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Hello Student Body of 2015/2016!

Thank you for participating in our Students’ Association Fall Council election and our bi-election for the office of Vice President College Affairs.

The races were close, with every vote counting toward the final result. I am incredibly excited to begin working with our 2015-2016 Students’ Association Council and our Vice President College Affairs.

What does the Vice President College Affairs do, you may ask?

The Vice President College Affairs primarily acts as a student voice on all academic matters at Red Deer College. Students’ Association Vice President College Affairs assists students with non-academic and academic appeals, sits on Academic Council and related committees, and chairs our Mental Health Committee.

I am confident that Ben Fleury, our recently elected Vice President College Affairs, has the heart and dedication to work well within the office to which he has been elected.

On that note — stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks regarding our Mental Health initiative!

As the Mental Health Initiative is student-run and student-led, we will need students to contribute and provide input on what they would like to see out of our Mental Health initiative. To get involved on the Students’ Association’s Mental Health committee, shoot Ben an email at [email protected] .

Now, time for an update on a big-picture project. I’m sure you’ve probably heard about Red Deer College’s ambition to gain degree-granting status.

The Board of Governors (kind of like a school board, for the College) has decided that the President of the College (not me, sadly) will be advocating for polytechnic university status for Red Deer College.

As this is a huge step for Red Deer College to even consider taking, the student voice is extremely important when it comes to considering the College’s potential transition to polytechnic university status.

You may be wondering what a polytechnic university is or how it will affect the future of Red Deer College. Red Deer College
On October 27, President Joel Ward will be presenting to students providing an overview of what the polytechnic university model will mean to students. The session will consist of a short presentation by Ward, followed by an opportunity for Q&A and feedback in the Forum. The session will take place Tuesday, October 27 in the Margaret Parsons Theatre (Room 1400) at 2 p.m.

I look forward to seeing you there!

As always, feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected] or stop by the office for a quick chat.

Engage!

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: MARYANNE MCGRATH, SA PRESIDENT

Interested in volunteering but not sure where to start?

Check out Volunteer Expo October 27, RDC Forum, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participating organizations include:

Red Deer Hospice Society

About: The Red Deer Hospice Society recognizes death as a part of life’s journey. Our commitment is to provide compassionate care so people can die in peace, comfort and dignity with support for them and their loved ones.

Volunteer Opportunities: Our volunteer duties here at Hospice are rather unique as we are dealing with individuals at end of life and their families. Our volunteers are required to go through two eight-hour days of training and, of course, require a criminal check. We do have some volunteers who help with our fund raising events only.

Location: 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer

Website: www.reddeerhospice.com/index.html

25th Red Deer Scouting Group – Scouts Canada
About: As a Charter Member of Scouts Canada for more than 20 years, 25th Red Deer adheres to, supports and follows the Vision, Mission and Values of Scouts Canada. We are developing well-rounded youth that are better prepared for success in the world. We encourage our youth to make meaningful contributions to society while following the three fundamental beliefs of the scouting program – Duty to God, Duty to Others and Duty to Self. We do this through a variety of activities from crafts, games and songs to outdoor adventures like camping and hiking. We focus on helping the youth learn to become leaders and work with them to execute activities that they would like to try.

Location: Meets at Normandeau School.

Website: www.25threddeerscouts.com, www.scouts.ca

Central Alberta Brain Injury Society
About: Since 1991 the Central Alberta Brain Injury Society has been helping individuals and families deal with the effects of traumatic or acquired brain injury. Founded by families whose children sustained brain injuries. The Central Alberta Brain Injury Society is a registered Charity which provides support and services free of charge to individuals and families who are living with the effect of acquired brain injury.

Location: Mid City Plaza, #202 4805-48 Street, Red Deer

Website: cabis.info/default.html

Volunteer Central
About: Volunteer Central brings people and community together to meet the vital needs of Red Deer and Central Alberta. Volunteers are essential to our way of life and have a positive impact on the way our communities grow and succeed. They help build the capacity and resilience of our communities!
As Central Alberta’s volunteer centre, we promote and encourage volunteering in Red Deer and Central Alberta.

Volunteer opportunities: Through our comprehensive website, convenient downtown location, and relevant programs and workshops, we connect volunteers, non-profit organizations, and businesses to create successful volunteer relationships in Central Alberta.

Location: Red Deer Downtown – Scott Block – 4816 50 Street

Website: www.volunteercentral.ca/

Bethany Collegeside
About: In a culture that loves youthfulness, Bethany Care Society celebrates aging. The values of choice, quality of life, independence and community are cornerstones of our service.

Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers are an essential part of creating and maintaining a caring community. Bethany volunteers make a difference in the lives of residents and clients every day, and they feel great doing it.

Location: Red Deer College campus

Website: www.bethanyseniors.com/community/bethany-collegeside/

The newly introduced SARDC Semester Transit Pass is only $140 and is valid from September to December. It is available at the Students’ Association office, RDC main campus.

“The Students’ Association of Red Deer College is incredibly excited about the new SARDC semester pass for all RDC students,” said Students’ Association President Maryanne McGrath.

“The new pass enables all students to have access to public transit and will encourage our students to make public transit their main method of transportation to both school and beyond.

“We are especially thankful for the work of Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer and the willingness of the City of Red Deer to make this vision of reality. The establishment of a semester bus pass for RDC students has been a priority of the Students’ Association of Red Deer College for several years.”

Eligible students who purchased a September student bus pass (standard or Donald School of Business) can upgrade it to a SARDC Semester Transit Pass. RDC students can save up to $96 per semester. Deadline for upgrades: September 30.

Upgrade your September pass

Once you’ve traded in your September student bus pass, you will receive a discount (equivalent to the price of your September pass) off the price of the new SARDC Semester Transit Pass.

Deadline September 30.

Greetings and salutations, folks. It looks as though yet another year at RDC is upon us. How could it possibly have happened so soon?!

Do not fret; the lovely folks at the Students’ Association are here to help you out. And they are looking for passionate, involved students (like yourself) to contribute to and improve your college experience!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is James Hill, and I am the Chief Returning Officer for the upcoming fall Student Executive bi-election and winter Student Association Council elections. I am a very recent graduate of the University of Calgary, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Studies, and am both thrilled and honoured to be working alongside the SA and its members during this exciting process.

Nominations for all positions open immediately following the Fall General Meeting on Tuesday, September 22, and will remain open until 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 29. Nomination packages may be picked up at the Students’ Association office or at any of the SA bulletin boards around campus.

Completed packages are must be submitted by 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 29th at the SA office. There will be a mandatory meeting for all candidates following the close of nominations.

With the administrative duties behind us, the fun stuff starts. A week of campaigning starts at the close of the All Candidates Meeting and ends at 10 p.m. Tuesday, October 6. This gives candidates the opportunity to run a professional, crazy, and/or silly campaign that draws students’ interest and inspires them to vote and get involved.

Meet the Candidates events, as well as open forums, will be held throughout the week at both the main and Donald School of Business campuses.

Heads up: Advanced polls will open October 6, with Election Day being October 7. Results will be announced in the Far Side Bar & Grill at approximately 8 p.m..

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!

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 my office at 403-356-4964 or through the SA Main Office at 403-342-3200. If the email machine is more your thing, you can find me at [email protected]. Technophobes can also stop by the office and meet with me in person anytime during my posted office hours (or by appointment).

I figuratively cannot wait to get things rolling!

Election Timeline

September 21: Election Awareness
• Join Chief Returning Officer James Hill for an Election Awareness event. Learn about the offices, the election process, and how to become involved.

September 22: Nominations Open
• Fall General Meeting, Main Campus, Far Side Bar & Grill, 11 a.m.
• Nominations for Students’ Association Executive Council: Vice President College Affairs; winter Students’ Academic Council open.

September 29: Nominations Closes
• Nominations period for Students’ Association Executive Council: Vice President College Affairs; winter Students’ Association Council closes at 4 p.m. Candidates for Executive Council must provide transcripts, nomination forms and profiles by the deadline.

September 29: Campaigning Begins
• Campaigning begins at the conclusion of the All Candidates Meeting.

September 30: Campaign Event
• Meet the candidates for the VP College Affairs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Donald School of Business.

October 1: Campaign Events
• Meet the Candidates for VP College Affairs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Forum.
• Candidates Forum, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., RDC Library.

October 2: Campaign Event
• Meet the Candidates for VP College Affairs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Forum.

October 5: Campaign Events
• Meet the Candidates for VP College Affairs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the  Forum.

October 6: Advance Polls
• SA office polling station, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Donald School of Business polling station, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Campaigning ends. All campaign material must be removed by 10 p.m.

October 7: Election Day!
• SA Stairs poll, main campus, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Red Deer College Forum poll, main campus, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Donald School of Business poll, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Election results will be announced in the Far Side Bar & Grill following ballot counting October 7, 2015. Approximate time 8 p.m.

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: JAMES HILL, CHIEF RETURNING OFFICER

1. Say YOLO a lot people love that. We all know how cool Drake is and if you talk like him it makes you that much cooler.

2. Tell everyone how cool you were in high school because we all know that if you were cool in high school then YOU’LL BE COOL IN COLLEGE.

3. Tell everyone how much you partied and how the parties were like American Pie. Use the following conversation for guidance: “Yeah bro the bar is so lame compared to the parties I had in high school near Rimbey/Stettler/Acme/Lone Rock” – oh cool dude *leaves conversation* and guess what… that conversation was on Facebook.

4. Tell everyone you’re pre-Law, when you’re sociology major… (this goes for science students. Might as well call yourself doctor.)

5. Talk about your GPA. Telling everyone about your 4.5 GPA and how you don’t study makes YOU the star of every conversation.

The reality is there really are no cool people in college. College is a time of acceptance and most people don’t really care.The perfect example is: It’s exam time and you journey to the library to go study near the couches. As you arrive you’re startled by the students sleeping on the couches. It obvious that they needed that nap after the long periods of studying Facebook and Instagram.

However, if I am being serious I would say college is a time about reinventing yourself, making new friends, and developing new interests.

“Well, how do I do any of that?” you ask.

Well it’s easy Jimmy — Join a student group, talk to random people in your class and introduce yourself. Take chances and risks and enjoy your time.

Welcome to College.

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: BRADY PODLOSKI, VICE PRESIDENT STUDENT LIFE