Hello pretty people. Here’s an update on what is going on in the world of FEDS. You all should have received an update from the Executive a few weeks back that had some important information that may be iterated that we’ll highlight here too.
First off, the Health Service Extension that was approved during last fall’s referendum is progressing. Right now, student input and opinions on the functional design of the expanded facility are being collected. To get your input in, check out http://studentspace.uwaterloo.ca/healthsurvey. It won’t take more than 5 minutes, and it’s STRONGLY recommended you complete it if you want your voice heard!
Keeping on last fall’s referendum, you may recall that the proposed Student Services Complex building failed when it went to referendum. A motion recently passed that requires Brad Moggach, President of the Federation, to revisit the proposal. Don’t expect to hear much on this for the interim, but don’t be surprised if it pops up again.
As reported in the first issue of The Iron Warrior this term, there were two plans put forward to Waterloo City Council regarding the Northdale Neighbourhood. Northdale is the area bounded by Philip, Columbia, King, and University, that is predominantly student housing. FEDS Student Council passed a policy stating that it supports neither proposal, and will actively monitor the situation due in part to the fact that students weren’t extensively consulted in either’s development. After going to Waterloo City Council two weeks ago, they decided to start an intensification study of the area to examine all the options and possibilities.
Next up is an issue that doesn’t directly impact engineering students but will have an effect on students’ academic freedom overall. A proposal recently was presented at Co-op Educational Council and will be passed onto the Senate Undergraduate Council this fall. The proposal will basically lock students in co-op programs, where both co-op and regular streams exists, once they’ve passed their third workterm, and only allow them to leave due to extenuating circumstances. Again, it’s something that won’t affect engineers directly since we only offer co-op programs. It’s something that originated in Math, and has been an issue that has been on the radar for the last few years. Council passed a motion stating opposition to the proposal as the “Federation of Students supports a student’s right to academic freedom,” and “believes the University of Waterloo should not be putting the interests of external businesses ahead of its students.”
Finally, we want to congratulate Yousif Al-Khder from 3N Management who was acclaimed as a new Engineering Councillor for FEDS Students’ Council. As you may recall from the last article, that means two seats are still vacant. Everyone will be informed as to when nominations for these two remaining seats opens again.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact any of us!
Cheers!
Yousif Al-Khder, Praveen Arichandran, Trevor Jenkins, Jordan Lui
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