Federal and Provincial Affairs Standing Committee Report to Council

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1 Federal and Provincial Affairs Standing Committee Report to Council Meeting Date December 5th 2013 Time and Location: 8:00pm USC Boardroom Author Attendance Absent with Observers Steven Wright Provincial and Federal Affairs Chair Wright, Steven (Chair) Pearson, Jordan (Vice chair) Bonofiglio, Michelle Syed, Ahsan Palin, Brandon Nguyen, Lisa Crich, Laura Mabtoul, Karima Matthews, Alex Wolfe, Nicholas Engineer, Anish Campbell, Haley Lalka, Andrew Speaker of Council Krishnapillai, Samantha Vice President Internal Singh, Arjun Deputy Speaker of Council Yin, Carol Social Science Students Council Lin, Emily International Student Consultant Wang, Kevin International Student Consultant Wang, Tracy International Student Consultant Cao, Becky International Student Consultant Item #1: International Student Consultation Summary: Discussion with International Student Consultants Lack of access for International student based on financial background no need based scholarships, will only attend if you have money already Problems with English language barrier and TOEFL standards and administration of TOELF are not effective, should be higher language tests do not accurately reflect what students will learn at university low standards are creating problems with regard to understanding classroom instruction, and cultural integration International student support services must start before students arrive at school

2 SAO orientation for international students comes too little too late in addition to language programs, international student offices must International Student Employment there is too little education with regard to how international students can apply for international work permits many international students are participating in under the table, underpaid jobs off campus students are not able to work on campus without demonstrating financial need UHIP and Health Insurance UHIP coverage is too limited International support services must educate students on UHIP coverage and local healthcare centers Item #2: Analysis of CAUT paper on PPPs Summary: Discussion of CAUT paper on PPPs Attachments: CAUT paper The concerns that the CAUT report on PPPs brought up will be considered in the USCs policy Meeting Date: January 16th, 2014 Time and Location: 8:00pm USC Boardroom Author: Steven Wright Provincial and Federal Affairs Chair Attendance: Absent with Absent no Observers Wright, Steven Pearson, Jordan Bonofiglio, Michelle Crich, Laura Nguyen, Lisa Engineer, Anish Wolfe, Nicholas Palin, Brandon Campbell, Haley Syed, Ahsan Matthews, Alex Mabtoul, Karima Lalka, Andrew Speaker of Council

3 Krishnapillai, Samantha Vice President Internal Singh, Arjun Deputy Speaker of Council Belman, Brian Associate Vice President External Zhang, David Federal Affairs Commissioner Item #1 Presentation from External Portfolio Representatives Summary: Presentation regarding the CASA review Legislative History: This presentation is part of a review of CASA that the USC must undertake every two (2) years. CASA is the federal lobbying body that represents 26 schools in Canada including Western in a one school, one vote representational system Western s principal interaction with regard to CASA takes place in Ottawa during a week of federal lobbying called Lobbycon. CASA primarily advocates the federal government on issues such as youth employment, the Canada Student Loans Program, international, and Aboriginal students The USC has recently sent a letter to CASA outlining some concerns it has over membership issues within the organization Item #2 Committee discussion of CASA, and that the CASA review take into account the following memorandum in its decision making process Summary: Discussion regarding the CASA review Legislative History: This discussion is part of a review of CASA that the USC must undertake every 2 years. While discussing the merits of both proportional representation and a one school, one vote federal advocacy system, the committee s view is that CASA s legislative and executive structure should take into account each type of representation, much like OUSA does. This view should be taken into account within the review of CASA Any federal advocacy body that Western is a member of must maintain a presence on it s member campuses. CASA has suffered from a lack of visibility with regard to Western s campus It is the committee s view that CASA or any federal advocacy body representing the views of PSE students must make access and support for both international and aboriginal students a priority The committee feels that any federal advocacy organization must commit to garnering continual feedback from its member schools on advocacy priorities Item #3 Discussion of Policy Stances for a Provincial Election Platform Summary: The committee outlined these policy stances in the event of a provincial election, which should be included in the creation of a complete student platform

4 The provincial government should not actively pursue a differentiation policy Funding by the provincial government to post secondary institutions not be tied to employment outcomes In order for post secondary institutions to remain public in principle the provincial government contributions must make up at least half of university operating funds The provincial government make the mental health of post secondary students a priority via funding commitments and encouraging the coordination of existing institutional resources The provincial government should encourage teaching focused faculty while upholding the principle that faculty are not only teachers but also researchers Consultation Author Author of the Report Steven Wright Provincial and Federal Affairs Standing Committee Chair Financial Review Other Standing Committees Legislative or Legal Review If there are any financial implications to the USC note if the matter has been referred to the Finance Standing Committee. Local and Campus Affairs Committee: Many of the issues brought up by international students are relevant issues for discussion among campus and local organizations. Moreover, the Committee could discuss the CAUT report and how it pertains to Western s PPPs If it could have legal implications, could impact, change or contradict current USC policy or recent Executive Council or Council decisions, the Governance Officer should be consulted.

5 Standing Committee Chair The Standing Committee Chair must approve the report. Steven Wright Provincial and Federal Affairs Standing Committee Chair

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