April 30, 2020
The Board had a fulfilling April as their term wrapped up, including a lot of advocacy on behalf of students and alongside students. In the first meeting of April, the Board passed the Investment Policy and gave the go-ahead for a fossil fuel free investment portfolio with our new Investment managers. In the second meeting, they passed the Accessibility Standard Policy to ensure all internal affairs of the organization are accessible. The Board worked closely with students with disabilities on campus, along with representatives from the Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (DNA). A huge thank you to these students and the Accessibility Fund Advisory Committee for their work.
In addition to the policy work done by the Board, they continued to work assiduously in relation to advocacy and relief amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. They passed relief for FIC students in the form of a $60,000 bursary after implementing and contributing $150,000 to SFU undergraduate students to provide emergency assistance as financial pressures increased for students. As a result of these pressures and difficulties seen while transitioning online, the Board sent out a survey to help better support and advocate students’ needs during this time, while continuing to advocate for their interests via government advocacy and academic advocacy on campus.
Next, the Board signed a letter and a campaign aimed at ensuring that students are eligible for the CERB. After weeks of advocacy, the Federal Government announced the Canadian Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) for all undergraduate students, and the SFSS continues to advocate for inclusion of international students in this benefit. In addition, the Board endorsed the SFU COVID-19 coalition, who are grassroots organizers advocating for all students & workers at SFU amidst this COVID-19 pandemic for real academic and financial support.
In addition to this advocacy, the Board worked in anticipation of the transition to pass the 2020-21 Board budget. They also worked with post secondary institutions, student associations, and TransLink to temporarily suspend the U-Pass BC program as of May 1st to ensure students have the additional financial burden lifted in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the end of April marks the end for this Board’s tenure, this also marks the beginning for the incoming 2020-2021 Board of Directors. The SFSS wishes everyone a safe and well deserved break, and all the best in your future endeavors!
We thank you for your support of the 2019-2020 SFSS Board of Directors. Shoutout to all our outgoing Board members including President Giovanni; Vice Presidents: Christina, Jasdeep, Jessica, Shina, and Tawanda; At Larges: Rayhaan and Maneet; and our Faculty Representatives: Andrew, Fiona, Julian, Nick, and Simran.
We thank and also welcome our re-elected Directors – Osob, Emerly, and Jennifer into their new roles as they join the newly elected Board members for the new Board term on May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2021!
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