Upcoming elections, an increase in money for student awards and sexual violence prevention measures were discussed at a Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) 20-minute virtual meeting on Dec. 8.
The short meeting contained a single motion and featured quick updates from the three executives. Vice president (administration) Mira Gillis said the chief and deputy electoral officers would be hired during the winter break.
RRRA voted to increase the number of bursaries it can give to students. A council-appointed awards board could previously give out three bursaries worth $300 each, according to RRRA policy VII.
As RRRA’s tentative budget allocated $5,000 to financial aid, council voted to remove the limit on how many bursaries the RRRA awards board would be able to administer.
Policy VII also dictates the council’s awards board must be struck by Jan. 1 each year and must consist of six members including the vice president (administration), three councillors and two students in residence. Members of the awards board may not apply for RRRA financial awards.
President Sami Islam said he met with Housing and Residence Life Services director Laura Storey to discuss upgrading the flip phones carried by on-call residence fellows to technology better suited for text messaging. Islam said the upgrade would make contacting residence fellows more accessible for vulnerable residents.
“The idea behind [phone upgrades] is around prevention of sexual violence, particularly for vulnerable people who want to connect with an on-call residence fellow but can’t get in touch with them because they might be in close proximity to someone that’s dangerous,” Islam said.
RRRA has not yet scheduled its next meeting.
Featured graphic by Sierra Mclean.
