DSU Supports Shinerama!

As I am sure that you are aware the student council at Carleton University passed a motion on November 24th stating that they would no longer be supporting Shinerama.

For the wording of the motion please click here.

Personally I was shocked to hear that their council could pass such a motion on information that was untrue.

Myself, other executives, councilors, and students all wanted to make it very clear to the CUSA's student council that we did not support their decision and to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation that the DSU will continue to support Cystic Fibrosis research now and in the future.

Myself and the DSU's Shinerama Director wrote a letter to the CUSA council via their President stating that we are deeply disappointed with their council's most recent motion and that we hope that they will reconsider their decision. And we also wrote a letter to the CCFF stating that Dalhousie students have been very proud to have been involved in Shinerama for the past 43 years and for raising over $700,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research and will continue to be involved in the Shinerama campaign.

On November 26th the Metro newspaper here in Halfiax did a story on the events that had taken place at Carleton University. I was interviewed on November 25th for my comment on the event:

'Dalhousie Student Union president Courtney Larkin said she was “surprised” to hear of the Carleton decision, but Dal won’t be following suit.

“I think the Shinerama team does a really good job letting students know how this could affect you, that it could be a classmate or a friend,” Larkin said.'

For the full article please click here.

Our Shinerama Director was also on Global news last night giving his statements around how we are disappointed that their council has passed a motion on untrue information and that we will not be following suit.

Attention on students at Board of Governors

Monday November 24th at 8:00am the Dalhousie Board of Governors met.

The topic that took a great portion of focus at the meeting was around students and their experience while at Dalhousie University.

The Student Experience Committee (of which I am a member of) announced that for their annual meeting with students they would be focusing on athletes - meeting date to be determined.

Another key student focused area was around traditions that are a part of the Dalhousie experience. The Student Experience Committee will be working with both members of the University and students to determine what are classified as Dalhousie traditions and how to improve them for the future.

There was also discussion around student engagement and how the University can best go about engaging their students.

Of course there were other items on the Board's agenda but I felt that it is important to mention that students are currently being discussed and that the Board has a great interest in the experience that Dalhousie students have.

Maritime Executive Meeting

Last Friday, November 21st, several student unions/associations made plans to meet at Acadia University to take part in the second maritime executive meeting this year (the first meeting with held in July in Prince Edward Island). 

Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate and executives from both Saint Mary's University and St. Francis Xavier University were unable to attend the meeting. However, members from Dalhousie University, Acadia University, and the University of Prince Edward Island did attend the meeting.

There were several productive conversations that took place at the meeting. However, due to the size difference in schools and the complexity in the governance and operations of the DSU it is my recommendation that for future meetings of student union/association executives that the DSU find a union that has a similar size and model to meet with to discuss ideas.

WUSC Wine & Cheese

Tonight the Dalhousie division of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) held a wine and cheese event at the Gradhouse. 

The purpose of the event was to bring people together who are involved with WUSC at Dalhousie and to say thank you to everyone for being part of a wonderful initiative.

I attended the event along with a few other DSU Executives. I really enjoy being able to go to events where students are celebrating the successes that they have accomplished. The host of the event was also superb at greeting everyone and providing information about WUSC as well. And I am very pleased to hear that it is anticipated that WUSC will be able to bring 3 students to Dalhousie next year (currently this year there are 2 refugee students that have come to Dalhousie through WUSC).

For more information about WUSC please visit their website.