Carleton undergraduate students have a significant advantage in their access to valuable resources and services on campus. From academic support to navigating how to manage a healthy lifestyle, Carleton students have the tools they need to succeed in their studies right here on campus. While these tools are accessible, many are widely underused by the undergraduate population.
Every year, Carleton students pay a levy of $1.16 to support the vital work of the Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG). Despite this financial contribution, a majority of students remain unaware of how CASG can provide them with opportunities for success.
The most underused CASG resource is the 15 scholarships that are available in the winter semester, ranging from $500 to $1,000. CASG offers two categories of scholarships: academic scholarships and community scholarships.
A committee comprised of CASG councillors award the scholarships based on a set of criteria and the applications submitted by students. In recent years, applications have been minimal and the funds allotted to the scholarships often go unclaimed. This lack of applications suggests that students are missing a major opportunity to relieve themselves of some financial stress.
CASG exists as a collective voice for students in their academic advancement. Supported by a council of students who represent all departments across Carleton’s five faculties, CASG’s aim is to facilitate the growth of a positive academic culture within our community.
Most years, CASG sees many vacancies in departmental representative seats, with some departments being partially represented or not represented at all. In order to be most effective, CASG would benefit by operating its council at full strength with as many motivated and hardworking department representatives as possible.
One of the most recent accomplishments of the CASG council was its collaboration with the university senate to establish a policy that mandates the release of course outlines to students one week before classes begin each semester. This change is significant and positively affects students across all faculties. Additionally, CASG worked in tandem with OurTurn Carleton and university administration to include accommodations for survivors of sexual violence in all course outlines, starting this month.
Aside from being a student voice in the faculties and at the administrative level, CASG supports other student groups on campus through sponsorship and funding.
For many years, CASG has operated an Academic Initiative Fund (AIF) that provides financial support to student societies and clubs who are hosting academic-oriented events and programming for the students they represent. Twice a year, student groups have a chance to receive an average of $500 to host their events and promote their group.
One of CASG’s more recent endeavours in this area has been to sponsor student groups in acquiring materials that are necessary to promote the group’s brand, such as banners, event awards and other advertising materials.
This year, CASG is emphasizing the need to expand its reach and engage with as many students on campus as possible. CASG is aware that there is a lot of work needed to reach the point where there is no longer a surplus of leftover resources, but rather a system in which a maximal number of students are effectively supported.
