Environmentally Friendly Packaging

This year one of my goals (#3 in fact) is to move the DSU into providing more sustainable packaging through our food service providers.

Last year Sodexho switched from using the plastic take away containers to using recyclable containers. This year I have worked with the Grawood kitchen and now the Grawood is proud to announce that they too have switched from using the plastic take away containers to using the recyclable ones. It should also be noted that the liners in the take away containers (checkered paper) is also recyclable.

The next step that I am working on is to replace the plastic utensils being used by both Sodexho (the Grill and Tim Hortons) and the Grawood to recyclable ones. There is a product out now that we could switch to and both groups are looking into it.

Sodexho is also looking into having sustainable cups being introduced to Booster Juice - this change is expected to happen in the next few months.

If there are other sustainable steps that you would like to see the DSU take in terms of environmentally friendly packaging please let me know and I will make sure to pass along your concerns. 

Looking Fabulous!

On Thursday I had a meeting with the University's Career Services Center to which they announced that they were hosting..... What Not To Wear (the Dalhousie version) and that they would like for me to be one of four panel judges in selecting which students will receive the makeover. Seeing as how I think that this is a great opportunity for students, it's fun, and I love the actual show I agreed to be a part of it.

All Dalhousie students are eligible to enter the contest - http://careerservicescentre.dal.ca/default.asp?mn=1.13.1212 - and the winners (four students) will receive a $500 makeover.
The purpose of the contest is to bring awareness to students about what is appropriate to wear in the workplace.

The reveal of the makeovers is taking place on November 6th.

Check out the website link above for more information on the event.

Campus Master Plan

So in case you have been living under a rock... the University has embarked on a Campus Master Plan and is currently in the consultation process (this has been going on for about 6 months and will continue for about a year).

I have been very involved in the process so far - I sit on the Steering Committee (which means I helped in interviewing the consultant firms, I assist in consultations, and I bring forward student concerns at the highest level).

The consultants have been doing a great job at reaching out to all of the different groups on campus, from university administration, to faculty, to societies, DSU executives, residence students, and more.

Last Tuesday the DSU hosted our Fall Imagine event (the event in the Fall where we meet with students and get their feedback on a top topic) and we gathered information from students - despite the turnout of approximately 40 people there were great conversations and people really started to think about what they wanted their campus to be.

We have also placed a gigantic slice of paper on the wall by Tim Horton's in the SUB for students to write down what they feel their campus needs.

Overall there is a lot of buzz and conversation happening about this Campus Master Plan. But at the end of the day not all 16,500 students (yes, our enrollment has gone up!) will have time to go to a meeting for 2 hours to discuss this, and some may never enter the SUB. So how will we ever hear what those students want? Simple - Dr. Bonnie Neuman (VP Student Services for the University) has created an email address that you can simply email your comment or idea to and it will all be brought to the consultants.

campusexperience@dal.ca

So please - think of the future - think of what would make your experience better - and tell us!!!

So Let's Hear What You Want Them To Do About PSE!

I decided to post the press releases that have been put out (from DSU and CASA) around post secondary education (PSE) and the federal election because I want students to know what we have heard so far.

Obviously there is more that can be done for PSE in terms of accessibility, funding, etc. (to check out what I mean please go to the CASA website - www.casa.ca)

The DSU will be hosting a Halifax Riding - Federal Candidates Debate on October 6 from 7:00pm-8:30pm in the McInnes Room of the Student Union Building.

So please come out and find out what your potential Halifax MP plans to do about your future!