The Students’ Association is here to represent all students on campus. To do this requires representation from the student body and this means we need your voice.

Here are some ways you can become engaged at RDC:

1) Students’ Association Council. It is the highest governing body of the Students’ Association and allows students to get involved with the decision-making process at the college, advocate for their peers and gain life experience. It also offers the opportunity for professional development. Nominations open at the Fall General Meeting, Tuesday, September 20 in the Far Side Bar & Grill.

Want more information? Contact Vice President Operations Nonso Onwuekwe at 403-346-4977 or sardc-vpop@rdc.ab.ca

2) Academic Council. This is the highest academic body on campus, responsible for policy and curriculum. Nominations for Academic Council open at the Fall General Meeting.

Interested? Contact Vice President College Affairs Ben Fleury at 403-356-4971 or sardc-vpca@rdc.ab.ca

3) Volunteering. Giving yourself to a higher purpose allows people to have new exciting experiences. Volunteering is giving yourself to a higher cause. It allows for you to meet new people, attain personal growth, provide leadership, and give back to your community.

At the Students’ Association there are opportunities to expand your experiences. We want your experience at RDC to be some of the best years of your life. We recruit volunteers to help with multiple events including Week of Welcome and elections. Your help is appreciated! There are many experiences waiting for you …

Want to become a part of a fun-filled team of volunteers? Contact Vice President Student Life Aiden Bridger at 403-356-4975 or sardc-vpsl@rdc.ab.ca

Tuesday, April 5 was a special day for the Students’ Association of Red Deer College and the College itself.

It was a day celebrating the Students’ Association’s $500,000 donation to the Shaping our Future campaign and announcing the College’s recognition of that donation.

As was announced last month at the construction launch of the Gary W. Harris Centre for Health, Wellness & Sport, the Students’ Association has committed $500,000 to the project. In recognition of this donation, the College has allocated the current Train Station which will be repurposed for use as a gathering and meeting area for the Association and its clubs and societies.

“The Students’ Association has a shared priority in promoting opportunities for our learners throughout their time here at RDC. We are thrilled to see this level of commitment that demonstrates just how important the Harris Centre will be for our learners,” said RDC President Joel Ward.

The Centre will provide opportunities for enhanced learning and program expansion, particularly in RDC’s School of Health Sciences. Along with the many benefits for students, community members will have greater access to health and wellness activities when the Centre opens in the fall of 2018.

Planning for the future

Students’ Association President Maryanne McGrath spoke on behalf of the students of Red Deer College. She explained to those gathered in the Far Side Bar & Grill for the celebration the significance of both the donation and the College’s recognition of the donation.

“Today is a very exciting day in the Students’ Association’s 50 year history. We are celebrating two things: the students’ commitment and contribution to the College’s future, as well as the College’s appreciation for our donation.”

For the past 15 years, students have been investing a portion of their fees in the Building Trust Fund. This trust fund was established decades ago, as a savings account for future growth and the expansion of our services.

The last time the Students’ Association accessed the building trust fund was in 2000, explained McGrath, when the Association expanded the Far Side and renovated its current offices and service areas. On March 1, the student body supported a motion to access this fund again.

“I am proud to reaffirm our commitment to allocate five hundred thousand dollars from the Building Trust Fund to Red Deer College’s ‘Shaping our Future’ campaign,” said McGrath. “By investing in our own futures, students are guaranteeing that those who follow in our footsteps will have every opportunity to succeed at Red Deer College.”

Students hope to further the vision of what is to come for Red Deer College,  said McGrath, through the Shaping our Future campaign, the bid to become a Polytechnic University, and hosting the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

“As RDC President Joel Ward often comments, ‘The Centre for Health, Wellness and Sport is a symbol of the dreams of Central Albertans.’ I would also add that the construction of this building, and our historic donation is the manifestation of the dreams of students at Red Deer College,” said McGrath.

“Student leaders carry the duty of honouring the decisions of past students, an obligation to build on those decisions in the present, and the responsibility of anticipating the needs of future students.

“We have the students of past years to thank for paving the way to this moment. It was the effort of past Students’ Association leaders and members that has positioned our organization as it is today; in a position to further enrich the lives of our students.

“I am honored and excited to announce a commitment to our students by Red Deer College that is forward thinking and groundbreaking. The College, in appreciation for our donation, is allocating and repurposing the Train Station for Students’ Association use.”

Through this allocation and repurposing, the Students’ Association will be able to provide enhanced services to the student body, including designated meeting space for our student groups to come together and collaborate with one another.

The Students’ Association of Red Deer College will be the first organization of its kind in the province to provide this level of service to its students, said McGrath.

“And for that, we are most grateful to Red Deer College and its leadership team. We appreciate the accessibility, open communication, and trust between the students and the institution. This allocation of space exemplifies the great working relationship, which ultimately is for the betterment of students. We can accomplish great things through the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.

“We thank you for standing with students as we shape our future together.”

The Students’ Association’s membership has donated $500,000 to the Gary W. Harris Centre for Health, Wellness & Sport.

“This is truly a monumental time in the history of Red Deer College,” said Students’ Association President Maryanne McGrath, at the construction launch for the Centre Friday, March 11. “Student leaders carry the duty of honoring the decisions of past students, an obligation to build on those decisions in the present, and the responsibility of anticipating the needs of future students.

“For over 15 years, the students of Red Deer College have been investing a portion of their fees in the Building Trust Fund – in anticipation of being a key player in the future growth of Red Deer College. That day has come.

“I am honored to announce that the students of today have committed to investing five hundred thousand dollars to Red Deer College’s ‘Shaping our Future’ campaign.”

The donation was approved by the membership at the Students’ Association Spring General Meeting March 1.

“By investing in our own futures, students are guaranteeing that those who follow in our footsteps will have every opportunity to succeed at Red Deer College. Students hope to further the vision of what is to come for Red Deer College, through the Shaping our Future campaign, the bid to become a Polytechnic University, and the execution of the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

“Thank you for standing with students as we shape our future together.”

In recognition of the students’ contribution, Red Deer College has generously offered to re-purpose meaningful space, allocated for use by the Students’ Association and its Members.

Welcome back! Whether it was studious or otherwise, I sincerely hope everyone had a fantastic reading week and are coming back feeling refreshed and prepared for the final drive to April. I know the Students’ Association is ready, and it’s a good thing too as we are gearing up for the big one: Executive Elections.

Hi, I’m James Hill, Elections Officer for the Students’ Association. You may remember me from such election proceedings as “Fall 2015 By-election for VP College Affairs” and “Fall 2015 Students’ Association Council Elections”. I’m banking on that still being a relevant Simpsons reference.

The Students’ Association Executive Elections are perhaps the single most important event in the Students’ Association calendar. It is the time when students exercise their right and privilege to elect their leadership for the following academic year. The decisions made by students each spring not only have immediate implications, but also resonate through time as the voices shaping the evolution of Red Deer College.

There are four executive offices available for election: Students’ Association President, Vice President College Affairs, Vice President Operations, and Vice President Student Life. Each of these positions include their own duties and responsibilities, but are all work as a team to represent students and enhance their college experience.

Nominations for all positions open immediately following the Fall General Meeting Tuesday, March 1, and will remain open until 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 8. Nomination packages may be picked up at the Students’ Association office or at any of the SA bulletin boards around campus.
Completed packages must be submitted by 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 at the SA office. There will be a mandatory meeting for all candidates following the close of nominations.

It is at the point the real work – and fun – begins.

Campaign week opens at the conclusion of the All Candidates Meeting March 8 and runs until 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 15. Candidates are encouraged to hold a wild, wacky, silly, or even inspirational campaign during this week.

Attend planned campaign events, put up eye-catching posters, and host entertaining and informational booths to gain student votes. This is your opportunity to be creative and connect with students, so make it enjoyable!

Spread the word – Voting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 15 with polls closing 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 16.

Of course you do not need to run for a position to become involved. Attend the events, volunteer to endorse a campaign, or even simply vote. Your contribution to RDC and your peers will not go unnoticed!

And did you hear the news? The Students’ Association is introducing online elections this year! You will now have the opportunity to vote virtually anywhere you can access The Loop. Simply log on, find the personal announcement, click the links to open the ballot, and then VOTE!

If you have any questions, concerns, and/or suggestions, or if you’re interested in learning more about any of these elected positions, please feel free to contact me at 403-342-3200. If the email machine is more your thing, you can find me at james.hill@rdc.ab.ca. You can also stop by the office and meet with me in person anytime during my posted office hours (or by appointment).

Now get out there and Forge Your Future!

Election Timeline

March 1: Nominations Open
• Spring General Meeting, Main Campus, Far Side Bar & Grill, 11 a.m.
• Nominations for Students’ Association Executive Council: Students’ Association President, VP College Affairs, VP Operations, and VP Student Life open.
March 8: Nominations Close
• Nominations period for Students’ Association Executive Council: Students’ Association President, VP College Affairs, VP Operations, and VP Student Life closes at 4 p.m. Candidates must provide transcripts, nomination forms and profiles by the deadline.
March 8: Campaigning Begins
• Campaigning begins at the conclusion of the All Candidates Meeting.
March 9: Campaign Event
• Meet the Candidates for Executive Council from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Donald School of Business.
• Meet the Candidates for Executive Council, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Forum.
March 10: Campaign Events
• Meet the Candidates for Executive Council from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Library.
• Candidates Forum, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Forum.
March 14: Campaign Events
• Candidates Open Forum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Forum.
March 15: Voting Begins
• Meet the Candidates for Executive Council from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Library.
• SA office voting station, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Donald School of Business voting station, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Campaigning ends. All campaign material must be removed by 10 p.m.
March 16: Voting Closes
• SA Stairs voting station, main campus, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Red Deer College Forum voting station, main campus, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Donald School of Business voting station, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Election results will be announced in the Far Side Bar & Grill at approximately 7 p.m.

Office Hours:

If you have any questions about the upcoming executive election, the positions available, or wish to volunteer, please email me at james.hill@rdc.ab.ca or drop by the Students’ Association office during my office hours Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ARTICLE AUTHOR: JAMES HILL, ELECTIONS OFFICER