UNews - Zack Moline

SU looks to mobilize voters

trevor.kenney — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:04:09 +0000

The Council of Alberta ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Students (CAUS) and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) recently rolled out an ambitious Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign to get young and first-time voters in Alberta's post-secondary institutions involved in the impending provincial election.

"The goal of the campaign is simple, get as many students out to vote as possible," says ULSU president and CAUS Chair Zack Moline. "Students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will be asked to sign a pledge form with a commitment that they will vote in the next election."

The contact information that the students provide on the pledge form will be used to update them with the necessary information to make an informed decision on Election Day. It will also provide CAUS and the ULSU the opportunity to encourage students to get out and exercise their right to vote.

"As a Spring election appears imminent, the ULSU is preparing now to ensure that the campaign is an overwhelming success," said Moline.

Together with CAUS, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Students' Unions, the ULSU hopes to inform and encourage a record number of students to pledge and then get out to the polls in the potential spring election. This upcoming election will be exciting, and will be the first provincial election for many new voters and the ULSU is optimistic that droves of students will pledge.

Students can pledge to vote online at the campaign website www.getoutthevote.ca but will also be given numerous opportunities to pledge in person throughout the campaign.

Any students interested in participating in the GOTV campaign to help inform their fellow students can contact ULSU Volunteer Coordinator Mike Solberg to get involved. Mr. Solberg can be contacted via email at su.volunteer@uleth.ca.

For more information about CAUS' GOTV campaign, visit www.getoutthevote.ca or contact the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union at 403-329-2222.

Making sustainability a part of your everyday routine

trevor.kenney — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:13:49 +0000

It has been identified as a strategic direction and key priority for the institution but when it comes to talking about making the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge more sustainable, what exactly does that mean?

In an effort to promote the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's sustainability initiatives, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) is intent on solving that question and helping students, staff and faculty at the U of L get on board the sustainability bandwagon.

Zack Moline, the Students' Union president is a key driver of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's sustainability aspirations, and he speaks to first creating an awareness on campus about just what makes up the three prongs of the sustainability equation.

"I think everyone gets the environmental side of it," says Moline. "It's about strategies to reduce your impact on the environment, limiting waste, your carbon imprint and so on. What's not understood as well are the social and financial aspects of the equation."

Moline explains that financial sustainability is achievable on a number of levels and speaks to making financial decisions that allow for growth but in a way that does not outstrip revenues and resources.

"It even speaks to students in terms of them budgeting properly, such as taking out less student loans so that they can afford their education," says Moline.

On the social side of the equation, the emphasis is on social responsibility and creating an atmosphere of support networks both internally and externally.

"It speaks to creating an overall sense of a campus society that is socially responsible, so that in the wider community there is a recognition that people have a responsibility to others and their community," says Moline.

It involves wellness initiatives in the workplace and fostering a sense that people will be given the necessary tools to excel in their roles.

Each month in the Legend, we will be presenting stories about people who are living the sustainability initiative, those who are doing their part, whether big or small, to further the goal of making our campus more sustainable. We are also looking for feedback from the community because we want to know who is pushing the sustainability program forward. Is there a student, staff or faculty member who has incorporated concepts of sustainability into their everyday routine? Let us know.

Moline is proud to represent a student population that is keen for this messaging and is looking for ways to make their world more sustainable.

"Students are definitely welcoming to this kind of message. I think they see how important it is for our future, and I think they all have a vague sense of what sustainability means. With this initiative, we can take that knowledge a little further and help them understand what it really means, how they can be more sustainable in their daily lives and routines," says Moline.

As well, look for tips to appear on the campus digital signs about strategies to introduce sustainability to daily routines.

"It's all about education," says Moline. "As we see resources dwindling throughout the world, it's apparent that sustainability is going to be a key concept for us to grasp in order to succeed and grow as a society. For young adults coming to get an education, this is important to them and for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to put a great emphasis on this, we'll have a leg up as we go out to solve the world's problems."

Incoming executive excited about opportunity to boost student engagement

trevor.kenney — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:43:49 +0000

The spring winds bring an annual changing of the guard at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU). As another successful year at the Students' Union comes to an end, a new Executive Council is poised to usher in new, and what it expects will be prosperous, student initiatives.

"All of the initiatives and projects we will be working on will fall under at least one of six headings: increasing the effectiveness of our communications, increasing our presence on campus, strengthening our lobbying voice, improving our events, expanding our service base and promoting sustainability on campus," says newly appointed ULSU President Zack Moline.

Executive Council has taken a particular interest in boosting the organization's digital presence and online services. Numerous initiatives are taking shape that will make the Students' Union available on more media platforms and subsequently to a larger audience.

One particular undertaking is part of two Executive Council members' campaign platforms. Andrew Williams and Leyland Bradley are guiding a venture that would see the creation of an online tutor database.

"Students are currently forced to refer to cluttered posting boards, giving them only a small chance of actually finding the academic assistance they require," says Andrew Williams, ULSU vice-president academic. "I see this as simply unacceptable."

ULSU Executive Council also plans to utilize new avenues of communication to diversify and improve on-campus events.

"Students have such great and unique ideas. I want their input," says Lisa Rodych, the vice-president of Internal Affairs.

This year's council is also excited about the opportunity to advocate for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students' interests. As members of both the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) and the Council of Alberta ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Students (CAUS), Moline and his colleagues intend to make major strides in improving the post-secondary experience at not only the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, but for students as a whole in Alberta and across Canada.

"Every year, every new council puts student engagement at the top of their list of priorities for their year in office, and I feel that our council will exemplify this," says Leyland Bradley, vice-president Operations and Finance. "We want to ensure that our campus events and our advocacy efforts are parallel with the opinions of our students."

This story first appeared in the Legend. To view the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Students' Union looking to go green on campus

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:45:58 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union is taking steps to make the campus a little more green.

Since fall 2010, ULSU Food Court vendors and the Zoo have been participating in a composting initiative brought together by some dedicated students, the ULSU Executive and General Assembly members. The composting initiative has now branched out to include Coulee Junction (CJ's), Fresh Express, Mr. Sub and Tim Hortons.

Composting is a natural process of recycling uncooked fruit and vegetable waste, coffee grinds and tea bags into a rich soil or fertilizer known as compost.

"Composting can be done in a number of different ways and serves as a great way to reduce your contribution to the waste stream by recycling yard and kitchen waste," says Taz Kassam, ULSU president. "It also provides a value added benefit to our land and can act as an aid in gardens, landscaping, horticulture and agriculture.

Vendors currently dispose their compostable waste in personal compost bins in the Students' Union building and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ caretaking staff transport the compost to the boneyard – an open compost pile on the south end of campus. The grounds department then uses the finished product for various projects around campus.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ needs a composting program because it is a fairly simple, yet extremely effective way at reducing the amount of waste we produce," says Zack Moline, ULSU General Assembly member and compost co-ordinator. "It feels good to think that most of the food waste produced at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, which used to rot in the landfill, is now being recycled and used for constructive purposes around campus."

This program is about to start a trial phase that will also include on-campus residences. The Piikani residence building in Aperture Park will have 48 personal compost bins placed in its suites.

"Getting students engaged in the composting program will be difficult, but will nonetheless be of vital importance," says Moline. "On the campus-wide scale, it will happen through an active marketing campaign with the ULSU, promoting the ease and benefits of composting."

The ULSU believes that with proper promotion, education and efficient management of the program, this trial phase can be expanded into the remaining buildings in Aperture Park.

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Kassam eager for challenge

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:54:58 +0000

While it may have taken two votes to fill out executive council and general assembly, there was no question who students wanted as their next ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union president.

ULSU president-elect Taz Kassam, a BA and BMgt student, is one of only four women to ever hold the position and she is looking forward to the challenge.

"I am deeply appreciative of the support, both during and following the election," says Kassam. "I am very excited about the opportunities ahead and am ready to serve as a representative for the ULSU."

Due to a lack of nominations in the general election, the Students' Union was forced to hold a by-election to fill out remaining vacancies on executive council and general assembly.

Kassam will be working with Allan Hall, vice-president administration, who held this position last year; Keith McLaughlin, vice-president academic. The position of vice-president Internal Affairs, will be decided in a by-election, which was held after the public.

"I'm excited to pass the torch to next year's executive team," says Alex Massé, vice-president academic. "They're all solid people with relevant experience. They've also been very perceptive of some of the areas that they can improve upon over the past year."

Kassam is no stranger to the ULSU as she has been an active volunteer for the organization. The 22-year old, who grew up in Calgary but has called Lethbridge home for the last five years, does not lack the skills necessary to be successful in the demanding position of ULSU President. She acquired invaluable experience while serving on the executive council with the Management Students' Society and Jeux de Commerce West Business Competition, where she served as event co-ordinator of the 5th Annual Chillin' for Charity Polar Bear Dip that raised more than $16,000 for the Lethbridge United Way.

Kassam aspires to decrease student apathy through activism and communication. She describes her platform as one that encompasses a grassroots approach, and she has decided to work on matters that will most benefit students. After all, ULSU is an organization for the students, and run by the students.

"I believe the low levels of student engagement stem from a lack of communication from the ULSU and a lack of knowledge about the Students' Union," says Kassam. "It is my hope, along with the executive council, to reverse this increase in student apathy and decline in student empowerment. The longer we travel on this road the less likely the opinion of the student will matter."

Increasing the importance of post-secondary education in the eyes of the government is important to Kassam and she intends to battle this by generating student involvement through lobbying efforts for affordable and quality education.

The ULSU 2010/2011 General Assembly currently includes Andrew Williams, Lisa Rodych, Zack Moline, Tyrell Dasilva, Shane Groarke and Cole Schneider, who are all arts and science representatives; Kyle Hammond as the organization of residence students representative. The remaining General Assembly positions will also be decided in a by-election. Visit www.ulsu.ca for full election results.

The ULSU exists to represent students' interests at the provincial and federal levels of government and to provide value-added services, spaces and programs to enhance the campus community.

Band of brothers

trevor.kenney — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:58:40 +0000

Students are typically the beneficiaries of scholarships, not the benefactors. However, Kappa Sigma fraternity is challenging that perception by establishing a scholarship, making them not only students, but donors.

Kappa Sigma has been part of the U of L since 2004, and was officially chartered as Omicron-Xi in 2006. The fraternity currently has 42 active undergraduate members who aim to enhance their university experience through their involvement with the fraternity.

When Elijah de Guzman, one of Omicron-Xi's founding members, passed away suddenly, the fraternity wanted to honour his memory.

De Guzman graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in new media in 2007 and was known to be a hardworking student and a dedicated brother to the fraternity.

"Eli really embodied what Kappa Sigma is about," says Zack Moline, the chapter's grand master of ceremonies. "He was a dedicated student, but he was also involved in the community, both on and off campus. He was very active within the fraternity during his time as a student and he maintained close ties with Kappa Sigma as an alumnus."

Although de Guzman's life was cut short, his brothers from Kappa Sigma are helping to ensure that his memory lives on. The fraternity established the Elijah de Guzman Memorial Award, aimed at helping students who demonstrate academic determination and a strong sense of citizenship.

"Eli completed his education at the U of L, but didn't have the time to put it to full use," says Kappa Sigma Grand Master Ryan Walker. "This award will help another student with his or her own education, and in that way, Eli's memory continues to make a difference."

The award also enables Kappa Sigma to embody the four pillars that are the cornerstones of the fraternity.

Elijah de Guzman (BFA ‘07), a founding member of Kappa Sigma’s Omicron-Xi chapter, passed away as a result of a drowning accident in July 2009.

"The four pillars are scholarship, fellowship, leadership and service," explains Walker. "Eli's scholarship represents each of these elements: it encourages academic study; it recognizes a brother we've lost; it sets an example to others; and it betters the community in which we live."

The de Guzman family is honoured by the dedication Kappa Sigma has demonstrated to Eli's memory and believes the award truly reflects Eli's legacy.

"As a parent, it makes you proud when your children are the recipients of scholarships," says Eli's mother Enonie. "Our family is happy that Eli's name can be attached to a scholarship that will benefit other students."

To view the entire issue of SAM in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Kassam elected ULSU President

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:39:49 +0000

Management student Taz Kassam is the President-elect of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) and the fourth woman to hold the position since the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's founding in 1967.

Kassam's executive team includes Allan Hall, a veteran SU contributor who returns to the SU governing body as vice-president administration, and Keith McLaughlin, a former news editor of the Meliorist and recent winner of the SACPA Student Speaker Challenge, as vice-president academic.

More than 21 per cent of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students cast their ballots last week in the ULSU 2010/2011 General Election.

"I'm excited to pass the torch to next year's executive team," says Alex Massé, the current vice-president academic. "They're all solid people with relevant experience. They've also been very perceptive of some of the areas that they can improve upon over the current year."

Kassam, who takes office May 1, 2010, says she was deeply appreciative of the support, both during and following the election.

"I am very excited about the opportunities ahead and am ready to serve as a representative for the ULSU."

The position of vice-president internal affairs remains vacant; the ULSU is currently in the process of running a by-election to fill this position and other general assembly positions that are also vacant for the 2010/2011 year.

"We have a phenomenal and talented group of people who have just been elected and I am just as excited to find out the results of those who are running in the by-election, which will complete the ULSU team," says Kassam.

The ULSU 2010/2011 General Assembly currently includes Andrew Williams, Lisa Rodych, Zack Moline, Tyrell DaSilva, Shane Groarke and Cole Schneider, who are all arts and science representatives; Kyle Hammond is the Organization of Residence Students Representative.

The ULSU exists to represent students' interests at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as well as on the provincial and federal levels of government and to provide value-added services, spaces and programs to enhance the campus community.

UNews - Zack Moline

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