It’s that time of year again. The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) executives have reached the middle of their term, and the Charlatan reviewed all the work they have done so far.
Has the “A Better Carleton” slate kept their promises? Read on for which promises were kept, which ones are underway, and which ones have fallen short.
PROMISE: A faster opt-out process from the health, dental, and accident plan.
YES: CUSA made it a goal to ease the opt-out process from their health plan for students who already have external health coverage.
Over the course of the summer, CUSA reformed the way money is refunded to students who choose to opt-out of the health plan, according to CUSA president Folarin Odunayo.
Previously, students had to pick up a cheque from the CUSA to get their money refunded.
“What it looks like now, you contact the provider and provide some proofs of coverage, and then the funds are credited back to your student account,” Odunayo said. “The process is done so much quicker.”
PROMISE: The formation of a work-study program at CUSA.
NO: CUSA promised to dedicate a certain portion of jobs offered by the association to students who are in financial need. The students would apply through the university’s work-study program.
“The actual framework of this program is completed, but we haven’t launched it yet because one of the most significant aspects of the program is getting in touch with the union,” Odunayo said.
“Our union negotiations took place on the last week of August, and September rolled about and we were preoccupied with frosh and other things.”
Odunayo said CUSA is considering launching the program in the month of January.
PROMISE: Creation of storage space for clubs and societies.
YES: CUSA promised to allocate separate storage space for clubs and societies on campus free of charge.
“We were able to allocate storage for up to 50 clubs, and it is first come first serve and clubs do not have to pay for it,” Odunayo said. “Clubs executives are excited to have a place to store their stuff.”
PROMISE: The establishment of a Greyhound and VIA Rail student box office.
NO: CUSA promised to dedicate a separate box office in their office for students who wanted to purchase Greyhound and VIA rail tickets on campus.
“This is something that we were not able to do,” Odunayo said. “It’s a licensing issue with Greyhound and VIA Rail.”
According to Odunayo, because there is already a point of sales location on campus for Greyhound and VIA Rail tickets through the Rideau River Residence Association, the companies were unwilling to license CUSA to sell the tickets as well.
PROMISE: The establishment of a fresh-food market in Henry’s Convenience Store.
NO: CUSA wanted to establish a fresh food market within Henry’s where students could purchase fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables all year.
Although the association has taken steps towards this goal by offering Fresh-Food sandwiches in Henry’s, Odunayo said establishing a grocery store in Henry’s is a long-term goal.
“We haven’t fully established a fresh food market but it is something that we are working towards in the coming years.”
PROMISE: The elimination of ATM fees from all CUSA businesses.
YES: CUSA promised to eliminate ATM fees from all their businesses on campus.
“It is one of the first things that have been done in office,” Odunayo said. “You get to save that $1.50 and it feels nice.”
