The

Vision
The University Affairs portfolio is a place for big ideas, but now its time to step back and ask if this infrastructure we have built is based on what students are actually thinking. We need to ask: What do students really want? How do we build a house without knowing what blocks to use? My vision for University Affairs is to go back to answering this question in order to build a strong foundation. From this, we can start to build the framework to connect with our community, going beyond this campus to strengthen our organization.

Foundation at Home
Changing the way the USC gets student feedback, and addressing issues of student concerns, asking, What do students want?

Creation of the Purple Papers Improve internal financial aid options for all students Continue the development of the Barrier Free Standing Committee Provide international students with sufficient support services

Framework in the Community

Creating networks and relationships with the London community to enhance the student experience.

Establish partnerships with community organizations Increase early outreach throughout the year Advocate for a better transit system in London Ensure Aboriginal students interests are considered by the USC

Windows of Opportunity
Empowering student representatives to lobby relevant decision makers, putting the power of advocacy back to students. Strengthen USC's internal lobbying

Initiate a City-Wide Lobby Conference

Foundation at Home
Changing the way the USC gets student feedback, and addressing issues of student concerns, asking, What do students want? Purple Papers Issue: The USC needs a better way of knowing what students want. The university administration seldom asks for student input in their decisions, and we need to fix that. There is no shortage of passion from Western students. Lets take these big ideas that students have and produce tangible documents that we can take to key decision makers. Plan: Through the Purple Papers, students will be able to take ownership of their ideas and champion a topic with a group of councilors, commissioners, and other interested students. With the help from support staff, we can produce well- researched position statements of what students want from this issue. These papers will be brought up through council and published to the public. Each paper will have an expiry date, at which point the paper will be brought back to council for reevaluation and renewal. Results: Purple Papers support students power to set direction and provide the VP University Affairs (UA) a platform to lobby for what students think is important. Students are able to take ownership of their ideas and feel that their representatives are listening to their opinions. These documents will develop a foundation over time, so anyone including university administration or our local political representatives can pick up a Purple Paper and know and understand exactly what Western students want and need.

Internal Financial Aid Issue: Students are not aware of scholarships available to them. It is the responsibility of the university to support students by increasing the amount of scholarships and to make existing scholarships more accessible. Plan: Improve upon the centralized database for Western scholarships with a criteria based form for students to find scholarships specifically relevant to them. The UA will also take the initiative to lobby for more need-based and in-course scholarships from Western. Result: Students will have a centralized place to assist them in applying for financial aid at Western. By reviewing current funding levels and students needs, this will ensure Western students are being properly recognized and supported. Creating more in-course and need-based scholarships will recognize the achievements of Western students.

 Barrier Free Standing Committee Issue: Last year, I took on the initiative with the VP UA and the Accessibility Commissioner, as one of the co-founders of the Barrier Free Standing Committee, with the goal of addressing accessibility on campus. We collected student opinions and feedback on the effectiveness of disability services in the USC and at Western. This was a new direction taken on by the UA portfolio and created a platform to take a critical look at Western students needs. Plan: It is now the time to reformulate the Committee to implement the recommendations made. New action plans and advocacy agendas will be created to carry forward the committees mandate Result: By revitalizing the Committee, the UA portfolio is taking critical steps to reduce the stigma associated with disabilities, facilitate a feedback mechanism for students, and provide a platform to implement changes that will truly impact the experience of students.

International Students Support Services Issue: Dr. Chakmas commitment to making Western an internationally recognized university has led to an increase number of international students on campus. However, support services for international students are limited. Plan: Work with the President and the VP Campus Issues to make sure that the USC is providing the social, cultural, and educational support international students require. Result: International students on campus will feel more supported by the USC, creating a more accessible campus and better student experience.

Framework - in the Community

Creating networks and relationships with the London community to enhance the student experience. Partnerships with Community Organizations Issues: The London community is currently implementing great initiatives that are creating major impact on a local and broader scale. The UA portfolio needs to look beyond the Western bubble and bridge the gap between students and the community we live. Plan: Western students have invaluable skills that community organizations need. The UA portfolio will set up a system to facilitate talent management of students and collaborate with these organizations that are in need of the expertise of students on our campus. Result: By developing a system for students and the community to work together, we are creating a framework to realize the untapped potentials of this relationship in the future.

Increase Early Outreach Throughout the Year Issue: The USC needs to expand its presence to local London high schools and elementary schools and promote post-secondary education throughout the year. Plan: UA will build on relationships with school boards in the London area. We will create programming hosted at Western for high school students to participate in throughout the year to promote post-secondary opportunities. Result: The USC will build partnerships with London school boards and will establish a presence amongst young high school leaders across the city.

London Transit Issue: Students often feel that local transit does not meet their needs in terms of scheduling or general availability. Plan: Make a presentation to the London Transit Commission on behalf of the USC to advocate for more bus services to campus. Result: The student experience will be safer, efficient, and will be more accessible because of the dialogue between the USC and the LTC.

 Aboriginal Students Issue: The interests of Aboriginal students at Western have been underrepresented at the USC level. There is a growing need to deconstruct barriers on campus as well as access to post-secondary education. Plan: The USC will collaborate with Western Indigenous Services to better understand issues facing Aboriginal students and offer our resources to create a strong and safe environment at Western. The UA portfolio can also use the newly passed OUSA policy on (Ontario Undergraduate Students Alliance) Aboriginal Students to lobby the government to provide more resources and opportunities for improved access to post-secondary education. Result: By taking these initial steps to better understand the barriers facing Aboriginal students, the UA portfolio will be able to create a more knowledgeable campus and a healthier environment at Western.

Windows of Opportunity
Empowering student representatives to lobby relevant decision makers, putting the power of advocacy back to students.

Strengthen USCs Internal Lobbying Issue: We do not maximize our relationships with the people who affect our Western experience everyday: university administration. We need to empower our student leaders across all faculties to engage with our administration to ensure that the student voice is heard. Plan: VP Academics Conference (once a semester) A daylong conference facilitated by the Office of University Affairs. It will involve speakers, focus groups and advocacy training and education. Monthly Roundtable - Events that generate dialogue and potential policy on academic issues that affect students at Western. The discussions can range from campus wide to faculty specific. Result: The conferences and roundtables will increase the dialogue about academic issues on campus. It will equip our student leaders across campus with the skills to engage with administration in important discussions on improving the student experience. It will ultimately foster and develop a network of academic student leaders across campus, putting the power of advocacy back to students.

City-Wide Lobby Conference Issue: There is a disconnect between students, key decision makers and political representatives in London. Students need a platform to speak directly to their municipal, provincial, and federal representatives. Plan: As an extension of ChangeCamp, the UA will bring together students with London City Councilors, MPPs, and MPs to a student-driven issues conference. Students and political leaders in London will set the direction for the future of post- secondary education and student priorities. Result: The ability for students to communicate their concerns directly to key decision makers presents an unparallel opportunity to establish strong relationships for the future. Post discussion follow-ups can be presented as Purple Papers and added to the UA policy library.