December and January 

Christmas, Holidays, and Refreshers 

Dear Students, 

At the beginning of December, I attended the Finance and Resources Committee (FRC), where the university's financial matters, challenges, and opportunities were discussed. As your representative, my role is to ensure that any potential risks affecting students are addressed. 

I also recorded the third episode of my podcast with Tom Rowson, the university’s Chief Operating Officer. Tom has an incredible personality, and it was truly a pleasure to have him on the show. His journey is inspiring! Some of you may be wondering where the episodes are—I regret to say that due to time constraints, I haven't been able to dedicate as much effort to the podcast as I would have liked. However, I am currently editing the first three episodes, and I promise they will be released soon! 

One of the highlights of December was attending the Celebration of Carols. It was my first time experiencing this event, and I found it to be a joyful and relaxing occasion where everyone came together under one roof to celebrate. It was truly one of a kind! 

Additionally, I attended another Council Meeting. Before the meeting, we had a tour of the newly completed SETEC facilities, which was a fascinating experience. The cutting-edge equipment ensures that students have access to the best possible resources. During the meeting, we covered several standing agenda items, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Report, the RSU Report (which I presented), the Finance Report, and other varying agenda topics. 

A big thank you to the Southlands College team for inviting me to their wonderful Christmas Dinner—it was a pleasure to attend and meet so many people. We also had our own RSU Christmas Dinner, which was bittersweet as we said farewell to our dear friend, and colleague, Brenda. 

We held another President’s Committee meeting, which I chaired. This committee consists of three sabbatical officers and four college presidents, and our goal is to address student-submitted ideas and take appropriate actions. 

A special thanks to Simon for inviting me to the Froebel Christmas Dinner! It was a fantastic evening where I had the chance to meet previous RSU and Froebel College Presidents. 

We also had an RSU Board of Trustees meeting, which I chaired. The board oversees RSU operations, long-term strategies, and key decisions affecting the student community. 

With December wrapping up, we entered the holiday season—a time to rest and recharge. 

January

January started off with a challenge, as I was responsible for leading Refreshers activities and events. This year, we took a new approach by extending Refreshers over three weeks instead of just one, ensuring that all students had the opportunity to participate and settle in. 

At the Estates Committee meeting, we discussed topics crucial to students, such as cleaning services, security, and maintenance. There is some great news coming soon, so stay tuned! 

I also had my monthly meeting with Vice-Chancellor Jean-Noël, where I shared the idea of Green Week with him. I’m thrilled to report that he fully supports the initiative and has promised his backing for our campaigns now and in the future. 

As the lead for the Refreshers Fair, I had a big responsibility. While students may only see the event on the day, a lot of planning goes into making it a success. I couldn’t have done it without the incredible RSU team, who supported me every step of the way. We hosted 45 stalls, and a couple of hundred students attended, engaging with different societies and services. A massive thank you to everyone who participated and helped make it a success! 

Attending the graduation ceremonies in September was an incredible experience—seeing the big smiles on graduates' faces while delivering a speech was truly special. This time, it was my own graduation ceremony, and I was fortunate to have my parents there to celebrate with me. I feel truly blessed to have such supportive family and friends. 

Last but certainly not least, I’m thrilled to announce that my long-time project, Green Week, is finally happening from February 10th to 14th! This initiative has been in the works for a long time, and I can’t wait for you all to be a part of it. We have an incredible lineup of events and activities, most of which are free for students. Make sure to check the RSU website for all the details—I hope to see many of you there! 

Until Next time.