SU Elections 2023 Q&A: Nursing Undergraduate Association Referendum

The Students’ Union 2023 election is giving students enrolled in the faculty of nursing the opportunity to decide on renewing the Nursing Undergraduate Association (NUA) faculty association membership fee (FAMF).

The NUA’s FAMF goes toward providing students in the faculty of nursing at the University of Alberta with academic supports, scholarships, advocacy, and events. This referendum is proposing a four-year FAMF of $13.50 a year for full-time students, and $10.00 a year for part-time students.

Representing the NUA is Julia MacDonald, a fourth-year nursing student, and current vice-president (finance) for the NUA.

The following interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity.

What is this referendum trying to accomplish?

Julia MacDonald: We’re trying to renew, or restart, our FAMF. Last year, we didn’t get one or we didn’t even apply for one. So this year, we just wanted to get a new fee for $2.50 for all students in nursing, that will go to the Nursing Undergraduate Association.

For students who don’t know, what is the Nursing Undergraduate Association (NUA)?

MacDonald: The NUA is our representation of our student body. It’s for collaborative nursing students, bilingual nursing students, after-degree nursing students, and honours nursing students. We advocate for them and establish communication channels between us and faculty assistants.

If this referendum passes, how much will students be paying and how was that cost determined?

MacDonald: Full-time students will be paying $13.50, because the CNSA fee — which is set by that organization — is $11 for full-time students, and we propose to introduce a fee of $2.50 on top of that CNSA fee.

Will all students be paying this fee?

MacDonald: All nursing students will be paying this fee, but we will provide refunds upon request in the form of checks and e-transfer.

Why do you think students should care about the work being done by the NUA?

MacDonald: The NUA not only does academic supports, tutoring, and scholarships, but we’re also trying to facilitate more networking within our faculty. So more events like formals, study nights, trivia nights, just to get everybody to get to know each other more.

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