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!

Give A Little campaign raises a lot

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Tuition. Groceries. Rent. Gas for the car. Bills can add up quickly.

And at times you can probably feel at a loss as to how to make ends meet. You scan your bank account, talk to family, and still wonder how next month will take care of itself. Hopefully by now, whether you are first year or fourth, you have discovered all of the supports at RDC from finances to tutoring.

One such support is the Emergency Bursary Fund. This fund is available to students who are experiencing a financial shortfall due to unforeseen circumstances or uncontrollable expenses — a car breaking down in the middle of term, or your family suddenly being unable to support you. Last year, 29 students received assistance totalling  $40,000.

The Fund Development office at RDC (the team that engages donors around supports for RDC and our students) saw this as an opportunity to raise some money to support even more students through the fund. By connecting with the Students’ Association and KIN Campus Club, we were able to put together an event called Give a Little.

Many of you saw us in the Forum Friday, Nov. 7 – giving out taco-in-a-bag with loud music blaring as we collected donations. Well, we wanted to let you know together – staff, faculty and students – raised $14,000 in support of the Emergency Bursary Fund. We were ecstatic to see so many people come out to ‘give a little’ – so thank you for helping us, help you.

If throughout your time here at RDC you find yourself with a shortfall and don’t know where to turn, go to the Student Funding & Awards Office and they can help you apply for an Emergency Bursary Fund. Just remember – you’re not alone, and we’re here to help make your RDC experience amazing.

Need help this holiday season? Organizations help make Christmas brighter

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Being a student with a limited budget can be especially challenging during Christmas. The excitement of the season can lead even the thriftiest among us to spend more than we planned.

To avoid putting your finances and your education at risk, be a little creative about inexpensive gift giving. Perhaps you can give of your time — make a meal, shovel a sidewalk, run errands for a friend — or make something by hand.

Remember, it is the thought that counts; your friends and family would not want you to jeopardize your education for a few gifts. If you need a little extra help with gifts and groceries this Christmas, there are community agencies which can assist you.

Christmas Help 2014

Salvation Army
Phone: 403-346-2251
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Deadline: Applications accepted between Nov. 12-Dec. 12
Required:  Picture ID and AB Health Care numbers
Bring in wish list & a list of income and expenses, including current rent receipts and utilities
Who can apply: Residents of Red Deer only. Single or dual parents with children and seniors

Sylvan Lake Christmas Bureau
Phone:403-887-5364
Hours of operation: Friday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to
12 p.m. & 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Deadline: Please call to inquire. Deadline is early.
Required:  AB Health Care cards for all family members
Who can apply: Residents of Sylvan Lake and the surrounding area, must have children

Lacombe Christmas Food Certificate Fund
Phone: 403-782-6637
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. (closed 12:30-1:30)    (closed for lunch 12:30 to 1:30)
Deadline: Fill out a Santas Anonymous application for kids under 14 from Nov.5th to Dec. 11th
Required:  Income Tax notice of  assessment, AB Health Care cards for all family members
Who can apply: Residents of Lacombe and the County of Lacombe

Women’s Outreach  
Phone: 403-347-2480
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Deadline: Go to the Women’s Outreach to fill out an
application by Dec. 9
Required:  AB Health Care cards for all family members, proof of income
Who can apply: Single parent (Mom or Dad) and they do not restrict to Red Deer residents
Children must be with parent at Christmas (MUST BE FIRST TIME USERS ONLY)

Innisfail Christmas Bureau
Phone: Jane at 403-505-0168  (Telephone  applications will not be accepted)
Hours of operation:    Mondays  from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Deadline: Dec. 15
Required: AB Health Care card, proof of Innisfail residency (ex. utility bill), proof of  income
Who can apply: Residents of Innisfail and surrounding area

Red Deer Christmas Bureau
Phone: 403-347-2210 (Telephone applications will not be accepted)
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
Deadline: Go to Bay 15, 7428-49 Ave  from Nov. 12  to Dec. 17
Required:  AB Health Care card, proof of income, and proof of residency
Who can apply: Residents of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Springbrook and Penhold

Mental health week creates positive atmosphere

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Students can face a lot of pressure and stress in their academic and personal lives as they try to balance numerous stressors including deadlines, loneliness, tuition costs, exams, anxiety and more.

Current studies indicate the three most common factors affecting academic performance are stress, sleep difficulties and anxiety. The Students’ Association wants to help change that for RDC students so it will be hosting a number of Mental Health related events throughout the coming months.

The recent Mental Health Week, a week dedicated to stress reduction and creating a positive atmosphere in which mental health can be explored and enhanced, was the first of these events. Activities during Mental Health Week included a variety of events on both campuses.

One of the highlights of the week was Mental Health Awareness Day. The day, presented by the Students’ Association in partnership with RDC’s Campus Recreation, Counselling & Career Centre, and Health, Safety & Wellness Centre, featured a number of stress relieving events including Tea Talks, Oxygen Bar, Food for Thought Free Lunch (with support from the RDC Cook Apprentice program) and a Hot Pot Studio pottery activity. The Students’ Association’s Mental Health mascot was also seen buzzing around the halls.

In 2013-2014, the Students’ Association introduced a Mental Health Initiative aimed at promoting a positive atmosphere at Red Deer College in which mental health can be explored and enhanced. The initiative will bring mental health information to the forefront for students, with the objective of helping the campus community identify the role of mental health in an individual’s well-being.

The initiative is supported by funding from the Alberta Campus Mental Health Initiative Fund (ACMHI).

Give a Little: RDC’s first ever Annual Day of Giving

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RDC students, staff and faculty are being challenged to ‘Give a Little’ in support of the RDC Emergency Bursary Fund. This fund, administered by Student Services, is intended to assist students experiencing a financial shortfall due to unforeseen circumstances or expenses.

Sometimes, this shortfall can mean a difference of finishing their program, or not. Last year, 29 students received $40,000 in assistance. But think how much more we could do if we all were to give a little? Help us raise $10,000 to help students in need!

RDC’s first ever Annual Day of Giving takes place Friday, Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Forum. Free Taco-In-A-Bag and live music from 12 to1 p.m.

Donations to the Give a Little campaign will be accepted in person, online, or at cash cans throughout campus at various food providers.

For more information, call 403-342-3175 or visit www.rdc.ab.ca/givealittle

Brought to you by: RDC Fund Development, KIN Campus Club, and the Students’ Association.

 

Student food bank here to help

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With winter just around the corner, many students are finding their funds are running low. Students face the continued struggle of making ends meet — often working one or more part-time jobs while being a full-time student. Sometimes even that isn’t enough.

“It’s unfortunate students need to access the SA Food Bank, but it is a valuable resource and service for them, especially at a time when they should be focusing on school and not the stress of everyday life,” said Anne Cooper, SA food bank coordinator.

The SA Student Food Bank has always enjoyed outstanding support from the Red Deer College community — its staff, faculty, students and supporters.

“On behalf of the Students’ Association Student Food Bank, I would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past year,” said Cooper.

“We appreciate the support we have received from faculty, departments, student groups/clubs, Red Deer City Food Bank Society, numerous individuals and special events on campus. Every donation — no matter how large or how small — makes a difference.

“The special events held by different groups on campus help out in two ways — not only do they bring in donations, they also help increase awareness of the Student Food Bank.”

Stocking the Cupboards
The Student Food Bank needs non-perishable items like peanut butter, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta, tomato sauce, rice, cereal, fruit juice. There are some things people may not think to donate, but are just as essential, like hygiene items.

While every donation is appreciated there are some items which are not of high demand at the SA Student Food Bank. Items like baby formula, baby food and diapers are not as necessary. If those items are required the Red Deer Food Bank can help the Student Food Bank meet those needs.

Donations of unopened, non-perishable food items can be placed in the Food Bank collection box located by the main gym or dropped off at the Students’ Association office.

The Student Food Bank also accepts cash donations. These cash donations are used to purchase food vouchers. Cash donations can be dropped off at the Students’ Association office or placed in the Student Food Bank ‘Soup Cans’ at The Patch, Quiznos, Extreme Pita, The Marketplace, The Far Side Bar & Grill and The Lift.

“With the vouchers our students can purchase perishable groceries like fresh fruit, vegetable, milk, bread and meat.”

Emergency hampers
If you have need of an emergency hamper please call the Student Funding & Awards Office at 403-342-3254 or drop by their office in Room 1101. Clients are required to be a member of the Students’ Association of Red Deer College. Additional services offered by the Red Deer College Student Funding & Awards Office include assistance with budgeting and emergency financial assistance.

The SA food bank is open to any questions, comments or suggestions you may have. Drop by and speak with Anne Cooper at the Students’ Association office or email [email protected]