THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN’S MAIN CAMPUS IS SITUATED ON TREATY 6 TERRITORY AND THE HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN’S MAIN CAMPUS IS SITUATED ON TREATY 6 TERRITORY AND THE HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS.
For most students at the University of Saskatchewan, summer offers a level of respite from the academic rigors of the fall and winter months. However, the students that comprise the U of S Students’ Union have been active on campus all season, making preparations for the coming year.
Since taking office on March 22, the USSU executive has been entrusted with an expansive portfolio. As elected representatives for the entire undergraduate student body, the USSU executive have a number of responsibilities, ranging from negotiating tuition prices to liaising with the university’s executive leadership team to maintaining the rink in the bowl.
Since the reach of the USSU executive extends far into undergraduate life, the Sheaf contacted the USSU executive through email to discuss what they have been working on since taking office, their plans for the year and what advice they can offer to the students at the U of S.
Rose Wu VP Student Affairs Age: 22, fifth-year psychology
What are some of your hobbies?
“In the summer, I love to go kayaking down the river, camping and hiking. I’ve also taken up cross-stitching recently, so I’ve been multitasking while watching Netflix.”
What is something students should know about the USSU?
“If you’re a student, and you have innovative sustainability-related ideas, please go to the [USSU] website and apply to the Sustainability Fund. This year, the USSU Sustainability Committee has $15,000 to help students.”
What advice can you give U of S students?
“Get involved, and practise self-care! The first few weeks are overwhelming, but make sure to join a club that you’re interested in and meet new people. Also, don’t forget to take time for yourself.
Sheldon Moellenbeck
VP Academic Affairs
Age: 23, fifth-year psychology
What are some of your hobbies?
“I enjoy thrifting, playing piano and guitar, and anything to do with pop culture.”
What are your professional goals this year?
“I want to increase awareness and uptake of the USSU’s services. A common thread that runs through all of my events is the aim to make the student body more aware and engaged with the USSU. I want to try to involve students from all colleges.”
What projects did you work on over the summer?
“One of the major projects I have planned is Face-to-Face. The purpose of this event is to promote the USSU’s services and to make the executive members more accessible to the student body. We have dates scheduled to be in every college building in term one.”
What are some of your hobbies?
Brent Kobes
VP Operations and Finance
Age: 21, fifth-year political studies
“I am very passionate about SimCity 4, listening to podcasts and collecting sweaters — the older, the better.”
What are your professional goals this year?
“My goal for the year is to help others to help themselves. Also, to leave the USSU, and the student groups I interact with, in the words of Daft Punk, ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.’”
What projects did you work on over the summer?
“[I] updated policy documents, ratified and supported student groups and learnt the budget. Also, I undertook professional development such as bystander training, mental-health first aid and parliamentary procedure training.”
What has been the most challenging part of the job?
“Being so close to a Tim Hortons 40 hours a week.”
Coden Nikbakht
President
Age: 22, fourth-year international studies
What are some of your hobbies?
“Spending time strengthening my spirituality, meditating, studying philosophy and athletics.”
What projects did you work on over the summer?
“Building up the Saskatchewan Student Coalition, [which] gives undergraduate students the ability to align our voices with students from a number of institutions across the province, giving us the ability to take unified stances on different issues. I had a language option added to the USSU website. The website is now available in over 70 languages.”
What has been the most challenging part of the job?
“Not being able to be in full-time classes, although serving in this role is as psychologically stimulating. Serving in this role brings theory — particularly from classes that focus on governance and social behaviour — to life.”
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Tanner Bayne / News Editor
Photos: Supplied
