StFX Student Union

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The StFX Student Union, known as The U, represents the students at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is a student run organization, it represents over 4000 students and it provides many services and activities. The U sits as a voting member on the federal lobbying group CASA and provincial lobbying group ANSSA.

Contents

[edit] Structure

The U is organized as a collegial student government. Each February a president and vice president run in a slate, and are elected by the student body. The elected officials then choose an executive team which serves as their cabinet for the following year. The new executive team works to structure the following year's budget and determine the organization's direction.

The hired executive is then ratified by the student council (whom are the elected officials of the union).

Students' Union building, Bloomfield Centre
Students' Union building, Bloomfield Centre

The executives work at the university during the summer to plan for the following year. In September, when the students return, council becomes active and the executives and council meet to discuss the general operations of the union and report/vote/pass various issues affecting student life at X.

[edit] History

The StFX Student Union was incorporated in 1965 by James Sutton, Paul Rusynak, Thomas McGowan, Joseph Coffey and Robert Hutton. Since its incorporation, the union has been a major part of the university.

The Students’ Union initially began to represent the student body as a whole while providing activities and social events on campus as well as societies. The union has since expanded through adding services such as tutoring, student advocates, drive-home service, campus police, and a darkroom for photo developing. It has also created off campus support services such as a student food bank, housing list, as well as staff to help with tenancy concerns.

In April 2006, Harrison Stevens and Adam Hinton were elected as Students' Union president and vice president for the 2006-2007 academic year. Several weeks after the election Harrison Stevens resigned for personal reasons. Adam Hinton became the new president and he appointed Lila Pavey as vice president.

The executive platform is focused on improving the way the Student Union communicates with the students. The union has brought in communications initiatives to improve signage, branding, and technologies among other things. As part of this process the StFX Students' Union has branded itself as The U.

In July 2006, the Student Union launched its new website which included the new logo and platform focused on long term strategic planning, representation of student concerns, and a safer and more inclusive student experience.

[edit] Services

2003 X-Ring
2003 X-Ring

StFX is unique in its diverse number of services. All student services are free. Some of the services the Union offers are:

  • Bus service
  • Drivehome service
  • Tutoring services
  • Student help line
  • Off campus housing aid
  • Environmental services
  • Student advocates
  • Food bank
  • Photographic darkroom
  • Weekly newspaper, The Xaverian Weekly
  • Student radio station
  • Yearbook
  • Student Societies

[edit] Activities

The Students Union regularly puts on concerts and events. Listed are some of the mainstays:

  • Christmas Ball
  • Frosh Week
  • Open Mic
  • Summer Patio Parties
  • Winter Carnival
  • Dancing in the Streets
  • Playfair
  • Yuk Yuks Comedy Series
  • Last Class Bash

The well known "X-Ring" ceremony, which takes place each December, is also organized by the Students' Union.

[edit] External links


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