FOR COLLECTING THE MOST AND CONTRIBUTING THE MOST TO THE OVERALL TOTAL OF 1,282 ITEMS DONATED.

FALL READING DAYS WAS PROPOSED AT THE WLU SENATE ON THIS EVENING AND WE’RE EXCITED THAT THE CONCEPT WAS PASSED AND A FALL BREAK WILL HAPPEN IN THE 2014/2015 ACADEMIC YEAR! SENATE ALSO VOTED ON THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR AND DECIDED THAT CLASSES WILL BE STARTING ON THE THURSDAY OF ORIENTATION WEEK. THE UNIVERSITY HAS NOT DECIDED ON THE SPECIFICS OF THE BREAK (LENGTH AND WHERE IT FALLS IN THE TERM) HOWEVER THAT WILL BE VOTED ON IN THE NEW YEAR.   I CAN’T BE GRATEFUL FOR FALL READING DAYS WITHOUT BEING GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO PUT IN COUNTLESS HOURS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. IF YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW CHRIS WALKER (STUDENT SENATOR) AND/OR STEPHEN FRANCHETTO (VP OF UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS FOR THE STUDENTS’ UNION) BE SURE TO THANK THEM. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT THE DEDICATION AND SUPPORT FROM THE STUDENTS’ UNION MANAGEMENT TEAM, THE STUDENT’S UNION FULL-TIME STAFF, THE DEANS OF STUDENTS FROM BOTH CAMPUSES, MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENT’S GROUP AND FACULTY/ STAFF WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING THIS A REALITY.

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STUDENTS’ UNION VOLUNTEERS WERE INVITED TO THE STUDENT CENTRE TO GRAB SOME YUMMY FOOD, PLAY SOME GAMES AND JUST RELAX AS A TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION FOR THEIR HARD WORK!

THE SANTA CLAUSE PARADE IN BRANTFORD ISN’T YOUR TYPICAL EVENT, MAINLY BECAUSE IT TAKES PLACE AT NIGHT. BRANTFORD STUDENTS HAD THEIR OWN FLOAT AND REPRESENTED LAURIER WHILE HAVING A BLAST IN THE COMMUNITY.

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CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS, LED BY VP SARAH BRADLEY, CONTINUES TO WORK HARD IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT ALL GROUPS ARE PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND ARE SET UP FOR SUCCESS DURING THEIR YEAR. THIS YEAR WE HAVE 21 CLUBS ON THE BRANTFORD CAMPUS AND 148 CLUBS ON THE WATERLOO CAMPUS. ALTHOUGH CLUBS ARE FAIRLY AUTONOMOUS, WE ARE WORKING TO HELP CICDA AND FOSSA ADVOCATE FOR MORE CLUB SPACE TO THE UNIVERSITY.

IT’S BEEN A BUSY COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR THE UNVIERSITY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. THIS TERM, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF VP STEPHEN FRANCHETTO THEY FOCUSED ON THE FOLLOWING: ›❯  FALL READING DAYS – WORKING WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND ALSO BALANCING THAT WITH OUTREACH (DIGITAL AND IN-PERSON TO STUDENTS). THROUGHOUT THE PROCESSES, WE HOSTED 5 INFORMATION SESSIONS ACROSS BOTH CAMPUSES AS WELL AS AN ONLINE REDDIT ASK ME ANYTHING. WE WERE VERY ADAMENT ON POSTING INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE ABOUT THE PROCESS AND ANY NEW INFORMATION THAT WAS OBTAINED. ›❯  IBM – PRESENTED TO THEM ON THE VISION FOR NORTHDALE AS PART OF THE SMARTER CITIES CHALLENGE ›❯  OUSA - HOSTED AN OUSA CAMPUS VISIT AND MET WITH SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS ›❯  LAUNCHED FML (FIX MY LAURIER) BRANTFORD ›❯  STUDY SPACE – COLLECTED RESEARCH AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO LOOK INTO STUDENT PRIORITIES ›❯  CONDUCTED LOBBY MEETINGS WITH LOCAL MPS AND MPPS ›❯  SUPPORTED VOLUNTEERS IN INITIATING 5 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY PROJECTS ON ISSUES INCLUDING: OSAP, ABORIGINAL STUDENTS, STUDENT DEBT, TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THE FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENT GPAS     THIS DEPARTMENT, LED BY VP LAURA CURK, HAS BEEN TIRELESSLY WORKING TO ENSURE THAT STUDENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMMING PROPERLY SERVCES THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF STUDENTS. WE HAVE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN USAGE IN OUR MAIN SERVICES (ERT, FOOT PATROL, PEER HELP LINE AND FOOD BANK) AND SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS 50-60% WHEN COMPARED TO LAST YEARS NUMBERS. WE HAVE BEEN INNOVATIVE WITH THE SERVICES WE ARE PROVIDING AND THE RESOURCES WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING UP WITH STUDENT TRENDS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST SOME GREAT AND ENGAGING PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE PASSION PIT CONCERT, THE TONY LEE SHOW AND THE FREE DOWN WITH WEBSTER CONCERT.

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SETH WARREN (VP OF FINANCE AND ADMIN) AND HIS DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN WORKING NON-STOP TO IMPROVE OUR CURRENT PROCEDUES AND PROCESSES WHEN IT COMES TO HIRING, BUDGETING AND EVALUATIONS. BELOW ARE SOME OF THE MORE SPECIFIC INITIATIVES THE DEPARTMENT’S BEEN INVOLVED WITH: ›❯  WORKING ON CREATING A TRANSITION PLAN WHERE THE OUTGOING MANAGEMENT TEAM OVERLAPS WITH THE INCOMING MANAGEMENT TEAM ›❯  IMPLEMENTED A LEAVE OF ABSENCE PROGRAM TO BETTER SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS ›❯  DEVELOPED NEW PRINCIPLES FOR VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION ›❯  IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND FEEDBACK SYSTEMS TO MAKE THEM MORE WHOLISTIC IN NATURE ›❯  IMPLEMENTED A NEW HIRING WEBSITE WHICH INCLUDES FUNCTIONALITY LIKE PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS, CONTRACTS AND TYPED INTERVIEW RESPONSES TO ENHANCE FEEDBACK CAPABILITY ›❯  CREATED A BUDGET TRACKER THAT HELPS MEMBERS OF THE UNION KEEP TRACK OF THEIR FINANCES AND CAN PROPERLY REPRESENT DEMAND FOR EXPENSES ›❯  CURRENTLY WORKING ON A NEW SYSTEM FOR BRANTFORD ICEBREAKER HIRING WHICH MODELS AN INTERACTIVE CAROUSEL SYSTEM   FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN’T HAD THE PLEASURE TO VISIT THE BRANTFORD CAMPUS, I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU GO! THE STUDENT LIFE AND UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE THERE IS SO UNIQUE AND AMAZING THAT IT’S TRULY BEEN A PHENOMENAL PAST FEW MONTHS LEARNING MORE AND ENAGING WITH IT. BRE CARNES, THE VP OF BRANTFORD OPERATIONS AND THE THREE AVPS (MIKE PARSONS, MEAGAN NORONHA AND ALICIA APPLEBY) ON THAT CAMPUS HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES AND PROVIDE MAXIMUM VALUE FOR STUDENTS. BELOW ARE SOME OF THE MAIN INITIATIVES WE HAVE WORKED ON: ›❯  WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE UNIVERSITY IN ASSISTING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DIGITAL LIBRARY AND LEARNING COMMONS ›❯  A FOOD SERVICES PLAN WAS STARTED THIS YEAR ON THE BRANTFORD CAMPUS. IT IS A VOLUNTARY PLAN WHERE STUDENTS CAN PUT MONEY ON THEIR ONECARD AND USE IT AT SPECIFIC LOCATIONS AROUND BRANTFORD. ›❯  WE HAVE BEGUN DISCUSSIONS WITH BRANTFORD TRANSIT TO RENEW THE UPASS AGREEMENT. AT THIS TIME WE ARE HOPING TO BRING FORWARD SUMMER USE AS AN OPTION. ›❯  THE YMCA GIFT AGREEMENT IS ALMOST COMPLETE ›❯  WE PLAYED A LARGER PART IN HEADSTART THIS YEAR AND HELPED WITH THE PROGRAMMING THROUGHOUT THE DAY ›❯  WE HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH CONESTOGA, NIPISSING AND MOHAWK AND THE CITY OF BRANTFORD ›❯  OVERALL WE HAVE HAD AN INCREASED NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS

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WILFS RESTAURANT AND BAR AS WELL AS THE TURRET ARE TWO OF OUR OPERATIONAL FOCUSES AS THEY ARE SPACES THAT STUDENTS ENGAGE WITH IN MANY DIFFERENT CONTEXTS. THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF JEYAS BALASKANTHAN AND HIS TEAM, THESE VENUES ARE QUITE WELL KNOWN IN STUDENT LIFE. BELOW ARE SOME OF THE STATS WE’VE GATHERED ABOUT WILFS AND THE TURRET FOR THE FALL TERM! WILFS RESTAURANT AND BAR HAS SERVED OVER 40,000 CUSTOMERS SINCE OPENING DAY ON SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2013. WE’VE ALSO GATHERED THE NUMBERS ON SOME OF THE ITEMS SOLD FROM OPENING DAY UNTILL NOW: SPIN DIP SEAGRAM WRAPS ANNIE WAY YOU WANT IT QUESASADILLA GRILLED CHEESE HAWKER UNION BURGER

6352 11097 1305 1467 1768 1861

WILFS AND THE TURRET HAVE ALSO BEEN MAINTAINING GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH SPONSORS AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE SOME GREAT PROMOTIONS FOR STUDENTS INCLUDING: 1)  PAIR OF TICKETS TO WINTER CLASSIC 2)  BUDWEISER CROWN GIVE AWAY WITH MARSHAL FRIDGE 3)  TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS TICKETS GIVEAWA 4)  SAPORO SPEAKER GIVE AWAY 5)  STEAM WHISTLE STEIN PROMOTION 6)  BUDWEISER COUCH GIVE AWAY 7)  BUDWEISER SPEAKER GIVE AWAY 8)  BRICK BREWERY FRIDGE GIVE AWAY 9)  MOLSON CONCERT TICKETS FOR ERIC CHURCH 10) ALEXANDER KEITHS FRIDGE GIVE AWAY 11) KITCHENER RANGERS TICKETS GIVE AWAY 12) CARLSBERG PREMIERE LEAGUE SOCCER PROMOTIONS 13) BUDWEISER FRIDGE GIVE AWAY THE TURRET CONTINUES TO OFFER AN EXCEPTIONAL NIGHT LIFE EXPERIENCE THROUGH ITS MANY PROGRAMS SUCH AS SAT[TURR]DAY NIGHTS AND TURRET ALL AGES NIGHTS. THEY STRIVE TO CREATE FUN ENVIRONMENTS WHILE ENSURING THAT ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE ATTENDING ARE IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT.

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7 MONTHS AGO, THE STUDNETS OF WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY VOTED ME INTO OFFICE BASED ON A PLATFORM WHERE I MADE PROMISES REGARDING COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION AND CAMPUS EXPERIENCE. TO ENSURE THAT I MAINTAIN ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE STUDENTS, I HAVE INCLUDED A PLATFORM UPDATE TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THE PROMISES I MADE.

1)  Hold regular union updates to communicate the progress of your students' union as well as answer questions from students in a public forum setting.

DONE  

THE STATE OF THE UNION EVENT HAPPENS ONCE A TERM FOR BOTH CAMPUSES (EITHER ONLINE OR IN-PERSON).

2)  Together with union updates, the students' union will provide easily accessible and understandable updates for the student body that outlines their actions, plans and progress.

ON   GOING  

THE STUDENTS’ UNION WEBSITE IS CONSTANTLY UPDATED TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ARE AWARE OF UNION INITIATIVES AND EVENTS.

3)  Laurier's its department, with support from the students' union, are in the early stages of developing a comprehensive mobile application. I plan on helping to make this a strong multi-campus resource by contributing student feedback and staff support.

ON   GOING  

ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A GREAT AMOUNT OF PROGRESSION IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, THE UNIVERSITY ITS DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY INVESTING ALL OF ITS RESOURCES INTO REDEVELOPING THE WLU.CA WEBSITE. AFTER THIS WEB PLATFORM IS COMPLETE, A MOBILE APP WILL HAVE MANY MORE INTEGRATION OPPORTUNITIES. THE NEW WEBSITE IS SET TO LAUNCH IN SEPTEMBER 2014.

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1)  RESIDENCE LIFE - Work together to enhance the first year experience by sharing resources and taking on projects that provide significant value to students.

ON   GOING  

IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE WORKING WITH RESIDENCE LIFE ON VARIOUS INITIAITVES OVER THESE PAST FEW MONTHS. THEY ARE ENGAGED STUDENT PARTNERS THAT ARE COMMITTED TO LEVERAGING OUR TWO GROUPS TO ENHANCE THE VALUE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS. WHETHER ITS THROUGH PLANNING ORIENTATION WEEK OR DISCUSSING VOLUNTEER FEEDBACK TOOLS, THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT RESOURCE AND A VALUED CAMPUS PARTNER.

2)  STUDENT PUBLICATIONS - Work together with Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications to make use of their channels of communication to inform students of the efforts of the Union.

ON   GOING  

THE STUDENTS’ UNION AND WLUSP HAVE HAD MANY INTERACTIONS THIS YEAR THAT FOCUS ON PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH AS MUCH ACCURATE INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE. THEY WERE ALSO GREAT TO WORK WITH AS THEY SUPPORTED THE FIRST STATE OF THE UNION ON BOTH CAMPUSES EARLIER IN THE TERM.

3)  STUDENT SERVICES - Help support a unanimous culture of equality and support on all campuses by providing Diversity and Equity training to all Students' Union employees and volunteers.

ON   GOING  

WE HAD STUDENT SERVICES VERY ENGAGED IN THE TRIANING OF OUR ORIENTATION WEEK VOLUNTEERS AND WE ARE NOW LOOKING TO INVOLVE THEM IN A WINTER REVIVAL PROGRAM.

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1)  ORIENTATION WEEK - Work with Orientation Week leaders to strategize a week that showcases a more realistic portrayal of what a student will experience in their first year.

DONE  

THIS YEAR WE STARTED THE PROGRAM CALLED “LAURIENTATION”. IT CONSISTED OF VARIOUS SESSIONS THAT STUDENTS CAN ATTEND THAT WOULD INFORM THEM OF THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM TO SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS IN THEIR FIRST YEAR. THESE WERE MODELED AFTER PROGRAMS BRANTFORD HAD ALREADY IMPLEMENTED IN THEIR ORIENTATION WEEK.

2)  MENTAL HEALTH - Furthering the great work that former Students' Union President Michael Onabolu and his administration achieved relating to mental health awareness on our campus by seeking out ways to provide students with access to the best care and information available.

ON   GOING  

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF MAJOR INITIAITVES THAT WE’VE WORKED ON THIS YEAR THAT TIE INTO WELLNESS AT LAURIER. 1)  THE WELLNESS HUB – WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH STUDENT AFFAIRS AND THE GRADUATE STUDENT ALLIANCE, WE WERE ABLE TO CREATE AN ONLINE PLATFORM FOR STUDENTS TO INTERACT WITH ABOUT WELLNESS TOPICS. 2)  THE WELLNESS INITIATIVE – A COMMITTEE OF UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING AT CREATING A WELLNESS STRATEGY FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERISTY (INTEGRATING ALL OF OUR SERVICES TO BETTER SUPPORT STUDENTS) 3)  VOLUNTEER TRAINING – WE ARE CURRENTLY DISCUSSING ENANCING TRAINING FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS TO INCLUDE SAFETALK (SUICIDE PREVENTION)

3)  STUDENT SERVICES - Utilize campus study spaces effectively and create alternative locations that can remedy the student demand.

ON   GOING  

APART FROM THE RENOVATIONS TO SOME MAJOR STUDENT SPACES OVER THE SUMMER (SCIENCE ATRIUM, DAWB BUILDING, 24 LOUNGE), WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF ANALYZING ALL STUDENT SPACE ON CAMPUS. WE ARE WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH STUDENT AFFAIRS TO CREATE A STUDY SPCE GUIDE FOR ALL LAURIER STUDENTS FOR NEXT TERM.

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Before concluding this report, I would like to give thanks to the wonderful team that I have the opportunity to work with everyday. If it wasn’t for their passion and dedication, all of these amazing strides in student experience wouldn’t be possible. I’d also like to thank you Laurier. First of all, thanks for reading through this document and I hope you learned a little more about the Students’ Union and what it provides for students. I’d also like to thank you again for this wonderful opportunity to be your President. Although we’ve passed the halfway point and elections are just on the horizon, I promise to be the best student representative I can be and continue to improve student life until my last minute in office.