University of Alberta Engineering Students' Society
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Located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the Engineering Students' Society (ESS) of the University of Alberta is the student group representing all undergraduate engineering students within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta. The ESS organizes social events, advocates for student interests at the Faculty and University levels, offers academic and professional development services for students, and builds community among engineering students. The ESS is a registered society with the Government of Alberta.
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[edit] History
The Engineering Students' Society was founded at a meeting of the University of Alberta Civil Engineering Club on December 4, 1919. Throughout the years, it has been renowned as much for its events as for the controversies that have occurred over the years. Regardless it has grown to become one of the largest engineering student societies in Canada.
[edit] Governance & Executive
[edit] Board of Directors
The Engineering Students' Society is ultimately governed by its Board of Directors, which is composed of the ESS Senior Executive and a representative from each of the engineering discipline clubs. While the Board deals with formal matters such as bylaws, policy, and setting long-term direction for the Society, it is also regularly used as a forum for the discipline clubs to discuss matters among one another, and to help coordinate social and academic efforts.
[edit] Executive
There are three levels of executive in the ESS. The Senior Executive consists of the President, Vice-President (Finances & Operations), Vice-President (External Relations), and Vice-President (Student Services). They are together responsible for the day-to-day operations of the society. Each of the VPs manages portfolios related to their position.
The Junior Executive is made up of Associate Vice-Presidents, who manage a specific portfolio under a Vice-President. The various AVPs are:
- Associate Vice-President (Industry Relations)
- Associate Vice-President (Academic Affairs)
- Associate Vice-President (Operations)
- Associate Vice-President (Communications)
- Associate Vice-President (Publications)
- Associate Vice-President (Events)
- Associate Vice-President (Geer Week)
- Associate Vice-President (Services)
Coordinators, which operate beneath a specific portfolio, are responsible for a single, specific event or service put on during the year. There are approximately 30 coordinators in the ESS, though they may be created or eliminated as deemed necessary by the Senior Executive.
[edit] Notable Events
The Engineering Students' Society hosts a number of events throughout the year.
[edit] Geer Week
Dating back to the early 1940's, Geer Week (formerly known as Engineering Week and Queen Week) is a celebration of all things engineering. Held annually in the second week of the winter semester at the University of Alberta, Geer Week is comprised of a series of competitions and parties, with engineering disciplines fighting to be proclaimed the winner.
There are at least 9 teams competing in Geer Week - one for each engineering discipline club. Teams representing other faculties have been known to enter as well. The judged events are:
- Tug of War
- Scavenger Hunt
- Toboggan Races
- Battle of the Bands & Dance Troupe
- Shangria (a relay race where participants chug a "beverage", run a short distance, spin around a bat ten times, and run back)
- Design Competition
- Keg Races
- Movie Night
- Beer Brewing
- Large Poster
- Small Poster
- Newspaper Page (all combined into the newspaper, The Godiva)
- Technical Display
- Floor Hockey
- Food Drive (going to the Campus Food Bank)
- Blood Drive (going to Canadian Blood Services)
Each night is ended with a party organized by a different discipline club. The ESS organizes the Geer Week Wrap-Up Party for the last day of competition. The winners of Geer Week are announced at the Engineers' Ball, a formal dinner and dance that dates back to 1939.
[edit] Social Events
[edit] Country Crusade
Country Crusade is one of the most popular social events at the University of Alberta. Twice a year, the Engineering Students' Society buses out a few hundred engineering students out to mystery small town Alberta to let loose and party with the locals. The event regularly sells out within a matter of hours.
[edit] GEER 101
Throughout September, GEER 101 brings out first year engineering students to meet one another on a more social setting. The ESS hosts a free BBQ, a pool tournament, and other social events to help ease the transition for first year engineering students.
[edit] University of Alberta Engineering Competition
The University of Alberta Engineering Competition is an annual competition at the University of Alberta. UAEC consists of various design and presentation events to challenge students to apply their skills to the solution of engineering problems. Participants and winners of UAEC move on to compete in the Western Engineering Competition.
[edit] Alberta Cup Run
Since 1989, the Engineering Students' Society of the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary Engineering Students' Society have signed on the Brew and Song, a contract for the Alberta Cup Run. At least once a semester, the current keeper of the Alberta Cup, a prized possession among our schools, calls the other school to announce the Cup Run. The visiting school then has 3 1/2 hours to get to join their hosts. After a night of partying, the visiting school takes the Cup back for the next Cup Run.
[edit] Charitable Events
[edit] Engineering Head Shave
Since 2004, the Engineering Students' Society has held a head shave in order to help raise funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. To date, the event has helped raise nearly $40,000 for charity.
[edit] Engineering Hair Dye
As a promotion and fundraiser for the Engineering Head Shave, participants volunteer to dye their hair a crazy colour the week before the head shave. In 2004, participants dyed their hair pink, and went in a rainbow pattern in 2005. To date, the hair dye has raised over $2,300 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation
[edit] Pi (π) Throw
Since 2002, the Engineering Students' Society has held the Annual Pi Throw charity event. Throughout a week in March, pies can be ordered for a $10 donation to Habitat for Humanity. In doing so, will deliver a pie to a victim of the buyer's choice, anywhere within the Edmonton downtown or University of Alberta main campus area. The recipient then has four options:
- Take the pie in the face for free.
- Buy a real pie for π3 (~$30) dollars.
- Redirect the pie to another person for $10.
- Choose not to participate as Pi Throw is a voluntary charity event.
To date, Pi Throw has raised over $5,000 for charity.
[edit] Professional Events
[edit] National Engineering & Geoscience Week
In the spring, the Engineering Students' Society celebrates National Engineering & Geoscience Week, a series of events organized by the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA). It is meant to promote the profession of engineering to the general public. A number of events are held throughout the week, including design competitions, a pancake breakfast, and a speech contest.
The week ends with the Engineers' Banquet, where students, Faculty and alumni meet for a formal dinner. The Banquet dates back to 1920, when it was held in the MacDonald Hotel. As well, the Golden Geer, which honours graduating students who have helped to make a difference in the lives of their fellow students, is awarded.
[edit] Tech Mixers and Soft Skills Seminars
Throughout the year, the ESS works with APEGGA to organize professional events for the students. At the technical mixers, professional from the engineering industry come to meet with students in a social setting.
At the soft skills seminars, a speaker will come in to present to students on different topics, such as networking, interviewing skills, and financial management.
[edit] Notable Services
The ESS also provides a number of important services for its members.
[edit] Engineers' Handbook
The Engineers' Handbook is a daily planner/information guide for all undergraduate engineering students at the University of Alberta.
[edit] Engineering Students' Society/Students' Union Info Desk
A service co-provided by the ESS and the University of Alberta Students' Union, the Info Desk provides a number of services to students, including the selling of merchandise, event tickets, movie tickets and bus passes.
