With a new year comes a new semester and brand new opportunities to get involved with student groups on campus. As an organization dedicated to students at the University of Guelph, the Central Student Association (CSA) is one of the best and easiest places to start volunteering, learning new skills, and getting connected.
Sonia Chwalek is the CSA’s communications and corporate affairs commissioner. As she explains it, the CSA is the undergraduate students’ union at the University of Guelph. The organization is designed to advocate for students’ rights.
“We aim to work towards positive change on issues that affect students across the country through lobbying efforts, campaigns, social initiatives, events, and organizing,” explained Chwalek, in an email to The Ontarion. “The CSA also acknowledges that the barriers that prevent students from accessing and fully experiencing university are often a product of systemic problems that take time to change…we provide you with cost saving services and support, and various entertainment events to enrich your time at the university.”
As the group that represents student interests across the university’s many colleges, the CSA’s committees, campaigns, board of directors, and services are all open to students at the university.
“There are a lot of opportunities to get involved, and not all require the same time commitment, skills, knowledge, or level of dedication,” said Chwalek. “Regardless of your individual circumstance, there is definitely a way in which you can participate.”
The CSA is currently gearing up for their annual general meeting (AGM), on Jan. 20, 2016. AGMs are a way for “members of the union to meet to directly have a say in the direction of the CSA, and to discuss the year’s activities.”
Much like many groups on campus, CSA objectives, goals, expectations, and policy are maintained and defined by a board of directors. The CSA’s board—the usual topic of the At the CSA column—is comprised of seven appointed college government representatives; 14 elected, at-large college government representatives; nine appointed student organization representatives; as well as five elected, full-time commissioners.
Serving alongside Chwalek are academic and university affairs commissioner Peter Miller, external affairs commissioner Asia Barclay, human resources and operations commissioner Matthew Campbell, and local affairs commissioner Scarlett Raczycki.
“You get to elect your five executive commissioners, as well as the 14 at-large positions,” said Chwalek. “Each board member works under the consideration of the CSA’s welfare, image, and mandate, to defend and protect the rights and interests of students. Board members assume the fiscal and moral responsibilities inherent in being a director of a not-for-profit corporation and must be prepared and informed—ready to participate in all major decisions made by the organization.”
Board members are individuals like College of Biological Sciences Student Council (CBSSC) President Meghan Wing, Student Senate Caucus Senator Graeme Laberge, and College of Social and Applied Human Sciences Student Alliance (CSAHS-SA) President Ryan Shoot. Wing, Laberge, and Shoot are all students at the University of Guelph, and they divide their time between their respective student governments and their roles as CSA board directors.
According to Wing, getting involved with student government at the University of Guelph is “much easier than a lot of students think.”
For example, the CBSSC holds elections every year during the winter semester. Students part of the College of Biological Science can vote on the seven executive positions, as well as the 10 student governor positions on the CBSSC board.
“We send out the application form in a listserv email to every student in our college eligible to run for a position,” said Wing, in an email to The Ontarion.
Laberge echoes these statements, explaining that students needn’t worry about lacking experience to be part of student government.
“Everyone’s very nice and very helpful,” said Laberge, in an interview with The Ontarion. “People are willing to work with you and help you.”
Shoot suggests that students interested in learning more about student governments like CSAHS-SA pay attention to Facebook groups invitations, and emails sent from respective governments.
“All students are welcome to attend our events and even run for positions,” explained Shoot, in an email with The Ontarion. “As well, students can get involved with their own major as each major under CSAHS has its own society.”
Getting involved with the CSA, with student government, or with any on-campus student group at the University of Guelph is often as easy as sending an email or attending an event. Most importantly, as with any political situation, students should exercise their power to vote to enact positive change in their colleges and their university.
“…by voting in the CSA general elections, students can influence what the next year’s executive will be like,” explained Raczycki.