RAINER KOCSIS 

University of Saskatchewan students can expect to see a host of new events and programs alongside old favorites from their student union as the 2013-14 school year kicks into gear.

University of Saskatchewan students can expect to see a host of new events and programs alongside old favorites from their student union as the 2013-14 school year kicks into gear.

Vice-President of Student Affairs Nour Abouhamra ran an ambitious campaign, promising a great deal in order to enhance the student experience.

“My goal for this year is to increase student engagement on campus,” Abouhamra said. “By planning a variety of events I am hoping to target a diverse group of students.”

Returning to campus this fall after many successful years is Hike, Bike and Roll, an event that recognizes and encourages sustainable modes of transportation. The event is slated for Sept. 5 in between the Arts and Thorvaldson buildings.

Abouhamra said the event “focuses on the use of one’s own energy [for students] to do something that is good for the environment and for themselves.”

The U of S Students’ Union Women and Help centres will be hosting a Sexual Assault Awareness Week on campus from Sept. 23 to 27. With a campaign dubbed “Be This Guy,” Abouhamra said its purpose is to show that men can be a part of the fight against sexual assault and to present them in a positive light standing in solidarity with women.

The “Be This Guy” campaign launches a school year during which the USSU will focus on issues relating to sexual assault.

Organized by Vice-President of Operations and Finance Jenna Moellenbeck, Campus Club Week will fill the arts tunnel from Sept. 23 to 27. Clubs will be given the opportunity to advertise and sell event tickets, promote themselves and recruit members into their ranks.

Moellenbeck said if there is enough interest a second Campus Club Week will be held in January.

In addition, Moellenbeck plans to host a financial literacy campaign in conjunction with the Royal Bank of Canada branch manager Jeremy Batting.

“The session includes topics on budgeting, student loans, safe investments and credit cards,” said Moellenbeck. The event is tentatively set for the days spanning Oct. 7 to 10.

Vice-President of Academic Affairs Jordan Sherbino has also planned an event targeted to first-year students that will provide an introduction to some fundamentals of the university’s academic policy. Know Your Rights will be held during the first full week of classes in collaboration with Edwards School of Business and the colleges of Arts and Science, Engineering and St. Thomas More.

Additionally, the Smart Start Week hosted by the University Learning Centre will also be held the week of Sept. 23. The week will educate students on the university’s policy concerning academic misconduct. Similar in focus, the USSU will host the Academic Integrity Week in the second term.

Held for the first time last year, the Student Project Symposium showcases undergraduate research and experiential learning. Tentatively planned for second semester, Sherbino said this year’s event promises to be “bigger and better” with greater outreach and more coordination with university administration.

USSU President Max FineDay similarly hopes to accomplish several major initiatives throughout the year. FineDay is working with administration to implement a first-term reading week in hopes of joining other Canadian universities in a fight for mental health and wellness.

“Studies show that students are getting more and more stressed here at [the U of S]. A survey conducted by [National College Health Association] in 2011 showed that nine out of 10 U of S students feel overwhelmed at times,” FineDay said.

“I’m not convinced that being stressed and overworked is the reason we come to university.”

In order to reduce the cost of post-secondary education, FineDay plans to introduce an open textbook program at the U of S.

Open textbooks are licensed through an ‘open’ copyright which makes them free for students and instructors to use. The textbooks are online for easy access and can be downloaded from any computer without any access codes. If students prefer a physical text, they can choose to have them printed for a small cost.

“This would eliminate a huge barrier to education as textbooks are often in the top three costs of attending university,” FineDay said.

FineDay will lobby the provincial government and university administration for open-textbooks, and has plans to run a campaign sometime in October.

“I’m hopeful that Saskatchewan can join British Columbia in providing progressive, positive and meaningful policy on post-secondary [education] that has a real effect on students,” FineDay said.

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Photo: Jordan Dumba/Photo Editor