Senate: What the ___ is that? The simplest analogy is this: Imagine that Queens is a plane. The passengers are students while the pilots, multiple, are Senate. From the destination in which we desire to go to the speed at which we go, to the in-flight entertainment, the food and the cabin temperature, the unfortunate yet all to real reality is that as passengers, for the largest decisions, we are entirely dependent on the pilots. I ask you to reflect on your Queens experience so far, what you expected, the reality, and would it could be…. Think about: • The planned increase in 2000 undergraduate students to Queens (primarily in arts and science) • The phenomenal faculty we have access to • The awful town-gown relationship illustrated by the Mayors unique twitter use • Registration problems: SOLUS • The quintessential college residential experience that Queens prides itself in; Once a Gael, always a Gael • Growing lines in the ARC waiting for equipment All these issues, the good and bad, affect us, every day. For all of them, there is little we can do as individuals, and thats were senate comes into play: opening/closing programs, buildings, orientation, financial aid, and enrolment to name a few. Senate: administration, faculty, staff, and students. 68 voices, 68 pilots. Even one extra impassioned voice, once extra advocate, one extra team player, can make a difference. The next most important question becomes… why me? Passion, Experience Transparency. After the euphoria of frosh week in first year, things kinda of just fell apart. Disappointed with the reality of my program, residence, and everything Queens was portrayed to be, I decided to stop passively complaining and began changing. Through starting off as an intern in the academic affairs commission, to co-chairing the teaching issues committee, to recently taking a leave of absence from my position as an interim senator and a bunch of other activities in between, I ended up finding my home . Although a second year student, I have the confidence to state that I understand how the politics and policy of Queens work, and sometimes doesnt. It is this passion that has lead me to frank conversations and questions with countless officials, be it our Principal, our new Dean of Arts and Science, the Provincial Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, the Dean of Student Affairs, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and professors and alumni. But most importantly countless students. It is this passion that lead me to attend 3 senate sessions out of pure curiosity last year, and 1 in an official capacity this year. Be it the 73 page Academic Plan, 55 pages on the 13-14 University budget, 91 pages on the future of online learning at Queens and countless other policies, reports and discussions, passion isnt enough, experience is imperative. At the decision table, our student advocates have to anticipate every question, with full understanding of how issues like increased transfers to the capital fund from the operating fund will lengthen the time it takes for your professor to respond to your emails. Not only can I do this, I love it. I cannot promise an instrumental change. To build the whole Queens Centre.. (then Id be a real politician and not a student advocate). What I can promise is transparency. Every question, comment or concern you have, you can feel free to contact me, and I will try my best to get back to you, be it email, phone or a meeting. Twitter, Email, Facebook. You name it, I will be available. It is us, a we and not an I. Homecoming this year? The class of 68’ with their subtle euphoric grins as they walked the track. There’s a reason this place is special. I want nothing more than to keep it this way. Cha Gheill!
Posted on: Sat, 12 Oct 2013 03:11:12 +0000
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