The virtual Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) council meeting on July 30 focused primarily on campus life and programming amidst the pandemic, with a handful of announcements regarding the specifics of upcoming events and infrastructural projects.
Programming and engagement
With little over a month until students return to class, CUSA posted the program schedule for its first-ever online-only fall orientation and is continuing to plan for a semester of blended student programming.
During the fall semester, vice-president (student life) Osman Elmi planned a handful of new bi-weekly programs: Game Night Tuesdays, Wellness Wednesdays, Drive-In Tuesdays (on-campus), and First Year Fridays. Programs will be a blend of virtual and in-person activities.
“First years will feel isolated and they might be separated, so we want to have something that is for them whether you’re virtual, in another country or if you’re on res,” Elmi said.
In June, Carleton’s student organizations banned together to form CUx, a committee to address some of the gaps in programming at Carleton especially regarding marginalized communities, vice president (student issues) Tinu Akinwande said.
CUxhopes to build an intentional and sustainable program for students as we navigate the realities of COVID-19. Members of CUx include Student Experience Office, International Student Services Office, Sprott Business Students’ Society, Residence, Rideau River Residence Association, Student Affairs and various University administrators.
President Kathleen Weary stated in an email to the Charlatan, “With the new realities of COVID, all campus groups that focus on programming and student life have come together to coordinate efforts and create meaningful community.”
Other plans to promote student engagement include a virtual art show in collaboration with the Carleton University Art Gallery, a Start-Up Fest to learn about and support local entrepreneurs, and hiring paid CUSA brand ambassadors to promote the association, with details to be released in the near future.
All councillors made it clear that finding alternatives to regular student events and activities is a priority for them. They said their focus was on creating meaningful online programming for domestic and international students alike. Council did not specify the details of these plans.
Infrastructural changes
Vice-president (finance) Jacob Howell and Weary are working towards washroom renovations, specifically in the University Centre and Mackenzie Building. They have also solidified plans to ensure accessible gender-inclusive washrooms across campus.
“We successfully achieved an agreement [with Carleton Administration] to get a gender-inclusive washroom in every building … by the end of 2020, so that’s a nice win,” Weary said. “[We’ve also agreed on] updated signage to ensure all single-stall washrooms are gender-inclusive.”
CUSA-run Haven Books & Café has reopened with the introduction of ice cream to its menu. Plans are still being put forward to revamp Haven by diversifying their programming or including sustainable retail. Howell mentioned a few ideas, but nothing is yet secured.
On-campus businesses like Ollie’s and Rooster’s will be transitioning to a delivery service, and Howell said that council is working towards compressing the businesses into one kitchen to cut operating costs.
“At this point, we are only going to begin consultation seeing that students seem to want this kind of building, seeing if they want to put our time towards creating a student space, creating more jobs on campus, and all those good things,” Howell said.
In his statement, Howell also denied allegations of interference with recent RRRA elections.
“As much as I think I’m a smart guy, I don’t think I’m smart enough to hack Facebook’s spam algorithm,, so while I’m flattered that some had belief in my abilities, I’d be working for them instead of CUSA if I could,” Howell said.
Student finances
In his summary report, undergraduate student governor Nathaniel Black said that he agrees with many that tuition should be decreased if the university decides to remain online in the winter.
“I will continue to push the Board of Governors (BoG) toward a reduced fee operating capacity by emphasizing the use of auxiliary funds toward this purpose. I understand that many students are experiencing financial hardship and do not wish to incur additional debt only for an online learning experience,” he said.
The council meeting also included a motion to begin the Student Issues Action Committee, which will act as an advisory committee to the council to address issues concerning housing, tuition increases and other social concerns. The committee will present their findings to CUSA executive members and Akinwande will sit as chair. The frequency of the presentations was not specified by council.
Anti-racism
Anti-racism was mentioned several times throughout the meeting. Akinwande attended the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS)’ Ontario general meeting in April, during which a potential new petition was suggested by the Black Student Alliance at Guelph University. The petition would advocate holding universities accountable to the concerns of BIPOC students by providing all new students with anti-racism training.
Black also outlined an anti-racism motion that he put forward to the Board of Governors. The motion includes collecting more race-based data, specific academic mentorship and bursary opportunities for marginalized students, and the adoption of inclusionary models of outreach.
The councillors did not mention any actions that have already been taken by the university, nor did they propose specific action to combat racism at Carleton.
Featured image by Laura Blanchette.
