VICE-PRSIDENT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Michael Elsaesser

I wanted to note at the beginning of this report that it’s been so great working with everyone on council this year! I am very proud of the work we have done, and I can’t wait for all that we and VUSAC are able to do moving forward for Vic students, representing their interests as a union.

Club applications are still open! So far I have been able to help two new clubs with their ratification this term. If anyone would like to start a new club, I would direct them to the Club Application Form under the Student Resources section of the VUSAC website. It’s always great to have new additions to student life here at Vic so that every student can explore their passions and find their group!

As VPSO, I get to meet frequently with each club and levy head to better grasp how I can support them in their work. I have finished the levy check-ins, and I hope to have all of the winter club check-ins done before caucus. During these meetings, we review their terms so far, help resolve any issues they face, and start planning for the future. During the levy head check-ins, we also began the process of reviewing their governing documents. One of the main issues brought up in these meetings regards access to Goldring, which I have been working with the Dean’s Office to find better solutions for and increase student access to the student centre. I will also be conducting levy audits along with our fantastic Finance Chair Thomas.

The All Club Heads Meeting took place near the end of January. During the meeting, we reviewed how budgeting works, connecting with alternate sources of funding, as well as event planning. We also had wonderful discussions on how to continue increasing student involvement in clubs and levies (which you can join at any time!!!). I am now planning club and levy hiring fairs in the spring for their executive positions which start opening soon. I was also able to work with the extraordinary Equity Commissioner Diana to build a new equity training framework for student organisations that is more discussion-based and applicable to their specific functions and potential issues. We’ve since heard great feedback from the participants, and we hope this new model will be able to benefit the Vic community in the future.

After much consultation at VUSAC meetings, fall caucus, and discussions with international students, VUSAC decided to revive the Victoria International Student Association rather than absorbing it as a commission. I ran hiring for all of the levy executive positions, getting it up-and-running. I am very excited for what this team will be able to do for international students! I also helped with the hiring of new Co-Managers for Cat’s Eye and Caffiends, and I know those teams are doing spectacularly as well!

There is a storage room meant specifically for Vic’s student organisations, where we can not only store clubspecific items, but also hold communal supplies which will allow for less spending and waste of duplicates. Unfortunately, this storage room has been un-operational for some time, but over reading week, I am cleaning, re-organizing, and cataloguing it for use.

I’ve also been researching divestment and the Vic oil well. There was a phenomenal Strand article on the topic of the university’s refusal to divest from fossil fuels which I highly encourage everyone to read and share with friends. It is deplorable for an institution like Victoria University to profit off environmental degradation and health devastation. I implore the Board of Regents to search their conscience, thoroughly