CCSS to hold referendum on CASA membership
On August 13, the Camosun College Student Society approved a motion to hold a referendum on whether or not Camosun students should join the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), a national student organization. The fee for each Camosun student would be either $3.12 or $2.89 a year, depending on enrolment. Camosun students were until recently members of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), the other national student organization. The CFS expelled Camosun students from the CFS at a recent meeting following years of conflict between British Columbia member locals and the national organization. An exact date for the referendum has not been set; look for our full story soon.
College announces Camosun Express fall schedule
The Camosun Express bus has new fall 2018 hours. It leaves both campuses every hour from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Thursday. On Friday, it runs every hour from 8 am, with the last bus leaving Interurban at 12:25 pm and Lansdowne at 11:55 am. The express bus commutes between Interurban and Lansdowne. The bus is now wheelchair accessible. See camosun.ca for more information.
Get innovative
Camosun is looking for students to enter its Student Innovation Challenge. To enter, you’ll need to write a pitch letting the college know what your best idea is for improving the student experience at Camosun. You’ll be working in teams of four, and you can sign up individually or with one friend. The first-place team will win $1,000 in cash for each team member; the second-place team members will each get $500; the third-place team members will each get $250. The challenge is open until October 15; see camosun.ca/SIC for more information.
BCFS wants more free textbooks for students
The British Columbia Federation of Students (BCFS) is calling on the provincial government to invest $5 million in the Open Textbook Project, which offers students free textbooks and other materials. Camosun students are all paying members of the BCFS.
Camosun satellite campus launches new lab
The Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) is launching its Music Technology Lab in September. The lab will allow students to use new songwriting technology, explore electronic and virtual music instruments, and use digital audio workstation software for recordings. The VCM is a Camosun satellite campus; the college offers its music classes there.
Camosun students raise thousands for Zambian youth
Camosun Marketing Project Management students recently raised $5,828 to send rural Zambian youth to a conference in August. 21 students in three teams raised the money through fundraising events. The Zambian youth went to the Women for Change Rural Youth Exposure Conference in Lusaka, Zambia with the funds.
Ontario post-secondary institutions dealt mandatory free-speech policy
The Ontario government has given post-secondary institutions in that province until January 1, 2019 to draft, write, and implement free-speech policies to guide speech on post-secondary campuses. The government has said universities could face funding cuts if they do not comply with the aforementioned date. The decision has been criticized by national student organization the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), which said in a press release that free-speech policies can be used to protect “oppressive discourse.” The CFS also expressed concerns over the timeline the government has imposed, saying it will “circumvent many institutional structures such as academic senates, advisory committees and stakeholder meetings, and neglect meaningful and vital consultation processes.” Look for our feature story about free speech on campus next issue.
CASA publishes paper on international students
The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) recently put out Value Beyond the Dollars and Cents, a paper looking at what international students contribute to Canada, what challenges they face, and what supports they need. The paper is available to view online at casa-acae.com. Camosun students will be voting in a referendum about whether or not to join CASA soon.
Local financial-knowledge program gets national nod
The Burnside Gorge Community Association (BGCA) has been awarded $5,000 and an honourable mention by ABC Life Literacy Canada as part of the 2018 Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award (LIA). The BGCA program that won was the Family Self Sufficiency Program, which aims to reduce the cycles of poverty through increased financial literacy and knowledge. The LIA recognizes organizations that spearhead new adult literacy and essential skills programs across Canada.
Municipal matters
Interested in running for mayor of Victoria? The nomination period for candidates in the upcoming municipal election is open until 4 pm on Friday, September 14. In the election, people will vote for a mayor, eight city councillors, and nine school trustees for School District 61. Grab a nomination package at victoria.ca/election. Election day is Saturday, October 20.