The 2009-10 University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union executive may not have been the most radical student government ever, but nobody could accuse them of being vacuous.
In fact, this year marked a radical departure in approach for the USSU executive. The previous two years had seen executives guided by a policy of neutrality — don’t take any positions and respond to students’ demands as they come. Whether it was over the issue of membership in the Canadian Federation of Students or renewing the U-Pass, past executives collectively refused to take positions for or against.
Unfortunately, this is not a practical approach to leadership. It is not inspiring to students. Nor is it, for that matter, interesting to cover as a journalist. People don’t want their political representatives to be a mirror, perfectly reflecting their own values and flaws. They want a lens — someone who helps them focus on problems clearly.
It was refreshing to deal with a group of people who were not afraid to wear their values on their sleeves.
When that first press release came in on the fax over the summer with the USSU condemning state-led violence against Iranian students protesting their presidential election, it was a breath of fresh air. Sure, it’s not like they could do anything about it, but it was encouraging to finally hear something coming from the USSU executive office that represented a statement of values.
This year’s executive may not have been radical, preferring a conciliatory approach to government and university administration, but at least they were honest and open about what direction they wanted to take the students’ union.
Kirkland rode into office on a promise to, among other things, set up a microbrewery and off-sale on campus. He has made serious inquiries into the idea in only the last few months, rather than getting to work on it once he took office.
However, his promise to set up an interactive events calendar is well underway and students can expect both an iPhone app and a PAWS calendar to be up by the end of 2010.
After promising students he would set up a long-term strategy for tuition, Kirkland worked with university officials to develop a strategy that is based not on the operating grant the university receives from the provincial government, but on tuition principles. But this has no binding effect on the provincial government. It remains to be seen how effective this strategy will be in keeping tuition hikes down.
Also, he grew his hair out.
Man, he sure had a great beard, didn’t he? But he also achieved some other things, like — well, at least he’ll always have that beard, right?
But seriously, folks: while Fawcett may have kept a lower profile than some of the executive, he made important strides forward in the move to get more child care spaces, and to make them more affordable, though the work is not finished and plans have not been finalized.
Fawcett campaigned on a platform of sustainability, as did most of the executive. But he failed to deliver on a pledge to look into having the new Place Riel building be a “bottle free” zone.
UPDATE: Looks like the beard is gone, or at least trimmed. R.I.P., executive facial hair.
For someone who had no background in finance and who was widely regarded as the least knowledgeable candidate in last year’s election, Hitchings has proven impressively capable in the operations and finance role. The USSU budget is running a deficit this year, although Hitchings assures everyone this is only a “planned deficit of one year” and that the extra revenues from the new Place Riel building will lead to a dramatic surplus in future years.
One of Hitchings’ campaign promises was that he would get more campus clubs for students. His work getting the campus club ratification and funding request forms online will not only help fulfill this promise, but also decrease the amount of paper used for said forms.
Hitchings has not sported a beard all year, though he tried (unsuccessfuly) to grow a moustache during Movember.
It was a busy year for Stoicheff: he organized the Saskatchewan Students’ Coalition and had several petitions read in the legislature at the beginning of March by members of the official opposition NDP.
The SSC failed to convince the provincial government to produce a long-term strategy on tuition increases, though it has lobbied in favour of the effort extensively.
Stoicheff has not advanced many initiatives related to First Nations and Métis students, though he promised to promote a more inclusive university. He has publicly stated his support for the creation of a new Aboriginal Students’ Centre on campus.
Stoicheff has neither beard nor moustache, but his windswept locks have captured the hearts and minds of the student body.
McCullough ran on a platform of aiming to post exam schedules earlier, mandatory teacher evaluations, more accessible academic advising and making class materials more affordable.
McCullough instead initiated conversations with university officials about taking an open access approach to their policies, which could lead to the purchase of a book printing machine. While not actually giving students an option for cheaper textbooks, it is a step in the right direction.
One of his clearest successes of the year was that exam timetables for both semesters were posted earlier than ever.
There was also a definite improvement in his hairstyle over his term, losing the green streak he sported during elections.
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USSU photos: Robby Davis