The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) executive team made a number of promises to the student body in their campaign last year. Here’s how CUSA’s team has performed.
Have you improved the student hiring process?
According to Golovko, student employment has increased extensively in the past eight months in contrast to the past years.
“There has been an increase in student jobs by 10 per cent and a 400 per cent increase in jobs for international students. Obviously I take a lot of pride in this being an international student myself,” Golovko said.
Verdict: Yes
Have you implemented a fall reading week?
“The fall reading week initiative has definitely been one of the major projects of my office specifically,” Golovko said of the highly anticipated promise.
Although Golovko said the process was very prolonged, all the arrows are pointing towards a successful implementation of a fall break in October 2013.
“I am really hoping once it is implemented it will result in better mental health for students and their abilities to fulfill their other commitments, like working on the side,” Golovko said.
CUSA has been lobbying university administration, members of Senate as well as professors and students to implement a fall reading week. A final decision will to be made by the university’s Senate on Jan. 25.
Verdict: In progress
Have you made student businesses more profitable?
“All of our businesses are well-off and healthy for the first time in many, many years,” Golovko said.
Rod Castro, the CUSA business operations manager said Oliver’s Pub, convenience story Henry’s, and Rooster’s Coffeehouse are “exceeding budget expectations” on net income.
“Oliver’s has had financial troubles in the past number of years, but the implementation of student jobs, the revamp of the menu and very thorough management of the bar itself has allowed us to turn things around,” Golovko said.
Oliver’s has seen a sales increase of just under 20 per cent, according to Castro.
Verdict: Yes
Have you improved access to clubs and societies funding?
Golovko said CUSA has improved access and funding to societies and clubs, which is important because there is a record amount of clubs registered with CUSA in their 70 year history.
For the first time in CUSA’s history, organizations received summer funding.
“Having a clubs and societies background myself, it was very important for us to improve in this area,” Golovko said.
Overall, the funding for the fall and winter semester has been simplified and increased by 58 per cent from last year, according to Golovko.
Verdict: Yes
Have you established free bookings for student spaces?
Golovko says CUSA is still in the process of discussing free space booking with university administration but CUSA has secured equipment for clubs and societies.
“As of Jan. 1, CUSA has signed an agreement with the university where CUSA assumes the costs of any projector or other equipment free of charge for our clubs, societies, and service centres,” Golovko said.
Verdict: No
Have you acquired a U-Pass opt-out option for students who live in rural areas or have a parking pass?
Vice-president (student issues) Hayley Dobson said CUSA negotiated an opt-out option for students living in rural areas.
Acquiring an opt-out for students with a parking pass did not prove as successful.
“I met with OC Transpo a few times this semester, and we were looking to get an opt-out for parking pass students, but right now it’s not looking like it’s something they’re willing to do,” Dobson said.
Verdict: No
Get a U-Pass opt-in option for special students and part-time students?
“This is not something that has been accomplished yet. OC Transpo has told me there needs to be extensive research done,” Dobson said.
Dobson said if an opt-in is provided, then it is likely the cost of the U-Pass will go up.
Because CUSA has signed a contract until July 2014, a new contract would have to be negotiated.
Verdict: No
Have you improved sexual assault support services and awareness on campus?
“We did the Consent is Sexy Week with the Womyn’s Centre and community partners like people from Ottawa U who are with the city,” Dobson said.
CUSA also has a seat on the Sexual Assault Services Advisory Committee on campus. This year, Dobson said CUSA adopted the Draw the Line Campaign – a poster campaign that challenges people to define when incidents should be reported.
“We also played a role in the making of the PSAs for consent and alcohol, which came out in September,” Dobson said.
Verdict: Undecided
Overall:
CUSA’s executive team has managed to keep many of its promises. Others, like the U-Pass opt-out for students with parking passes have proven to be more elusive. But executives have managed to get other concessions, like free projector rentals from the university. We will follow the team’s progress in the remaining months to see how they perform with their ongoing reading break negotiations and other initiatives.
