The first few weeks of university can be confusing enough without having to keep track of student politics. Here’s a quick refresher on Carleton’s four major student governing bodies and what their goals are for the upcoming academic year.
CUSA
Who are they? The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) is an organization representing undergraduate students. CUSA is made up of six elected executives who are responsible for different aspects of student life, ranging from student issues to community engagement.
What do they do? On top of representing undergraduate students, CUSA runs nine service centres, including the Womxn’s Centre, Food Centre, and the Mawandoseg Centre. They manage clubs and societies on campus and four businesses: Ollie’s, Rooster’s Coffeehouse, Haven Books and Café, and The Wing.
What did I miss? Last year, CUSA came under fire for a voting rule which didn’t allow students who weren’t opted-in to CUSA fees to vote. CUSA ultimately overturned the decision, but still faced heat over slate systems in the elections. Over the summer, two CUSA executives were accused of violating RRRA’s electoral code by volunteering to help a RRRA candidate.
What are their goals for this year? On top of CUSA’s collective goals, each executive is responsible for individual goals under their portfolios. These include gender-inclusive washrooms, accessible legal aid for students, free personal hygiene products, and creating start-up opportunities.
RRRA
Who are they? The oldest university residence association in Canada, the Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) has been representing students living in residence since 1968. Made up of three executives elected annually, RRRA is a not-for-profit, non-political student organization.
What do they do? In addition to representing students living in residence, RRRA is also responsible for lobbying on residence-related issues to the university and has a council made up of representatives from each floor. They also run Abstentions, a convenience store in Residence Commons.
What did I miss? RRRA has faced its fair share of issues in the last year, including having to postpone its elections into the summer, as well as facing financial struggles. They also broke their bylaws multiple times by failing to pass their budget on time due to a lack of quorum. Over the summer, RRRA also investigated alleged violations of the electoral code brought forth against the Forward slate, which were ultimately deemed inadmissible.
What are their goals for this year? This year’s RRRA executives are aiming to revamp RRRA council and introduce more inclusive programming, such as Carleton’s first-ever Pride and a speaker-series on anti-Black racism. In light of COVID-19, RRRA is also hoping to provide exciting programming for students in residence, including online dating, virtual yoga, and mentorship opportunities.
GSA
Who are they? Run by five elected executives, the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) represents over 3,900 Carleton graduate students. It is a non-political, not-for-profit organization.
What do they do? On top of running Mike’s Place, an on-campus pub, the GSA represents and advocates for graduate students on all levels at the university. They also manage students’ health and dental plans and regularly campaign for a number of social issues.
What did I miss? Last year, the GSA promised to resist the Student Choice Initiative and provide affordable education, and was able to deliver on their promise by negotiating $41,000 to go towards student grants. During the Ottawa-Centre all-candidates debate held at Carleton last year, the GSA protested the presence of a People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate, citing the PPC’s perpetuation of racist, homophobic, and anti-immigrant sentiments.
What are their goals for this year? This year’s GSA executives have committed to providing support systems to graduate students, compiling lists of available grad scholarships and awards, as well as connecting graduate students with alumni for job opportunities. GSA executives have also committed to pursuing one-on-one drop-in counselling and creating an organizing hub for organizers and activists, among other goals.
CASG
Who are they? The Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG) is made up of four executives as well as student representatives from each academic department on campus. Their organization is non-political and not-for-profit.
What do they do? CASG represents students’ voices by communicating with faculty, students and Carleton administration under the Carleton Senate. They also provide student input on academic politics, including grading, late assignments, exam accommodations and plagiarism.
What did I miss? Last year, the organization faced backlash by choosing to suspend the hiring process and instead appoint a current vice-president as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). CASG also faced criticism for making major cuts to their scholarship and academic initiative funds in the wake of the Student Choice Initiative. Both these programs were later able to receive extra funding after a misplaced $6,000 check was found.
What are their goals for this year? In addition to their regular goals, CASG executives have been advocating for pre-recorded lectures rather than live classes alongside CUSA, GSA, RRRA and other student organizations. They are also currently working with the senate to reform Carleton’s grading system as a permanent measure.
Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.
