March 16, 2022

The SFSS Council did a lot of advocacy, governance and programming in the month of September. SFSS recognized and affirmed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, supported SFU 350 on the Climate Justice Mural, and hosted the Active Bystanders workshop in collaboration with SFU SVSPO, as well as solidarity work supporting TSSU in their efforts for a better contract and SOCA in the Senate motion to hire at least 15 Black faculty through cluster hiring on campus. The Accessible Course Practices campaign was another advocacy initiative the SFSS took on to urge SFU to accommodate students. These advocacy initiatives were coupled with a lot of governance work and continued the very important programming (including the launch of the Student Advocacy Office!)

Read more about what happened in September 2021 below.

• As part of our advocacy initiatives, SFSS affirmed and recognized the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. In addition to this, SFSS defended student rights to protest after student conduct policies were used and weaponized against climate justice groups. Lastly, supporting communities and groups such as SOCA in the midst of the Senate motion to hire Black Faculty and the TSSU efforts to gain support during their collective bargaining was essential in the month of September! 
  • Advocacy: SFSS Recognizes and Affirms National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – Simon Fraser Student Society
  • Advocacy: SFSS and SFU United on Climate Action
  • Advocacy: SFU 350 Climate Justice Mural
  • Advocacy: Accessible Course Practices Campaign
  • Advocacy: SFSS Executive Committee Endorses SFU Hiring 15 Black Faculty and Support Black Communities
  • Advocacy: TSSU Rally for Better Contract
• Our programming saw many initiatives being opened or continued such as the SVSPO Bystanders workshop or the Student Advocacy office being opened! The Virtual Clubs Days was also held and was a grand success amidst return to campus
  • Programming: Active Bystanders Workshop with SFU SVSPO
  • Programming: Student Advocacy Office Opens!
  • Programming: SFSS Virtual Fall Clubs Days
• In governance, the Council was busy for the month of September with big wins such as ratifying (unanimously on both sides) the SFSS-CUPE Collective Agreement, finishing set up for the Annual General Meeting, and Approving the furniture for the constituency groups that have space in the student union building unanimously:
  • Governance: Council Ratified the 2020-2025 SFSS-CUPE Collective Agreement
  • Governance: Council Set Agenda Items for the Annual General Meeting
  • Governance and Operations: Council Approved $125,000 to Furnish Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance, Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry, and First Nations Student Association SUB Spaces
  • Governance: Councillors invite SFU President Joy Johnson to present on return to campus
  • Governance and Operations: Student Union Building Opened! A long time coming

September was really a busy month that touched all aspects of student union governance and it was a pleasure to support a lot of community groups and develop and continue our own programming this month. Either through the advocacy, programming or the very important governance work that needed to be done.