FINAL REPORT OF THE
VICE-PRESIDENT
EXTERNAL
ABIGAIL CUDJOE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO STUDENTS’ UNION LOCAL 98 CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO STUDENTS’ UNION LOCAL 98 CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS
REPORT OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT EQUITY IN THIS REPORT: 1. CAMPAIGNS 2. EVENTS 3. FINAL NOTES
1. CAMPAIGNS PEDESTRIANIZE ST. GEORGE STREET The commission has been working throughout the year to get further input and research on the pedestianization of St. George Street. After our town hall and discussions within the commission, the focus of the lobby document is to have a pilot project mirroring the Kensington Pedestrian Sundays. The Street Festival during orientation was a great example of how successful pedestrianizing St. George would be when it comes to having outdoor events. Thus far, our report outlines the request that the University and the City of Toronto take on a pilot project that closes parts of St. George (between Harbord and College) weekly in order to explore the possibility of further programming for our clubs and other campus groups during orientation and the first weeks of classes. The hope is that the commission will continue to work on this initiative in the 2013-2014 academic years.
TRANSITIONAL YEAR PROGRAM The Transitional Year Program continues to face threats from the university. The budget has been frozen and there aren’t any new staff being hired to replace those who are retiring. We have held town halls on how to figure out how to lobby the university to preserve TYP as it is. We will continue to lobby UofT as well as try to gain support from others outside of UofT to offer help.
UOFT LIAISON COMMITTEE This year, I sat on the UofT Liaison Committee that goes over proposed changes to UofT’s infrastructure. UTSU has had a seat on this committee since the mid 1980s, to give perspective on how students will be affected by the changes proposed by the university – either beneficial or not.
CITY YOUTH COUNCIL The Toronto City Youth Council was created with the goal of increasing youth involvement in city politics and initiatives within the city of Toronto. The CYC opened up seats for student union involvement to increase collaboration and communication between the City of Toronto and various schools in Toronto both at the high school and post-secondary levels. More work needs to be done, but it may be a good relation to maintain once CYC has everything established.
RESIDENCE ASSOCIATIONS After a meeting with Councilor Adam Vaughn, we learnt that when looking to hold events such as the UTSUFest street fair, we should be in consistent conversations with the Residence Associations that surround the campus (Annex, Grange, Huron-Sussex). Within our conversations, folks gave recommendations for the pedestrianzation of St. George, which some members have expressed support of. Moreover, we learnt that the University wants to sign over a lease to a private American company to own and manage a residence on campus. The main problem is that it is not clear how management will work (although there were promises of dons and other student life training, there is nothing in the lease). Another worry is that the residence is aimed at international students, and there is no clear integration of the residence with the rest of the Toronto community. We are continuing to work with the associations during the summer as we are going to give testimony at the Ontario Municipal Board in July.
CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS
This year along with other student unions the Greater Toronto Area, we collaborated via the CFS on education and other social justice issues. This year, we’ve had plenty of success including: • Launching a campaign against homophobia and transphobia (including campus club tool kits) • The creation of campus tool kits on the quality and accessibility of food on campus • Supporting campuses with tool kits on how to deal with sexism on campus. • Remaining the solidarity with students in Quebec during their strike over summer 2012.
FINAL REPORT OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO STUDENTS’ UNION LOCAL 98 CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS
2. EVENTS DISORIENTATION disorientation is an alternative orientation that introduces students to social justice and activism both on and off campus. This year we collaborated with one of our levy groups OPIRG to organize the event, which took, place September 17-21. This was the fifth annual disO and it was a huge success! Our theme, The City is a Battleground, focused on the fight against austerity at UofT, Toronto, and across our country. The various workshops held were all very well attended. Our Keynote speaker, International renowned artist D’bi Young also held a workshop on the importance of making love the forefront of our work in social justice.
KNOW YOUR (TENANT) RIGHTS The commission worked on this initiative in two ways: (1) we collaborated with Downtown Legal Services to host workshops to let students know all about signing leases, how to deal with roommates, landlords and et cetera. (2) We have been in constant conversation with the various residence associations to lobby our administration to not sign on to a public-private residence. Scion, an American company wants to house over 500 students at College and Huron. The cost of the residence would be more expensive than the most expensive residence at UofT – Chestnut Residence.
EDUCATION TOWNHALL In response to the discussion paper submitted by the past Minister of the Training, Colleges and University Glen Murray. We held a town hall in response to the problematic suggestions he put in the paper, including three-year degrees and campus program specialization. The town hall was very successful; we had panelists with representatives from UTFA (University of Toronto Faculty Association) and members of the university administration, Cheryl Misak. From the concerns voiced at the town hall. We put together a document outlining our criticisms toward the paper, since consultations were very strategic and limited to students.
DéCOR This year, I worked on a lot of the décor for our events, including promotional banners including: • Pride picnic • National Aboriginal Day • Winter Week of Welcome • Pedestrianize St. George • DisOrientation
3.
FINAL NOTES
Upon reflection of this year I have realized I learnt so much, about how to write documents, solicit sponsors, and run events. I want to thank everyone for the support they gave throughout the year, especially to our staff who has always been patient with us. I want to also thank our board members for their honesty throughout year and thanks to those who have made extra time to invest into our organization. Despite all that has happened this year, I hope that people are able to maintain their respect for each other and remember we are all just students trying to get through the system without drowning. I wish everyone all the best with the rest of their academic careers and remember: don’t forget to smile!
In solidarity, Abigail Cudjoe Vice-President External University of Toronto Students’ Union Local 98 Canadian Federation of Students
FINAL REPORT OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL