Noor ChaudhryNOTE: The Gateway is running a DFU campaign in the 2024 Students’ Union Elections. We will be covering our campaign in a strict environment that strives to promote impartiality, transparency, and fairness. If you’d like more information, please see our statement or Conflict of Interest Plan.
In the 2024 University of Alberta Students’ Union (SU) elections, students will get the chance to vote on seven referendums:
- Engineering Students’ Society (ESS)
- HUB Community Association Fee (HCA)
- International House
- International Students’ Association (ISA)
- Organization for Art Students and Interdisciplinary Studies (OASIS)
- The Gateway
- The Landing
Engineering Students’ Society (ESS)
At the Myer Horowitz forum, Engineering Students’ Society (ESS) co-president Jayden Brooks appealed to engineering students to vote in favour of increasing their membership fee from $10 to $20. Brooks spoke candidly about the experience of engineering students at the University of Alberta, and explained that the fees go toward extracurricular activities that make studying engineering a less “miserable” experience.
Brooks has identified the current fee as being insufficient for the ESS to provide engineering students with the services they want offer. Ultimately, the ESS aims to provide engineering students with the best university experience possible, he said. He also mentioned that the ESS has revenue sources outside of membership fees, which he says enable project groups and discipline clubs to provide more opportunities for engineering students, like the chance to be more involved socially and professionally through their Academic Guidance Program (AGP). The AGP gives first and second-year students access to mentorship and direction in their studies, while it gives upper-years a chance to develop leadership skills.
As a non-engineering student, it’s not super clear what a lot of the ESS programs entail, but there’s clearly a lot of work going into the solutions he described. He explained that the ESS intends to expand external funding sources and also partner with tech companies to enhance their efforts.
Will it pass?
While I think Brooks should have given more details, I think that it will. Engineering students really need to have a bit more upside in terms of living the student life. Big competitions sound like a lot of fun, and social events at the GEER Lounge would make friend groups more accessible for students who can’t make time for much more than studying. I suspect that this fee will be considered acceptable to engineering students, given the services that the ESS provides with their current funding.
Should it pass?
I think that it should. Brooks has acknowledged that students who can’t afford the fee remain able to opt out. Based on Brooks’ statements, the ESS seems to provide valuable services for engineering students, and as Brooks has said, engineering is a very hard and stressful program, and those students deserve a support system catered to their needs. Also, the fact that most of the ESS’ funding comes from external sources suggests to me that they’re working hard for engineering students, rather than just trying to rip them off.
-Tristan Dell
HUB Community Association (HCA)
The HUB Community Association (HCA) is proposing a $45 per year fee for HUB mall residents. Only residents of HUB will be voting on this referendum.
The fee would help the HCA continue to offer services, including renting-out board games, vacuums, cleaning supplies, and maintaining The Vault. The Vault is a common space for HUB residents that includes gym equipment and table-top games. The HCA also advocates for residents regarding issues such as safety. The fee would help the HCA recruit more executives to help run their organization.
Will it pass?
It’s unlikely that HCA will get enough votes to pass the referendum. They have only been at two forums and have no social media presence. In addition to their lack of presence during the campaign, the proposed fee is higher than most students would want to pay. Because of this, I don’t think enough students will know enough about the HCA fee to feel comfortable voting for it.
Should it pass?
Although it’s a high fee, HUB residents would have the ability to opt-out. The HCA is an important advocacy group for HUB residents and maintains The Vault. Ultimately, I think the fee should pass.
-Leah Hennig
International House
The International House Community Council (IHCC) is made of International House (I-House) residents who make decisions concerning I-House. The fee is $50 per year, only to be paid by residents of I-House.
Will it pass?
Most likely not. When offered a Q & A by The Gateway, they did not reply. As well, they did not appear at any forums. It is also hard to find information about what their role in I-House actually is.
Should it pass?
Students should know about the different organizations and groups on campus. If IHCC has never told anyone about their organization, and they have not posted on their social media for a considerable amount of time, it seems unlikely that students know about this group.
I do not think that it should pass. The lack of engagement from the IHCC shows their concern for students, which seems to be not much.
-Francine Dela Paz
International Students’ Association
The International Students Association (ISA) has proposed a fee of $5 per fall and winter semester for full-time international students and $2.50 per semester for part-time international students. Only international students will be voting on this referendum.
The ISA provides community support, events, awards, a discount card, and health and wellness supports for international students. The fee will go towards these supports and programs, which help create a sense of community for international students. Additionally, the ISA offers unique support for the specific issues international students face.
Will it pass?
The ISA made an effort to show up to forums and promote their fee on social media, despite the fact that their demographic was most inclined to come to the ISA forum. Considering this, along with the importance of the support they provide for international students, I think it will pass.
Should it pass?
I think the fee should pass because the ISA provides support and a sense of community that can be difficult for international students to find on campus. It’s important that international students have somewhere to go with people who can understand and support them. In addition to this, the ISA can also advocate for international students to the SU and the U of A. The fee will allow the ISA to continue their important work.
-Leah Hennig
Organization for Arts and Interdisciplinary Students (OASIS)
The Organization for Arts Students and Interdisciplinary Studies (OASIS) is requesting a student representative association membership fee (SRAMF) fee for undergraduate arts students.
It proposes that each student pays $5 per semester, totalling $10 for the academic year. It will not be applied during the spring and summer semesters. The SRAMF will expand, introduce, and sustain services and events that benefit the arts students and the arts community.
Will it pass?
Most likely. OASIS is a large organization and has an extensive presence on campus. OASIS has attended two out of five forums, with various team members in attendance. Additionally, they have had a strong presence on their Instagram throughout their campaign.
Because of the existing presence of OASIS on campus, and their steady forum attendance, it is likely that the fee will pass. Additionally, because it is aims to assist arts students at a time when they are down one building, arts students might be inclined to pay the fee.
Should it pass?
OASIS provides many convenient services to all students, such as free printing, snacks, microwaves, speaker series, first aid training, and more. Even with the closure of OASIS headquarters, they are still promoting as much of these services as they can. This shows their dedication to not only arts students, but people from all faculties.
I believe that funding an organization such as OASIS will be beneficial for arts students to access services and other resources. I think it should pass.
-Brooklyn Hollinger
The Gateway
In this election, students have the opportunity to vote on The Gateway’s dedicated fee unit (DFU).
The DFU for The Gateway is a new $2.64 levy that is opt-outable. The fee would only be applicable to undergraduate students, and would be paid each fall and winter semester. The fee would be $1.32 for the spring and summer terms.
Voting in favour of the fee will help “to promote transparency on campus, platform student voices, further [their] commitment to community, and provide hyperlocal news,” according to the Gateway Student Journalism Society board chair, Emily Williams.
Will it pass?
The Gateway’s platform is available online, along with a campaign video. Additionally, they have attended every forum, and they have made it clear what the intentions of the fee are and what it will go towards.
The Gateway is a long-standing student resource that has always been a part of the U of A culture. It plays a large role in reporting on institutional news and student interests. With all this in mind, I believe it will pass.
Should it pass?
Because of their continuous presence at the forums, and the transparency from the beginning, I think The Gateway’s campaign is solid enough to earn them votes from the student population. With it being opt-outable, students can later decide if paying the fee is something they want to commit to.
Receiving curated U of A news is something that is valuable to students on campus. For how low the proposed fee is, and the fact students are not required to pay it, it is enticing and allows students to make that decision. Yes, I think it should pass.
-Brooklyn Hollinger
The Landing
In the 2024 election, students will vote on The Landing’s proposed opt-outable fee of a $3.75 per fall and winter semester. In the last few years, The Landing has seen an increase in demand for their services. The fee would go towards meeting that demand and expanding their services.
The Landing is the centre for gender and sexual diversity at the U of A. They offer support to 2SLGBTQIA+ students, including peer support space, events, programming, and resources available for all students. They also provide safe sex supplies and testing for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
The Landing isn’t only an important place for queer and transgender students, but for those of all backgrounds.
Will it pass?
I think the fee will pass. The Landing was present at multiple forums, had a clear platform, and a social media presence to spread awareness about their proposed fee. Additionally, were endorsed by several candidates running for executive SU positions. The Landing’s services are invaluable to our campus community, and I think most students see that.
Should it pass?
I think the fee should pass. The Landing provides a welcoming space for all students and much needed support for those who identify as queer and transgender. There are few spaces on campus that are specifically operated with 2SLGBTQIA+ students in mind. Considering all that The Landing does, I think the fee is worth it. Additionally, students are able to opt-out of the fee, so even those who may not support or use The Landing can decide to not pay the fee if it passes.
-Leah Hennig
