VUSAC Semi-Annual Report | Winter 2024

SEMI- ANNUAL

REPORT

WINTER 2024

Prepared By

TANYA KOR, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

TABLE OF

CONTENTS SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS 3 4 5

January & February March Spring 2024 Elections

EXECUTIVE 6 8 10 12

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

COMMISSIONERS AND CO-CHAIRS 14 16 17 20 22 24

Academic Arts and Culture Commuter Equity Mental Wellness Scarlet and Gold

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 WINTER 2024

SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS PAINTING PATTERNS OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE

18

29

PAINTING PATTERNS OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE III

FEB LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

10

MWC X WELLNESS INTERNS BIWEEKLY TEA TIME (EVERY OTHER FRIDAY)

16

29 MENTAL WELLNESS BADMINTON

19 WINTER 2024 BUDGET RATIFICATION MEETING

ANTIPROCRASTINATION NIGHT DAY VI

30 1

23 31

PAINTING PATTERNS OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE II

JOB APPLICATIONS & INTERVIEW PREP VOCA X BOUNDLESS BOOKS MOVIE AND WATERCOLOUR NIGHT

7

CREATIVE UNWIND: POSTER DESIGN SESSION WITH MWC AND VOCA

VOCA’S VALENTINE’S PANCAKES ANTI-PROCASTINATION NIGHT DAY VII

19 VOCA BACK TO SCHOOL HOT CHOCOLATE BAR

SMCSU X EQUITY CULTURAL PHOTO EXHIBITION

26

VALENTINE’S AT VUSAC

14 28

24

JAN WINTER 2024 CAUCUS

VOCA VALENTINE'S DAY CRAFTING EVENT

GARDINER GALA

13

VOCA'S SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD MOVIE NIGHT

EAT AFTER EIGHT (EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY)

9 15 ACADEMIC JEOPARDY NIGHT

HIGH TEA FOR PGWP: HERE'S THE TEA ON STAYING ON CANADA

VOCA X INTERNATIONAL MENTORS POSTCARD DECORATING

MENTAL WELLNESS THERAPY DOGS LIFE AT VIC

SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS | JANUARY & FEBRUARY 3

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

1 MAR

VCDS X ARTS & CULTURE - HELEN\ KLYTEMNESTRA PLAY SMCSU X EQUITY FLAVOURFUL LEGACIES

SMCSU X EQUITY KELLY'S KORNER

5 VOCA PANCAKES WITH CAFFIENDS

VOCA X OPCC CUPCAKE DECORATING

8 14 ARTS & CULTURE 401 RICHMOND ART HUNT

6 11

BEAVERTAILS FOOD TRUCK

ARTS & CULTURE JEWELRY MAKING

UOFTMHA X MW QIGONG SESSION

VOCA WINE GLASS PAINTING

VOCA X SMC COMMUTER X NEW ORSL TOTE BAG PAINTING & BRACELET MAKING

VOICES X VOCA SELFDEFENSE WORKSHOP I

12

7

4

CRESCAMS

VOCA X COMMUTER DONS VINYL PAINTING

13 VOICES X VOCA SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP II

HIGHBALL: OLD HOLYWOOD

15

*As of March 10, 2024.

4 SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS | MARCH

SUSTAINABILITY X VUSAC ATE AFTER 8

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

VUSAC SPRING 2024 ELECTIONS Nominations Period: February 14th, 2024 at 12 am to March 11th, 2024 at 12 pm.

Elections Info and Q&A Session #1: February 15th, 2024 from 6 to 7 pm at the VUSAC Office.

Elections Info and Q&A Session #1: February 26th, 2024 from 6 to 7 pm at the VUSAC Office Elections Info and Q&A Session #1: March 4th, 2024 from 6 to 7 pm at the VUSAC Office All Candidates Meeting: March 11th, 2024 from 6 to 8 pm in the Wymilwood Lounge Campaign Period: March 11th, 2024 at 8 pm to March 25th, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

Town Hall (Day 1): March 19th, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30pm in the Wendy Cecil Atrium.

Town Hall (Day 2): March 20th, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30pm in the Wendy Cecil Atrium.

Voting Period: March 21st, 2024 at 12 am to March 25th, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

Silent Period: March 26th, 2024 at 12 am to March 29th, 2024 at 5:30 pm.

Elections Ratification Meeting: March 29th, 2024 at 5:30 pm in the Copper Room.

Results Published: March 30th, 2024 (estimated date).

For more information on the VUSAC Spring 2024 Elections, please visit vusac.ca/elections-info.

SEMI-ANNUAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS | ELECTIONS 5

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

PRESIDENT Shane Joy

Hello there! Since writing my last report in November 2023, I have been working diligently to lead from behind in supporting the Executives and other members of Council in pursuing and achieving their goals, in addition to working on some projects of my own. This report will discuss my activities from mid-November 2023 to February 2024, as well as looking ahead towards the end of the academic year.

VUSAC has been grappling with serious financial constraints since January. Due to an extraordinarily high non-levy budget utilization rate of 74.6% in the Fall semester and the fact that VUSAC depleted the surplus funding it accumulated during the pandemic, among other factors, this year’s Council has been forced to be much more austere when it comes to the allocation of funds. It has been unfortunate to witness the disappointment of many Vic student leaders who are unable to obtain funding for the various projects and initiatives they’re passionate about. Going forward, VUSAC must endeavour to implement structural solutions to respond to these financial constraints for the benefit of the Victoria College community.

I’ve also been supporting the extensive overhaul of VUSAC’s governing documents over the past few months. Every year, the Vice-President Internal spearheads a review of the Council’s governing documents, specifically the Constitution, Council Policies, Elections and Referenda Code, and Budget Steering Policy and this year we seek to make VUSAC’s policies, practices, and processes more efficient, accessible, and predictable for Victoria College students. It is important that the community knows what to expect from its student union, and this year’s policy review seeks to ensure the VUSAC’s decisions don’t vary as much from year to year. Following many hours of working group and VUSAC meetings to discuss the proposed changes, we hope to put future Councils in a position to be more successful than we were.

I was also very pleased to have been part of Victoria University’s signing of the Scarborough Charter in early February.

6 EXECUTIVE | PRESIDENT

February. After hearing that the Office of the President was interested in committing to the Charter, I met with the Victoria Black Student Network over the summer to discuss how VicBlack and VUSAC might work with administrators to make the signing and implementation of the Charter a joint project. In October, VUSAC and VicBlack representatives met with President McEwen and the newly-hired Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Transformative Practices, Lesa Williams-George, to formally discuss the project, and after meeting with Lesa once again in November, I worked with her to form a committee consisting of Black Victoria and Emmanuel College students, staff, and alumni to spearhead the planning and facilitation of the signing during Black History Month. Each of the individuals invited were enthusiastic to join and we worked over the months of December and January to plan the signing ceremony and subsequent events during February. Special thanks is in order to Joël Ndongmi, Jackson Leslie, Sharese Taylor, Zindziswa Malanca, Noah Rudder, Michelle McFarlane, and Zinzi De Silva, all of whom joined the committee and spearheaded its activities, for their contributions to the project. I feel privileged to have been welcomed by such a passionate group of leaders.

Another project I have been working hard on since the Fall semester is establishing an award for 2SLGBTIAQ+ Victoria College students with financial need. Following the violent attacks at the University of Waterloo in June 2023 and amidst a global rise in queer- and transphobia, VUSAC, VicPride!, and VOICES expressed their concerns to Victoria University administrators regarding the safety of queer and trans Victoria College students as well as the need to strengthen the academic, mental wellness, financial, and other supports available to them. We’ve encountered frustrating roadblocks such as Victoria University administrators’ worries that making an award specifically for 2SLGBTIAQ+ students may violate provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code, but we continue to emphasize the well-established fact that 2SLGBTIAQ+ people disproportionately experience poverty in the hope that we will be able to establish an award for students who are most in need. We are currently waiting on the results of an inquiry made to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the conclusion of which we hope proves favourable.

Touching on the aforementioned concerns about community safety and in the wake of Victoria University’s signing of the Okanagan Charter in October 2023

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

2023, VUSAC, VicPride!, and VOICES have been working with the Office of the Dean of Students to revamp the Ask. Listen. Talk. campaign. Developed almost a decade ago, Ask. Listen. Talk. is a resource campaign which seeks to equip students with the skills and knowledge to support themselves and others if they are grappling with mental health and safety concerns. Currently, we are working on reviving the campaign and making it more accessible to students as the Office of the Dean of Students increasingly focuses on supporting student wellness. The goal is that students don’t simply know the resources available to them but understand how to approach and engage in conversations with peers about these issues.

Over the next two months, I will be working to complete any remaining projects I have left to pursue before the end of my term. Since the beginning of my term, I have wanted to create an interactive organizational chart for Victoria University and its various departments to support students in connecting with administrators to voice their concerns. Further, I continue to support the Working Group on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Victoria College Academic Programs as its student cochair. This year, the working group has advised on the improvement of the EDI Resources by Academic Programs webpage on the Victoria College website, discussed EDIA in the context of Victoria College’s six programs with their respective program directors, and developed a Terms of Reference that will see the committee forth into future years. Additionally, I have been working where I can to support the Eat After Eight pilot project created and spearheaded by Victoria College student and Co-President of VicXposure, Cici Xie, and VUSAC Vice-President External, Cameron Miranda-Radbord.

Photo from @viccollege on Instagram.

While I only have about two months left in my position as the President of VUSAC, it has truly been a pleasure to work with such committed groups of students across the community, and I am proud of all we’ve accomplished this year.

In service, Shane Joy

EXECUTIVE | PRESIDENT 7

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL Cameron Miranda-Radbord This has been a successful semester for VUSAC’s advocacy for Vic students, and I’m proud of a number of initiatives that I coordinated as Vice President (External), fighting for food justice, access to gender affirming gear, tenant rights, and more.

intend to continue to pressure the Faculty to reverse their decision. Vic’s unique programs are a key reason why students choose our college and they must receive the support they deserve from the broader university.

Eat After Eight – while food quality and portion sizes have improved substantially since COVID, students identified two problems with the dining hall – insufficient hours and an abundance of food waste. The “Eat After Eight” program solves both of these problems by providing any leftover meals to students on Tuesdays and Thursdays once the dining hall has closed. The feedback we’ve received on this program has been resoundingly positive, and after four days of the program, we have fed over 100 students. A team of student volunteers came up with this brilliant idea and I’m proud to have worked with the dining hall and VUSAC to operationalize it.

As this is a pilot program, we continue to seek ways to improve the initiative, and we hope to see other colleges start similar programs soon.

Air Conditioning in Annesley and Lower Burwash – in the fall, an overwhelming number of students expressed that the temperatures in Annesley and Lower Burwash were too high – this is also a complaint we hear in the late spring. I worked with Vic Infrastructure to investigate possible solutions, including providing portable air conditioners to students. The bad news is that Annesley and Lower Burwash’s electrical systems cannot accommodate appliances like portable ACs. The good news is that we will be among the last generations of students to suffer unbearable heat – Vic has plans to install improved heating and cooling in Lower Burwash in the next 3-4 years through cooling systems already installed at EJ Pratt and Annesley further in the future through geothermal pumps in the MargAd field.

Gender Affirming Gear, campus wide – since my first year on VUSAC as Equity Commissioner, VicPride! has done the tremendous service of providing gender affirming gear to students across UofT. However, this put them in a difficult financial position – the need for funding from the Equity Commission and the Student Projects Fund made it clear that the program was not sustainable. With VicPride! and LGBTOUT, I successfully pushed the UTSU to ensure students from every college and faculty could access gender affirming gear, and VicPride! can continue to serve Vic students through their program well into the future.

Fighting for the Creativity and Society Major – the Faculty of Arts & Sciences chose not to move forward with making Creativity and Society, currently Vic’s largest minor program, a major. As VPE, I have voiced my strong objection to this decision, including in an op-ed in The Strand, and intend

Kosher food availability – while Burwash has made significant strides in providing quality food to students with dietary restrictions, there is still a lack of Kosher food available at Vic and across Vic campus. I have been working with Food Services and Jewish students on residence on this issue since the fall and am confident we’ll soon see a resolution.

Winter Caucus – at the time of writing, Winter Caucus is shaping up to be a success: last semester’s fall caucus had a historic number of questions submitted and provided a meaningful opportunity for students to voice their concerns about the issues that mattered to them. I am especially excited that this caucus will feature new administrator positions, including Director of Equity, Inclusion, & Transformative Practices Lesa WilliamsGeorge and Associate Director Campus Safety and Emergency Management James Hung.

8 EXECUTIVE | VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

Crescam Serviendo Awards – the VPE is constitutionally obligated to assist with the organization of the Crescam Serviendo awards, and I’m looking forward to this year’s ceremony. The members of the selection committee have been appointed and the venue and menu for the event have been finalized. Crescams are an important way to recognize members of the Vic Community who have contributed to campus life, and to reflect on the strides we’ve made in the last year.

Tabling & Tenant Guide – Tabling will begin again in advance of Winter Caucus, this time likely indoors due to the weather. We had a very positive response from students when tabling in the fall. This semester, we are also excited to share the new VUSAC Tenant Guide with students, which contains information on tenant rights, forming tenant unions, and ways to hold landlords accountable.

The role of VPE – One of my final projects this year will be to more specifically enumerate the responsibilities of the VPE in the constitution, including constitutionally mandating tabling and outreach to the Vic community. Transparency and accountability is critical for any student government, and the VPE can and should be a champion of these qualities.

If there are ways I can make your experience at Vic better, please reach out to vpe@vusac.ca.

EXECUTIVE | VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL 9

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

VICE-PRESIDENT INTERNAL Lara Athena Reyes

Hi everyone! My name is Lara, and I’m back to report the happenings and updates since November.

Internal Duties In November and December, I conducted check-ins.

This was the first check-in with the Councillors since onboarding, and it was great to hear how they were settling into VUSAC and their portfolios. I appreciate that our Councillors have been outspoken, and am inspired by the initiative they continue to show. This Winter, I am conducting the remaining check-ins with council members. I aim to be more proactive with these, in the hopes of addressing foreseeable issues.

I organized a potluck for VUSAC members to wrap up the Fall semester. We played games and filled the second floor with laughter. It was heartwarming to see council bond outside of VUSAC Meetings. I hope to organize another social at the end of this semester to see each other one last time.

Shane and I conducted hiring for a new Sustainability Co-Chair following the removal of the Commissioner and resignation of the Co-Chair. This decision was made through discussion on council and a conclusion reached by the Executive. We received four applications and hired Amanda. They were immediately onboarded following their ratification. Amanda has been great in working to reengage the commission and its audience.

In terms of VUSAC’s Winter Budget, we were challenged to be frugal while maintaining student life. Council endured a six-hour ratification meeting. Afterward, I met with some council members to help refine their budgets before they were resubmitted. I want to thank the clubs, levies, commissions, councillors, and staff for their patience and understanding during this budgeting cycle. Most importantly, I want to thank Callan for his immense work and ensuring that council remains afloat (and events exist!) in the future.

External Duties I assisted in both hiring panels of Orientation Co-Chair and Orientation Executives. I want to thank Jocelyn, Robson, Jolina, Shane, Heidi, Rohini, and of course Ali, for their support on the panels!

Governing Documents Review A number of council members volunteered to spend their weekends in January and February to edit our Budget Steering Policy, Elections and Referenda Code, Council Policies, and Constitution. We scheduled chapter reviews in clusters–these were based on how much weight or expected discussion there would be to be more efficient. Following VUSAC Meeting discussions, we hope to ratify changes by the tailend of March. If you are interested in reading about these changes, please visit the VUSAC Office to view the printed documents with proposed amendments.

Events This Winter semester, I am supporting commissions as they hold their major events.

three

Firstly, I assisted Kate with logistics and ticketing for the Gardiner Gala. The planning for the event could not have been done without the support of Shane and Ali. Council members and members of the commission were present to help with the overall success of the event. The gala was held on February 1st, with about 200 guests in attendance. It was a spectacular evening that went without a hitch, and I am grateful for all of the support that we had. Most of all, it goes without saying that I am incredibly proud of Kate’s hard work.

Secondly, I supported Medha and Stephanie as they plan for the Life After Vic networking dinner. They have been planning since the Fall semester, and I could feel the efforts in their organization. Medha and Stephanie secured funding from the Student Projects Fund for the catering, and have also been liaising with the Alumni and Affairs Office. They have been doing such a wonderful job and I can’t wait to see the event come to life next week.

10 EXECUTIVE | VICE-PRESIDENT INTERNAL

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

Thirdly, I have been supporting in the planning and execution of Highball, our much anticipated event.

Shane, Ali, and I have been working with Krystyn to finalize plans for the evening, taking into consideration cost, location, accessibility, etc. We will be having Highball at the Eglinton Grand on March 15th. We hope to charge tickets at a reasonable price that allows us to execute the event and ensure fiscal sustainability.

Krystyn and I also worked together to create this year’s Highball Committee, who serve as an advisory committee. Lastly, I have taken on the responsibility of social media collateral. We are so near the event date, and I am eager to see everything come together. This couldn’t be done without Krystyn, Shane, Ali, Amoly, Isha, and the committee.

Final Remarks It has been my pleasure to serve the Vic community through VUSAC for the past two years. VUSAC gave me a safe place to make mistakes and grow as a leader and person. As Vice-President Internal, I had the privilege of supporting and overseeing countless initiatives and events through the council. I get to see student life thrive from a unique angle, and that would not be possible without the trust of the student body. VUSAC has given me so much these last two years, and I only hope that I have been able to give back to the community just as much.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

EXECUTIVE | VICE-PRESIDENT INTERNAL 11

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

VICE-PRESIDENT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Muskaan Aggarwal

Hello! Since my last report in November, I have made considerable progress on several projects I had aimed to complete during the spring semester. Following my last report, my initial task was to conduct the fall semester club and levy check-ins. I had a total of 35 meetings, which provided me with valuable insights into the performance of clubs and levies, their individual needs, and the strategies required to enhance community engagement. This endeavor also highlighted areas where VUSAC (Victoria University Students Administrative Council), alongside me, could further support clubs and levies to foster community involvement.

are actively working to rectify this discrepancy and ensure that all levies adhere to the mandatory double signing protocol. I am committed to monitoring progress closely to guarantee the integrity and security of levy finances moving forward.

Transitioning into the winter break, I focused on responding to emails and assisting clubs and levies in crafting their budgets for the upcoming spring semester. Offering guidance and resources in times of need, I encouraged them to plan events conducive to maximum engagement. Additionally, I had the opportunity to participate in the hiring process for Caffiends' new co-manager. After careful consideration of three candidates, Sara Qadoumi was selected as the newest Caffiends Co-Manager and has been demonstrating exemplary performance in her role so far.

Apart from that, a sizable portion of my time this semester has been dedicated to conflict resolution and team management within various clubs and levies, where my focus lies. During the reading week, I dedicated time to organizing and optimizing the club's storage space for enhanced accessibility and utility.

Furthermore, I organized and participated in interviews alongside a panel to select Cat’s Eyes’ new Co-Manager from a pool of six exceptional applicants, ensuring the Cat's Eye team finds the candidate best suitable for the role.

As we began the Spring Semester, I continued supporting clubs whose funding had been reduced during the budget ratification by suggesting alternative funding sources and brainstorming event ideas.

Furthermore, I collaborated with Callan, our Finance Chair, in conducting levy audits to ensure optimal utilization of funds by engaging with levy executives and examining financial records. While most levy finances were in order, we encountered challenges in updating bank signing authorities for some, which I have been actively addressing to prevent future delays.

Additionally, we are diligently overseeing the implementation of mandatory double-signing authorities for levy cheques. While it is important for all levies to have this safeguard in place, our recent audit revealed inconsistencies in compliance. As a result, we are

Furthermore, the Victoria International Students Association (VISA) has been effectively inactive for the past three years, resulting in the dormancy of its account. In accordance with VUSAC’s council policies, me and the Finance Chair, Callan, will assume responsibility for this account and obtain signingauthority in the coming weeks.

Looking ahead, I will be organizing the all-club heads meeting scheduled for February 26th, 2024. This will be an opportunity for me to discuss responsibilities, transition out processes, and gather feedback for better support strategies for clubs. Subsequently, I will commence spring semester check-ins with clubs and levies, focusing on updating levy constitutions, facilitating smooth and equitable transitioning processes, and emphasizing the importance of timely updating of bank information. Given the current absence of levy heads for VISA, I will also be spearheading the process to recruit and appoint a new team to revitalize the association. I am committed to providing them with all the necessary resources, guidance, and mentorship to ensure they feel equipped to lead VISA effectively.

12 EXECUTIVE | VICE-PRESIDENT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

In the future, I aspire to improve the pre-budget expectations-setting process for clubs and levies. This year, with a significant influx of new clubs, we have encountered challenges with budget allocation due to limited resources. Many new clubs come in with high expectations regarding funding, unaware of what clubs usually request. It is crucial for clubs and levies to have realistic expectations and a clear understanding of budgeting processes to ensure responsible financial management. Recognizing this need, I am committed to finding a solution that addresses these challenges and provides guidance to new and existing clubs and levies.

One step toward this goal is the creation of a FAQ section in the clubs and levy handbook. This section aims to consolidate essential finance- related information and resources, streamlining access for clubs and levies. Instead of navigating through multiple documents on the VUSAC website, this centralized resource will offer comprehensive guidance on budget expectations, allocation, and financial management.

In closing, I want to express my immense pride in the achievements of our clubs and levies. I eagerly anticipate continued success throughout the remainder of my term, and I am committed to supporting and fostering growth within our community.

Yours truly, Muskaan Aggarwal

EXECUTIVE | VICE-PRESIDENT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS 13

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

ACADEMIC COMMISSIONER Medha Barath

The Academic Commission has had a productive start to the winter semester, planning our trademark events whilst continuing fun programming for students.

January saw our collaboration with the rest of the commissions to host the Back to School Hot Chocolate event. It was great to see many students interested, and we are very thankful for the Commuter Commission's organisation of this fun activity.

Life After Vic, our yearly alumni dinner, has been a big priority recently. This year's dinner will feature multiple alumni from fields such as finance, law, dentistry, and so on; I want to thank the Office of Alumni Affairs and Advancement for engaging with the alumni and encouraging people to participate. We are also excited to collaborate with some industry-inclined clubs at U of T to host booths that students can visit to get further career advice towards the end of the dinner.

Registration has started for the event, and we hope many Vic students can join to meet and connect with professionals and gain more clarity about their future!

Anti-procrastination nights are also in full swing. While we have only had two so far, we plan to have three more before the end of the semester. We have had 50+ participants coming to a single study session - it is great to see that students appreciate this event! These evenings only require little logistical planning. Still, this semester, we plan to collaborate with the Mental Wellness Commission to offer some mindfulness sessions during some of the study sessions to promote a more relaxing environment.

With the help of our great executive team, we have also restarted our jeopardy nights; as a lot of our programming is geared towards productivity and more serious subject matter, we felt it was important for students to explore the 'fun' side of academics. The first trivia night, hosted by Winston, Freddy, and Radia, was a great success and highly humorous, and we hope that our remaining events will be as big of a hit.

The next half of the semester will see even more programming and some advocacy efforts from the commission. We will be hosting program roundtables in specific subject areas to provide Vic students with further resources to decide what they want to study prior to the first round of program selection in April.

Once Life After Vic is finished, we will also begin our work to establish a VUSAC library that promotes easier resource distribution for students.

Being Academic Commissioner this year has been a very fulfilling experience. I appreciate my wonderful partnership with the Academic co-chair Stephanie, who has been highly supportive and organised throughout all our busy weeks. Our executive team has also been invaluable with their fresh ideas and unwavering help. I hope the commission's work achieves its goal of making students' academic lives more approachable.

Of course, similarly to last semester, workshops have played an essential role in our programming. We invited Kathy Mac from the Dean's Office to host a session exploring interview strategies and job applications again. Although turnout was not high, many students who attended found the personalised guidance beneficial, and we hope to disseminate some of the valuable information we gained from the session.

14 COMMISSIONERS AND CO-CHAIRS | ACADEMIC

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

ACADEMIC CO-CHAIR Stephanie Cui

The Academic Commission met regularly in the early winter semester to finalize arrangements for Life After Vic, the annual networking dinner with Victoria College alumni, set to take place on Thursday, Feb. 29th. Notably, this year’s event introduces a new format featuring two distinct segments: a targeted networking session facilitating studentalumni interactions within specific fields of interest, followed by a relaxed dessert mingling session encouraging freeflowing conversations among attendees.

Apart from planning the networking dinner, the Academic Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to enriching student experiences through various events, such as two successful Anti-Procrastination Nights In addition, we organized another Job Applications & Interview Skills workshop with the Vic Career Advisor at the end of January to support students during the critical season of academic and job application deadlines.

We are thrilled to report the return of Jeopardy Night, a beloved event from last year! Spearheaded by one of our first year councilors and our first year representatives, the Academic Commission coordinated a night of quizzing with fun and prizes. We are planning to host one or more Jeopardy Nights for students to unwind and forge new connections.

In summary, the beginning of the winter semester has been exceptionally productive. We are also continuing our advocacy initiatives in expanding the peer tutoring program and establishing a textbook library. Please look forward to what the Academic Commission has to offer later this semester—including collaborating with the Office of the Principal on a Programs Plenary as well as Program Roundtables!

COMISSIONERS AND CO-CHAIRS | ACADEMIC 15

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSIONER Kate Mochina

First semester for the Arts and Culture commission finished with a bang with our hilarious annual Bob Sketch Comedy Show! This year’s show, titled The Bobfather, ran for two nights in the Bader theatre on December 9th and 10th with 161 tickets sold in total. The show was super successful thanks to the hard work of directors Anna and Ethan as well as the amazing Bob cast.

In the second semester, my commission and I started working on our annual Gardiner Gala. We decided to have this year’s theme centre around “Patterns of Cultural Exchange” and create a student piece that was displayed in the museum. Over the course of the month of January we had three painting events held in the Wendy Cecil Atrium where we provided canvases and paint. Students worked off of the prompt to “paint patterns of cultural exchange.” They were encouraged to personalize their canvas with a unique design that they felt best reflected them and their culture. We had about 30 students participate across the three events.

The execs and I then collected the paintings and displayed them on the wall at the museum.

Photo by Kate Mochina

The event itself was very successful with an overwhelming amount of students who signed up and a great turnout. There was great food, music and a photobooth with our classic vic balloons. Students were given the opportunity to take their own polaroid pictures with the balloons as well as the beautiful art pieces displayed on the wall. This event would not have been possible without my wonderfully creative and hardworking exec team and fellow VUSAC members who assisted in the planning of this event.

Over the next few months the commission and I will be working on a number of final events to close out the year. The first event coming up in a jewelry making event which will be hosted by event coordinators Leva and Aliya. Students will have the opportunity to create their own bracelets, earrings and necklaces with the materials provided. We will also be holding a Lino cutting workshop and a women’s art show during the month of March in collaboration with the Equity Commission.

Additionally, one of our off-campus events that will be happening on March 14th will take students to 401 Richmond to participate in a Museum Art Hunt. This event will be hosted at a large art gallery venue where students will be able to participate in a scavenger hunt and look for unique painted eggs around the building.

This is a free admission event and we will be providing TTC passes for the first 14 students that sign up.

Organized by our wonderful programming director Liam, this event will give students the opportunity to explore arts and culture within the city of Toronto.

As the semester is coming to a close I want to express my extreme gratitude for this opportunity and the experiences that this position has given me. I am grateful to have worked alongside so many wonderful and dedicated students and it has been a true privilege not only getting to know my team but also forming strong bonds and friendships I will continue to cherish. I am so thankful for the opportunities and countless memories which have shaped such a huge part of my university experience.

16 COMMISSIONERS AND CO-CHAIRS | ARTS AND CULTURE

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COMMUTER COMMISSIONER Juhyung Yun Hello everyone!

Here is a brief report of what I have been working on since November!

As a brief recap of the Fall semester, we have had 12 pancake brunches and many other events, including Home for the Holidays (~200 attendees), which you can learn more about in detail in our Fall 2023 recap post!

Another important highlight for VOCA during the Fall semester was the relaunch of our TikTok account, as well as the Commuter of the Month initiative, which was co-led by our Communications and Advocacy team.

While we previously asked specific student leaders to be the Commuter of the Month during the Fall semester, in the Winter semester, we opened up nominations for all Vic students; stay tuned for our February Commuter of the Month!

During the Winter Break, VOCA busily planned for the Winter Semester, which includes one of our major programs: Commuter Appreciation Week (March 48th). In addition to having the Premium Plan for the Beavertails Truck, this year, we will be having more internal collaboration with Vic clubs and the Commuter Dons. We will also be having an external collaboration event with the commuter representatives from New College and St. Michaels, while also hosting a Co-Chair wine glass painting event. Another collaboration event that has been in the works is a Self-Defense Workshop with VOICES and VOCA’s Advocacy Duo, which seeks to equip students with some skills which may be of help to commute safely in Toronto.

VOCA’s Winter semester started strong with a Back to School Hot Chocolate Bar (~80 attendees), which was in collaboration with all the other VUSAC commissions. We have also had 4 pancake collaborations so far and will be having 5 more in the next few weeks! Aimee and I will also be planning the third annual Flower Bouquet Making event as well as an End of the Year Ice Cream Bar event to wrap up the semester!

Photo by VOCA Executive Members

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Here are some of the main initiatives that have been or will be done by the VOCA exec team in the Winter semester: Administrative Duo (Alexa & Christina) Updating the Commuter Lounge Whiteboard Publishing VOCA’s monthly newsletter Taking meeting minutes Advocacy Duo (Mina & Sara) Art Therapy Event with the Mental Wellness Commission Working on the “Commuter of the Month” initiative End of the Year Survey and Giveaway Collaborations Duo (Ekaterina & Bhakti) Postcard Decorating with the IMs Cupcake Decorating with One Piece Cake Club Communications Duo (Denise & Isha) Creating social media posts for all VOCA events and initiatives Valentine’s Day e-cards Revamping VOCA’s website and TikTok account Winter Photo Contest Events Duo (Sooyeon & Krity) Scott Pilgrim vs The World Movie Night Valentine's Day Crafting Kensington Market Outing with the Commuter Dons First Year Execs (Danbee, Elaine, Brandice) Candle Painting For closing remarks, I would like to thank the VOCA team for such amazing hard work and effort put into making another fruitful year for VOCA as well as all Vic students who contributed and took part in our events!

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COMMUTER CO-CHAIR Aimee Surendra

VOCA started off the Winter Semester by releasing a Fall 2023 Photo Recap, to summarise the amazing programming carried out by our executive team since the summer.

So far this semester, our Administrative team have been making good progress with our newsletter, which is sent out to our general members every month. Additionally, our Events and Collaborations teams have been working hard to plan and execute events, such as our Valentine’s Day Crafting Event and upcoming Postcard Decorating Event with the International Mentors as part of Vic's International Student Week. Finally, our Communications and Advocacy teams have been working together on the Commuter of the Month (CoM) program, expanding it to include nominations (of which we have had many!) If you or a friend would like to be our next CoM, or if you would like to sign up to be a VOCA general member, please fill out the respective form in our Instagram bio - @viccommuter Generally, Juhyung and I have been working behind the scenes on some exciting collaborations, for our weekly pancakes as well as the upcoming Commuter Appreciation Week from March 4th to 8th! During this week we will host numerous events, including our ever-popular BeaverTails truck (back and better than ever), an event with the One Piece Cake Club and a collaboration with St. Michael's and New College.

As my time on VOCA and at Vic comes to an end, I’d like to thank my VOCA exec team, the VUSAC council and, of course, my wonderful partner Ju, for making this year one to remember. My time as the Commuter Co-Chair has definitely been the highlight of my senior year!

Photo by Alexandria Shim

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EQUITY COMMISSIONER Diana Vink

A majority of this semester so far has been dedicated to early-stage planning for upcoming events. The commission supported the VUSAC International Councillor, Andrew, at his Lunar New Year celebration on February 10, and our executive team, with the Mental Wellness Commission, created a survey on the accessibility of events at Victoria College to identify areas of improvement, which is still open for responses.

From February 26 to March 1, the Equity Commission is collaborating with the SMCSU to run a series of Cultural Week events– a photography exhibition, a CIE workshop on Canadian post-graduate opportunities, and a student talent show. The week ends with a cultural fashion show for students and a dinner event centered on Black cuisine. I want to extend my gratitude to Shireen and Nejat from SMCSU for their fabulous planning, and for working with us to make these events accessible to Victoria students!

In March, we’re excited to plan an Environmental Equity Day with the Sustainability Co-Chair, Amanda. A condensed version of the usual Environmental Equity Week, we’re optimistic that the focus on a single day will allow us to devote more time and energy to our events. With the Arts and Culture Commission, we’re holding a Women's History Month art showcase, giving students a platform to showcase their creative works.

sustainable period care for students. Myself and Kate, one of our General Members, are working on designing gender-neutral stickers for menstrual product disposals in Vic bathrooms and expect to have a finished product by the end of February, and to cover all of the old images by the end of March.

Finally, the VPSO and myself are in the final stages of releasing equity training for clubs and levies– this training is admittedly far overdue, but given this timeline is quite similar to last year’s, Muskaan and I are using this opportunity to re-examine the schedule and expectations for equity training to come up with a more attainable timeline for years forward.

I could not be more proud of this commission, and owe my utmost thanks to my Co-Chair, Caitriona, our executives, Liz, Ivan, Valerie, Brendan, and Alec, and our councillors, Sophie, Erin, and Albert, as well as to all of VUSAC and the organizations we’ve collaborated with.

As always, please feel free to get in touch if you need support (equity@vusac.ca), and have a wonderful semester!

We’re planning two Iftar meals for students this year, one in collaboration with the Victoria Commuter Dons, and one in collaboration with SMCSU. Our hope is to work with Emmanuel College to use their spaces for these events so there is a prayer room more immediately available. This year, we’re increasing the size of our events as well as incorporating more educational and spiritual programming into our events, making them more accessible both to students who are observing Ramadan and to students who want to learn more about it.

Beyond that, we plan to give away menstrual discs at a VOICES event as we did last year to offer free, sustainable

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EQUITY CO-CHAIR Caitriona Federico

The equity commission has been working hard this year to put together important equity-based programming, advocacy work and collaborations with a variety of other student organizations to reach as many students as possible. Last semester ended strong with a mug-painting inclusive holiday event and the conclusion of our holiday celebration form inviting students to let us know what holidays they would like to see celebrated at Vic. This semester as the equity co-chair, I have been sitting on the Student Projects Fund Committee as an equity representative, collaborated with all the other VUSAC commissions on a hugely successful hot chocolate bar initiatives where students were invited to meet the commissions and share their equity concerns with us and worked with our exec to design a gender-neutral sticker that will be put on the menstrual product disposals in the genderinclusive bathrooms around campus. We also look forward to helping out with Lunar New Year and Iftar celebrations in collaboration with groups such as the international councillor, St Mike’s student Union and the Commuter Dons. I have been working with our exec quite closely on some accessibility outreach and advocacy where we will be listening to student voices to better understand accessibility needs on Vic campus. Additionally, I am working with the assigned councillors on our portfolio to update our equity resources to provide students an easier and more accessible way to get help with a wide range of equity concerns they face on and off campus.

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MENTAL WELLNESS COMMISSIONER Charlie Sun

In our commitment to enhancing mental health support at Victoria College, we've made significant progress this term, particularly in expanding our team and enriching our resource offerings. The recruitment of a specialized website builder and two first-year representatives marks a pivotal step in our journey to provide comprehensive support and leadership development opportunities.

The website builder’s role is crucial for the enhancement of our mental health resource platform, ensuring it remains accessible and informative. This initiative is designed to demystify mental health support and make resources readily available to our community. Additionally, the first-year representatives are set to gain invaluable experience in mental wellness advocacy, preparing them for future leadership roles within our commission.

Our upcoming agenda is ambitious, focusing on a variety of events that promote both mental and physical wellness, alongside creative expression. These include: Physical Health Events: Recognizing the intrinsic link between physical and mental health, we will host badminton sessions. These events are designed to encourage physical activity, foster social connections, and provide a fun and engaging way to relieve stress.

Bi-Weekly Tea Time: An initiative aimed at creating a relaxed and welcoming space for students to connect, share experiences, and find solace in the warmth of community support.

Art Session with VOCA: In collaboration with VOCA, we will offer art therapy sessions that provide a creative outlet for self-expression and emotional exploration.

Therapy Dogs: Understanding the comforting presence animals can offer, we will organize sessions with therapy dogs to help reduce stress and promote happiness.

Destressing Karaoke Night: A light-hearted and joyful evening where students can unwind, sing their hearts

hearts out, and enjoy a break from academic pressures.

Kindness Workshop: In partnership with Dr. Jeu, this workshop will focus on cultivating kindness towards oneself and others, a crucial aspect of mental wellness.

Qigong Workshop: An introduction to the ancient practice of Qigong, aimed at harmonizing body, mind, and spirit through gentle movements and focused breathing.

Art and Wellness Event: A celebration of the therapeutic power of art, encouraging students to engage in creative activities for mental well-being.

Animation Workshop and Costume Socials: A unique event that combines the joy of animation with the fun of dressing up, fostering creativity and social connections.

Plant and Wellness Session: Guided by Dr. Ellie Weisbaum, this session will explore the mental health benefits of plant care and the nurturing aspect of connecting with nature.

Each of these events is carefully curated to address the diverse needs and interests of our student body, reinforcing our commitment to holistic wellness. Our approach is rooted in the belief that mental health is multifaceted, and support should be varied and inclusive. Through these initiatives, we aim to create a supportive, engaged, and wellinformed community at Victoria College, where every student feels valued and empowered in their mental health journey.

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MENTAL WELLNESS CO-CHAIR Teresa Kristina Wijaya

The Mental Wellness Commission made it a priority to realize the suggestions and requests from the larger student body, as well as collaborating with more student groups to introduce a wider community for Vic students to feel home with. Here are some events our commission plans to hold this semester.

Plant and Wellness Session We have learned that adding a component to the plant giveaway last term worked great in creating a space conducive for community building. This term, we are planning to add a mindfulness breathing component to the giveaway.

Bi-Weekly Tea and Meet the Wellness Interns Learning from the previous year, we learned that a big component to ensure of this event’s success is the location and purpose. With this in mind, by offering snacks, beverages and a safe space, we hope to introduce peers to the Wellness Interns, a valuable resource accessible to Vic students.

We are also planning to host the following events: Therapy Dogs, Qigong Workshop, Kindness Workshop, Website Building, Animation Workshop and Costume Socials, Destressing Karaoke Night. To mention a few, we are on track to collaborate with UofTMHA, Cat’s Eye, Commuter Dons, Professor Bill Jeu, and Master Teresa. Along with these programming, we have also hired a web builder and two first year representatives.

As Mental Wellness Co-Chair, with my wonderful team, I will continue my efforts in bettering the mental wellness scene of the Victoria College community.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at mentalwellnesscochair@vusac.ca.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

SCARLET AND GOLD COMMISSIONER Krystyn Kalloo

Hi! It’s Krystyn again. Welcome to this academic year’s last Scarlet and Gold check-in.

We’ll be quickly summarizing last fall events and running through our winter schedule, alongside projections, updates and recommendations for next year’s commission.

A Quick Fall Recap Last fall, the Scarlet and Gold Commission held a Cat’s Eye’ Pub Night Decompression Zone Non-alcoholic midterm de-stressor Midnight Brew Halloween themed Semi-Formal – Haunting Hour, attended by two over 200 people Joint Diwali Cultural Celebration with St. Mikes’ attended by over 50 Vic Students Home for the Holidays Collaborative booth with the Academic and Arts & Culture Commission hosted

by Aimee and Ju over at VOCA Winter Semester Past events: VOCA Hot Chocolate welcome social VOCA Valentine’s Day Pancakes Collaboration Future events: Highball at Eglinton Grand on March 15th A quiet study session with the S&G Commission Now, unfortunately, despite wanting to hold more events, our student council had some very tight budgeting this semester. Before ratification, initially Club and Commission requests totalled to quite a few thousand more than our budget covered. Thus, many commissions and clubs’ budgets were cut after several gruelling budget meetings (one particular meeting lasted six hours). We were cognizant that Highball, Vic’s biggest social event of the year, and our Commission’s responsibility, has historically taken up a large portion of the budget. So, we aimed for a venue which would cost less, while providing Vic students with a memorable experience.

Our winter budgetary constraints were even tighter than anticipated, and we had to reach out to other venues quite late into Highball’s planning. With negotiation and a stroke of luck, one of our top venue choices, the Eglinton Grand, waived fees, allowing us to host the event. Thus, we are very glad to announce that Highball this year will be held at Eglinton Grand on March 15th!

I would like to thank the VPI and President (who sit on the Committee this year) who have been assisting me throughout event planning, especially through Highball.

Thank you to my councillors without whom there would be no Scarlet and Gold Commission, Isha and Amoly (quite literally – as the Commission is made up of only the three of us). I really appreciate you two.

Speaking of Commission Composition, Recommendations for next year’s Commissioner: Please have general membership. I could not do this because of constitutional restraints - that I have created a semi-workable solution to in my transitionary report. It was not within my capacity, but it was highly requested, and it will both connect you to the VCU and provide more support in your role. It is, as always, your choice, but I highly recommend it.

I would also recommend potentially booking Old Vic for Highball, for both fiscal and student-to-use of funds ratio reasons.

If the next Commissioner is reading this, good luck, don’t be anxious. As long as you plan and fulfill your constitutional role to the best of your abilities, you’ll do great.

And finally, to my colleagues and the VCU – thank you for working alongside me and allowing me to be this year’s Scarlet and Gold Commissioner.

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CHAIR

Jackie Ko I continued my term as the Chair, presently chairing for four meetings, including the Winter Budget Ratification meeting, which was co-chaired with the Finance Chair.

Timers were implemented in most meetings except for the Winter Budget Ratification meeting, as it seemed to lack practicality due to the circumstances. The timers have resulted in efficient procedures with the meeting, but the winter budget ratification meeting lasted for approximately six hours due to the number of budget lines to be discussed in detail. Measures for efficiency in budget ratification meetings have been discussed in the meetings. However, it seems the budget ratification meetings are prone to unexpected lengthiness without preliminary discussions of budget lines. I hope such measures can be utilized to ensure better time management in the future.

members of VCU can access them. All VCU members are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting.

I am currently in the process of compiling all meetingrelated policies into one document, which will be discussed in the March meeting for its publication. The compiled file will not include policy changes as it is merely a compilation, but the recommendations for edits from various council members will be delivered for future changes within their respective rules. I hope the compilation of meeting policies will increase awareness about the procedures within VUSAC and the wider VCU audience.

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

During these meetings, I continued the usage of placards for additions to the speakers’ list – using a hand sign for direct responses. Individualized timers for the indirect and direct responses also aided in decreasing the number of direct responses being misused – resulting in better discussions. Snacks have been bought within the budget constraints, allocating them most appropriately to the lengthy budget-related meetings and the final meeting.

I maintained 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. However, encouraging participation and/or attendance to the meetings are still in-progress.

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

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

CHIEF RETURNING OFFICER Dhir Shah

To the Victoria College Union (VCU), It is with a sense of earnest commitment and transparency that I present this report in my capacity as the Chief Returning Officer (CRO) of the VUSAC. This report outlines the comprehensive efforts undertaken by the VUSAC to enhance and refine the Elections and Referenda Code (ERC), the election portal, and related processes to ensure transparent, fair, and accessible elections within the VCU. Following the fall 2023 elections, I co-led a rigorous audit of the ERC. This initiative was propelled by my recommendations and identified flaws within the existing code. The audit resulted in essential amendments designed to enhance clarity, fairness, and efficiency in our electoral process. Key amendments included: Introduction of a Table of Acronyms: To enhance understanding and accessibility of the ERC. Neutrality and Dispute Resolution: Mandated that disputes involving candidates are to be handled exclusively by the CRO, emphasising the importance of neutrality.

Enhanced Penalties: Introduction of stricter penalties for non-attendance at critical meetings, harassment, and ballot tampering, reflecting our commitment to maintaining a respectful and secure electoral environment.

Candidate Withdrawal Guidelines: Establishment of clear processes for candidate withdrawals, addressing concerns regarding ballot inaccuracies and documentation.

Adjustments to Campaign Materials: Modifications to the campaign material tagging requirements and allowance for candidate photos on ballots, aimed at improving information accessibility and candidate recognition.

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) Clarifications: Detailed guidelines aligned with Simply Voting's system, ensuring clarity and compatibility with VUSAC's voting practices.

Structural and Procedural Adjustments: Consolidation of

Consolidation of related chapters, introduction of vote resubmission capabilities, and a streamlined approach to publishing official election results.

Furthermore, the size of the EAC has been reduced to six (6) members to enhance efficiency and the response rate in appeal processing. The election report format has also been revised to include more comprehensive details and recommendations for future cycles.

In the realm of a digital VUSAC, a dedicated working group, including the communications coordinator and myself, successfully updated the election portal and VUSAC website. These updates focused on userfriendly design, reducing the complexity of navigation, and preparing the platform for the spring 2024 elections cycle. Additionally, the elections portal manual was updated to reflect these changes. Rest assured, the systems have successfully cleared the alpha level stage of testing.

As the VUSAC prepared itself for the spring 2024 elections cycle, I prepared the nominations package for the elections and submitted it to the EAC for approval.

This process included the appointment of an Assistant CRO (ACRO) and consultation with the Board of Regents (BOR) secretary to align our practices with legal requirements, particularly concerning the eligibility of VUSAC presidents serving on the BOR. A landmark achievement in the VUSAC’s commitment to transparency was the publication of all available and previously finalised election reports on the VUSAC website in-order to foster a culture of openness.

The amendments to the ERC and the enhancements made to our digital platforms represent a forwardlooking approach to student governance, ensuring that our election processes remain robust, transparent, and inclusive. As the VUSAC commences its spring 2024 elections, I am confident that these improvements will serve our community well, fostering a more engaged and informed electorate.

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Should you have any questions and / or concerns about any electoral related activities, kindly send an email to cro@vusac.ca. I am also happy to schedule a meeting with you at a mutually convenient time.

Yours Sincerely, Dhir Shah (he / him)

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Tanya Kor

Since the start of my term as Communications Coordinator, my main goal has been to ensure that students know who we are and the work we are actively doing to improve the Vic student experience.

I have consistently organized and coordinated our social media schedule to support VUSAC’s events, advocacy, operations, and services. While collecting and processing communications requests from council members, clubs, and levies, I have noticed a decline in external communication requests. To address this, I plan to send out email reminders in the future to encourage its utilization. Additionally, I have continued to design graphics for all our meetings, initiatives, and events, as well as implementing marketing strategies to maximize exposure for the opportunities and services we offer. I have also published monthly e-newsletters, with a manual review over 50 social media accounts to include more events and opportunities from our Commissions, Levies, and Clubs before sending them out.

The VUSAC website has been undergoing routine maintenance. I frequently upload meeting packages, minutes, budgets, and other important documents as they become available. I am currently in the process of updating the Commission webpages and hope to finalize them before my term ends. As we enter the Spring 2024 Elections cycle, I have also been collaborating with the CRO and Elections Portal Working Group to make changes to the website to improve user navigation. We have restructured the Elections section of the site to only contain one webpage with all elections information, as this would make it more userfriendly and quickly provide prospective candidates with everything they need to know on a single page.

Furthermore, I have updated the Elections Portal with the CRO and removed any unnecessary pages in the Portal.

upcoming events and opportunities on our Instagram every month and am working on adding more visual content, especially photos, onto our feed. I have also been working on revamping the VUSAC website, as many of its pages are outdated.

I am excited to provide a quick overview of communications updates since my last report. Since January 2024, we have reached a notable 46.2% increase in accounts reached and a 107% increase in engagement on Instagram compared to the previous period. Moreover, our website recorded 2,808 site sessions, indicating a great 11% increase.

It is important to leverage these achievements by fostering a stronger sense of community engagement that aligns with the needs of students while also being accountable as we move forward. I recommend that future councils continue to maintain a focus on transparency and communication to keep the student body informed and engaged. As the year comes to an end, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside such talented and dedicated people. I look forward to continuing to actively contribute to the Victoria College community and improving student life.

In addition to my main responsibilities, there are several projects I am working on as we approach the final months of the semester. I have continued to highlight upcoming

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

FINANCE CHAIR Callan Murphy

Since my last report, the fall fiscal term has come to an end. We had 443 ratified budget lines: 281 from Executive/Commissions/Staff/Clubs and 162 from Levies. We obtained a 74.6% non-levy utilization rate this term, with $46,857.99 of non-levy actual expenditure. I wrote a 22-page report detailing the entire Fall 2023 budgeting process, which can be found on the VUSAC website.

most of which was spent making friendly amendments to reduce expenses.

Figure 2: VUSAC Winter 2024 Budget

Figure 1: VUSAC Fall 2023 Budget

I facilitated the transition to QuickBooks Online this semester, which is something that previous Councils have been considering since at least Fall 2020. Our previous QuickBooks software was from 2013 and only accessible from the computer in the VUSAC President’s Office. Intuit has moved to exclusively subscriptionbased pricing for newer versions of QB which means that updating has introduced a recurring cost of $48 a month, but with the major benefit of being online, newer, and supported for future years.

In January, I prepared the Winter Budget in a similar format to the fall—though this time with the help of two new Councillors on the Finance Portfolio: Jack and Freddy. We faced an unexpected $54,468.39 over our projected non-levy funding if we were to ratify all of the budget requests submitted ($126,381.68 proposed total vs. $71,913.29 projected funds). This resulted in a very difficult budgeting process, where Clubs and Commissions had their proposed expenses cut in half in order to provide enough funds for essential costs. The Budget Ratification Meeting lasted a total of six hours, most

In January and February, I conducted the first round of Levy Audits with Hannah from the Victoria University Office of the Bursar. Levies had a combined Fall 2023 utilization of 58.1%, with two Levies still without full bank account access (Acta Victoriana and VCDS), and one levy still defunct (VISA). During the audits, we noticed that 6 of the 7 Levies that provided bank statements had cheques with only one signature line; a couple of these were fitting two signatures on one line, but the majority were only using one signature when writing cheques. Additionally, 3 Levies made payments using methods other than co-signed cheques. Hannah and I provided guidance to these Levies regarding the expected practices for financial responsibility and have asked all Levies to order cheques with two signature lines, prior to receiving their winter funding cheque.

The bulk of my job consists of reviewing cheque requisitions, writing cheques, entering them into QuickBooks, and providing reimbursements. I’ve written 210 cheques so far, for a cumulative total of $71,468.12 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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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

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 the Winter term, there are a couple of things that I’ve been working on as a continuation from Fall, 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.

Services: A new Printing Policy in the beginning of the year 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 primarily contributed to the making of this policy. Following office materials and snack errands, I have been calculating accordingly to the budgeted amount and restocking each week.

Office Space: I have been decorating the office space with more colour and props with the intention of being aligned with the theme of our season or holidays.

Meeting Minutes: The majority of Summer and Fall meeting minutes were transcribed and are available on the VUSAC website. Winter meetings are either in the process of or will be transcribed by the end of this term.

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 Winter Budget, I assisted in budget planning pertaining to office expenses for snacks, light refreshments, cutlery, plates, office papers, expenditures regarding printing services, office

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office initiative/gift fees, and more.

Events: In the month of February, the VUSAC office hosted “Valentine’s at VUSAC” to provide Victoria students to meet new people and find new friends!

Additionally, we had a very successful event, “VUSAC Plays Cupid”, a chocolate and love letter exchange where VUSAC had the opportunity to play Cupid for almost 300 Victoria students.

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 to officemanager@vusac.ca for any questions, concerns, suggestions, ideas, or whatever it may be!

VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COUNCILLOR

Aiko Hashimoto Reis Hello Victoria College!

I’m delighted to provide another update on my VUSAC journey. Collaborating closely with a team of remarkable individuals has been a rewarding experience! Beginning with the VOCA family, supporting their events and witnessing the positive effects of their initiatives on commuter students has been truly fulfilling. I eagerly anticipate commuter appreciation week, where we can dedicate time to show extra love and support to all the students who journey from near and far to be part of Vic. This semester presented personal challenges for me. Balancing numerous responsibilities while dealing with health issues did affect my performance as a councillor. Nevertheless, I viewed it as an invaluable opportunity not to be missed. Through this experience, I gained insights into the college’s administration, our roles as student advocates, and found inspiration in the exceptional members of the council.

Furthermore, serving within the communications portfolio was a gratifying experience. We strived to enhance transparency and accessibility within the college community. By fostering open communication channels, we aimed to ensure that every voice within Victoria College is heard and valued.

Looking ahead, I am eager to continue contributing to VUSAC’s mission of enhancing the student experience at Victoria College. I am grateful for the support and camaraderie within this community and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.

Thank you, Aiko Reis

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COUNCILLOR

Albert Deok-Hyun Ahn Hi, everyone, it's Albert here. Before I begin, I want to acknowledge that many students, myself included, are feeling the pressure of midterms. With that, I just want to remind everyone we're in this together, so keep your heads up!

Since my last report, my role as a first-year councillor has remained relatively steady, continuing to represent the student body. But for my second semi-annual report, I would like to talk about a particular event I helped run that stood out to me. This month, I collaborated with Andrew (the International Councillor) to help run the Lunar New Year celebration event at Victoria University.

The celebration was particularly meaningful to me, reflecting my Korean heritage and other cultures celebrating the Lunar Year as well. Coming from another country, I know the struggles of feeling homesick during major cultural celebrations. Therefore, helping Andrew run this event allowed me to share and honor an essential piece of my cultural identity alongside others. With that, I felt like my involvement in this event was a testament to the value of diversity in creating a more inclusive environment on campus, aligning with VUSAC's commitment to representing the student body.

Additionally, I am eager to continue contributing to VUSAC's initiatives, especially with the Sports and Pizza Night that the first-year councillors are planning. We believe this event will give students a much-needed break from academic stress. By organizing more events like these, I aim to strengthen the sense of community within Victoria University moving forward.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COUNCILLOR

Amoly Agarwal Dear reader, The initial phase of my tenure at VUSAC has been marked by remarkable success, characterised by the orchestration of diverse events within the portfolios entrusted to me. These initiatives have garnered substantial attendance and active engagement from the VCU. Presently, I am collaborating with the Scarlet and Gold Commissioner to establish the Highball Committee, which plays a pivotal role in coordinating Victoria College's annual Highball event. Our efforts over the past five months have yielded significant advancements in this regard.

Within the scope of my responsibilities for the Arts and Culture Commission, I assisted in the successful execution of the Gardiner Gala and am currently engaged in conceptualising and implementing forthcoming events under the commission's purview.

Additionally, for my third portfolio, the President, I am continuing my work on the development of an honoraria report to evaluate the impact of honoraria on VUSAC’s financial efficacy. Moreover, I am involved in the reutilisation of office space, including the repurposing of the back room for graduation photography sessions.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COUNCILLOR Erin Timur

I cannot believe my first semester as a councillor is done! The events we planned last semester all went so wonderfully, and I am excited for what this next semester has in store! Having settled into my role, I can now devote more time to VUSAC and our community.

With the Equity Commission we are now working on a Cultural Tea event with SMCSU, and a Women’s Art Showcase!

Most excitingly, we’ve been planning our Iftar dinner to provide a space for students to break their fast. As an international student from a majority Muslim community, I hope to be able to foster a welcoming environment for all our Vic students who are fasting.

In the Arts and Culture Commission we recently had the Gardiner Gala! A warm congratulations to our Commissioner, Kate, who has hit the ground running this year, and has more planned! We’ve been working with the Execs, my fellow councilor Amoly, and Kate to plan out a plethora of events for the winter semester!

In general, in VUSAC, we have ratified the Winter Budget (thank you Callan!) and I am thrilled to see what our clubs have planned for us this semester! The Friday meetings may be tedious at times, but I encourage those in our community to join, and voice your opinions! We’re always here to listen, if you can’t make it, you can spot our VPE Cam with a VUSAC member tabling around campus! Thank you once again for my election into this position, I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with our community in an active role.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COUNCILLOR

Frederick Sulowski Since the fall, I have been continuing to serve the Victoria University community as a proud member of VUSAC. Having now acclimated to life as a university student in life sciences and a VUSAC first-year councillor, I feel that I have been able to take on opportunities head on with a newfound sense of confidence.

I have now shifted directions in my portfolio, moving from the sustainability to the finance commission. As a part of the finance commission, I have had the great privilege of working alongside our Finance Chair on various financial matters. From being a member of the budget steering committee and participating in the budget ratification process to recording checks and balances, I have gained tremendous insight into the nuances of Victoria University’s finances.

On the academic commission, I have contributed to the organization of our upcoming Life After Vic event, a wonderful opportunity for students to connect and network with Vic Alumni! Additionally, I have been assisting in the facilitation of the Academic Commission’s anti-procrastination nights giving students an event where they can have a comfortable space to focus and study. Finally, with other members of the Academic Commission’s first year executive team, I facilitated a Jeopardy Night event that brought lots of laughs and great times (and prizes to the winners!) through a fun trivia-themed event. Second and hopefully third iterations of it to come soon!

Lastly, I know there has been some inquiry into my campaign promise of a $15 Amazon gift card to a winner of the poster search challenge. Rest assured, Victoria, this will not turn out to be an empty campaign promise. Rest. Assured.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COUNCILLOR Isha Mathur

I am happy to say that my second semester on VUSAC has been so engaging and hands on!

As promised in my previous fall report, there will be two first-year events planned and organized by us first year councilors! One will be a Pizza and Sports Night and the other will be a Mocktail night! The dates are to be announced, but stay tuned for the juicy details!

My role on the academic commission has been fruitful! With ticket and post designs, Life After Vic is coming to life for another successful networking event in late February! Some other notable things I’ve helped out with are assembling the Exam Jam prizes, organizing the second Jeopardy night and assisting with the proposal for an old textbook library. On the other hand, Scarlet and Gold is underway with planning out Highball on March 15th! The venue has been confirmed and now alongside the newly selected Highball committee I am excited to bring forth a memorable night! Over the winter break, lots of discussion went into the venues and possible Scarlet and Gold pins but due to strict budget constraints, the idea fell through. But nevertheless, I can’t wait to use my high school dance planning experience in a new setting!

Looking forward, I hope to continue in leadership around Vic and hopefully on VUSAC! Once again, stay tuned for details on the various VUSAC events planned and always feel free to drop by during my office hours or email me at isha@vusac.ca!

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COUNCILLOR

Jack Cochrane Hey Vickies!

This semester has been relatively relaxed compared to last semester. I am still working under the finance chair, working on completing cheque requisitions for various clubs and levies. I was a part of the budget steering committee which took place in early January. Within this committee, we were tasked in flagging any budget lines submitted by student groups that could be easily amended or reduced. This committee helped reduce the amount of work needed within the budget ratification meeting (although that meeting was still extremely long). Other than that, I hope to set up a better strategy when tackling budget stuff so that next year’s group does not find it as tedious and long.

I have also volunteered my time to help with events such as the Gardiner Gala and Highball by being an extra body available. For the rest of the semester, I plan on just helping around VUSAC as much as I can and preparing for the upcoming election period in March!

Thanks!

Jack

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

COUNCILLOR Sophie Mutch

Over the past few months since my fall report, I have continued to enjoy participating in the Vic community. The first-year councillors are currently coordinating the organization of two events scheduled for this semester, and I am hopeful that attendees will enjoy them as much as we will. My office hours continue to be an exciting part of my week, I am always excited to see other students and be in Goldring. During the fall exam period, I worked in the Burwash Study Space twice. As a first-year student, I was excited to see so many people working together. In December, I attended the principal’s review and was also appointed to the Victoria College Council as an ex-officio member. I enjoyed attending my first meeting in this role on February 12th.

Moving forward, in the two months remaining in this semester (wow time flies!) I look forward to continuing to work on the Vice-President External and Equity Commission portfolios. As I reflect on the past six months, I feel incredibly grateful and fortunate for the opportunity to work alongside great people.

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VUSAC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WINTER 2024

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. I’ll carry out all of the events proposed last year in the rest of this semester, so don’t forget to check Instagram posts and posters around campus so that you won’t miss any of them!

The Lunar New Year Celebration has been happened on Feb 10, on the first day of the new Year of Dragon.

Approximate 70 people came and enjoyed delicious food, activities, and chatted with friends. I saw many people painted their own lanterns, made a paper cutting decoration, and drew several pieces of calligraphy. Due to some technical issues, I had no choice but to change the event date from Thursday to Saturday in order to avoid conflict, although I booked the place one month in advanced. I’m really appreciated to all of them who came since it rescheduled to Saturday, as many of them lived off campus and paid a lot of effort to come to Vic. The next event will be the bubble tea chatting, tentatively will happen in the following two weeks. Event will be located at Atrium and on a first-come-first-served basis with limited cups of bubble tea. There will be both bubble tea and fruit tea to accommodate most of the dietaries. I hope everyone has a restful reading week, and let’s back to the work with bubble tea and meeting with frie

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