Ryerson Students' Union
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| Institution | Ryerson University |
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| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
| Established | June 27th 1967 |
| President | Melissa Palermo |
| Vice presidents |
Education: Roshelle Lawrence Equity: Rajean Hoilett Operations: Ifaz Iqbal Student Life & Events: Danielle Brogan |
| Members | 28,000 |
| Affiliations | CFS |
| Website | www.rsuonline.ca |
The Ryerson Students' Union (RSU) is the central students' union at Ryerson University representing all full-time undergraduate and graduate students. The RSU is formally known as the Ryerson Students Administrative Council (RyeSAC), and Student Union of Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (SURPI). The Students' Union represents 30,000 students and operates under 3 pillars: advocating for students' rights, providing cost-saving services, and building campus life.
As a Students' Union, the RSU is independent and autonomous from the University itself. In addition, all members of the RSU are members of the provincial and national students' union, the Canadian Federation of Students. The Ryerson Students' Union is Local 24.
The RSU's ultimate goal is a high quality post-secondary education system that is accessible to all and that recognizes the legitimacy of student representation and the validity of student rights. The students’ union achieves this by undertaking educational programming, campaigns, lobbying and social events that enhance the university experience for its members and the community as a whole.
About
Every student enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or any graduate program at Ryerson is a member of the Ryerson Students' Union.
The mandate of the Ryerson Students' Union is threefold:
1. Advocate & lobby on behalf of our members to protect their rights.
2. Build community on campus through inclusive and diverse events and by supporting campus groups that meet academic, political, religious and social needs.
3. Provide cost-saving services like the Used Book Room, CopyRITE, Members’ Health and Dental Plan and the Discount TTC Pass.
Structure
Membership
All full-time undergraduate students and all graduate students are automatically members of the Students' Union as set by referenda. As members, students are the highest decision-making body of the Students' Union and come together twice a year to set direction, change bylaws, and pass on motions at the Semi-Annual General Meeting (SAGM) and Annual General Meeting (AGM). Those happen in November and March respectively.
Executives
The Executive Members are responsible for the RSU's day-to-day operations. The Executive team works full-time to ensure the direction from the membership and the Board of Directors is being executed. The term of office for Executive members is effective May 1 to April 30 each year. All RSU members in good standing are eligible to be nominated for Executive positions.
The 2013-2014 executives are:[1]
President- Melissa Palermo The President is the spokesperson and chief executive officer of the Students' Union. The President ovesees the work of staff and the other executives and ensures that the Students' Union's mandate is being carried out. The President is responsible for the general management and supervision of the affairs and operations of the Students’ Union. They chair all meetings of the Board, general membership, as well as the Student Centre Board of Directors.
Vice-President Education- Roshelle Lawrence The Vice-President Education works on advocacy and campaigns. Whether it's helping students appeal their marks or standing, or working with students across the province to lower tuition fees and increase access to post-secondary education. The VP Education is the local representative to the Canadian Federation of Students and develops access to education campaigns and initiatives. They are the Students' Union's representative to Senate and liaises with administration on academic policy and issues.
Vice-President Equity- Rajean Hoilett The Vice-President Equity organizes around issues of equity, social justice, and anti-oppression. The VP Equity helps with one-on-one student issues, oversees the 5 Equity Service Groups: RyePRIDE, RyeACCESS, Racialised Students' Collective, Centre for Women and Trans People, and the Community Food Room. The VP Equity liaises with the University administration on equity and sustainability issues, and develops campaigns to combat issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and oppression on our campus.
Vice-President Operations- Ifaz Iqbal The Vice-President Operations acts as the treasurer for the organization. The VP Operations is responsible for the development and maintenance of the budget and the many services of the Students' Union. The VP Operations is responsible for programmes including Tax Clinic and the distribution of Ryerson Students’ Union bursaries.
Vice-President Student Life and Events- Danielle Brogan The Vice-President Student Life & Events is responsible for organizing the Students' Unions' events and overseeing the 150+ student groups, course unions, and affiliate groups. These events include the Week of Welcome and Annual Parade and Picnic, as well s weekly pub nights and day-time events, CultureJam week, and other social and educational events
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors set the direction of the RSU. Directors, along with the Executive Committee, are elected annually by the membership to advocate, meet student needs and build community. Directors are responsible for representing members in their faculty or constituency at the Board level. Directors meet monthly to ensure that the finances, campaigns and services of the RSU are operating effectively and efficiently. Directors' terms are effective May 1 to April 30 of each year. All members in good standing are eligible to be nominated for the Board of Directors.
There are directors for each of the 6 faculties: Arts, Communication and Design, Community Services, Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Science, and the Ted Rogers School of Management. There is also a Senate, Student Groups, Course Union, and Residence Directors.
The 2013-2014 Board of Directors are:[2]
Faculty of Arts
- Annalise Huynh
- Tiffany Landau
- Philip Rafalko
Faculty of Business
- Layla Hussain
- Satnam Manik
- Nickeisha Mungal
- Hilary Taylor
Faculty of Communication & Design
- Brian Hui
- Jonathan Pavan
- Katie Shim
Faculty of Community Services
- Alfred Lam
- Grant Mason
- Jacob Sheffield
- Allysa Joyce Soliven Martinez
Faculty of Engineering & Architecture
- Saleh Alteniji
- Rose Ghamari
- Rachael Saunders
Faculty of Science
- Flavio Firmino-Lunda
Course Unions Director
- Saurav Kaushal
Graduate Directors
- Parin Shah
- Maisam Salahi
Residence Director
- Jessica Albotra
Senate Director
- Shelly Campbell
Student Groups Director
- Saphi Subendren
National and Provincial Membership
The RSU recognizes that no individual students’ union, no matter how big or active, has the resources or political clout to effectively influence the provincial and federal government on its own. For that reason, the RSU and all of its members are united with students across Canada through membership in the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). In addition to this national and provincial advocacy, the RSU's members benefit from bulk-purchasing savings and services like the International Student Identity Card and the Student saver discount program.
The CFS also has designated constituencies to represent the diverse needs of students including: racialised students, queer and trans students, students with disabilities, international students, francophone students, women students, graduate students and aboriginal students.
Through the CFS, graduate students are also members of the National Graduate Caucus and Aboriginal students are part of the National Aboriginal Caucus.
Services
The students’ union uses its size to bring members cost-saving services and discounts. Because students are faced with increasing debt and struggle to make ends meet, the RSU provides a range of services to make your life easier.
CopyRITE Printing Service- Full service print shop offering discounted printing, copying and binding. copyrite.ca
The Used Book Room- Offers discounted textbooks year round and provides an opportunity to make money by selling your old books.
Members’ Health & Dental Plan- Helps cover the cost of medical and dental expenses while you study.
Graduation photos- Graduation photos are taken right on campus through the RSU’s partnership with Lassman Studios. The sitting fee includes a free copy of your class composite photo. Book early, on-line, so you don’t miss your chance.
Campus lost & found- Available through the Member Services Office in the Student Centre Lobby.
Tax clinic- Free help with personal tax returns for students with under $30,000 income. Student volunteers, trained by the Canada Revenue Agency, facilitate the clinic in March.
Academic advocacy- A full-time academic advocate for both undergrad & graduate students is available by appointment.
Legal advice- The students’ union offers free legal advice twice a week with an in-house lawyer. Visit the RSU main office to book an appointment.
Members Services Office- Located in the lobby of the Student Campus Centre, the member services office is a one-stop shop for the discount TTC metropass, movie, sports, and entertainment discount tickets, swag, and on-campus event tickets
Discount TTC Metropasses- The RSU fought for a discounted Post-Secondary Metropass that is now available on the 25th of each month for $104. You can also buy a transferable VIP Metropass for $111.50, available to full- and part-time students and community members.
Event & Movie Tickets- The RSU offers discounts on movie tickets to Cineplex, AMC and Carlton movie theatres. You can also get great discounts for the ROM, Ontario Science Centre and Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club. Purchase tickets to all RSU and campus group events, ski trips, club nights and sporting events including Toronto Raptors games!
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)- As a member of the Canadian Federation of Students, you get a free ISIC, the only internationally recognised form of student ID. The ISIC also gives you access to thousands of great discounts at home and abroad. Bring your valid One Card or photo I.D. with proof of enrollment and get your card made at the Member Services Office for free!
Other Services- -TTC Tokens and Day Passes -Campus Group ticket sales -School supplies -Gift / Phone cards
For more information, please visit: rsuonline.ca/services
Advocacy and Campaigns
Academic Advocacy
Educational Issues Campaigns
Equity Campaigns
Sustainability Campaigns
Equity Service Centres
The Students’ Union is committed to building an equitable and inclusive campus community. The RSU recognizes that there are groups within the membership - women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans students, poor and impoverished students, students with disabilities and racialised students – that are marginalised on campus and in our society.[3]
To respond to the issues faced by these students, the RSU has five Equity Service Centres: Centre for Women & Trans People, Community Food Room, Racialised Students’ Collective, RyeACCESS, RyePRIDE
Each Equity Service Centre seeks to support progressive social change and works to meet the advocacy and social needs of students by building a more inclusive Ryerson. Centres operate from an anti-oppression framework and consider the intersection of identities when organising events and campaigns. Each centre offers volunteer opportunities, events, and resources.
RyeACCESS
RyeACCESS recognizes that students with disabilities have a diverse range of experiences both on and off campus. However, one experience that is consistent is that of disempowerment. As students with disabilities, it is our time to reclaim our bodies and minds, take control of the services we use, and work with our allies to achieve the freedom and autonomy we deserve.
This freedom comes in multiple forms including: professors and staff working with us to find creative solutions; the ability to physically access every building, classroom and office on campus; knowing that when you are experiencing a crisis that people with be there to support you in the ways you need – rather than forcing treatment; full choice and self-direction of support services such as attendants, interpreters and interveners; and much more.
Its mission is
- to provide advocacy, campaigns, outreach, education, and events. With a focus on both systemic and individual issues.
- To create an equitable environment and promote the empowerment, autonomy and freedom of students with disabilities.
- to combat the ableism and audism that is pervasive throughout society and on our campus.[4]
Community Food Room
Students are often forced to choose between paying rent, buying text books or stocking our cupboards. The Community Food Room provides free, non-perishable food items so you don’t have to study on empty. The Food Room also provides resources on healthy and affordable eating and advocates for better food options on campus.[5]
Campaigns of the Food Room seek to highlight food insecurity and to address broader issues of poverty and access to public services.
Racialised Students' Collective
The Racialised Students' Collective, formerly known as Students Against Racism, is the youngest Equity Service Centre. Its mission is:
- To create a campus free of racism and to foster a healthy and rich learning and working environment for all.
- To create a safe space for Indigenous students and students of colour, to learn about our histories of struggle and resistance.
- To build an anti-racist network and foster an anti-racist environment through campus-wide services, campaigns and events.
- To challenge institutional and overt racism at Ryerson[6]
RyePRIDE
RyePRIDE is committed to fighting homophobia, transphobia, cissexism, and heterosexism on campus and in our community. They seek to create a positive and inclusive campus that is safe and welcoming for people from across the spectrum of sexuality and gender. With fun social events, sexual health info and resources, a reading library and ongoing campaigns, RyePRIDE is the centre of queer campus life.[7]
The Centre for Women and Trans People
The Centre for Women and Trans People provides a safe organizing space for women and trans people to come together around issues ranging from reproductive freedom, sexuality and gender empowerment to violence, racism and the media. The centre provides advocacy and resources, host discussion groups and other great events from a feminist and trans-positive perspective. Interested in organising a new campaign, hosting a meal or just hanging out? The office is on the second floor of the Student Centre.[8]
Campus Life & Events
Events
Week of Welcome
Parade and Picnic
Campus Groups
Student Groups
The RSU builds community at Ryerson by funding, administering and supporting nearly 200 active and diverse campus groups. Student groups are cultural, religious or interest-based, and are open to all members of the RSU. To ensure student groups can flourish, the students’ union provides grants, training opportunities, room booking privileges, media equipment, mailboxes, free email and web space. All groups are run by student executives who are elected each spring.
Course Unions
All full-time undergrads are automatically a member of their departmental Course Union. The RSU supports Course Unions by providing funds, offering training opportunities, room booking privileges, media equipment, mailboxes, email accounts and poster approval. Each Course Union is run by a group of students elected annually.
Graduate Course Unions
The RSU represents all graduate students at Ryerson. Students in each graduate program are automatically members of their Graduate Course Union (GCU). GCUs help ensure student voices and needs are represented at the department level and bring grad students together through social and educational events. The RSU supports GCUs through annual funding. Each GCU has one seat with full vote on the RSU’s Graduate Council.
Affiliate Groups
Affiliate Groups are made up of RSU members and are based on academic or program-related projects, shared political views or are chapters of third-party organisations.
For more information, please visit: rsuonline.ca/campusgroups
Graduate Students
Graduate Council
All graduate students are members of the Ryerson Students’ Union. To ensure representation and a unified voice for the over 2,500 graduate students at Ryerson, the RSU has a Graduate Council. Through the Grad Council, the RSU works to build community, advocate through campaigns and support the work of Graduate Course Unions.
Through the General Elections, student's elect a Graduate Representative Committee. The Graduate Representative Committee works with both the Grad Council and the RSU Board to represent all full- and part-time graduate students enrolled at Ryerson University. The Committee is mandated to represent the needs of graduate students; it works to advocate for, create and develop a sense of community amongst grads and to distribute funds to support graduate student initiatives.
Services for Grad Students
Graduate students are entitled to all RSU benefits and services including: The Members’ Health and Dental Plan, academic advocacy, Discount TTC Pass, CopyRITE printing discounts, free legal advice, travel grant funding, the International Student Identity Card and more.
For info on services, please visit: rsuonline.ca/services
National Graduate Caucus
Graduate students are also represented on the provincial and federal levels through their membership in the Canadian Federation of Students and the National Graduate Caucus, which is composed of over 60,000 graduate students across Canada. The National Graduate Caucus is the largest graduate student organisation in Canada, and the only one with an office in Ottawa to lobby federal decision-makers.
Its mandate is to monitor legislative developments as they pertain to graduate students and ensure that the voice of graduate students is heard on issues as varied as copyright, whistleblower protection, student debt, the licensing agreement with the National Library of Canada, and academic freedom and commercialization of education.
For more info on the National Graduate Caucus check out: graduatestudents.ca
See also
External links
References
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