UNews - Cole Lehto

Planning, inter-departmental work aids Fresh Fest

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:38:04 +0000

Getting students to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is one thing – helping them feel comfortable once they're here and setting them up to succeed is of even greater importance.

Fresh Fest is one initiative aimed at not only welcoming students to the U of L campus, but also introducing them to a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ that cares about fostering a true student community. The 2010 edition of Fresh Fest proved to be the most successful week of welcome events thus far at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and credit can be given to the co-operative work of a number of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ units.

"Fresh Fest serves as a release from the stress of the first week of classes and allows our students, both new and returning, to become better acquainted with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ experience as well as opportunities to get involved with their community," says Taz Kassam, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) president. "It is believed that the first six weeks of a student's university experience determines whether or not that student will stay at their university. By offering a week of welcome activities, such as Fresh Fest, we hope it helps in making that decision easier."

The Fresh Fest Organizing Committee, a group of nine individuals dedicated to presenting a great event, worked throughout the summer to ensure its success. The committee strived for improvements from previous years, including offering a diversity of high quality bands at the Fresh U Jamboree to entertain Freshies throughout the day.

"We took money that would have been spent on a headliner and spread that out so that we'd have good music playing all day," says Cole Lehto, Jamboree co-ordinator.

Fresh Fest organizers also co-ordinated with New Student Orientation this year, providing a Fresh Fest mail-out to students well in advance of the event. It ensured that all Fresh Fest Packages were sold out.

"A little more attention was paid to finding the right vendors for the event, making it more like a carnival," says Lehto.

A new location for Fresh U Jamboree, as well as close work with Campus Security and Risk and Safety Services, mitigated disturbances both at the event and in the broader Lethbridge community.

"The new green space, beside Markin Hall, controlled the sound from Fresh U Jamboree much better, allowing for fewer disturbances in the community," says Lehto. "It also created a cozy festival feel to the event."

After 61 official noise complaints were filed with Lethbridge Regional Police last year, there were none following the 2010 jamboree.

Fresh Fest organizers met with Director of Security Services and Parking, John O'Keeffe, as well as the Risk and Safety Services office throughout the planning process, working to ensure that noise concerns as well as problems with overindulgence would be mitigated.

Fresh Fest 2010 proved to be successful on a number of fronts, producing a sold-out event that earned rave reviews from students. A dedicated organizing committee deserves credit, as do a number of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ units that worked together to ensure a memorable experience.

Governance proves invaluable

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:26:56 +0000

Different people can take different things out of the same experience.

So it is with members of the 2009-2010 Students' Union Executive Council, who share what they learned in student governance over the past year and how it has impacted their ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ careers.

Jeremy Girard, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) president, had been involved with the organization for three years prior to deciding to run for executive council.

He recognized the value of the ULSU to the student body and decided that he had the capacity to lead the organization in continued progress, trying to make it more professional, accountable and valuable to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community.

"There is no doubt in my mind that I have a sharp advantage, in terms of governing, managerial, professional, financial and communication skills, for getting the career I want, whatever that may be," says Girard of the experience.

Cole Lehto, vice-president internal affairs, ran for council because he was interested in expanding the activities he took part in during his academic term.

"I felt I had done a lot of things in my life, I wanted to be able to say I've been more than a student and this has been a great step in that direction," says Lehto. "I think the main reason you should get involved in anything during your time as a student is to broaden your scope and perspective."

Alex Massé, vice-president academic, has a less romantic take on why he pursued public office. He says he ran for council, simply, for something to do.

"I had no big plans or grand ideas. It just seemed like something I'd do ok at," says Massé.

Calling it a very rewarding position socially, Massé says he was able to meet a variety of fun and motivated people that he otherwise would never have crossed paths with.

"I think I'll gain a lot more from the personal growth I've undergone than from the additional point on my résumé," says Massé.

Allan Hall, vice-president administration, had always been thinking about running for council.

"I wanted to run for office because I wanted to help make the campus a better place for students," says Hall.

Hall says he has grown from the experience and become a well-rounded person throughout the last year.

"I have learned a lot about human resources, non-profit governance, public relations and countless other things," Hall says.

ULSU-sponsored clothing sale on Thursday, Friday

trevor.kenney — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:15:34 +0000

Sara Ritchie, a fifth-year education student, has established an event for students to buy inexpensive clothing, all the while supporting the ULSU Food Bank and raising money for Faculty of Education student scholarships.

"One of my initiatives when I was running for education representative was that I wanted to raise money for an additional student scholarship," says Ritchie, who became a ULSU General Assembly Representative in September. "In light of the recent economic down shift and the provincial education budget cuts, there really isn't a lot of money circulating for us to try to gather scholarship money."

Donated clothing has been collected on campus since Oct. 26 and will continue to be compiled until Nov. 6. There are drop boxes in the 1st Choice Savings Centre, by the Security Office, in the U of L Atrium, in the Students' Union Office, at Nicholas Sheran Community School and at St. Mary's School.

"This is not only ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ-based as we are reaching out to the Lethbridge community as well," says Ritchie. "There will be clothing there for everyone, not just young adult clothing and not just women's clothing. It really will be an event for everyone."

The clothes will be sorted for the sale, which runs Nov. 9-10 and Nov. 12-13 in SU300 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Admission to the sale is a non-perishable food item. Once inside, people can purchase clothing for $2 to $5 per piece. Ritchie wants to see as much money and food as possible collected.

"I would like to see a minimum of $3,000 raised but if we could reach $5,000, I would be beyond happy," she says.

"Incorporating a food drive into the event seemed like an easy way to help yet another good cause."

Post-secondary education is not always easy to obtain, especially if students struggle financially. The goal of the ULSU Food Bank, operating since 2004, has been to alleviate some of the pressure placed on students. Being able to put food on the table is one less thing students have to worry about. The food bank relies on generous donations and needs-based funding from the Quality Initiatives Program to operate. Food drives can serve as a tremendous contribution from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community.

"The ULSU Food Bank is such a readily available service to students in need because it is on campus," says Cole Lehto, vice-president internal. "It often experiences a very high volume of users returning on an extensive needs basis. With budget cuts all over post-secondary education right now, supporting the food bank with donations and creative projects is essential to the expansion and future of the service."

Clothing drive to benefit students, food bank

trevor.kenney — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:28:13 +0000

One of the newest members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union General Assembly has developed a way to incorporate her love of fashion with education – in a way that could benefit a wide variety of students.

Sara Ritchie, a fifth-year education student, has established an event for students to buy inexpensive clothing, all the while supporting the ULSU Food Bank and raising money for Faculty of Education student scholarships.

"One of my initiatives when I was running for education representative was that I wanted to raise money for an additional student scholarship," says Ritchie, who became a ULSU General Assembly Representative in September. "In light of the recent economic down shift and the provincial education budget cuts, there really isn't a lot of money circulating for us to try to gather scholarship money."

Donated clothing has been collected on campus since Oct. 26 and will continue to be compiled until Nov. 6. There are drop boxes in the 1st Choice Savings Centre, by the Security Office, in the U of L Atrium, in the Students' Union Office, at Nicholas Sheran Community School and at St. Mary's School.

"This is not only ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ-based as we are reaching out to the Lethbridge community as well," says Ritchie. "There will be clothing there for everyone, not just young adult clothing and not just women's clothing. It really will be an event for everyone."

The clothes will be sorted for the sale, which runs Nov. 9-10 and Nov. 12-13 in SU300 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Admission to the sale is a non-perishable food item. Once inside, people can purchase clothing for $2 to $5 per piece. Ritchie wants to see as much money and food as possible collected.

"I would like to see a minimum of $3,000 raised but if we could reach $5,000, I would be beyond happy," she says.

"Incorporating a food drive into the event seemed like an easy way to help yet another good cause."

Post-secondary education is not always easy to obtain, especially if students struggle financially. The goal of the ULSU Food Bank, operating since 2004, has been to alleviate some of the pressure placed on students. Being able to put food on the table is one less thing students have to worry about. The food bank relies on generous donations and needs-based funding from the Quality Initiatives Program to operate. Food drives can serve as a tremendous contribution from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community.

"The ULSU Food Bank is such a readily available service to students in need because it is on campus," says Cole Lehto, vice-president internal. "It often experiences a very high volume of users returning on an extensive needs basis. With budget cuts all over post-secondary education right now, supporting the food bank with donations and creative projects is essential to the expansion and future of the service."

Clothing drive a labour of love

trevor.kenney — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:16:43 +0000

The clothes will be sorted for the sale, which runs Nov. 9-10 and Nov. 12-13 in SU300
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Admission to the sale is a non-perishable food item. Once inside, people can purchase clothing for $2 to $5 per piece. Ritchie wants to see as much money and food as possible collected.

"I would like to see a minimum of $3,000 raised but if we could reach $5,000, I would be beyond happy," she says.

"Incorporating a food drive into the event seemed like an easy way to help yet another good cause."

Students' Union has busy summer

trevor.kenney — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:06:58 +0000

By BRIANNE ROHOVIE

With all four ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) Executive Council members having hit the ground running upon taking office May 1, several initiatives set for completion this summer are already well underway.

"We've had opportunities to meet with many people we will be working with this year in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, municipally, provincially and even federally," says ULSU president Jeremy Girard, adding that he plans to keep a strong focus on maintaining the value of the ULSU to these external stakeholders throughout his term.

An equally important task, planning main elements of ULSU events and initiatives for 2009-2010, is also slated for completion this summer. With this being a central responsibility of the VP Internal, the next few months will prove crucial for Cole Lehto.

"By the end of summer we intend on having concrete arrangements with the artists who will perform at the Zoo this year, as well as plans for what will be involved in other ULSU events," Lehto says.

Among additional tasks on Executive Council member's to-do lists are: complete a detailed plan for Fresh Fest 2009, take steps to have a used text book exchange program in place for this school year and make arrangements to host academic speakers and ensure the ULSU food bank is prepared to continue serving students at a high level of functionality.

"I want to see the food bank running efficiently and effectively all year," Lehto says. "With the addition of a food-planning guide, which will act like an in-hand counsellor, we can provide an even greater service to food bank users."

From September's Fresh Fest to April's Last Class Bash, with awareness weeks, concerts, charity drives and club events in between, Girard promises 2009-2010 will be a great year at the U of L.

"I think this year we have the potential, through our many initiatives, to reach more students than we ever have before," says Girard, adding that the Executive Council is prepared to work as hard as is necessary to do so.

"Although we've begun our terms very strongly, I'm sure that over the year our energy levels will fluctuate," Lehto says. "We plan on keeping pace in a way that allows us to cross the finish line still running."

Planning well underway for fall semester

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:54:22 +0000

With all four ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) Executive Council members having hit the ground running upon taking office May 1, several initiatives set for completion this summer are already well underway.

"By the end of summer we intend on having concrete arrangements with the artists who will perform at the Zoo this year, as well as plans for what will be involved in other ULSU events," Lehto says.

From September's Fresh Fest to April's Last Class Bash, with awareness weeks, concerts, charity drives and club events in between, Girard promises 2009-2010 will be a great year at the U of L.

ULSU elections enlightening

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:36:09 +0000

Flames vs. Oilers. Harper vs. Dion. Competition between rivals provides free advertising and captures public attention, both of which are valuable assets when in want of a larger fan base or having polls tipped in your favour.

So what do you do when no competition exists?

With three of four ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) executive positions having just a single candidate in the spring elections, the 2009-2010 nominees faced the challenge of single-handedly garnering student interest, producing stimulating political debate, and showing they are competent and can be held accountable.

"The uncontested candidates had to work even harder in their campaigning," says Adam Vossepoel, ULSU president. "They had to prove that they deserved the position more than anyone else and were, in fact, the best candidate for the job."

Jeremy Girard, the single presidential candidate, agrees.

"To run against somebody else would have been easier; instead I was basically up against every single other person in this school and I needed to show people I was the best candidate for the position," says Girard, a fourth-year neuroscience major.

Proving worthy of the position isn't the only issue that arises when a candidate runs uncontested; to be viewed as credible and capable is difficult to attain without a rival posing a test.

"It's more challenging to campaign against someone, but it's much more difficult to be seen as legitimate when you're campaigning alone," says Alex Masse, the single vice-president academic candidate.

Masse, a fourth-year political science major, planned to prove his legitimacy through the election's town hall speeches, executive council debates and the CKXU radio debate.

For Allan Hall, fifth-year accounting student and vice-president administration candidate, running uncontested didn't change his objective of ensuring student support.

"The best thing I feel that I could do was just talk to students," says Hall. "I think that it was really important that all the candidates, even if they didn't have any competition, made an effort to engage students."

The position of vice-president internal was the only one sought after by more than one student; fourth-year psychology major Matt Kalynchuk and third-year philosophy student Cole Lehto both vie for the title.

"Cole and I had to use campaigning to differentiate ourselves from one another and help people choose a candidate based on who they believed was right for the job," says Kalynchuk.

"Running against someone means you must campaign in order to win and the competition is motivating," says Lehto, who was pleased to have a competitor. "Running against no one means you must draw your motivation to campaign from a feeling of duty to do so, which is difficult."

Whether the 'battle of Alberta' or the aspiration to hold an important political role, the challenge of garnering interest and being regarded as worthy, at times with no reference point, is difficult to achieve. If willingness to work hard is any indication of success in this area, it appears the ULSU can rest assured it will be in worthy hands for 2009-2010.

ULSU elections in the books

trevor.kenney — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:40:26 +0000

The battle for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union president may have been a one-horse race but it didn't stop voters from casting ballots in the 2009-2010 ULSU executive council and general assembly election last week.

Over 21 per cent of students cast their votes in the election as a variety of roles were filled. Jeremy Girard ran unopposed as ULSU president and will take over office in May. He's excited about the upcoming challenge.

"I'm proud to serve as president in the upcoming year," says Girard. "The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has a lot to offer to the community, and the Students' Union has a lot to offer to students."

Girard takes over from outgoing ULSU President, Adam Vossepoel.

"I'm confident the incoming executive team will lead the ULSU down the right path," says Vossepoel. "The organization and the interests of students are in very capable hands, and I leave my presidency with no apprehension about the future of the ULSU."

Following are the results from the 2009-2010 ULSU election.

2009‐2010 ULSU Executive Council: Jeremy Girard, President; Allan Hall, VP Administration; Alex Masse, VP Academic and Cole Lehto, VP Internal.

2009‐2010 ULSU General Assembly: Justine Foy, arts and science representative; Zack Moline, arts and science representative; Eric Hawthorne, arts and science representative; Willis Norrie, arts and science representative; Alecia Fraser, arts and science representative; Cayley Rauw, arts and science representative; Tyler Stewart, fine arts representative; Tyrell DaSilva, management representative; Michael Persinger, organization of residence students representative; Fwanyanga Mate, international representative; Melanie Sam, First Nations, Inuit Métis representative; Jenn Prosser, board of governors representative.

The newly‐elected council members assume their roles May 1, 2009 and remain in office through to Apr. 30, 2010.

UNews - Cole Lehto

Planning, inter-departmental work aids Fresh Fest

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Governance proves invaluable

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ULSU-sponsored clothing sale on Thursday, Friday

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Clothing drive to benefit students, food bank

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Clothing drive a labour of love

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Students' Union has busy summer

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Planning well underway for fall semester

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ULSU elections enlightening

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ULSU elections in the books

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