Executive Report: May 2024

Hello Ridgebacks!

Rai Ali here, your 2024/2025 student union president. The new executive team and I are busy working on a number of key initiatives that you’ve raised, and are excited to work hard to make everything at your union more transparent and give you easier access to information about the OTSU’s operations.

This year, we’re trying something new: reporting our executive updates from Board meetings here on our news page.

If you have some time, I encourage you to read the full meeting minutes here ⬇️

But you’re busy, so we'll give you the coles notes from the May Board meeting so that you can stay informed and get back to doing that great work you’re doing! If you ever have any questions, concerns or comments, feel free to book a meeting with us at otsu.ca/appointments, or reach out to any of us directly at the following email addresses:

• president.otsu@ontariotechu.ca
• vpdowntown.otsu@ontariotechu.ca
• vpaffairs.otsu@ontariotechu.ca
• vplife.otsu@ontariotechu.ca

MAY 2024 UPDATES

PRESIDENT

• CASA: researched the merits of joining the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) as an observer member.
• Ex-officio: pursued installing an OTSU executive as an ex-officio member of Academic Council so that there is always student involvement in Ontario Tech’s planning and decision making.
• Printing service: established a new merchandise printing service for the OTSU and its clubs and societies to create their own branded apparel.
• Onboarding: met with university administration and key stakeholders to establish working relationships, understand the roles and responsibilities of the President position, and learned the processes and procedures for executing my role successfully.
  
  

VP DOWNTOWN

• Onboarding: Met with university administration and key stakeholders to establish working relationships, understand the roles and responsibilities of the VP Downtown position, and learned the processes and procedures for executing my role successfully.
• Durham Region strategic planning meeting: participated in the Municipal Region of Durham’s 10-year strategy consultation meeting alongside local high school and postsecondary student representatives to ensure that planning reflects the needs and aspirations of young people.
• Faculty Council Meeting: attended the meeting at Charles Hall to learn about the university’s plans for the year, and discuss accessibility at 61 Charles St.
• Downtown Campus Advisory Committee: introduced myself to this year’s committee members and will be setting up meetings for the year.

VP STUDENT AFFAIRS

• Onboarding: met with OTSU and Ontario Tech staff and faculty members to build working relationships, understand the roles and responsibilities of the VP Student Affairs position, and learned the processes and procedures for executing my role successfully.
• Transit advocacy: reviewed OTSU’s past transit advocacy initiatives and results, and met with past OTSU president Josh Sankarlal to inform our strategy for the year, including conducting a student transit survey.
• Accessibility: suggested website updates to the team on how to make OTSU information and resources more accessible and easier to find on our website so that students can be better informed as to the OTSU’s operations and what is available to them.
• Ex-officio: supported the president on this initiative with Academic Council.

VP STUDENT LIFE

• Onboarding: met with OTSU and Ontario Tech staff and faculty members to build working relationships, understand the roles and responsibilities of the VP Student Life position, and learned the processes and procedures for executing my role successfully.
• Clubs and Societies Committee: reviewed documents and gained an understanding of my role in the Clubs and Societies Committee, and reviewed this year’s new committee members and will meet with them in the coming weeks to discuss plans for the year.
• Planning: worked alongside the other OTSU executives to come up with our strategic goals for the year and how to achieve them through various initiatives. Initiatives include:
  • Wellness Centre enhancements
  • Clubs and societies policy updates
  • Creating an inclusive calendar