Sustainability and Environmental Awareness Committee
All 14 present members of the St. Thomas University Students’ Union approved the creation of the Sustainability and Environmental Awareness Committee.
Operating budget approved
St. Thomas University Students’ Union vice-president administration Matt Oram made a motion to approve next year’s operating budget. The students’ union approved it. STUSU raised the student fee by five per cent to reduce dipping into their reserve funds. The budget will be available online on May 1.
Emergency bursary applications
St. Thomas University Students’ Union president Husoni Raymond said last week the union gave out almost $5,000 in emergency bursaries to students. He said he receives several applications a day, and it’s “heartbreaking” to read the situations some students are in. He is continuing to look at more bursary applications.
COVID-19 resources
The St. Thomas University Students’ Union website has a page dedicated to student resources regarding COVID-19. This has information relating to jobs and other resources students may find useful. STUSU president Husoni Raymond said the website is constantly being updated.
Support from professors
The St. Thomas University Students’ Union president Husoni Raymond said he posted a poll on Instagram asking students if they felt supported by professors. Eighty-four per cent of students said they did, while 16 per cent said they did not. Raymond said he also received feedback from students who said they would like to see their professors be more understanding about flexible deadlines, and there is a preference for a pass or fail system.
Pass or fail system
St. Thomas University Students’ Union president Husoni Raymond is looking at bringing a proposal to the university Senate on Thursday on pass or fail systems for courses given the COVID-19 pandemic. With this proposed system, students can choose to complete the remainder of their coursework and receive a letter grade or they can choose to go by the pass or fail system, if students want to take care of their mental health or for any other reason, he said. Raymond said the pass or fail system will ideally not affect scholarships because students will still receive the credit hours if they pass and the plan is for STU to use the GPA from last semester.
Cancelled trips
St. Thomas University Students’ Union vice-president administration Matt Oram said he has been in contact with groups such as the Global Brigades to ensure that future trips have been cancelled due to COVID-19.
St. Thomas University Students’ Union job
St. Thomas University Students’ Union vice-president administration Matt Oram said he’s received several applications for the following jobs: welcome week chair, recording secretary, activities coordinator, chief returning officer and Shinerama coordinator. He encourages students to apply.The deadline is April 6.
