Live Your Legacy: Election time is around the corner…

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Hello RDC! Another year has already passed and that’s right, it’s that time of the year again — election time.

Before I get into the grit of things, let me introduce myself. My name is Josh Cormier and I am the Chief Returning Officer for this spring’s Students’ Association Executive Elections. I am a second year Bachelor of Education student here at RDC and I plan on transferring to the University of Alberta for the fall. I am very excited for this upcoming election and I hope that each of you is just as excited as I am.

Now, let’s get into it. For those who are interested in running for a position, nominations will open as soon as the Spring General Meeting ends on March 3. Nomination packages can be picked up at the Students’ Association office or at any of the SA bulletin boards.

Completed nomination packages must be handled in by 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 to the Students’ Association office. A mandatory meeting for all of the candidates follows the close of nominations.

Things really start to get cooking then! There will be a week of campaigning with various Meet the Candidate events as well as open forums on both campuses.

Advanced Polls will be open March 17 and Election Day is March 18. Results will be announced in the Far Side Bar & Grill at approximately 8 p.m.

Become involved!

If you’re not interested in running for a position, I would encourage you to become involved as much as possible. Simply attend any of the events, endorse a campaign, become a poll clerk, or even just vote. It’s super easy.

If you are interested in becoming a poll clerk, please send me an email at [email protected]. Additionally, if you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me at that email address or come up to the SA and we can chat.

I hope that you become involved during the election and I look forward to counting your ballot on election day.

Election Timeline

March 2: Election Awareness
• Join Chief Returning Officer Josh Cormier for an Election Awareness event. Learn about the offices, the election process, and how to become involved.

March 3: Nominations open
• Spring General Meeting, Main Campus, Far Side Bar & Grill, 11 a.m.
Nominations for Students’ Association Executive Council: President, Vice President Operations, Vice President  College Affairs, Vice President  Student Life; summer Students’ Association Council; student vacancies on Academic Council and Board of Governors Student Member open.

March 10: Nominations close
• Nominations period for Students’ Association Executive Council closes at 4 p.m. Candidates for Executive Council must provide transcripts, nomination forms and profiles by the deadline.

March 10: Campaigning begins
• Campaigning begins at the conclusion of the All Candidates Meeting

March 11: Campaign event
• Meet the Candidates for Executive Council from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Donald School of Business

March 12: Campaign events
• Meet the Candidates for Executive Council from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Forum
• Candidate Forum, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., RDC Library

March 13: Campaign event
• Meet the Candidates, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Forum

March 16: Campaign event
• Candidates Forum, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Forum

March 17: 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 down by 10 p.m.

March 18: 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 March 18, 2015. Approximate time 8 p.m.

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: JOSH CORMIER, CHIEF RETURNING OFFICER

Proposed bylaw amendments on agenda at Students’ Association Spring General Meeting

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On March 3, 2105 the Students’ Association of Red Deer College will hold its annual Spring General Meeting. The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. in the Far Side Bar & Grill, Red Deer College Main Campus.

All students are encouraged to attend to hear what the Students’ Association has been working on throughout the year. Agenda items include executive reports, bylaw amendments and the opening of nominations for Executive Council, Summer Student Council, Academic Council student members and Student Board of Governors member.

Bylaw Amendments

A number of amendments are being proposed to the existing Bylaws of the Association. A copy of the proposed changes can be download at the Students’ Association website www.sardp.ca

If you have any questions regarding the proposed changes, please contact Students’ Association President Bailey Daines at [email protected] for more information.

Nominations open

At this meeting, nominations will open for Executive Council positions — President, Vice President College Affairs, Vice President Operations, Vice President Student Life. Nominations for Students’ Association Council, Academic Council and Student Board of Governors member also open at this time.

Nominations packages will be available for pick up at the Students’ Association office (second floor, next to the Train Station) following the meeting.

If you have any questions regarding the Executive Council positions or the upcoming election, please email Chief Returning Office Josh Cormier at [email protected]. If you have any questions regarding Student Council, Academic Council or the Student Board of Governors position, please email [email protected] or phone 403-342-3200.

Live your legacy: Consider running for Executive Council

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Are you passionate about student representation?

Do you want to advocate for students?

Are you interested in building student engagement?

Maybe you are one of the next Executive Council members of the Students’ Association of Red Deer College.

Each member of Executive Council serves a term of one year (May 1 – April 30) and is paid for their time in office. In addition to the
opportunities on campus, executives have an opportunity to travel and work with other student executives from around
the province through the Students’ Association membership in ASEC (Alberta Student Executive Council).

Nominations for the four executive positions — President, Vice President Operations, Vice President College Affairs, Vice President Student Life — open following the Spring General Meeting on March 3 at 11 a.m. in the Far Side Bar & Grill.

Although becoming an executive is a significant time commitment, it is a great learning experience and provides many opportunities to network and grow your skill set. Executives serve as advocates for the students of Red Deer College and try to ensure the student experience at RDC is a positive one.

While the executive team works together to ensure all of the students at Red Deer College are represented fairly and equally, each position has its own role and duties.

President
• Acts as the official spokesperson and CEO for the Students’ Association
• Meets with senior administration, local politicians, and influential community members on a regular basis
• Leads and motivates Executive Council and assists with establishing long- and short-term goals
• Responsible for overseeing the business affairs of the Association in conjunction with the Executive Director
• Sits on and provide feedback for college committees
The President is allowed to take a maximum of nine credits per Fall and Winter semester and must maintain a minimum of 25 office hours per week during the Associations’ regular business hours

VP Operations
• Assists the President in their duties
• Responsible for the recruitment and training of Students’ Association Council
• Responsible for communication between the Association and the Donald School of Business
• Work with the Communications manager to promote the Association internally and externally
• Sit on and provide feedback for college committees related to the operations of Red Deer College
The VP Operations is allowed to take a maximum of five courses per Fall and Winter semester and must maintain a minimum of 20 office hours per week during the Associations’ regular business hours.

VP College Affairs
• Assist students with academic and non-academic appeals
• Provide feedback on proposed curriculum and policy changes
• Meet regularly with the Vice President Academic of Red Deer College
• Chairs Academic Council Student Caucus
• Work to resolve issues that students are facing at Red Deer College
The VP College Affairs is allowed to take a maximum of five courses per Fall and Winter semester and must maintain a minimum of 20 office hours per week during the Associations’ regular business hours.

VP Student Life
• Plan and promote student events and awareness campaigns
• Assist with and coordinate the activity all Student Groups throughout the year
• Play an active role in the development of student life at RDC by working with other groups at the college
• Responsible for the recruitment and training of volunteers
• Sit on college committees related to student life and environmental issues
The VP Student Life is allowed to take a maximum of five courses per Fall and Winter semester and must maintain a minimum of 20 office hours per week during the Associations’ regular business hours.

To learn more about the responsibilities of Executive Council or the election process, contact Chief Returning Officer Josh Cormier via email at [email protected]

Letter to the Editor: It’s a chronic illness, it’s not contagious!

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I was sitting at one of the computers in the college’s library. I had tried to get a computer far off in the corner in hopes of seclusion, but as the minutes passed by, more and more students piled in, occupying my personal space.

An older man who must had been in his late twenties or early thirties came in with a loud, cocky, and arrogant mouth and sat right across from me. Great.

But I fished out my headphones and turned on my music in hopes of drowning out everyone’s chatters and gossip. For a while it worked – I sat quietly and continued working on the essay I should’ve started weeks ago.

Occasionally, I’d hear one of the man’s voiced remarks and outbursts. I just rolled my eyes and turned up the volume, trying not to lose concentration.

Finishing up my final edits, I raised my right hand to my face to brush away a few loose strands of hair that had been poking my eye when I heard his loud, sarcastic voice again, “What the hell’s wrong with your hand!? “

Reacting quickly, I hid my hand under the table, pulling down the sleeve of my sweater. Glancing up under my eyelashes, I saw that he was staring at me along with everyone else who had heard his question.

I muttered to him that I had Crohn’s Disease, my skin lesions being one of the side effects.

“Oh. I thought you had like, a fungal infection or something.”

Did he have to be so loud?

Balling up my fists and taking deep breaths, I logged off the computer, packed up my stuff, and bolted from the library with tears stinging my eyes and my head hanging in utter embarrassment.

It is sad, yet expected, that this kind of behaviour of disrespect and arrogance continues today.

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: K.J. ELIZABETH, RDC STUDENT

Executive Council a rewarding experience

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The Students’ Association Spring General Meeting takes place in a little over a month, and that means it’s almost time for Students’ Association Executive Elections.

Every March the students of Red Deer College elect four people to represent them as the next year’s Students’ Association Executive Council. Executive Council is made up of the following four positions — President, Vice President Operations, Vice President College Affairs and Vice President Student Life.

Being an executive can be a fun-filled, rewarding experience but it is also hard work. Executives serve as advocates for the students of Red Deer College and try to ensure the student experience at RDC is a positive one.

While the executive team works together to ensure all of the students at Red Deer College are represented fairly and equally, each position has its own role and duties.

President
• Acts as the official spokesperson and CEO for the Students’ Association
• Meets with senior administration, local politicians, and influential community members on a regular basis
• Leads and motivates Executive Council and assists with establishing long- and short-term goals
• Responsible for overseeing the business affairs of the Association in conjunction with the Executive Director
• Sits on and provide feedback for college committees

The President is allowed to take a maximum of nine credits per Fall and Winter semester and must maintain a minimum of 25 office hours per week during the Associations’ regular business hours.

VP Operations
• Assists the President in their duties
• Responsible for the recruitment and training of Students’ Association Council
• Responsible for communication between the Association and the Donald School of Business
• Work with the Communications manager to promote the Association internally and externally
• Sit on and provide feedback for College committees related to the operations of RDC

The VP Operations is allowed to take a maximum of five courses per Fall and Winter semester and must maintain a minimum of 20 office hours per week during the Associations’ business hours.

VP College Affairs
• Assist students with academic and non-academic appeals
• Provide feedback on proposed curriculum and policy changes
• Meet regularly with the Vice President Academic of RDC
• Chairs Academic Council Student Caucus
• Work to resolve issues that students are facing at Red Deer College

The VP College Affairs is allowed to take a maximum of five courses per Fall and Winter semester and must maintain a minimum of 20 office hours per week during the Associations’ business hours.

VP Student Life
• Plan and promote student events and awareness campaigns
• Assist with and coordinate the activity all Student Groups throughout the year
• Play an active role in the development of student life at RDC by working with other groups at the college
• Responsible for the recruitment and training of volunteers
• Sit on college committees related to student life and environmental issues

The VP Student Life is allowed to take a maximum of five courses per Fall and Winter semester and must maintain a minimum of 20 office hours per week during the Associations’ business hours.

Each member of Executive Council serves a one-year term (May 1 – April 30) and is paid for their time in office. Executives have an opportunity to travel and work with other student executives from around the province through the Association membership in ASEC (Alberta Student Executive Council).

Nominations for the four executive positions open following the Spring General Meeting on March 3 at 11 a.m. in the Far Side Bar & Grill.
To learn more about Executive Council or the election process contact the Students’ Association at 403-342-3200 or email [email protected]

Students’ Association awards celebrate leadership and dedication

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Take a few minutes and nominate a post-secondary student who demonstrates outstanding dedication and leadership to fellow students and to their community for a scholarship! Application forms for the following awards are available at the RDC Student Funding & Awards Office (Room 1101) or at the Students’ Association Office (Room 2010):

Students’ Association of Red Deer College Student of the Year Award
Value: $1000
Eligibility: Awarded to a student who has been enrolled in a full-time capacity.  Executives of the Association in the year considered will not be eligible.
Criteria: Awarded to the student who most demonstrates outstanding contributions and leadership in the field of student affairs.  The recipient of this award will have performed at a level well above the requirements of that individual’s position.

Students’ Association of Red Deer College Terry Wood Scholarship
Value: $750
Eligibility: Student who is a member of the Students’ Association of Red Deer College.
Criteria: Student must have demonstrated personal growth and involvement leading to the betterment of the Students’ Association and its’ members.

Students’ Association of Red Deer College Outstanding Dedication Award
Value: $500
Eligibility: Awarded to a Member of the Association. Executives of the Association in the year considered will not be eligible.
Criteria: Based on outstanding contribution and leadership in the field of student affairs.  The recipients of this award will have performed at a level well above and beyond the
requirements of the individual’s position.

Students’ Association of Red Deer College Student Volunteer Award
Value: $300
Eligibility: Awarded to a Member of the Association.
Criteria: Based on volunteer activities that benefit the students of Red Deer College.

Deadline for nomination submission to the Student Funding Office is March 1. Contact Lisa Misanchuk for more information at 403-357-3641 or by email [email protected] for more information.

 

Student recognition nominations now open

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Do you know a student who goes above and beyond their curriculum expectations and/or contributes positively to the culture of Red Deer College? Then consider nominating them for a Student Recognition Award.

Student Recognition Awards seek to acknowledge students who:

  • Inspire fellow students to create and maintain an open environment and encourage growth and success in the development of a project or idea.
  • Innovative in taking a proactive approach and encourage innovation; seeing the overall scope and articulate a clear vision while engaging others — consistency, persistence and accountability in action.
  • Leaders inspiring others to take action and act as a positive role model, coach or mentor to others.
  • Courageous in communicating openly & honestly to enhance a collaborative environment –even when challenged with the status quo.
  • Community involvement demonstrated through volunteering, co-curricular activities and the like.

The nomination form can be found at http://rdc.ab.ca/search/gss/student recognition award nomination form
Nominations to be dropped off at the Student Funding and Awards Office (Room 1101) . Deadline is Monday, March 2 at 4:30 p.m.

Warm clothing drive continues this month

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Many people are not quite as fortunate as the rest of us and have to face the cold reality of spending their days and nights in the cold. A lot of individuals succumb to illnesses or injuries caused or worsened by the rigors and dangers of living outdoors, as well as exposure to weather in Alberta’s harsh winter environment.

With this in mind the RDCPSYC Society has chosen to try and make a difference this winter by setting up a warm clothes drive. The initial response in December was incredible and we are continuing every day throughout January.

If you’d like to offer assistance by donating warm winter clothing, we are collecting clean, gently-used coats, jackets, heavy sweatshirts, hoodies, sweaters, toques, gloves, scarves, new socks. Socks are indispensable to people on their feet all day looking for shelter, housing, employment, health care, and food.

A little goes a long way so when you see the box covered in Christmas wrap around campus, please feel free to engage and donate. The dates and locations are:

  •  January 5-9 Exam Schedule bulletin board
  •  January 12-16 Table 15
  •  January 19-23 Table 1
  • January 26-30 SA Stairs

Thank you for all who have donated and helped spread the word!

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: WARM CLOTHING DRIVE CONTINUES THIS MONTH

Walking in a Winter Wonderland at the EUS Formal

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We are at it again, only this time BIGGER and better. The Education Undergraduate Society is hosting its fifth Annual Winter Formal Saturday, Jan. 31. The fun starts at 7 p.m.

The Far Side Bar & Grill will be the place to be that night. Bring your empty stomachs so you can fill up on a delicious roast beef dinner served with Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salads, pickles and more. Of course there will also be dessert — you cannot forget dessert. We will bring you some live entertainment, a DJ, door prizes, a cash bar, and a photo booth — everyone loves photo booths!

Come out, have a good time and get to know what the Education Undergraduate Society has done for you this year. This is a great opportunity for everyone to come together and see what we all have accomplished thus far throughout our experiences and our journey to become a teacher.

The best part about this awesome winter formal? You do not even have to be an education student to join us in this outrageous event! All you have to be is a RDC student looking to have a fantastic time joining us in walking in a “Winter Wonderland”!

Tickets go on sale the first week back until Friday, Jan. 16. It is a first-come, first-serve basis, so make sure you get your tickets as soon as possible. This event is open to students, staff, faculty, alumni and their invited guests.

We will have a ticket booth set up in the main hallway with some lovely volunteers. The cost of these tickets are $30 for EUS members and $40 for non-EUS members. We will charge $60 for two tickets regardless if you are an EUS member or not. If you wish to volunteer at our booth during ticket sales, feel free to contact me or any of the EUS Executives.

I expect to see all your beautiful faces walking in our Winter Wonderland that evening.

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: KAITLIN D’ARCY | EDUCATION UNDERGRADUATE SOCIETY

Market modifiers: a tuition increase loophole?

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Tuition in Alberta is regulated by the Government of Alberta and will only increase as much as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) states, which is an increase of 2.2 percent for the coming year.

Market modifiers are a way of setting tuition based on the perceived market value of the degree. Recently, Alberta post-secondary institutions could apply to have up to three programs have their tuition costs set by market modifiers.

Twenty-five out of 26 proposals were approved and some institutions are seeing a spike of a 71 percent increase in one year.

What does this mean at RDC?
The Students’ Association is pleased RDC did not submit any market modifier proposals to the Ministry of Innovation and Advanced Education. Such proposals could have drastically increased tuition for some programs. While current RDC students will not be directly impacted by the market modifier approvals, many students in Red Deer may end up transferring to institutions and programs facing rising tuition costs.

Students’ Association President Bailey Daines is concerned about off-setting the costs of post-secondary education on the backs of students through a tuition increase loophole. In 2010 the government promised market modifiers would be a one-time only adjustment.

“Tuition is regulated in order to protect students from drastic and unpredictable increases,” said Daines. “While Red Deer College students will not be directly impacted by the approval of market modifiers, students should be concerned about the Ministry not keeping its promise to students. It is our belief these actions may be undermining the tuition cap in Alberta.”

With oil prices plunging, the Students’ Association is concerned the post-secondary sector will again face budget cuts, when students are still feeling the impact of the last cuts.

“The Students’ Association hopes that the government will prioritize post-secondary education in the upcoming budget and recognize post-secondary attainment as a guaranteed return investment in Alberta’s economy,” said Daines. “Regardless of the budget, we hope RDC will continue to not utilize funding loopholes such as market modifiers to fund the institution through tuition increases from students.”

What are student leaders doing about this?
• Alberta Students’ Executive Council (ASEC) — which represents over 160,000 students with member students’ associations such as NAIT, Lethbridge College, SAIT, Medicine Hat College, RDC — was promised by the Ministry in 2010 that market modifiers were to be used as a one-time tuition increase for certain programs.

• The ASEC executive was made aware this summer the Government intended to bring back market modifiers. ASEC started speaking out against this topic in the media.

• At RDC, the Students’ Association President Bailey Daines met with RDC President Joel Ward who verbally promised RDC would not submit any proposals this year for market modifiers. At the Students’ Association’s request, this promise was followed up with written confirmation.

• ASEC executive attended a meeting in October with the Ministry of Innovation and Advanced Education. It was communicated to Minister Don Scott that students are against market modifiers and many students’ associations and unions were not being properly consulted in the decision making at their institutions.

• Minister Scott attended an ASEC conference in November where he stated he was committed to ensuring students were properly consulted and considered in the decision-making process. This was followed by a push back of the date when a decision was going to be made on approval of proposals.

• These consultations never took place and we were caught off guard by the December 22 announcement. ASEC sent out a press release on the matter, followed by several media interviews including CTV Edmonton, Global News and several radio stations.

Want to know more?
If you have any comments, questions, ideas on market modifiers or rising tuition costs, the way post-secondary is being funded, come and talk to your Students’ Association executive anytime!