As the academic year comes to a close, the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union executive members are preparing to pass their roles onto incoming executives.

President Autumn LaRose-Smith

LaRose-Smith, a student in the College of Education’s SUNTEP program, was elected president of the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union last April, after the university had shifted to remote learning. 

She says she was able to “hit the ground running” nonetheless after her six-month term as vice-president student affairs in 2019-20.

LaRose-Smith’s platform during the 2020 USSU elections focused on combining student-centred decision-making with social, economic and environmental responsibility.

“Economically … we came in reducing student fees at the USSU and advocating on that. Within the other committees that I’m in, [I was] … continuing my participation in the sustainability students coalition,” LaRose-Smith said.

“Socially, [I am] doing my best to make sure that I’m available as possible to students during the COVID time and ensuring that their voices are being heard.”

LaRose-Smith points to positive and negative impacts of COVID-19 during her term. While pandemic restrictions did not allow for the in-person engagement LaRose-Smith enjoyed in her previous executive position, the online environment did enable her to engage with students more often. 

Additionally, the shift to remote work changed how the USSU communicates with the university administration. LaRose-Smith says that while the USSU executive used to meet with the administration monthly prior to COVID-19, they are now connecting on a bi-weekly basis. More frequent communication with university administration is enabling her to bring students’ concerns into discussions more often.

Although LaRose-Smith looks forward to spending more time outdoors and completing a three-week practicum during the summer, they say there is still much to be done in the weeks ahead.

This includes going on a two-week tour of colleges and constituencies with the USSU to hear students questions and concerns, emceeing the fourth annual Internal Truth and Reconciliation Forum on March 26 and developing the anti-racist and anti-oppression MOU that they have been working on with the president’s executive committee for the past year. Additionally, beyond the USSU LaRose-Smith has been involved in the formalization of the Undergraduates of Canadian Research-Intensive Universities’ bylaws.

Despite the hectic year, La-Rose Smith says the challenges have allowed her to make the most of this position and recommends the next president to view things the same way.

“Something that I would advise to future executives is that the term is definitely a marathon and not a sprint,” LaRose-Smith said. 

“A year is really really short. It’s still a lot of time to accomplish really amazing things.”

Vice-president operations and finance Jamie Bell

Bell, a fourth-year management student in the Edwards School of Business, is finishing their second year in the executive position of vice president operations and finance.

Bell’s platform points during the elections focused on socially and financially sustainable campus groups, tuition predictability and transparent leadership.

In promoting sustainable campus groups, Bell has been busy overhauling the Campus Groups Policy, organizing Group Orientation and Leadership Sessions, revising the campus groups database and creating the USSU Groups Office.

On financial security, Bell says he has continuously advocated for tuition fee predictability. The USSU has lowered student fees to the 2019-20 rate and introduced discounts that are “saving students hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Bell said in an email to the Sheaf.

Their goal of transparent and accountable leadership has also taken an unexpected turn due to the changing circumstances.

“The plans I had for regular reporting were difficult to implement given the unpredictability of what we were working on at any given time,” Bell said.

“Often, by the time results were seen from projects, we were entrenched in another problem. It was difficult to pause and reflect on what we had achieved when it seemed that issues were never ending.”

Bell says that the USSU has been able to change the way financial information is communicated. Financial reports are now available on the USSU’s website with explanations between actual and budgeted amounts. 

COVID-19 has prompted the USSU to change its services “dramatically,” says Bell. He points to campus group funding grants as an example.

“There is decreased demand for some avenues of funding, but it has been encouraging to see groups find creative uses for grants,” Bell said. 

Examples include Zoom licenses, prizes and giveaways and graphics from XL Print and Design.

Currently, Bell is working on the annual budget and plans on offering tax services and setting up the new Finance and Assessment Committee along with the Campus Groups Committee. 

He says that the next student in his position will have to deal with the new changes that come as the university plans to open in person, and hopes that the next executive will gather students’ opinions and use that for planning.

Bell wishes he had more time to interact with students, as he says his job is often viewed as bureaucratic and task-oriented. They look forward to the upcoming constituency town hall tour.

In the meantime, although he is still confirming his plans for the upcoming year, he hopes to enjoy some rest after his term is up, focus on academic success and visit Louis’ Loft often.

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Fiza Baloch | Staff Writer