VUSAC Semi-Annual Report | Fall 2023

SEMI- ANNUAL

REPORT FALL 2023

Prepared By

TANYA KOR, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

TABLE OF

CONTENTS SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS 3 4

September & October November & December

EXECUTIVE 5 7 9 11

President Vice-President External Vice-President Internal Vice-President Student Organizations

COMMISSIONERS AND CO-CHAIRS 12 14 15 18 20 22 24

Academic Arts and Culture Commuter Equity Mental Wellness Scarlet and Gold Sustainability

STAFF 25 26 28 29 30

Chair Chief Returning Officer Communications Coordinator Finance Chair Office Manager

COUNCILLORS 31 39

Councillors International Councillor

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

8

9 VUSAC SOCIAL

15 FALL 2023 BUDGET RATIFACTION MEETING

SEP

4

BACK TO SCHOOL PUB NIGHT

12

END FOSSIL FUELS: PROTEST GROUP

19

16

ELECTIONS INFO AND Q&A SESSIONS

NUIT BLANCHE FOR COMMUTERS

23

27

12 23 27

25

ECO-GRIEF CAFÉ

6 VOCA SPOOKY SCAVENGER HUNT

EFFECTIVE RESUMES & COVER LETTER WRITING WORKSHOP VOCA X SUSTAINABILITY THRIFTING EXCURSION

SEMI-FORMAL: HAUNTING HOUR HART HOUSE FARM WELLNESS RETREAT

28

14

TOWN HALL

COMMUTER DONS X VOCA TRIVIA NIGHT

28

SUSTAINABILITY HOMIE HANGOUTS (EVERY FRIDAY)

S&G MIDNIGHT BREW

MENTAL WELLNESS X BPSU MINDFUL YOGA WITH MOVEU

20

MARCH FOR THE LAND

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION NIGHT DAY I

13

ACADEMIC X ARTS AND CULTURE X VOCA TOTE BAG PAINTING

END FOSSIL FUELS: PROTEST GROUP

VOTERS’ ED SESSION

GREEN GLIMPSES: TIMECAPSULE POSTCARDS & BOTANIC BONDS

VOCA MIRROR PAINTING

12/13

VOCA PANCAKES (EVERY TUESDAY)

SUSTAINABLE PUMPKIN CARVING: CARVE DIEM

11 CLIMATE JUSTICE TOTE BAG ARTBUILD UNITED AGAINST TC ENERGY SOLIDARITY RALLY

14

OCT

18 FOOD JUSTICE TOWN HALL

BOXING MOVEMENT & MINDSET WORKSHOP

26

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION NIGHT DAY II ARTS & CULTURE PUMPKIN PAINTING

ECO-GRIEF CAFÉ

31

SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS | SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 3

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOV

16 MENTAL WELLNESS BADMINTON

ANTIPROCRASTINATION NIGHT DAY III

23

VOCA X VICKY EATERS EXAM LOUNGE

5

1

VOCA 1989 (TAYLOR'S VERSION) LISTENING PARTY & FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

VOCA X EQUITY COMMISSION BRUNCH MEET AND GREET

17 24

SMCSU X VUSAC DIWALI DINNER

13 22

14

VOCA X BOUNDLESS BOOKS FLOWER CRAFTS AND BOOKISH CHATS

ARTS AND CULTURE HOLIDAY MOVIE NIGHT

29

6

7

EQUITY WATER SAFETY AND INTRODUCTORY SWIMMING LESSONS

30 ANTIPROCRASTINATION NIGHT DAY IV

EQUITY MUG PAINTING

FINAL ANTIPROCASTINATION NIGHT

COMMUTER DONS X VOCA DISTILLERY DISTRICT HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE TRIP

15

NCSC X MENTAL WELLNESS THERAPY DOGS

INTERVIEW STRATEGY WORKSHOP

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

MENTAL WELLNESS X ARTS AND CULTURE GHIBLI JOURNAL JAMBOREE

8 UOFTKNITS X MENTAL WELLNESS DROP-IN KNITTING AND CROCHET

THE BOBFATHER

8/9

BURWASH STUDY SPACE (UNTIL DEC 19)

DEC

4 SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS | NOVEMBER & DECEMBER

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

PRESIDENT Shane Joy

life, I worked with Kelley to conclude conversations about providing housing for students over the winter break. Further, I met with the Victoria Black Student Network to discuss our approach to Victoria University’s potential signing of the Scarborough Charter, a commitment to enhancing the inclusion of Black students and redressing the realities of anti-Black racism on campus.

Hello! Since my election in April, I’ve been working hard to set the strategic direction for VUSAC during the 2023-2024 academic year, supporting students by increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of our services while continuing to listen to and advocate for their needs. This report will elucidate the work I’ve done from May to mid-November 2023.

VUSAC ran several successful events as part of the slew of Orientation week programming. In addition to spearheading Commuter Orientation in mid-August, I contributed to the running of a club fair and open house, and my other portfolios included Traditional Ceremonies and Vic Talks Anti-Racism.

From May to August, I kept the VUSAC Office open for 25-30 hours per week for students to gather and use our services, and an overall estimate of 630 people visited the office. Additionally, I worked with VicPride! to facilitate their Gender-Affirming Gear Giveaway. While only required to log 480, I worked a total of 813 hours this summer.

Furthermore, Lara and I hosted our annual VUSAC Social, at which we saw an unexpectedly high turnout of ~60 students. We were also delighted to see a turnout of 160 students at our VUSAC Pub Night, which was the first pub night hosted by Victoria College students since the pandemic. Overall, I am very proud of the many successes our team had over the summer.

In May and June, I supported Lara in spearheading hiring, during which we received a historic number of 54 applications for our ten hired positions. Further, I supported Callan in developing a “How to Budget 101” workshop to familiarize student leaders with our budgeting process. By the end of the summer fiscal term, VUSAC utilized 95.1% of the approximately $18,300 it budgeted to spend.

In preparation for the Fall budgeting term, Callan and I ran two “How to Budget 101” workshops. Further, Muskaan, Lara, and I planned and facilitated a “How to Plan an Event” workshop for any student leaders who were new to event planning. This September, we’ve gone through another successful round of budgeting, seeking to cut costs and focus our spending on accessible events and initiatives that best meet students’ needs and interests.

Following the difficulties encountered during the Spring elections, I led a period of extensive governing document reform. To improve our Elections and Referenda Code (ERC), I formed a working group including many members of council who helped transition VUSAC to a ranked voting system, increase control over our voting platform, and transfer all elections functions to the website. Additionally, I formed working groups to amend our Budgeting Steering Policy and Equitable Hiring Policy, both of which hadn’t been updated in over two years.

Alongside governing document reform, I met with President Rhonda McEwen and Dean Kelley Castle to discuss other important initiatives. In addition to discussing Victoria University’s signing of the Okanagan Charter, which in the simplest terms is a commitment to embedding mental health into all aspects of campus life,

We also had a very successful Fall election cycle, which I supported Dhir in hosting. Overall, a total of 15 students (4 upper-years and 11 first-years) ran for nine councillor positions, and I’m excited that for the first time in years, all of VUSAC’s elected and ex-officio positions have been filled through election or appointment. This year, I’ve also managed to achieve another five VUSAC-appointed student seats on the Victoria College Council. Although slightly lower than last year, voter turnout remained high for our standards at 11.5% of the student body.

Following the conclusion of elections, I supported Lara in onboarding all of the councillors. Amoly was assigned to my portfolio, and I am currently supporting her in drafting a report which seeks to convey the impact of and examine the justifications for honoraria on VUSAC. Amoly

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Amoly has also supported me in the implementation of the Printing Policy I developed following receipt of some extremely expensive printing invoices in September. Throughout October, Lara and I supported Krystyn in preparing for our annual Semi-Formal.

Returning to hosting it in the Fall, the proximity of Halloween allowed us to invite people to wear their costumes to the event, at which we saw a strong turnout of 210 students.

In late October, following months of conversations with the Dean’s Office, Victoria University signed the Okanagan Charter, creating many opportunities for cross-cutting collaboration between administrators and students to enhance mental wellness at Victoria College. In particular, Kelley and I agreed on the importance of enhancing the role of peers in mental health support, and I look forward to seeing what results come from these discussions.

heard loud and clear, and I am leveraging VUSAC’s previous experience creating the BIPOC Leadership Award and the expertise of organizations like VOICES and VicPride! to shape what this new award will look like.

Looking forward, I will continue working on unfinished projects as well as some new initiatives. In addition to soliciting feedback to inform our upcoming review of the ERC, I am working to create an infographic of the institutional structure of Victoria University. Further, the Working Group on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Victoria College Academic Programs, of which I am a co-chair, will be meeting after working for months to refine its objectives and revamp its membership. Lastly, after cleaning out the back room of the VUSAC Office to make space for graduation photos, I will soon be beginning discussions to reconsider the allocation of space here overall, ensuring that in addition to protecting student spaces we are ensuring it is going to groups who will actually utilize it.

In service, Shane Joy

Photo by Minh Truong/Victoria University

Another focal point of advocacy for me since the summer has been advocating for increased community safety as we witness a global rise in queer- and transphobia. Alongside VicPride! and VOICES, I’ve been meeting with the Dean’s Office to discuss how we can tangibly increase the support and safety for Victoria College students. Specific focuses of these discussions include providing overnight access to the Goldring Student Centre and enhancing resource awareness by updating the Ask. Listen. Talk program.

Relatedly, I’ve also begun discussions with the Office of Alumni Affairs & Advancement about establishing an award for queer and trans students. The vital importance of financial support is something we’ve heard

6 EXECUTIVE | PRESIDENT

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL Cameron Miranda-Radbord I firmly believe that VUSAC ought to function as a student union, not simply as a body for planning events.

Consequently, I have used my position to secure meaningful wins for students and hold administration accountable on the issues that matter most.

Winter Housing: Over the winter break, VUSAC heard for a long time that many students lacked a place to go. Flights home for international students were too expensive. Some domestic students felt unsafe in their homes. Winter housing alternatives provided by UofT were too expensive. Continuing work I had begun with the Equity Commission last year, myself and Diana ensured students will be able to access Winter Housing on Vic campus for the first time.

Caucus: Caucus is the semesterly town hall where Vic students are able to ask questions of administrators. This year, caucus was held at Old Vic rather than the Cat’s Eye to accommodate what was a historic turnout. We saw pre-submitted questions more than double from previous years, with the primary focus of questions being violence in the Middle East and accessibility in the dining hall.

This year, VUSAC Executive also answered student questions primarily related to last year’s elections and academic freedom.

December 6th Memorial: It is the Vice-President (External)’s constitutional responsibility to organize the annual December 6th memorial for National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Plans for this year’s event are coming along well – I am working in collaboration with VOICES to ensure it serves as both a somber commemoration of the past and a call to action for the future. We want to ensure that students who are interested are aware of the event, but those who do not wish to be exposed to content related to gender based violence are able to avoid it. To this end, the memorial will be held in the Wymilwood Lounge this year rather than the atrium.

Social Justice Coalition: A core element of my platform was the establishment of the Social Justice Coalition, an informal collaboration between the social justice organizations at Vic. The SJC meets monthly, and meetings are open to students. So far, we have worked on diverting mental health crisis response away from the police and advocating for VicPride!’s demands in the wake of the Waterloo attacks.

Gender Affirming Gear: VicPride!’s gender affirming gear program has long supported students from other colleges. This is financially unsustainable, especially in light of the recent cancellation of the Trinity College GAG program. I am working with the UTSU to establish a campus-wide GAG program to ease the financial pressure on VicPride! and ensure that often life-saving supplies are available to every student who wants them.

Air Conditioning in Lower Burwash & Annesley Hall: A common complaint we heard from first year students while tabling and during orientation was that the heat in Lower Burwash and Annesley Hall was unbearable. Fans provided by the Dean’s Office are insufficient. I am working with the DO to expand cooling options, including through providing portable air conditioning in the early Fall and late Spring months.

ERC Changes: I was excited to participate in Council’s efforts to reform the ERC. I particularly advocated for rules around extending and redoing elections, and bringing VUSAC in line with most student unions by implementing ranked ballots.

Both policy changes passed. I am confident that with these and other amendments, the new ERC will ensure that future elections are transparent, accessible, and fair.

Tabling: I feel strongly that VUSAC must increase its visible presence on campus. In advance of caucus, I joined the Councillors on the VPE portfolio in tabling around

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

around Vic, including outside of Burwash and in the Cecil Atrium. We solicited feedback from students, gave out VUSAC swag, and provided resources from the College and commissions. I intend to continue tabling once the weather improves in the spring.

Future Projects Tenant Guide: the first VUSAC tenant guide, which I drafted in collaboration with the Commuter Commission, Equity Commission, and Councillors, will hopefully be ratified during the VUSAC meeting on December 1st. As the costs of housing and predatory practices like rental scams increase, it is crucial that VUSAC do its part to support students living off campus.

Federated Framework Agreement: aspects of the Federated Framework Agreement are currently being reviewed by the Vic and the University of Toronto. The process is secretive, and only the Dean’s Office and the University know all of the details. However, I have been pushing for increased transparency, including from the Provost at the Provostial Undergraduate Student Advisory Group.

Representation on the Board of Regents: Another key element of my platform was working toward 50% student representation on the Board of Regents. This is an attainable goal in the long-term.

In the short-term, when the Board reviews appointments in the Spring, I intend to communicate the student community’s strong desire for parity. The Board is a key venue for students to advocate for fiscal responsibility, adequate facilities, and investment practices that reflect the College’s values - including ensuring that Vic divests from fossil fuels by 2030.

8 EXECUTIVE | VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

VICE-PRESIDENT INTERNAL Lara Athena Reyes

Hi everyone, I’m Lara, your Vice-President Internal for VUSAC 2023-2024!

In the Summer, I aimed to solidify our team through onboarding and hiring.

The elected members were onboarded by Shane and I. In this meeting, we get to know them as a person as well as what their ideals, visions, and goals are on council. It was nice to see the new faces and visions that would be driving the passions and work of council. Elected members also had their transition meetings with the outgoing elected member, to be able to learn more about the ins and outs of the role.

I facilitated Staff Hiring and Co-Chair Hiring, where we received 17 and 36 applications, respectively. The good number of applicants we received was a great sign of people’s interests in being involved and to learn more about VUSAC. Once the members were hired, they were also onboarded and had a transition meeting with the outgoing staff member. While the staff may not have as heavy of a workload in the Summer, the onboarding meetings showed me how excited these new members were to initiate and try out new things for the operations of council.

I also had Check-Ins with the Commissions and Staff as they entered their new roles. The Commissions and I met to go over their timelines for the year. In this meeting, we broadly talk about budgeting and the feasibility of the different events they have in mind.

During onboarding, we found that a lot of Commissioners wanted to collaborate with other commissions more. Thus, I also facilitated a Commissioner Roundtable, where all the commissions were able to meet and discuss their events, and see where there was still room for collaborations.

Lastly, I designed and produced newsletters for each month of the summer. Over the summer, the Executive was talking about how we need to tap into more nonsocial media methods of advertising to reach more people.

people. In the newsletters, we placed updates with VUSAC, hiring and position opportunities in different Vic organizations, and overall ensured that people could stay connected with the Vic community.

In terms of Orientation, I aimed to get ourselves out there and help the new students find their community through opportunities.

During Dinner with VUSAC and Levies, we had the VUSAC booth to promote elections and our upcoming Pub Night. Commissions also publicized themselves and collected information of students who were interested in general membership. Based on the great number of applications we received for elections, I like to believe that we were successful in reaching new members of Vic. During the VUSAC Social, we had about 60 students attend. We hosted a trivia game on different aspects about Vic, especially niche things you’d learn after a couple of years. People thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and we gave out a couple of mugs as prizes!

And of course, we had our VUSAC Pub Night, which garnered about 160 students. This was an event that Shane and I had been planning the entire summer, so it was really exciting to see it come to life. We had VOICES provide peer support throughout the evening. There was food available for free while drinks were for sale.

The chatter throughout the night was lovely, and it was incredible to see all the students enjoying the evening and celebrating their first week safely.

As the Fall semester was kickstarted, I supported the Elections process by being the Assistant CRO. Once elections concluded, the newly elected Councilors were onboarded. We then held VUSAC Retreat. This was a two-day event where the council got to learn, bond, and integrate. One standout activity was inviting previous VUSAC members to speak about their experiences. The activity concluded with us each sharing why we joined the council. It was heartwarming to see all these different

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

different people coming together to serve Vic and get involved.

We also had First Aid Training, where 9 council members were able to be first-aid trained. This was conducted by Caitriona, our Equity Co-Chair, who teaches first aid. This was successful and we now have more people equipped to support during council events.

I also took part in planning and executing the SemiFormal of the Scarlet and Gold Commission, which was Halloween themed! It was great to see Old Vic decorated so well, people dancing throughout the night, and the costumes and outfits everyone came in.

In terms of some more recent work, I’m working with Ali on Orientation Co-Chair Hiring and forming the panel.

I’m supporting the planning of Highball and Gardiner Gala.

The Fall Semester was about supporting members and having a good start. I really want to make sure that the council's experiences are fruitful and they leave their position with good memories.

Overall, this semester has been a rollercoaster of events and emotions, but I still feel so grateful for being in this role. It’s wonderful to see the council from a different angle, and to contribute to cultivating a good atmosphere for the council.

10 EXECUTIVE | VICE-PRESIDENT INTERNAL

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

VICE-PRESIDENT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Muskaan Aggarwal

Hello, I'm Muskaan Aggarwal, your VPSO for the academic year 2023-24. Since stepping into this role in early May 2023, my focus has been on amplifying student life at Vic by actively engaging with clubs and levies, addressing their unique needs, and fostering an environment where all student organizations thrive.

At the start of my term, my priority was to ensure a smooth transition for new levy heads and get them started with their operations. Regular check-ins allowed me to grasp their specific requirements, leading to assistance in updating signing authorities and refining constitutions for better operational efficiency. As the club application period approached, I took the initiative to revamp the Clubs and Levy Handbook, which had not been updated in over two years. Aligning with the new mandatory governing documents policy, I conducted a constitution-making workshop, aiding clubs and levies in developing suitable rules for the school year.

Following a month-long period of applications, July 21, 2023, marked the successful ratification of 23 clubs during the club ratification meeting. Subsequently, additional applications increased the total number of operating clubs to 27, with six new additions this year.

Club applications remain open, with new submissions brought to the council on a rolling basis.

Transitioning into the fall, my focus shifted to resolving internal conflicts within clubs and levies. Issues ranging from executive concerns to hiring challenges, space disputes, and funding inquiries were resolved through multiple meetings. Addressing an increase in fundingrelated queries, I am currently in the process of developing a comprehensive guideline document to streamline the process and enhance clarity.

Moreover, at the beginning of the fall semester, I facilitated the booking of two tables at the UTSU Clubs Fair for all clubs in Vic to share. This effort aimed to promote our clubs to non-Vic students, fostering a sense of community beyond our immediate campus.

More than five clubs participated in this event, which allowed

allowed Vic clubs to reach a much broader audience than just Vic students.

Furthermore, recently, conversations about space allocation in the Goldring Student Centre have also emerged. Notably, VCAA was moved into the same room as Vic Records, while their office is now being used by Wellness Interns. To promote a more collaborative use of space in the building, I am hoping to initiate conversations around creating open and multiuse spaces. This will allow multiple student organizations to utilize the space rather than keeping it limited to one or the other organization.

Another important aspect of my role is to conduct 3 check-ins with the levies and 2 check-ins with the clubs in a school year. As of November 20, fall levy check-ins are nearing completion, and club check-ins will conclude shortly. Additionally, I hosted an all-club head meeting on November 14, with plans to organize a miniclub fair early next semester to promote student organizations, as discussed during the meeting.

Looking ahead, I am actively working on organizing equity training with the support of the Equity Commission for the executive members of clubs and levies, aligning with new policies that make the training mandatory for all executive members. This training is crucial for fostering inclusivity and diversity within our student organizations and creating a safe space for all students. Another key initiative that I am working on is the development of an interactive calendar for clubs and levies, ensuring accessibility to all students and organizations for timely planning. Simultaneously, I am actively working on developing an interactive calendar for clubs and levies, ensuring accessibility for all students and organizations for timely planning.

In summary, my goal over the past months has been to support and enhance Vic's student organizations. I take pride in the progress we've made and look forward to continuing these efforts in the coming months for a vibrant and thriving student community at Vic.

EXECUTIVE | VICE-PRESIDENT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS 11

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

ACADEMIC COMMISSIONER Medha Barath

I am excited to share more about the busy and successful year the Academic Commission has had so far!

When starting my position, I first worked on hiring a co-chair as well as the rest of the executives for our team. We received ten applications for the co-chair position, from which we hired Stephanie, who has been a great co-chair so far! We also received 16 applications for our upper-year executive positions, from which we hired our communications, advocacy, events, and collaborations teams.

After onboarding our new members, the commission spent the rest of the summer planning our events for the year, specifically focusing on the first few initiatives we had planned for the semester.

The first of these was the Academic Commission Social, which served as a way to encourage students to join our team as first-year representatives and general members whilst also gaining feedback from Vic students about our planned initiatives. We particularly got great feedback about our idea to establish a textbook library, which induced great discussion within our commission, too.

We also collaborated with the Arts and Culture and Commuter Commissions to host a Tote Bag Painting Night, which welcomed Vic students back to campus. We had a great turnout of more than 100 participants.

At the end of September, we began to hire two First-Year Representatives to join our team. We received over 14 applications for these roles, and after conducting interviews, we hired Radia and Winston to join our team!

The commission’s signature Anti-Procrastination nights have also started and been greatly successful. This year, we have been trying to host them bi-weekly and vary the event’s location to help students further explore the Goldring Student Centre. So far, we have used the Copper Room and VUSAC Boardroom as study spaces, with our next event occurring in the Regents Room. These study nights have been well-received by students - not only do they have a high turnout, but many students have also let us know how valuable these events are!

The commission has been greatly interested in advocacy this year and has pursued some initiatives in this regard.

We have met with the Registrar’s Office to discuss the expansion of Vic’s Peer Tutoring program; although there are many constraints to doing so, we have some potential starting points to make this program accessible to a larger array of students. We also created an academic resource guide spanning topics from educational information to cocurricular activities. It is available at this link and will be posted on VUSAC and the commission’s Instagram pages soon! We are incredibly interested in establishing a textbook library to alleviate academic costs for students and have held some meetings to discuss the feasibility of this initiative as well.

Working on the Academic Commission has been extremely rewarding, and I am incredibly grateful for the help of both my co-chair, who has been an invaluable partner when organizing our various initiatives, as well as the rest of our executive team.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

ACADEMIC CO-CHAIR Stephanie Cui

I assumed my position as the Academic Co-chair in June and began my work in July with Medha, my fellow Academic Commissioner, to construct a master timeline outlining the events and projects we hope to actualize in the upcoming year. Our focus involves consistently hosting events that foster academic success as well as intensifying the commission’s advocacy endeavors.

In August, we conducted executive hiring and appointed five executive members to fortify our team. In alignment with our objectives of expanding outreach and partnering with other Victoria College student organizations, we decided to double the number of Communications Coordinators and introduced the role of Collaborations Director.

In early September, we actively participated in Orientation and expanded our team by hiring two First Year representatives. We hosted a Commission social as well as a Tote Bag Painting Night in collaboration with the Commuter and Arts and Culture Commission. October featured our first Anti-Procrastination Night, one of our consistent events that will be carried on throughout the year. We organized three workshops and invited the Vic Career Advisor, Kathy, as well as the Vic Awards team to support students’ professional success. Last but not least, we began our advocacy efforts in expanding the Vic peer tutoring program and establishing a textbook library.

I feel incredibly grateful for all the VUSAC members for their ceaseless support, our team for their hard work, as well as Medha for her dedication and enthusiasm that shine through all of our projects. I am proud of all that we have accomplished and look forward to a wonderful remainder of the year!

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSIONER Kate Mochina

My role as Arts and Culture Commissioner on VUSAC thus far has been off to a great start! Over the summer I hired 5 executive members: two events coordinators, a collaborations director, a programming director, and the communications and graphic design position which I combined into one. Just this last month we also hired two first year execs and onboarded two VUSAC counselors, making our team so much bigger!

Along with hiring the exec team, planning for the Bob Sketch Comedy Revue started in late July. With the help of last year’s directors, Davide and Audrey, we were able to hire this year’s directors, Anna and Ethan.

Following this, the directors held auditions and selected the cast for the show. The Bob’s performance dates are December 8th and 9th and the cast has been working hard to craft the funniest show the Bob has ever seen!

Our very first event of the year was a tote bag painting event in the quad in collaboration with the Academic and Commuter Commission. This event was very successful

successful with about 120 attendees and great weather and snacks for all those who attended. Another event that we held in collaboration with the Commuter Commission was our Nuit Blanche commuter buddies initiative. We put out a form to help connect commuters with one another that wanted to attend the event but were worried about the commute back home.

In October we also held a Pumpkin Painting event in collaboration with One Piece Cake Club in the Cat’s Eye. This was a very fun and successful event that got students into the Halloween spirit by painting pumpkins and decorating cupcakes. We were also able to hold a bullet journaling event with Mental Wellness that featured muji pens and Ghibli themed stickers that were very popular and well received!

A new initiative this year that our programming director Liam assembled is the Vic Arts Atlas. This is a comprehensive map which highlights free or studentdiscounted admission to art galleries and museums in Toronto that might be otherwise hard to find. This map is a great resource for students that highlights art in the city that is accessible and convenient for students living on and off campus. The Art Atlas has been very successful with a lot of positive feedback and engagement from students.

In collaboration with St. Mikes and the Equity and Scarlet Gold Commission VUSAC was also involved in a cultural week where we held a very successful Diwali Dinner with over half attendance from Vic students! As the end of November approaches we are planning one last holiday themed movie and art event that will be held in the Cat’s Eye. The commission will also be holding a booth along with Academic and Scarlet and Gold at this year’s Home for the Holidays on November 24th with spin the wheel trivia and fun holiday prizes.

Photos by Kate Mochina

Planning for the Gardiner Gala is well underway as we move into the winter term. In conjunction with the Dean’s Office, Ali and I have been discussing ideas for an exhibition and making the event focused on showcasing student art!

14 COMMISSIONERS AND CO-CHAIRS | ARTS AND CULTURE

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

COMMUTER COMMISSIONER Juhyung Yun

As the Commuter Commissioner, the first thing I did was hire my wonderful Co-Chair Aimee with the help of the hiring committee. Aimee and I then proceeded to organize a full-year plan for VOCA during the Summer, started Summer locker rentals, and published the Commuter Resource Guide with the help of Shane (VUSAC

(VUSAC President). We also hired our 10 executives for our 5 duos, later hired our 3 first year executives (Elaine, Brandice, Danbee) in October, and also got our VUSAC councillor Aiko assigned in November.

In late August, alongside Aimee and 3 other execs, I helped run a pancake brunch during Commuter Orientation and also participated at ‘Dinner with VUSAC and Levies’ during Orientation. Following the start of the Fall semester, we opened Fall Locker Rentals and kick started our famous weekly pancake brunches. In the past months, we have had 5 pancake collaborations and also experimented with special pancake flavors like cinnamon bun pancakes. As always, our pancake brunches have been successful with an average attendance of 100+ students per brunch.

Other than Aimee and I’s regular responsibilities of managing our VOCA team, we have also organized a total of 3 Co-Chair events in the Fall Semester. The first co-chair event was the Tote Bag Painting event, which was VOCA’s first event of the year and also in collaboration with the Arts & Culture and Academic Commission. At this event, we were able to give away all 120 tote bags, which was a great strong start of the year for VOCA. Aimee and I then proceeded to organize our annual Trivia Night event with the Commuter Dons in late September and later also hosted a Mirror Painting event in which all 40 mirrors were given away. Our next big event as a whole team will be Home for the Holidays, which will be held on November 24.

While I would have loved to write about all the fruitful initiatives done by our lovely VOCA execs in depth, due to a word limit, here are some of the execs’ main programming:

Photos by Juhyung Yun

Administrative Duo (Alexa & Christina) Updating Commuter Lounge Whiteboard and tidying up the Commuter Lounge in general

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Working on VOCA’s monthly newsletter (will be coming out soon!)

Writing meeting minutes Advocacy Duo (Mina & Sara) Fall 2023 Programming Survey Monthly Giveaways (September and October) Working on the “Commuter of the Month” initiative Brunch Meet and Greet with the Equity Commission Collaborations Duo (Ekaterina & Bhakti) Thrifting Excursion Trip with Sustainability Commission Flower Crafts and Bookish Chats with Boundless Books Communications Duo (Denise & Isha) Making instagram posts and stories for all VOCA events and initiatives Working on the “Commuter of the Month” initiative Revamping VOCA’s website and Tik Tok account Fall 2023 VOCA Spotify Playlist Fall Photo Contest Events Duo (Sooyeon & Krity) Spooky Scavenger Hunt 1989 Listening Party and Friendship Bracelet Making Distillery District Trip (will be happening in December) Working with the whole VOCA team and VUSAC has been such a fortunate and valuable experience and I greatly look forward to the Winter Semester.

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COMMUTER CO-CHAIR Aimee Surendra

After being hired as VUSAC’s Commuter Co-Chair in June, I have had an amazing semester working alongside my dedicated Commissioner Juhyung! Over the summer, we hired and onboarded 10 upper-year executives, each one-half of 5 duos (Administrative, Advocacy, Collaborations, Communications and Events). We also conducted pancake training with the former Commissioner Maarib, and “Brunch with VOCA” during Commuter Orientation in August.

During the fall, we hired our 3 first-year executives (each working with one duo) and kicked off our weekly pancakes and programming. We also welcomed our VUSAC Councillor, Aiko, to the team in November.

Additionally, I assigned all 80+ of the lockers in the commuter lounge, which are free to be rented by Vic students on a semesterly basis.

To date, we have run 8 in-person events and 10 pancake brunches, including collaborations with many student groups at Vic. Some favourites of mine have been the Mirror Painting Co-Chairs event and the 1989 Taylor Swift Listening Party, which both had great turnout and engagement! We look forward to continuing the programming we are well-known for next semester - follow @viccommuter for all the details :) VOCA’s biggest event of the year is coming up: Home for the Holidays!! Ju and I have put a lot of work into the planning of H4TH, which will take place Friday, November 24th from 5-9 pm on the first floor of Old Vic. Many of your favourite Vic student groups will be running activity booths on the day, so please drop by to support and pick up one of our jam-packed goody bags. We hope to see you there!

Photo by Aimee Surendra

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EQUITY COMMISSIONER Diana Vink

My work on the Equity Commission began this summer with the hiring of my Co-Chair, Caitriona, and then the hiring of our five-person executive team: Liz, our Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Alec and Brendan, our Directors of Events, and Ivan and Valerie, our Directors of Advocacy and Outreach.

The recategorization of our executive roles has so far been extremely successful—our executives are incredibly dedicated and creative, and we’ve already done a lot of great work. Our general membership applications are open, and we expect to have a general meeting before the semester concludes. This year, we’re also excited to have three councillors on our portfolio: Erin, Sophie, and Albert. All three have been onboarded and have begun work with the commission, attending our events and helping to set up! We’re looking forward to working further with them next semester.

had 80 total attendees. Of these, 47.5% (38 students) were Vic students. The event offered a full Indian dinner, rangoli, henna, gopi dots, and lots of dancing. I’m extremely grateful to everyone who worked on this event, especially Lydia and Shireen from SMCSU for inviting us to be a part of it. I am extraordinarily proud of the success of this event—it represents the mandate of not just the Equity Commission but VUSAC as a whole: to create a feeling of community for students, and to listen to what they want and bring it to life. The event followed the release of our holiday interest form, shared on our Instagram, where students had the chance to indicate interest in any holidays they feel aren’t recognized at Vic or UofT. Many students on this form indicated a hope for a Diwali celebration, so we’re very excited to have been able to offer one and hope to continue using that form to address student needs.

So far this semester, our largest event has been a collaboration with SMCSU on a Diwali dinner in Charbonnel Lounge. The dinner occurred on Monday, November 13, and was a joint project between the Equity, Arts and Culture, and Scarlet and Gold Commissions. Between walk-ins and RSVPs, we had over 120 students indicate interest in the event, and we had

Besides that, our Directors of Events planned a wonderful brunch collaboration with VOCA on November 17. The turnout was around 40 students, and students were able to meet members of both commissions, share any concerns via an anonymous submission box, and enjoy a variety of brunch foods.

Coming up, we have an accessible and inclusive swimming lesson for students who may not have water safety skills. This is a project Caitriona has been coordinating since last year, and we’re so excited to finally bring it to life and equip students with life-saving skills. Muskaan and I are planning a virtual, recorded equity training for club and levy executives to hopefully ensure accessibility, and foresee that coming out before the month’s end.

I have much more to say, and so few words to do it, so please feel free to reach out to equity@vusac.ca to chat more! As always, we are here to support Vic students who may have concerns, ideas, or questions, and we’re looking forward to a great year!

Photo by Diana Vink

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EQUITY CO-CHAIR Caitriona Federico

So far this year has been quite fruitful for the Equity Commission. We began with hiring a strong 5-person exec team with a variety of interests including cultural initiatives, gender-based initiatives, affordability and accessibility advocacy, and informational campaigns for students.

We had significant interest at orientation and will be holding our first general membership meeting in the upcoming weeks. As the commission has gotten going, we have run a meet and greet brunch with VOCA, and large Diwali event in collaboration with St Mike’s student Union.

Coming up I will be running Inclusive Swimming Lessons at the Varsity Athletic Centre for those who did not have access growing up to teach basic water safety skills. We are also going to work with the Dean’s Office to get stickers printed to cover the current logo on the hygiene disposals in the gender-neutral washrooms which currently have a female symbol. The new logo will be more inclusive and simpler to illustrate what the disposal is for.

We are hoping to continue bringing cultural events to students with a winter holiday event before the end of the semester, and Iftar and Lunar New Year events early next semester. The commission is also looking forward to working with the new equity, inclusion, and transformational practices director in the President’s office to bring further change to Vic on a higher level, forming an important relationship with administration.

I was also personally able to provide first aid training to the council earlier this semester certifying 8 more members of council to appropriately respond to first aid situations.

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MENTAL WELLNESS COMMISSIONER Charlie Sun Hello everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I'm Charlie Sun, serving as the Mental Wellness Commissioner this year.

As we navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic era, I am thrilled to report that this semester has marked a remarkable restart, with everyone transitioning out of the fear and anxiety that plagued us during those uncertain times. Thanks to the concerted efforts of our dedicated and highly motivated co-chair and VUSAC executive team, our events have seamlessly returned to the pre-pandemic rhythm.

I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding individuals who form the backbone of our commission. With their unwavering support, we've assembled a dynamic and powerful team. Claudia, our highly organized administrator, has played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of our activities. Carolyn, our enthusiastic social media expert, has effectively promoted our events to a wider audience. I also want to recognize the exceptional contributions of Armiti and Hiba, our two highly motivated event coordinators, along with Yilin and Karina, our exceptionally talented graphic designers.

Linda, our well-informed research head, has brought invaluable insights to our Okanagan Charter initiatives. A warm welcome to our late additions, the highly helpful councillors Andrew and Albert, who have seamlessly integrated into our collaborative efforts.

Together, this powerhouse team has orchestrated the successful launch of several impactful events this term.

Our community-building initiative, centered around plant themes, aimed to enhance student mental health during the winter indoor period by providing greenery.

The Hart House farm wellness retreat followed, focusing on outdoor activities to invigorate student mental health and inject freshness into academic routines, garnering positive feedback from the student body.

Further, our engagement with physical well-being took center stage with the introduction of the boxing movement, badminton time, and mindset workshops.

Led by

Photo by Charlie Sun

Led by a highly motivated coach, these initiatives not only promoted physical fitness but also instilled a positive mindset essential for active engagement with life. Recognizing the need for balance, we introduced mindful yoga sessions to achieve tranquility amidst the movement. Beyond physical exercise, we curated events such as the Ghibli Journal Jamboree and painting pockets of peace, fostering student creativity and social bonds. Amidst the stresses of midterm season, we brought four therapeutic dogs to campus, providing students with an opportunity to unwind through interaction with these comforting animals.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to every member of the executive team for their unwavering dedication, passion, and hard work. I also express gratitude to the VUSAC executive team and the students who participated in and supported our events.

It is through the combined efforts of all involved that we have successfully revitalized our initiatives, making a positive impact on the mental wellness of our Victoria community.

Thank you, Charlie Sun

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MENTAL WELLNESS CO-CHAIR Teresa Kristina Wijaya

This year, the Mental Wellness Commission aims to help people build their own self-care toolkit by doing programs that introduce them to: (1) ways of taking care of their mental health in their daily lives, and (2) communities of likeminded people they share these interests with.

Green Glimpses: Time Capsule and Botanic Bonds We reintroduced the bi-annual plant giveaway as a community building event, where students are encouraged to meet their peers, have conversations, and create meaningful bonds. A gathering of such wonderful groups of people was facilitated by giving away plants and a “to my future self” letter-writing booth.

Hart House Farm Wellness Retreat In collaboration with Hart House for Indigenous, Black, and Racialized Students, we subsidized ($25 $5) students to go on a full-day trip to the Hart House Farm. The programming included medicine healing by an Indigenous Medicine Healer, yoga, a plant-based lunch, a beautiful fall nature walk, meditation, and a sound bath around the campfire.

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Mindful Yoga with MoveU In collaboration with the Buddhism Psychology and Mental Health Students’ Union (BPSU), we provide a space and time for students to take care of themselves amidst their increasingly busy schedules, through Yoga. This mindful yoga session was led by a MoveU instructor, Abby Gaskin.

Ghibli Journal Jamboree In collaboration with the Arts and Culture Commission, we invited students to come drop by this low-stress event, where they can get some ghibli-themed stickers and journaling supplies, while reconnecting with friends and acquaintances.

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SCARLET AND GOLD COMMISSIONER Krystyn Kalloo

Hello everyone!! Welcome to this year’s Scarlet and Gold Fall check-in.

A bit about me and the S&G Commission I’m Krystyn, this year’s Commissioner, a Molecular Biology specialist, Literature major and photography enthusiast. I’m Trinidadian-Canadian and I was raised in Trinidad, until attending UofT. I’m very honoured to be your Commissioner, and as such, my goal is to serve the Vic Student body to the best of my ability.

When I began my council duties, my aim was to plan inclusive and collaborative events that you would enjoy and use as de-stressors, and I’m happy to say that my intent remains. It can be ironically stressful to plan de-stressor events.

With every event that my commission executes, I learn a lot more about improving and tweaking future events.

This role can be trial-by-fire. To explain: barring time restraints, we plan events to the last detail. However, fate can roll her dice in unexpected ways. This is often why our event plans (such as the VSEFs) have so many pre-event safety precautions and preparations involved. We are “heavy on the paperwork” and many people not on my Commission or even on council often provide support on the day of events.

Thus, I would not have been able to execute any events without the help of the Execs on Council, my councillors and event collaborators. So, before I proceed, I would like to extend a warm and genuine ‘thank you’.

Fall Events Thus Far Collaborative Decompression Zone with The Cat’s Eye: A huge thank you to the Peer Supporters for helping to decorate and run the decompression zone. Many people spilled over from the pub night to the Wymilwood Lounge to paint plant pots (sourced from the Earth Sciences Greenhouse), drink tea, snack and repot plants.

Midnight Brew: A non-alcoholic Midterm De-stressor held at Bampot Tea House on Harbord, where Vic and nonVic students came to enjoy tea and coffee and snack while playing board games and meeting new people in a cozy, comfortable setting.

Semi-Formal — The Haunting Hour: My personal favourite event of the season happened on October 27th. After a bit of paperwork and meetings and carrying décor supplies from uptown York and two other places, I was really happy to see everyone having so much fun. Council staff, extremely helpful as always, put up the décor and staffed the entire event. The turnout was tremendous! Thank you for attending and please let me know what you thought.

Diwali Cultural Collaboration: A cultural festival where food was served, a tremendous amount of coordination was done, and I did mehndi for two hours until my wrist hurt. St. Mikes’ team coordinated with us, the Equity and Arts and Culture Commission to bring this to you. It really was a gargantuan effort, some tables were set on fire, no people noticed. It really was a joyous celebration.

Home for The Holidays: To be held!

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Potential Winter Events (keep an ear to the ground) VOCA pancakes St. Mikes’ Cultural Fashion Show Maid-Café with UTSAMA Carnival Collaboration High Ball: potential venues include the ROM; the Highball committee will be assembled soon!

S&G Logo re-design and potential merchandise Feedback and where I can be found As always, my office hours are 5-7pm on Mondays. You can email me at scarletandgold@vusac.ca, and I am reachable via the Instagram for feedback. Furthermore, a feedback form for Semi should be up soon.

Special thanks to Amoly, Isha, Lara, Shane, Peer Supporters, all of VOCA, Equity and every single Commission I have interacted with, and to the overseas friends I often pitch event ideas to, thank you for your hard work.

Thank you all for your time and attention.

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SUSTAINABILITY CO-CHAIR Leah McKinney

As the co-chair of the Sustainability Commission, my role has been instrumental in fostering positive internal impacts and organizing impactful events that align with the commission's goals. Under the leadership of the Sustainability Commissioner and myself, the Sustainability Commission has witnessed significant growth in leadership development. Numerous members, under the commission's guidance, have undertaken their first leadership responsibilities, contributing to a dynamic and empowered team.

One notable achievement is the establishment of a non-hierarchical power structure within the Sustainability Commission. This approach has facilitated a sense of belonging and comfort among members, leading to the formation of personal friendships and relationships. The inclusive environment has been crucial in maintaining a motivated and engaged team, further enhancing the effectiveness of our initiatives.

Our commitment to sustainability is evident in the successful planning and execution of various events. Notably, the Vic Club Fair Booth saw a remarkable turnout, with 27 individuals signing up, reflecting the community's interest in our cause. Collaborating with Climate Justice U of T, we organized a protest group for the September Climate Strike, providing a safe space for approximately 30 individuals to participate actively.

Other events, such as the beginning of the year social, Halloween Thrifting Excursion, and Carve Diem Sustainable Pumpkin Carving, have not only attracted substantial attendance but also strengthened the personal relationships among members. Additionally, initiatives like the Food Justice Town Hall and Eco-grief Cafés have facilitated meaningful discussions on pressing issues related to food sovereignty, climate anxiety, and eco-grief.

Beyond events, the Sustainability Commission has played a pivotal role in raising awareness on critical issues. From advocating for safe protesting to publicly addressing the Victoria College Oil Well Sale, our commission remains steadfast in its commitment to student interests and climate justice. Moreover, we have actively engaged with the community through general meetings, working group meetings, and Homie Hangouts, ensuring accessibility and fostering personal relationships within the Victoria College community.

In conclusion, my role as the Sustainability Commission co-chair has been marked by successful initiatives, impactful events, and a commitment to raising awareness on crucial environmental and social issues. The collaborative efforts and dedication of the Sustainability Commissioner, commission members, and myself have contributed to a thriving and influential commission, leaving a lasting impact on the Victoria College community.

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CHAIR

Jackie Ko I started my term as the Chair by chairing three summer meetings. They were held online to accommodate for various locations people were at for the break. I temporarily implemented timers for the speakers to test its efficiency – two minutes for all speakers and one minute for direct responses. It resulted in an efficient meeting despite the heavy discussions about policy changes.

Since the start of the fall term, I have chaired five meetings so far, including the Fall Budget Ratification Meeting. I was unable to attend one meeting due to a prior commitment that conflicted with its schedule. This meeting was proxied by the Finance Chair. As the meetings turned in-person with the start of the fall term, I did not implement the timers for speakers unless it was required for efficiency. The timers were especially difficult to be implemented for the budget ratification meeting, but I found that it is a useful tool for meetings with numerous items.

During these meetings, I continued the usage of placards from the previous year for additions to the speakers’ list – using a hand sign for direct responses. Snacks were also bought for lengthy meetings that ran along dinner time.

Many meetings, however, were relatively shorter, allowing the budget to be saved up for our upcoming final meeting of the term. On the other hand, I implemented strict deadlines for regrets and agenda items. This allowed easier management of the regrets by considering them in a time-sensitive manner. Not allowing any additions of the agenda after the deadline – unless permitted by the procedure’s maximum of three minutes – also allowed increased efficiency of the meetings.

Call for Agenda Items are sent out to all VUSAC members, Clubs and Levies nine to ten days before the meeting. The due dates are all strictly set up to one week, allowing the meeting package to be sent out the very next day, which is usually the Wednesday of the meeting week. Meeting packages can be found at our website as well as our linktree to ensure that all members of VCU can access them. All VCU members are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting.

In October, I gave a presentation about VUSAC’s meeting procedures for VUSAC’s fall retreat. This included a short guideline of Robert’s Rules to ensure that all members are well-informed about the motions they can utilize for efficient procedures. The slides were shared through the VPI to allow all members to be able to refer to the slides.

Before the start of the winter term, I plan to have an informal group to review the meeting policies with the intention to compile a document with all the rules and guidelines. This will increase awareness about the meeting procedures since the rules are currently spread apart between different documents.

Please feel free to send me an email at chair@vusac.ca for any questions or concerns about VUSAC Meetings.

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CHIEF RETURNING OFFICER Dhir Shah

To Esteemed Members of the VCU, It is with a sense of earnest commitment and transparency that I present this report in my capacity as the CRO of VUSAC. Since appointment in May 2023, working with a dedicated group, I have led reforms in the electoral process, especially after the challenging Spring 2023 elections. We focused on auditing and amending the ERC, based on detailed feedback analysis from previous elections and our shared experiences and goals.

Key amendments included: Introduction of a chat service on VUSAC’s website for improved communication with the CRO. Redefinition of "neutrality" in elections, with guidelines for club and levy heads' endorsements.

Enhanced transparency in electoral penalties, including publication post-appeal and established slander investigation procedures.

Election cycles to end one week before examinations, reducing academic disruption.

Nomination periods shortened to two weeks for greater flexibility in voting extensions.

Required approvals for campaign materials and strict poster regulations to comply with ERC guidelines.

Town Hall revisions for better candidate representation and community interaction.

Implementation of preferential ranked voting to ensure more representative results.

Streamlined appeals process for increased efficiency and fairness.

New, diverse EAC composition.

Comprehensive guidelines for voting extensions and re-elections.

In the realm of digital VUSAC, we successfully implemented a tailored election portal. This leap, a first in the over a century-long history of student councils at Victoria University, facilitated a smooth election process in fall 2023. It supports candidate nominations, profiles, budgets, and appeals, a forum, and result(s) viewing. This system, while successful, is scheduled for further enhancements to refine user experience.

The fall 2023 elections aimed at filling key positions including Councillors and the International Councillor.

Despite initial technical challenges and certain procedural oversights, the process mostly maintained its integrity and transparency, thanks to the unwavering support of VUSAC, especially Tanya Kor, the Communications Coordinator, whose contributions were invaluable in the development of the portal. The turnout, however, was notably low. Of 3,971 eligible electors, only 455 (Figure 1) cast their votes with an average of 91 votes per day, resulting in an 11.50% turnout.

Figure 1: Fall 2023 VUSAC Elections - Cumulative Voter Turnout

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The data shows a surge at the commencement of voting, with the highest number of votes, 169, recorded on the first day. Thereafter, there is a noticeable decline in daily votes.

Despite this, the voting process itself was remarkably smooth. There were no technical issues with the voting system, which marked a significant improvement from the last elections.

I extend my sincerest apologies for these oversights and breaches - I regret any inconvenience(s) these issues may have caused.

To further improve electoral processes, I propose the following: A comprehensive review of the ERC, considering technological and logistical realities.

Enhanced communication strategies for clarity and engagement.

Investment in robust election management training for (A)CRO(s) and EAC members.

A more flexible and efficient appeal process.

Strengthened resources for campaign monitoring and investigation.

Robust oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance with the ERC. As we recognize our successes and challenges, we must persist in improving. Lessons learned are key to refining our processes for fairer future elections. I thank VUSAC for its commitment and assure the VCU of my ongoing dedication to our cherished democratic principles.

Yours Sincerely, Dhir Shah

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Tanya Kor

To begin, it has been such a great privilege to serve as Communications Coordinator for VUSAC this year.

Since May, I’ve been in charge of managing our social media, monthly e-newsletters, and website. I also serve as a liaison between the council and various internal and external Vic bodies for communications and promotions.

My duties include processing internal and external communications requests, creating and sharing promotional graphics, and addressing student inquiries.

Aiko was assigned to my portfolio, and she has been an amazing help in creating graphics. I’ve published monthly e-newsletters, featuring important VUSAC updates and monthly events and opportunities. Due to few submissions from our commissions, clubs, and levies, I’ve taken the initiative to review up to 51 social media accounts belonging to Vic student groups for every e-newsletter. I manually gather all events and opportunities, placing them in our e-newsletters to ensure that students have a one-stop shop of everything happening throughout the month.

As for the VUSAC website, I’ve been carrying out regular maintenance by uploading meeting packages, minutes, and other documents, as well as updating web pages.

During the summer and the start of the fall semester, I collaborated with Dhir, the CRO, on the implementation of an online Elections Portal for the Fall 2023 VUSAC Elections. Although there were some technical difficulties that arose, we managed to co-develop the Portal and Forum on the website, along with a new Elections submenu containing detailed elections information.

Beyond my normal duties, I’ve started two communication projects aimed at amplifying engagement and involvement while ensuring transparent communication with Vic students and VUSAC. My first project revolves around revamping our Instagram feed. I have been working on increasing visibility and engagement through more visual content, and created Instagram highlights so that students can easily

easily access monthly upcoming events and opportunities, meeting updates, announcements, and office hours. Moving forward, I plan on incorporating more photos and reels onto the platform.

Furthermore, I have been collaborating with council members to use Instagram to foster accountability by sharing informative posts. This includes important announcements like the sale of Victoria University’s oil well and signing of the Okanagan Charter, post-meeting updates, semi-monthly VUSAC updates, agenda items on upcoming meeting posts, and financial accountability through the summer finance summary post. Additionally, this is the first year where we have used collaborative posts to increase engagement and reach!

My second ongoing project involves revamping the VUSAC website, and possibly redesigning it, to enhance interactive features and optimize traffic and user experience. An update for the mobile version of the website is currently in the works to improve its functionality. This is something that has been overlooked for many, many years, and I hope to make the site mobile-friendly before the end of my term.

With all that being said, it is a pleasure to report that since the academic year began in September 2023, we have reached an 8.7% increase in followers and an impressive 89% increase in follower engagement on Instagram compared to the previous period. We also had a total of 4,359 site sessions and 2,210 unique visitors on our website, marking a 99% and 46% increase, respectively.

I’m always looking for ways to improve communication strategies to better serve Vic students. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at communications@vusac.ca. I hope you enjoy reading this semi-annual report I have compiled. Stay tuned for exciting updates!

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FINANCE CHAIR Callan Murphy

On May 31st, 2023, I took over the role of Finance Chair from my predecessor, Thomas Keough.

During the first month, I worked with Levies and VUSAC Councillors to prepare the Summer 2023 Budget. In addition to revising the Budgeting Guidelines and updating the How to Budget 101 presentation, VUSAC President Shane Joy and I ran two one-hour Summer Budgeting Workshops. Following the Budget Ratification Meeting and subsequent amendments, we had 82 ratified budget lines: 30 from VUSAC Executive/Commissions/Staff and 52 from Levies. We obtained an impressive 95.1% utilization rate this term, with $17,447.99 of non-levy actual expenditure.

Budget Ratification Meeting. In total, 45 of the 49 requestors submitted at least one budget line. Following a large number of amendments this term, we had 442 total ratified budget lines as of November 21st: 162 from Levies, 153 from Clubs, 85 from Commissions, 27 from Executive, and 15 from Staff.

Figure 3: VUSAC Fall 2023 Budget

Figure 2: VUSAC Summer 2023 Budget

I built a new budgeting spreadsheet template this year, with the goal of improving organization and clarity. I created a three-tiered sheet structure, beginning with the Group level (Levies, Clubs, Commissions, Executive, Staff), then the Requestor level (all organizations within each group), and finally the Master Budget sheet containing the full budget. I also switched from strictly numbered budget lines to a format that denotes the group, requestor, and line number (ex: VEVPI-001; VE for VUSAC Executive, VPI for Vice-President Internal, 001 for the first budget line). This explicit naming pattern has made it easier to search emails, label cheques, and remove ambiguity in the budgeting process.

In September, I prepared the Fall Budget in a similar format to the summer, with the addition of club budgets and a Budget Steering Committee. I held two Budget Steering Meetings with the help of Council and club/levy representatives, where we flagged 139 of the 433 proposed budget lines for further discussion at the Budget

After receiving a $905.26 printing invoice for the month of August, I worked with other members of council to investigate the cost and create an improved printing policy that would prevent this unreasonably high expense in the future. Following a switch from 100 free sides to 100 free black-and-white sides ($0.05 per colour side), we saw a return to more typical printing costs of previous years: ~$400 per month.

I worked with Hannah from the Bursar’s Office to complete bank reconciliations for the months of April through September; it was a long process to manually enter each cheque into our outdated QuickBooks software. I also reviewed, labelled, and filed 2,965 cheque carbon copies from 2016 to 2023 for easy reference and storage for future years.

The bulk of my job consists of reviewing cheque requisitions, writing cheques, entering them into QuickBooks, and providing reimbursements. I’ve written 137 cheques so far, for a cumulative total of $48,072.62 in reimbursements and $76,500.15 in levy funding.

For any questions or concerns about VUSAC finances, feel free to reach out: finance@vusac.ca.

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OFFICE MANAGER Yuna Lee

It has been a privilege to take on the role as VUSAC’s Office Manager for the 2023-2024 term. Since my onboarding from the summer, there are a couple of things that I’ve been working on, and some I intend to implement. I hope this report will provide an overview of my responsibilities, updates, and plans for the rest of the semester.

My intentions with this role are to primarily ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the VUSAC office, managing various administrative tasks as well as supporting the overall productivity of the space.

Office Organization: At the beginning of the semester, the office had a deep clean! The merchandise inventory, the printing room, and the back storage were reorganized. Following the Fall season, the office has gone over a makeover of decorations, and more is to come especially with the holiday season around the corner!

Services: A new Printing Policy was implemented to ensure that VUSAC can continue to provide free printing services to Victoria College students effectively – with many thanks to the President and the Finance Chair, who contributed mostly to the making of this policy.

Meeting Minutes: All of the meeting minutes from the summer term have been submitted for ratification. The rest of the Fall and upcoming minutes will be transcribed and completed within the coming month, before the beginning of the new semester in January.

Coordination: Throughout the semester, I was responsible for maintaining an effective system for clubs and levies to have full accessibility to the services at the VUSAC office such as booking rooms/spaces, accommodating needed equipment/resources, and organizing printing services.

Budget Oversight: Regarding the Fall Budget, I assisted in budget planning pertaining to office expenses for snacks, office papers, expenditures regarding printing services, initiative/gift fees, and more.

Planning: From what I observed, the office can get quite clustered by the end of the week. I plan to do a deep clean every other weekend in order to ensure that the space is well maintained as many groups come in and out of the office. Before the end of the school year, I intend to acquire some new furniture for the office as well. Lastly, there are some fun and engaging initiatives that I plan on implementing in the coming months!

As always, please let me know if there is anything I can improve on or any suggestions to make the VUSAC office better. Thank you for taking the time to read this report. Please feel free to reach out at officemanager@vusac.ca for any questions, concerns, suggestions, ideas, or whatever it may be!

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

COUNCILLOR

Aiko Hashimoto Reis I'm happy to share an update on my VUSAC journey and the progress on my three main goals: boosting campus safety, providing better support to commuter students (especially during their commute home), and increasing student engagement with VUSAC. In my initial month, my focus centered on acclimating to my role and gaining insights into the various initiatives underway within each commission. I was excited to be assigned responsibilities within the Commuter commission and Communications portfolios. Working with the fantastic individuals who make up VUSAC or are actively involved has been truly rewarding.

Understanding safety concerns as a commuter, my top priority was launching efforts to address campus safety. I'm planning a commuter mingle at the start of the next semester to help commuters connect based on their locations.

The goal is to expand this network through a commuting buddy system, aiming to improve students' security during their journeys home.

Furthermore, participating in Tuesdays’ pancakes has provided me the opportunity to connect with community members and learn more about safety issues on campus. I’ll work on highlighting available resources and collaborating with other student bodies to enhance overall campus safety.

Looking ahead, I'm excited about getting more involved in communications and collaborating with the Arts and Culture commission on initiatives around cultural events. My aim is to create an environment where students feel represented and comfortable expressing themselves, fostering a more welcoming atmosphere for increased VUSAC engagement.

Lastly, I’d like to thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to updating you on further developments soon.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

COUNCILLOR

Albert Deok-Hyun Ahn My name is Albert Deok-Hyun Ahn, and I am one of five first-year councillors for VUSAC this term. As a councillor, my roles vary from attending meetings, holding office hours, and raising questions and issues on behalf of the VCU. My position as a councillor also focuses on helping executives and other experienced VUSAC members organize events and initiatives to foster engaging and fun activities at Victoria University.

Working alongside other dedicated members of VUSAC, a big part of this is hosting and organizing events with various VUSAC commissions, including the Mental Wellness Commission and the Equity Commission, which I am a part of. So far, some of the events I have and will participate in include Badminton Night, VOCA x Equity Commission Brunch Meet and Greet, and the upcoming Home for the Holidays event.

Lastly, I want to note my upcoming plans and goals for VUSAC this term, including participating in a collaboration event between VUSAC's Mental Wellness Commission and Trinity's knitting club. With the exam season coming up, we are hosting a Holiday Stress Ball Event, where students can come together to knit stress balls. This event will be enjoyable to manage stress by making fun knit balls. Beyond its practical benefits, this event aligns with my and VUSAC's Mental Wellness Commission's commitment to promoting mental wellness and creating a supportive community.

Subsequently, my role as a counselor allowed me to get involved, prioritize student well-being and inclusivity, and stay dedicated to positively impacting the student community, and I will continue to do so.

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COUNCILLOR

Amoly Agarwal I would like to begin by voicing my feelings of gratitude towards students at Victoria College for giving me this opportunity to work as a councillor on VUSAC.

the reutilisation of office space and reusing the back room for graduation photographs. Furthermore, I developed a printing tracker for our clubs, levies, and commissions to streamline the process of printing posters.

I worked on a collaborative event with St. Michael’s College Student Union, Equity, Arts and Culture and Scarlet and Gold to host a Diwali Dinner for a festive celebration of the festival of Diwali and to increase the celebration and recognition of different cultures at both Victoria College and St. Michael’s College.

I am currently in the process of working with Scarlet and Gold to redesign the logo of the commission and turning it into enamel pins. I am also working on digitising notes from Arts and Culture, and Scarlet and Gold meetings and putting them online for future members of the commissions to view. Finally, I am working with our Communications Coordinator, Tanya, and a lot of other members on VUSAC on updating our VUSAC website.

Photo by Amoly Agarwal

Upon being ratified as a member on the 29th of September; I rolled up my metaphorical sleeves and got to work.

I first started working on Scarlet and Gold’s Semi Formal, the Haunting Hour where I decorated, DJ’d, checked coats, and brought the energy on the dance floor.

For my second portfolio Arts and Culture, I am involved in planning the Gardiner Gala, coming up in February 2024. Moreover, I am working on Home for the Holidays with Scarlet and Gold, Arts and Culture, Academic, and our outstanding councillors. I am also working on organising a movie night on the 30th of November.

For my third portfolio, the President, I am working on an honoraria report assessing the impact of honoraria on VUSAC’s ability to operate effectively and working on the

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

COUNCILLOR Erin Timur

I’d like to start by expressing my gratitude for being elected to my position as a first-year councillor. I have recently been assigned to the Arts and Culture Commission’s and Equity Commission’s portfolios and have begun working with them and discussing our goals for the year. I’m very excited, to say the least.

We are off to a good start, as part of the Equity Commission I helped with the setting up and overseeing of a Diwali dinner in collaboration with SMCSU, with an overwhelming attendance from Vic students! With the Arts and Culture Commission, we’ve begun meeting to plan a movie screening, an activity to precede the Gardiner Gala, and the Gala itself!

Having had a successful collaboration with SMCSU, I would like to look into collaborating with other colleges to plan an event, bringing together VicPride and other 2SLGBTQ+ organisations across our campus. If possible, I would love for the establishing of this event as an annual one- to create a safe, enjoyable atmosphere for all.

I’m also looking forward to Home for the Holidays, where my fellow councillors and I have started preparations for our booth. I will also be helping with the Arts and Culture Commission’s booth and the Equity Commissions booth.

Through my office hours in the VUSAC office, and the various events that have been and will be held, I’m looking forward to getting to know and helping our community here at Victoria College!

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

COUNCILLOR

Frederick Sulowski To begin, it is a great pleasure and privilege of mine to be able to be a part of VUSAC representing my peers in the Victoria College community as a first-year councillor. As of yet, it’s been only a few months, but I’ve greatly enjoyed getting to know and working alongside my fellow VUSAC members in meetings, during office hours, and beyond.

My portfolios have been assigned to me, which have me working with the Academic Commission and Sustainability Commission. Thus far, I have been happy to volunteer at the Haunting Hour Semi-Formal (some may recall the large inflatable dinosaur working the ticket booth).

Soon, I will be taking part in the Home for the Holidays event where you’ll notice my fellow councillors and I will be running a booth. In the future, I look forward to organizing numerous workshops on resume building and antiprocrastination nights and will be working to implement a textbook library initiative at Victoria College.

Finally, in accordance with my campaign promise of facilitating the creation of greater networking opportunities, as part of the academic commission I will continue by working to organize and find ways to improve the Life After Vic networking event, where students will have the opportunity to meet and network with past Alum from various fields.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

COUNCILLOR Isha Mathur

To begin, it has been a great honour being a first-year councillor on VUSAC these past few months! VUSAC provides a great environment for collaboration and connection, and has made university feel a lot less intimidating.

So far during my time as councillor, I have been assigned to work closely with the Academic Commission and Scarlet and Gold Commission.

In October, Scarlet and Gold organized an amazing, successful semi-formal dance, the Haunting Hour! I helped with checking-in guests, grabbing last minute decor, and setting up! A lot of balloons were inflated and cow-webs were taped to pillars. As a councillor on the Academic Commission, I am working with a team to look into building an old textbook library at Vic, assisting with planning and organizing details for the commission’s event of the year: Life after Vic, and also volunteering my time at a few of the Anti-Procrastination nights! Additionally, I am happy to share that the Mental Wellness commission is bringing my campaign promise of therapy dog destressing to life! Lastly, at Home for the Holiday’s, along with the other councillors, I am helping to organise a booth!

I am awestruck by the events held by the commissions and VUSAC so far and I am even more ecstatic to have a larger part in the future events planned.

Looking forward, I plan to work closely with the other councillors, specifically the first year councillors, to plan a special first-year event in the winter semester! Stay tuned for more details and drop by my office hours or email me (isha@vusac.ca) to share your ideas for Vic!

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

COUNCILLOR

Jack Cochrane Since being elected in September, one of my main priorities as an upper-year councillor was to “learn the ropes” at VUSAC and get used to how VUSAC operated and functioned within Victoria College. So far, I am getting a good grasp into how everything works, and I am getting to know a lot of wonderful and intelligent people within the council. In the future, I plan to try and get more involved with the Victoria College community whether it be through events, office hours, or even just talking to anyone willing to listen.

One role as a councillor is to work under an executive, staff member, or commissioner’s portfolio. The portfolio I wanted to participate in and was assigned to was Callan’s finance portfolio. Under Callan, I am starting to learn how clubs operate with VUSAC and how VUSAC tracks each club and levy’s spending and reimbursements. One major project coming up is creating the winter 2024 budget which involves a lot of charting, working with others within the budget steering committee and VUSAC, and trying to allocate funds to clubs and levies efficiently and fairly.

To conclude, I am loving my time as an upper-year councillor and am looking forward to the rest of the year and towards the future!

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

COUNCILLOR Sophie Mutch

Since my recent election last month, I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the vibrant community at Vic and actively participating in various facets. I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with both the Equity Commission and the Vice-President External (VPE). Working with the Equity Commission, I was able to lend support to two of their events, the Meet & Greet Brunch run in collaboration with VOCA, and the Diwali Dinner conducted in partnership with St. Michael’s College’s Student Union. Both were quite successful, and I am enthusiastic about continuing to contribute to upcoming events throughout the year.

While working with the VPE, I helped promote Caucus by tabling outside Burwash and helping put up posters. My involvement has extended to broader activities, including volunteering at the Halloween semi-formal and the Fall Campus Day VUSAC booth. Further, I was excited to help organize the councillors’ first initiative this year, our Home for the Holidays booth. Finally, my office hours have been very important to me and my engagement with the Vic community. I have really enjoyed them so far, and I always look forward to seeing fellow students!

As I reflect on these experiences, I am eager to continue contributing meaningfully to both portfolios throughout the ensuing year. I look forward to the opportunities for growth, collaboration, and involvement that lie ahead in the coming months.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT FALL 2023

INTERNATIONAL COUNCILLOR Andrew Fan

As the International Councillor this year, I’m committed to foster a strong connection among international students, so that every student can enjoy their campus life. After the fall election and on-boarding procedure, the Fall Budgeting has already been passed, so I can’t carry out events immediately (because there’s no funding receiving at this point) and need to wait until January Budgeting. I’m sorry for the people waiting for my events, but I promise your waiting is worth it.

Currently I’ll keep holding Bubble Tea Chatting (tentative, Jan 16) and Lunar New Year Festival (tentative, Feb 9), and I’m trying to hold the Talent Show at Cat’s Eye if it’s possible. The tentative events will mainly follow the last year’s process and add some new activities, while the Talent Show will be an open stage for everyone and needs registration for performance in advance. I’ll also collaborate with Equity Commission to plan a cultural event. Events planning are still being discussed right now to ensure they will be successful and meaningful.

In addition, I’ve been assigned to the Mental Wellness Commission and Vice President External (VPE). I’m going to collaborate with commissioner Charlie and co-chair Teresa, so I will appear and also help with the events conducted

by MWC. Besides, Cameron (VPE) and I will keep collecting suggestions and ideas from students. If you, as an international student, meet any issue that is related to the campus, please feel free to contact me and ask for advice.

In conclusion, please follow @andrew.vusac and @vic.mentalwellness on Instagram and stay tuned for future wonderful events!

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150 CHARLES ST W, TORONTO, ON M5S 1K6 (416) 585 - 4473 INFO@VUSAC.CA @VUSAC WWW.VUSAC.CA