Student Experience
1. Student Experience
Throughout the pandemic, Western students have missed the student experience that we’re known for. It is our priority to reintroduce students to our campus programming, events, and services in ways that are both safe and fun after being away for nearly a year and a half. Through non-traditional programming, we plan to reach a wider range of students in innovative ways that ensure safety restrictions are met, while also reintroducing students to the campus community they know and love. We will prioritize supporting clubs and student groups as we readjust to an on-campus environment through collaborative programming, uplifting messaging, and clubs training improvements. We’re excited to see the Western student experience return stronger than ever.
Executive Lead: Maddie Osborne, Vice President Student Support and Programming
Initiative | Executive Lead | Updates | Status |
Clubs Week 2021Â | Nathan Szierer | Clubs Week was hosted both in person and virtually this year. | Complete |
Dance Spaces on Campus | Zamir Fakirani | The USC has secured dedicated dance spaces for USC ratified clubs. | Complete |
Execute OWeek 2021 programming | Maddie Osborne | OWeek 2021 programming concluded on September 12th, 2021. | Complete |
First Semester Programming | MaddieOsborne | The USC has revitalized USC Day, organized puppy yoga, coordinated joint events with peer programs, and brought Rick McGie back! | Ongoing |
Food Truck | Zamir Fakirani | The USC has proposed this to the university, but they have not granted us the space to host our own food truck. | On-hold |
First & Second Year-Targeted Programming | Maddie Osborne | USC secured funding to host a Prom which is dedicated to first and second years. The USC peer programs are offering programming in residence buildings. | Ongoing |
Greek Life relationship | Zamir Fakirani | USC Council voted on Greek Life privileges. 10K in funding was offered to Greek Life Leadership for suicide prevention training. Team USC is partnering with Sorority to fundraise for cancer research, | Ongoing |
Improvements to OWeek 2021 operations and training | Maddie Osborne | USC Executive continuously meeting with senior-level administration to share the USC’s concerns with OWeek and brought recommendations for improvements to OWeek 2022, particularly with training. VPSSP is working with OStaff on a Soph survey to follow up the Soph Town Halls. | Ongoing |
Patio | Maddie Osborne | The USC was organizing a week-long patio on the Concrete Beach for Homecoming. Due to the tragedies that took place, the programming was postponed. | On-hold Or Postponed |
Promoting Student Art | Maddie Osborne | The USC and USC Public Arts Commission has invited and commissioned several student artists and musicians during first semester programs and events. The USC and PAC are working on a mural project in the Huron tunnel. | Ongoing |
USC App | Callista Ryan | VPCPA and VPGF have been working on this project. There are current plans in place to extend our contract with Socio (our OWeek App provider) to bring this app to life. | Ongoing |
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Additional Executive Initiatives
The Executive Roadmap plans out how the executive will structure their programs, plans, and portfolios for the year under organized priority areas. However, when new opportunities or issues arise, they may implement additional programs. See below for updates on these additional initiatives.
Concerts and Large-scale Programming
- Executive has received funding for large-scale programs.
- Due to the omicron, concerts and large events are currently postponed.
Housing
- VPUA and VPSSP meeting regularly with the AVP Housing & Ancillary Services and Director, Residence Life to elevate student concerns/questions, advocate for the implementation of a minifridge rental program, and monitor mental health practices in residence.
- President, VPSSP, and VPUA have successfully advocated for sophs to have access to residence buildings and continue to work with housing to elevate student feedback and concerns.
- VPSSP is in regular contact with Housing to ensure that first year students have adequate access to mental health and wellness resources.Â
- VPEA has started conversations with the City of London’s Government Relations Manager to discuss affordable and accessible housing for students; looking to share data from the USC’s Housing Survey
- VPUA and VPSSP continuing to meet regularly with Housing, with a focus on sexual violence reporting mechanisms and processes in residnence.
Mandatory Vaccines Initiative
- VPUA met with the Associate Director, Residence Life to discuss progress on Westen’s mandatory vaccines in residence initiative, with regular meetings to follow.
- Executive released a ‘Return to Campus’ Survey to gauge students’ questions and concerns about returning to an in-person format this fall.
- President and VPUA met with various university stakeholders, including Alan Shepard, to receive updates on the mandatory vaccines on campus initiative and elevate student questions and concerns.
- VPUA actively monitoring implementation of the policy and updates as they happen.
Relationship with Western Student Experience
- Executive have established a monthly standing meeting with Student Experience AVPs.
- VPUA and VPSSP have been meeting regularly with various stakeholders in Student Experience, including the interim AVPs of Student Experience, Director of Equity and Human Rights, Director of Academic Support and Engagement, Director of Sports and Recreation, and more.
Safety and Facilities Management
- VPUA attending regular meetings to receive updates on safety and facilities, physical distancing and COVID protocols, and to elevate student questions/concerns to the AVP Facilities Management.
Team USC
- President recruited and organized events with Team USC.Â
Western Libraries
- VPUA meeting regularly with the Associate Chief Librarian, Academic to provide student-facing recommendations on the Weldon renovations and furniture selections.
- VPUA working with Weldon on the new October 12th reopening date in order to address student concerns about a lack of study space.
- VPUA worked with Western Libraries to establish a plan for exam shuttles in relation to library closing times and providing feedback on library exam planning.
- Executive are visiting the Weldon construction site. Stay tuned for feedback!