From displaying students’ research and art to food and dancing, the ASSU Gala was a night to remember!

On Jan. 12th, the Arts and Science Students’ Union (ASSU) highlighted student work at a gala hosted at Louis Pub. The gala included food and drinks from the pub, a research symposium and a silent art auction where students in the College of Arts and Science could share their work, and ended with music from DJ Dev Daddy.

Ashton Favreau, the President of the ASSU and a third year Political Studies student at USask, said that this gala is “the first of its kind.” At the event, he expressed his hope that the tradition of the gala will continue in years to come.

Favreau and Ava Johnson, a second year English major and the Vice President of External Affairs for the ASSU, shared that one of the goals for the evening was to celebrate the achievements of students in the college.

One main feature of the night was a silent auction of artwork made by Arts and Science students. Attendees at the gala had the opportunity to purchase some of the artwork, and the artists would profit from the sale.

Another key feature was the research symposium that was set up to display some of the research that students in the college had done recently. Favreau said that the gala provided these students with an opportunity to share their work with the great student community.

Fostering connections within the college, as well as with professors, alumni and others was another goal of the gala. “The gala was a way for us to promote engagement across campus,” said Favreau

Favreau noted that the ASSU wanted to make sure that both the arts and sciences disciplines of the college were represented at the gala. Johnson hoped that the event would allow more people to learn about the ASSU and how they can get involved.

Proceeds from the gala’s ticket sales will go toward the ASSU scholarship, which is available to any student in the College of Arts and Science. Sponsors for the evening included Sasktel, RBC on Campus, The 525 Art, and the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU).

In addition to the President, there are four executive members of the ASSU, each of which lead a different committee within the Union. The committee for internal affairs deals with budgetary and internal matters. The external affairs oversees external matters and events, such as this gala. The marketing committee creates posters and social media content to advertise the Union’s activities. Finally, the academic affairs committee works to address academic issues within the college and helps to create and give out awards, such as the scholarship that this gala was raising money for.

“One of the benefits of the ASSU is that none of us are paid,” said Favreau. “So the people you get are always interested in helping the community, and we have a lot of really driven volunteers who’ve done so much for us [sic].”

Any Arts and Science student who wants to volunteer can join one of the ASSU committees. Favreau shared that volunteering for the ASSU helps to build the skills that one might need to work in government or non-profit organizations, and to make connections that can help you get a job someday. The experience can also be added to your resume.

“It’s a great way to be a part of something that can actually benefit your career because it’s a great way to volunteer, and it’s a fun way to volunteer,” said Johnson.

The ASSU is planning to host more events throughout the year, including an upcoming Sexy Bingo night. The Union is partnering with Saskatoon Sexual Health to teach students about STDs and other topics of sexual health. Students who participate will have the opportunity to win some “sexy prizes” as well.

Students who are interested in learning more about the ASSU and the events they will be hosting can learn more by checking out their Instagram account, @assuusask.  The ASSU also has weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 5:30pm, which all are welcome to attend. More details about those meetings can be found on the ASSU’s instagram page as well.

“I encourage any students to get involved,” said Favreau. “In a volunteer atmosphere, you see the real humanity of people and the best parts of people, [because] people are there because they want to be there.”