The Gold Standard Final
Transcript of The Gold Standard Final
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THE GOLD STANDARD
TEAM GPP FOR AMS EXEC
Our Platform
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TableofContentsTheTeam.......................................................................................................................................................................3RicoGarcia...............................................................................................................................................................3DuncanPeterson...................................................................................................................................................4T.K.Pritchard..........................................................................................................................................................5
MainCampaignPoints.............................................................................................................................................61-AMSAccessibilityandApproachability.................................................................................................62-JDUCRenovations.......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... .....73-KeepingOrientationWeekStudentRunandFroshConcertonCampus................................84-JobBankandTaxReturnHelp...................................................................................................................95-CourseRegistrationWaitlist.......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .106-KeepingNon-AcademicDisciplineStudentRun.............................................................................117-PrioritizingMentalHealth........................................................................................................................128-FinancialTransparencyandEasyAccesstoInformation...........................................................139-QueensRugbyLeague...............................................................................................................................1410-ClubResources,JDUCInfoKiosk,andRoomBookingSystem...............................................1511-FirstYearAlfiesNight..............................................................................................................................16
12-PlanaSmoothReturnofHomecoming............................................................................................1713-ASustainableAMSandStudentLifeCentre...................................................................................1814-EnsureUniversitysFinancialSituationDoesNotJeopardizeAcademics........................1915-SupportingStudentAthletics................................................................................................................20
AMSCommissions......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... ......... ....21AcademicAffairsCommission(AAC)........................................................................................................21CampusActivitiesCommission(CAC)......................................................................................................22CommissionoftheEnvironmentandSustainability(CES).............................................................23CommissionofInternalAffairs(CIA)........................................................................................................24MunicipalAffairsCommission(MAC).......................................................................................................25SocialIssuesCommission(SIC)...................................................................................................................26
AMSOffices................................................................................................................................................................27
CommunicationsOffice...................................................................................................................................27HumanResourcesOffice.................................................................................................................................28I.T.Office................................................................................................................................................................29MarketingOffice.................................................................................................................................................30StudentCentreOffice.......................................................................................................................................31
AMSHospitalityandSafetyServices..............................................................................................................32CommonGround(CoGro)..............................................................................................................................32TheAMSPubServices(T.A.P.S.)..................................................................................................................33QueensStudentConstables(QSC).............................................................................................................34Walkhome.............................................................................................................................................................35
AMSMediaServices...............................................................................................................................................36C.F.R.C.....................................................................................................................................................................36QueensTV............................................................................................................................................................37QueensJournal...................................................................................................................................................38YearbookandDesignServices(YDS)........................................................................................................39
AMSRetailServices................................................................................................................................................40PublishingandCopyCentre(P&CC)..........................................................................................................40TricolourOutlet..................................................................................................................................................41
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TheTeam
RicoGarcia Ricoisa3rdyear
studentdoingamajorinEconomicsandaminorinGlobalDevelopmentStudies.HewasbornandraisedinMonterrey,MexicoandmovedtoCanadain2009topursuehisundergraduatestudiesatQueens.
Sincefirstyear,Ricohasexpressedaninterestinstudentgovernment,startingwithrunningforPresidentoftheASUS2013YearSociety.HewassuccessfullyelectedtothisroleanditprovidedhimwiththeopportunitytoorganizeeventsforhisclasswhilelearningabouthowASUS,theAMS,andtheUniversityasawholeoperate.
Inhissecondyear,hewaselectedasaStudentSenatorfortheUniversitySenate.ItwasthroughthispositionthathewasabletomeetSeniorAdministrators,representstudentsinanimportantdecision-makingbody,andlearnabouttheAcademicprioritiesoftheUniversity.AsaSenator,RicosatondifferentCommitteesadvocatingforstudentinterestssuchastheUniversityStudentAppealsBoard,theSenateOrientationActivitiesReviewBoard,andtheArtsandScienceFacultyBoard.
Inthirdyear,RicoGarciabecamethePresidentoftheArtsandScienceUndergraduateSociety(ASUS).LeadingthelargestFacultySocietyatQueenshasbeenachallengingyetfunexperience.InhiscapacityasASUSPresident,Ricohasresolvedconflict,negotiatedcontracts,andledacohesiveteamofCommissioners,Officers,andChairs.HewasalsoamemberoftheQueen'sCenterStudentWorkingGroup(QCSWG)andwasthuspartofthenegotiationssurroundingtheQueensCenterCapitalContribution.
Byvirtueofoccupyingthisandhispastpositions,RicohasbeenavotingmemberoftheUniversitySenate,FacultyBoard,ASUSAssembly,AMSAssembly,andtherespectivecommitteesalreadymentioned.Finally,Ricohasalsobeeninvolvedinnon-governancematterswhileatQueens.HehasheldaweeklyradioshowofSpanishmusiccalledIftheNorthweretheSouthsincetheFallof2009,participatedinbothQueensModelParliamentandQueensModelUnitedNations,differentintramuralleagues,andhasbeenaGaelduringFroshWeek.RicocurrentlylivesinVictoriaHall,whereheisaResidenceDon.
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DuncanPetersonDuncanisa5th
yearBiologystudentfromNanaimo,British
Columbia.DuncanwasoriginallyattractedtoQueensbythisuniversitysverystrongsenseofcommunity.Afteratwodaytripinhisgrade12year,heknewimmediatelythatthiswastheplaceforhim.
Duncanbecameinvolvedinstudentgovernmentasachancetomakenew
friendsandlearnmoreaboutthedifferentopportunitiesavailableatQueens.Ultimately,however,DuncansfirstexperiencechairinganASUScommittee
ignitedapassionforstudentgovernmentthatledhimtoorganize,plan,andleadsuccessfuleventsandinitiativesthathavebenefittedthestudentcommunityatQueens.
AftergainingsuccessivelylargermanagementandleadershiprolesintheArtsandScienceUndergraduateSocietyandeventuallybecomingtheSocietysAcademicsCommissioner,Duncansfocusshiftedtowardrepresentingstudentsneedsandopinions.Hewasabletofulfillthisdesirethroughhiscurrentpositionas
theSocietysVice-PresidentandChiefFinancialOfficer.Duncangainedasubstantialamountofexperienceinthefieldsofbudgeting
andplanningbycreatingtheSocietysfull-yearbudgetoverthesummermonthsof2011.ThislearningprocesscementedDuncansbeliefsinfinancialaccountabilityandtransparencythroughtheopenviewinganddiscussionofASUScurrentfinancialstandingandfuturefinancialstability.
DuncanwasrecentlyelectedtotheStudentLifeCentreCouncilbyAMSAssemblyandhasobservedsomeoftheinteractionsandinitiativesbeingundertakenbyadiversegroupofstakeholdersatthisuniversity.
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T.K.Pritchard T.K.isa4thyearstudentworkingonamedialinDramaand
English.HeisfromBarrie,OntarioandcametoQueensafterheattendedanenrichmentprogramoncampuswhenhewas12andfellinlovewiththeschool.
T.K.sinvolvementwiththeAMSbeganinfirst-year,whenhewasageneralmemberoftheEducationonQueerIssuesProject(EQuIP),acommitteeintheSocialIssuesCommission.Inhissecondyear,hewasaGael,chairedQueensPrideProject,
wasamemberofPerformanceOutreachforStudentsSocialEducation(POSSE)andcontinuedwithEQuIP.Inhisthirdyear,hechairedEQuIP,continuedwithPOSSE,andwasnominatedforaPositiveSpaceAward.
Currently,T.K.isamemberofAMSCouncilinthefull-timepositionofSocialIssuesCommissioner.Inthisposition,heoverseesavarietyofcommitteeswhodoequitywork,aswellastheAMSPeerSupportCentreandtheFoodCentre.Healsositsonseveralcommittees,includingtheStudentAffairsMentalHealthWorkingGroup,theQueensUniversityInternationalCentreCouncil,theCouncilforEmploymentEquity,andtwoCouncilofOntarioUniversitycommitteesthatworkondomesticviolenceandaccessibility.
TheopportunitieswhichT.K.haspursuedoverthepastfouryearshave
helpedhimtolearnhowtoeffectivelyleadlargegroupsofpeoplewithavarietyofopinionsandviews,theimportanceofteamworkandsupport,andhowtoproducepositiveresultsunderpressureandinnegativesituations.
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MainCampaignPoints
1-AMSAccessibilityandApproachabilityHowcanwecallourselvesastudentgovernmentwhenstudentsdontfeel
comfortableapproachingtheirstudentleaders?TeamGPPbelievesinanAMSthatisopenandaccessibletostudents.WebelievethattheAMSExecutiveshouldbepeoplewhomstudentsatlargecaneasilyapproachwiththeirquestionsandconcerns.
FromspeakingwithmanypeopleandourownexperiencewiththeAMS,we
haverealizedthat,despiteeffortsinthepast,theAMSExecutivestillremainssomewhatinaccessibleandhardtoapproach.OneofthekeyissuesisthatallthreeoftheExecutiveshaveanextremelybusyschedule,packedwithmeetingseveryweek,andstudentswhowishtomeetwithAMSemployeesmustscheduleameetingbeforehand.Wedontbelievethatthisisaneffectivewaytooperate,andwethereforewantachange.
AsTeamGPP,wewillhaveatleastoneopenhour
everytwodayswherewedonthaveascheduledmeeting
andwekeepourdooropenforstudentstocomeinwithout
makingapriorarrangement.Wewanttobereadilyavailabletostudents.Infact,wewanttosetupadesk
outsideoftheofficeonceaweeksothatpassingstudentscantalktous.IfstudentsdontfeelcomfortablewalkingintotheAMS,wewillmakesuretheyarestillableto
meetwithuselsewhere.Studentsshouldnotbetheoneshavingtogooutoftheirwayandclearing
theirschedulestomeetwithustochat.Onthecontrary,weneedtorememberthatweareheretoservestudents,andweshouldbetheonesgoingoutofourwaytomakesurethatstudentscansuccessfullymeetwithusandsharetheirconcerns.Whilewerecognizethatwewillhaveextremelybusyschedules,wecannotbeagoodstudentgovernmentifstudentshaveahardtimecontactingusandsettingupmeetings.
However,accessibilityandapproachabilitydontendwithus.Wewillmake
surethatourCommissioners,Directors,andOfficersfollowasimilarguidelinesothatstudentsknowwhentheyarefreetochatwithouttheneedofarrangingforameeting.
Finally,wewanttoconvincetheAdministrationtooperateinasimilar
fashion.WevebeentoldthatPrincipalHitchcockusedtohaveasetofopenofficehoursonceamonth.Howcoolwoulditbeifwecouldstartthisonceagain?Wewanttobringaccessibilityandapproachabilitytothenextlevel.
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2-JDUCRenovations
Thispastsemester,theAMSresolvedoneofthelargestissuesthatithas
facedinthelastfewyears,theAMSCapitalContributionFee.Therehadbeenongoingnegotiationssincelastyear,anditisgoodtoseethatthisissuehasfinally
settlednowthatAMSAssemblyhasapprovedtheagreement.TheAMSsettledonanamountwiththeUniversityof10.5milliondollars,but
1.3millionofthatsumaretobeinvestedinrenovationprojectswithintheJohnDeutschUniversityCentre(JDUC).AsTeamGPP,
wewanttomakesurethatthe1.3milliondollarsareused
torenovatetheJDUCandprovidesomemorebookableand
performancespaceforstudents.Aftermeetingwith5differentpeoplefromPhysicalPlantServices,wehave
receivedafewestimatedcostsandideasaboutwhatcanbedevelopedwiththismoney.Inthesemeetings,wefoundoutthatthecurrentperformancespaceinthenorthendoftheJDUCwillmostlikelynolongerbeavailabletostudentsinthecomingyearbecauseofcurrentnegotiationswithsometenants.Thisbeingsaid,werecognizethatthiscampusislimitedintheamountofperformance/studiospaceavailableforbookingandthereforewanttodevelopPigeonAlleyintoabookabletheatre/performancespace.
AftermeetingwithcontractorsandengineersfromPPSwehaveacquireda
roughideaoftheestimatedcostsofsuchproject.Thespacethatweplantorenovateis30x60feetinsizeandtheapproximatecostofconstructionpersquarefootis
$350.Thisrepresentsanapproximateinitialconstructioncostof$630,000.Inadditiontothis,weneedtotakeintoaccountthecostofarchitecturaldesignandengineeringwhichisapproximately10%oftheinitialconstructioncost.Moreover,weneedtocontemplatethePPSfeesandconstructionpermits;thiscanaddanother$150,000totheproject.Similarly,weneedtotakeintoaccountthatacostwillhavetobeincurredtorelocatethecurrentsteamlineandplumingtubesthatexistundergroundinthisspace.Finally,addinga20%contingencymarkupandanexpectedyearlycostof$30dollarsforutilitiespersquarefoot,theprojectcanrepresentatotalcostofslightlyunder$1.1milliondollars.
WehadinitiallycontemplatedexpandingtheQueensPubontopofthis
performancespacebutaftermeetingwithvariouspeoplewerealizedthiswasntattainablewiththecurrentfunds.Havingsaidthis,wewanttomakesurethatthenewperformancespaceisbuiltonagoodfoundationtosupportaQPexpansioninthefuture.
Formoredetailsonwhatthingswilltakeplaceinthisproposedspace,please
takealookatoursectionontheCampusActivitiesCommission.
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3-KeepingOrientationWeekStudentRunandFroshConcertonCampus
QueensOrientationWeekisoneofthebesttraditionsofourUniversity.
OrientationWeekisanexcellentwaytostarttheyearandintroducenewstudentstoboththeacademicandsocialaspectsofQueens,butalsothecityofKingston.
WhattrulymakesOrientationWeeksuchauniqueexperience,unlikethatofotheruniversities,isthatitisentirelystudent-run.
TeamGPPiscommittedtopreservingOrientation
Weektraditions,makingsurethatitremainspurely
student-run,andthattheFroshConcertremainsoncampus.
TherearedifferentbodiesthatoverseeOrientationWeekbutthemost
importantoneisaSenateCommitteecalledtheSenateOrientationActivitiesReviewBoard(SOARB).ThiscommitteereviewsOrientationWeekonayearlybasis,
presentsareporttoSenatebeforetheendoftheFallterm,andmakesrecommendationsforfutureyearstofollow.Ithasthepowertobancertainactivitiesand/orallowforexemptionstooccur.Thecompositionofthisbodyismeanttohaveastudentmajority,butgivenalackofunificationfromthestudentmembersatSOARB,thismajorityhasntreallybeenseeninpractice.
AsTeamGPP,wewanttomakesurethatthestudentswhositondifferent
Universitycommitteesareawareofthestronginfluencetheycanhaveinthedecision-makingprocessonissuesthatgreatlyaffectstudents.Havingsaidthis,wewanttobeabletoobtainfeedbackfromstudentsaboutwhattheywantandletthemembersofthesecommitteesknowthat.AfterspeakingwithmanyOrientation
LeadersandPresidentsofrespectiveFacultySocieties,ithasbecomeevidentthatstudentswantOrientationWeektoremainstudent-run,andFacultySocietieswanttomaintaintheirautonomyandcontroloverthismatter.AsanAMSExecutive,andthroughthefacilitationoftheOrientationRoundTableCoordinator,wewillmakesurethattheseinterestsarepreservedandthatOrientationWeekremainsuniqueandspecialamongstCanadianUniversities.
Finally,itisclearthatholdingtheFroshConcertoncampuswasagreat
successbothinlogisticalandfinancialaspects.TheeffortsofRachelShindman,PatrickDenroche,andtherestofORTshouldbecommended.Holdingtheconcertoncampusallowedforthousandsofdollarsinsavingsandforasafeandcloseenvironmentwheretransportationliabilitieswerenotincurred.Wearecommittedtocontinuethis,and,afterspeakingwithbothSeniorAdministratorsandtheKingstonMayor,wearepositivethatitcanbedone.
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4-JobBankandTaxReturnHelp
MostQueensstudentstrytofindajobinKingstonatleastduringonepoint
throughouttheiryearsatQueens.GiventhechallengesthatstudentsundergowhenseekingemploymentinKingston,wewanttocreateaJobBankwherestudentscan
lookupjobopportunitiespostedbyemployersinKingston.WhiletherearealreadyseveralKingston-basedservices,suchasCareer
ServicesandKEYSjobboard,thathavesimilargoals,
wewouldliketocentralizeasmanyopportunitiesaspossibleinonepagesoastoprovideaone-stopwebsitefor
students.ThisJobBankwilladvertiseAMS,University,and
localbusinessespositions.WhenwemetwiththeMayorofKingston,MarkGerretson,wewereexcited
tolearnthattheCityofKingston,inconjunctionwiththeKingstonEconomicDevelopmentCooperation(KEDCO)wouldbeinterestedinsupportingsuchaproject.OneoftheprioritiesoftheCityofKingstonistoretainQueensstudentsupongraduation,andagoodwayofdoingthisisbyofferingvaluablejobopportunitiesandinternshipstocurrentstudentsthroughouttheschoolyearandsummer.Byofferinghighqualityjobstostudentsyearround,morestudentswillbeinterestedinstayinginKingstonpost-graduation,increasingtheattractivenessandeconomicwell-beingoftheCity.
ThisJobBankwillfallundertheMunicipalAffairsCommissionandwillbe
overseenbytheEmploymentOpportunitiesFacilitator.Similarly,
wewanttocreateaseasonalservice(monthsofMarch
andApril)wherestudentscanattendworkshopsthatguidestudentsonhowtofillouttheirtaxreturns.
Currently,theQueensUniversityInternationalCentre(QUIC),doesthisfor
internationalstudents.Theyholdseveralworkshops/sessionsonfillingouttaxreturnsinwhichtherearealsoseveralretiredCanadaRevenueAgenciesemployeesandothervolunteerswillingtohelpoutwithmorespecificandambiguousquestions.
TeamGPPwantstofacilitatethisforallstudents,notjustinternationalones,
sothatdoingyourtaxescanbeaneasytask,ratherthananintimidatingchallengeduringfinalexams.TheworkshopswillbefreeofchargetoallAMSstudents,butinordertohelpoutotherservicesatQueens,wemightaskforcanneditemsatthedoortosupportservicesliketheFoodCentre,etc.
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5-CourseRegistrationWaitlist
Registeringforcoursesisalwaysastressfultimeforstudents.Becauseofour
currentregistrationsystem,studentsdontalwaysendupwiththeirdesiredcourses.Wethereforebelievethat
havingaCourseRegistrationWaitlistwillbebeneficialfor
boththeStudentsandtheAdministrationbecausewewill
thenbeabletoknowwhattheexactdemandforcertaincoursesisandthususethisinformationtoadjustour
supplyofcertaincoursesinfutureterms.AfterspeakingwithJo-AnneBrady,theformerUniversityRegistrarwho
oversawtheimplementationofSOLUS,wehavelearnedthatthesystemcanhandlesomethinglikeacourseregistrationwaitlist,anditonlytakeseachoftheFacultiestolettheRegistrarsOfficeknowthattheywishtodosomethinglikethis.She
describeditasbeingamatterofchangingindividualFacultyPolicyratherthanhavingtoalterthewaySOLUSoperates.
Consequently,inameetingwiththeDeanofArtsandScience,Alistair
MacLean,wedecidedtoaskhimwhathisstancewasonhavingacourseregistrationwaitlistandhesaidthatTheFacultyofArtsandSciencewasactuallylookingintothepossibilityofhavingatrialyearofsomesortbecausetheythinkthathavingthisinformationcouldbequitebeneficialtothemaswell.KnowingwhatcoursesstudentsaretryingtogetintoisinvaluableinformationfortheFaculty.
Inordertoaccomplishawaitlistaspartofthecourseregistrationprocess,
wewillfirstbeworkingcloselywitheachoftheFacultySocieties.WeunderstandtherolethattheAMSservesandthatwhichFacultySocietieshaveandthuswanttodosomethingthatweareallinagreementwith.WewillalsoneedtheirsupportbecausethesechangeswouldhavetobeapprovedbyeachspecificfacultyandthusmotionswillhavetobemovedateachoftherespectiveFacultyBoards.
Insummation,westronglybelievethathavingaCourseRegistrationWaitlist
isbothbeneficialtotheadministrationandstudentsbecausestudentswouldhaveahigherchanceofgettingintothecoursestheydesirewhiletheadministrationlearnsmoreaboutwhattypeofcoursesstudentswantandthusadjustsitssupplyofcoursestomeetstudentdemand.
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6-KeepingNon-AcademicDisciplineStudentRun
QueensisprivilegedtobetheonlyUniversityinNorthAmericawithan
entirelystudent-runNon-AcademicDisciplineSystem.Thissystemhasbeeninplacesince1898,butthefactthatitsbeeninexistenceforover100yearsisneitherthe
strongestnorthemainreasonforwhyitshouldremainthatway.
Webelieveintradition,buthavealsoconducted
enoughresearchtodeterminethatitisinthebestinterestofstudentstokeepNon-AcademicDisciplineinstudent
hands.Themainreasonforwhythesystemoughttobedefendedisbecauseofits
fourmainpillars:itscomplaint-driven,peer-adjudicated,non-adversarial,andrestorativeinnature.
AsyourAMSExecutive,weplantokeepNon-AcademicDisciplineinstudenthandsbecausewebelievethatstudentsonbothsidesofthesystemhaveachanceatexperiencinglearningandpersonalgrowth,preventingthemfromhavingrecurringsanctions.Infact,afterspeakingwithMarkPreston,theCommissionerofInternalAffairs,andGregMcKellar,theAMSInformationOfficer,wehavelearnedthattheamountofrecurringoffensesisextremelylowforthistypeofsystem.
SinceCoronerSkinnerreleasedhisreportonMay31stof2011,Non-
AcademicDisciplineatQueenshasbeenunderreviewbytheNon-AcademicDisciplineWorkingGroup,acommitteethatwillreviewthecurrentsystemandmakeanyrecommendationstotheProvostwithinthenextfewweeks.Basedonthe
recommendations,theProvostwillthendecidewhatneedstobechangedand/orkeptandthesealterationsmustthengothroughtheSenateCommitteeOnNonAcademicDiscipline(SONAD)andUniversitySenate.TheintentionbehindthisreviewistoavoidanypotentialliabilitiesgiventheexistentCoronersreport.
Wefirmlybelievethatareviewandimprovementtothesystemcanbedone
withoutalteringitsfourmainpillarsanditsstudent-runnature.WewillmakesurethatSONAD,Senate,andtheAdministrationareawareofthebenefitsofhavingastudent-runNon-AcademicDisciplinesystemsothatadecisioninthebestinterestofstudentsisachievedwhilereducingliabilityforboththeAMSandtheUniversity.
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7-PrioritizingMentalHealth
TeamGPPiscommittedtoensuringthateverystudentatQueensfeels
supported.Wewantstudentstohavetheresourcestheyneedinordertotakecareoftheirmentalhealthandwewanttocreateanenvironmentwherestudentsfeel
comfortableseekingsupportandspeakingout.Fromateamwithpersonalexperienceinmentalhealthissues,weunderstandtheneedtoprovideeffective,appropriate,readilyaccessibleandongoingsupport.
AsreferencedintheSocialIssuesCommissionportionoftheplatform,TeamGPPwillworkextensivelywiththeAMSPeerSupportCentre.Nowinitsfourthyearofexistence,thecentrehasgrownsubstantially.Ithaschangedfromseeingnopeersinthefirstyear,tonowconsistentlyseeingpeersonaregularbasisandhavingenoughdemandtohavetheDirectorpositionmadeintoapart-timepaidpositionfor2011-2012.TeamGPPwouldliketocontinuetogrowthecentrebyexpandingthehoursfrom3pm-1amto2pm-2am.ThiswillmakethePSCa12houraday,seven
daysaweekserviceavailabletostudents.Further,
TeamGPPwouldliketosolicitstudentfeedbackinordertodeterminewhatsupport/discussiongroupsstudents
wouldliketohaveatthePeerSupportCentre."
Currently,thecentrefacilitatestwosupportgroups:adepressionandanxiety
group,aswellasagraduatestudentgroup.Wewouldliketoknowwhatkindsofothergroupsstudentsneed/want;forexample,theremaybeinterestinagriefsupportgrouporothersofasimilarnature.Wewanttoprovidestudentswithsafespacestodiscusstheirexperienceswithothers,andwewanttomeettheirneeds.
Further,TeamGPPwouldliketohelpsupportandfurthertheMentalHealth
Caucusinitiativebroughtforthbyastudentatlarge,andtheMentalHealthAdvisoryGroup.TheCaucusisanefforttobringtogethervariousstudentgroupsoncampusthatworkwithmentalhealth,includingAMScommittees,suchastheMentalHealthAwarenessCommittee;servicessuchastheAMSPeerSupportCentre;clubs;andfacultysocietyrepresentatives.Itprovidesspaceforthesegroupstofindcommongoals,collaborateonprojects,workoncrosspromotion,anddevelopcampus-widestrategiesforsupportingstudents.Thecaucusisstillintheveryearlystages,andTeamGPPwillworktogrow,expand,andsolidifythisextremelyimportantinitiative.
TeamGPPwillworkwithuniversity-providedservicessuchasHealth,CounselingandDisabilityServices(HCDS),oncollaborativestrategiestobesthelpourpeers.WewillprovideHCDSwithstudentinputandfeedback,andseeksimilarfeedbackaboutourownservices,inorderfortheUniversityandtheAMStobeprovidingstudentswiththemosteffectiveservicespossible.TeamGPPiscommittedtosupportingstudentsinallaspectsoftheirwellbeingandhealth.
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8-FinancialTransparencyandEasyAccesstoInformation
AmazingstrideshavebeenmadethisyearbythecurrentAMSExecutiveto
breakdownlargebudgetlineitemsintomoredetailedandexplicitlines,but,aswithanything,moreworkcanbedonetoimprovewhathasalreadybeenaccomplished.
ThefurtherbreakdownwillalsomakebudgetinginfutureyearsmucheasierascostsforvariousaspectsoftheCommissionsandcommitteeswillbemucheasiertotrackandanticipate.Withthisinmind,theAMSwillbebetterabletoaccomplishitsgoalofusingstudentfundsinthemostefficientwaypossible.
Whenitcomestofinancialtransparency,itsimportantthattheAMScanbeheldaccountablebytheAMSBoardofDirectors,AMSAssembly,andanystudentthatwishestolookintowhattheirAMSisplanninganddoing.However,thegovernmentsideoftheSocietydoesnotcurrentlypostanywebsiteupdatesonthecurrentfinancialstatusoftheCommissionsandOffices.Inaddition,theproposedCommissionandconsolidatedbudgetsareonlyeasilyaccessibletomembersofAMS
Assembly.TeamGPPstronglybelievesthatthismustchange,and
wepledgetoopenupthegovernmentsideoftheSocietysfinancestocreateafinancialtransparentsystemthatis
availabletoallstudents.
Inordertoaccomplishthisgoal,proposedCommissionbudgetswillbe
postedontheAMSwebsite,andamonthlysnapshotoftheCommissionsbudgetswillalsobepostedonline.ThiswillallowsanystudenttoviewthecurrentfinancialstatusofallAMScommittees,services,andprojectsthatfallunderthegovernmentsideoftheSociety.
TeamGPPrealizesthatweareunabletoreleasethefinancialinformationof
thecorporatesideoftheSocietyasthatwouldexposesensitiveinformationtoourcompetitorsatQueensandintheKingstoncommunity.However,
wepledgetocreateabriefoverviewofthefinancialstatus
ofoneservicepermonthinordertokeepstudentsaware
andinformedonwhatisoccurringintheirAMSservices.
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9-QueensRugbyLeague
ItisclearthatintramuralsatQueensarealwaysinhighdemand.Whenever
thesign-uplistsareopened,leaguesarequicklyfilledupandmanystudentsendupbeingwaitlistedand/orwithoutateam.
Afterspeakingwithmanystudents,itseemsthatpeoplesignupfor
intramuralsmostlytostayfit,makenewfriends,havesomefun,and/orpracticeasportthattheyusedtoplayinhighschool.
TheideaofestablishingTheQueensRugbyLeaguecamefromastudentwho
mentionedthatrugbyisoneofthosesportsthatmanypeopleplayedinhighschoolbutthencouldntcontinueplayinginUniversitybecauseofthehighlevelofdemandandcompetitionassociatedwithbeingaVarsityathlete.TheexampleoftheEngineeringSociety(EngSoc)havingitsownrugbyteam(EngRugby)thatcompeteswithotherSchoolsinCanadawasprovided,anditgaveusanideaofhowtogo
aboutdoinganintramuralRugbyLeagueofourown.
TeamGPPwouldliketoworkwithAthleticsandRecreationtocreateashortrugbyleagueinthefallof
2012andthusmeetthisdemandinourcommunity.
Weunderstandthatinordertoestablishaprogramlikethis,itwouldhaveto
bedoneinconjunctionwithAthleticsandRecreationbecauseoftheirexclusivityandoversightofsportingeventshappeningoncampus,andtheirbetterknowledgeonthesubjectandtheliabilitiesassociatedwiththissport.Havingsaidthis,afterspeakingwithbothJeffDownieandDuaneParliamentfromAthleticsand
Recreation,webelievethatanagreementcanbereached.Werecognizethatitishardtoaccomplishsomethinglikethis,andthatithasbeenattemptedinthepast,however,ifkeyliabilityconcernsareaddressed,AthleticsandRecreationhasexpressedaninterestinlookingintothisassoonasthenewAMSExecutiveiselected.
AfterresearchingthefeasibilityofhavingaRugbyLeagueatQueens,we
havefoundthatafewschoolshavesometypeofnon-varsityrugbyprogram.Forexample,theUniversityofTorontohasaMensRugbyIntramuralTeamthattravelsandplaysatotherschools(muchlikeEngRugby).
WehavecontactedCameronTurner,theEngRugbyCoordinator,andhehas
toldusthatitispossible,andthereisenoughdemand,tocreatealeaguethatwouldlastnomorethan4weekendsandplayonSundaysduringtheFall(muchliketheUniversityDistrictHockeyLeague).Cameronexpectstheretobeenoughdemandforatleast4teamstobeformed.
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10-ClubResources,JDUCInfoKiosk,andRoomBookingSystem
WiththeAlmaMaterSocietyhavingcontroloverspaceallocationandroom
bookingsintheStudentLifeCenter,weneedtomakesurethatweareofferingourclientsandtenantsthebestservicepossible.Afterseekinginputfromeveryclub
listedontheAMSwebsite,theStudentCenterOfficer,andotherstudentgovernmentsfromotherCanadianUniversities,wehavedeterminedthatmoreClubResourcesareneeded,abetterroombookingsystemneedstobeimplemented,andthattheJDUCsfrontdeskshouldalsoserveasanInfoKiosk.WhenspeakingwithAMSratifiedclubs,especiallythenewerones,itwassurprisingtoseehowmanyofthemmentionedthattheywantedsomesortofClubsGuideoutliningimportantresources.TeamGPPwouldliketohavesomethingsimilartotheEventPlanningGuidecreatedbytheCampusActivitiesCommission,butforClubs.AfterspeakingaboutthisideawithMarkPreston,theCommissionerofInternalAffairs,welearnedthataClubsManualhasbeenintheworksforover2yearsnow.
AsAMSExec,wewillguaranteethecompletionofaClubsGuidesothatClubscaneffectivelytransitionfrom
yeartoyearandunderstandthedifferentresourcesthatboththeAMSandtheUniversityhavetoofferthem.
Similarly,wewanttomakesurethatClubsareawareofthedifferentfunding
opportunitiesthatareavailabletothemsothattheydonthavetostruggletofindthisinformationandwewanttonegotiateforcheaperandaccessibleoff-campusstoragefortheclubsthatneedit.
InadditiontothecompletionoftheClubsGuidethatCraigDraeger,theAMS
ClubsManager,hasbeenworkingon,weseealotofpotentialinthedevelopmentoftheJDUCsfrontdeskintoauniversity-wideInfoKiosk.WecurrentlyhaveanonlinecalendarwhereCampusgroupscanuploadtheireventsforotherstosee,however,fromspeakingwithmanystudents,noteveryoneaccessesthisinformation.
WewanttheJDUCsfrontdesktobeasourceof
informationforstudents.
TheUniversityofWesternOntariohasanInfoSourcewherestudentscan
goaskquestionsaboutclubs,campuswideevents,sportsevents,andmanyotherdifferentservicesandresources.Bycentralizingthisinformation,studentswillbeabletogotoonelocationwiththeirquestions.Wedonthavetohavealloftheanswers,butweneedtobeabletopointstudentsintherightdirection.
Finally,aftermeetingwiththeStudentCenterOfficer,GillianShields,wehave
learnedthattheAMSisalreadylookingatdifferentoptionsforaroombookingonlinesystem.EventServicescontrolsRoomBookingsthroughtheEventBusinessManagementSoftware(EBMS),however,becauseourbookingsaremostlyfreeof
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charge,weneedamoreefficientanddifferentsoftwaresystem.EffortsandnegotiationsforthisarealreadywayunderwaybutitlookslikethisnewalternativewillnotbereacheduntiltheFallof2012.
Wewillensurethatthisyearseffortsarecontinuedand
thattheissueofroombookingintheStudentLifeCenterisresolvedasquicklyaspossible.
11-FirstYearAlfiesNight
Theinformationusedforthedevelopmentofthispointwithinourplatform
wasmostlyobtainedfromaproposalforaBanRighClubhousedevelopedbyGeorgeHuangandMichaelJYWang,fromMainCampusResidenceCouncil(MCRC).
Afterexperiencingfirstyearafewyearsback,andafterspeakingwithpeople
fromMCRC,ithasbecomeevidentthatthereisahighdemandandneedforanall-agesnightclubinKingston.WhilewedonotintendtomakeAlfiesanall-agesnightclub,weareproposingamonthlyAlfiesnightdedicatedtofirst-yearstudents.ThiswillgivethemtheopportunitytoenjoyanightclubexperiencewithouthavingtoobtainfakeIDsand/orpartyinResidencewhileviolatingResidenceRules.
Everyyear,thereareover3,500firstyearstudents,andaccordingto
ResidenceLife,morethan90%ofthemarebelowtheageof19whentheybegintheschoolyear.
WewouldliketoworkwithMCRCandtheJean
RoyceHallCouncil(JRHC)tosuccessfullyimplementthismonthlynightatAlfiessothatfirstyearscanenjoyasafe
andfunatmosphere.Whilewemightfacecriticismaboutalackofrevenueduetonoalcoholsales,
webelievethatourcostswouldalsodrasticallydecreasebecauseofthevolunteerparticipationofMCRCandJRHCCouncilMembers.Moreover,theMCRCstudyconductedafewyearsagoconcluded(bysurveying189firstyearstudents)that87%ofthemwouldbewillingtopayupwardsto$5dollarstoattendsuchevent.
Furthermore,thismonthlynightshouldbeseenasaninvestmentand
marketingstrategythatwillhopefullyconvincefirstyearstudentstobecomeregularAlfiesclientswhentheybecomeofage,generatingfuturerevenuefortheSociety.Finally,thisventurewouldbeaservicefornearlyofourstudentpopulation,andbecausewewouldbeprovidingaservicetomembersofMCRCandJRHC,costandrevenuesharingisapossibilityworthlookinginto.TheexactlogisticsandfixeddatewillbedecidedincollaborationwiththerespectivestudentleadersofMCRCandJRHC.
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12-PlanaSmoothReturnofHomecoming
ManyofushavebeentoldwhatagreattimeHomecomingis,yethavenever
experienceditinourtimeatQueens.Forexample,RicoiscurrentlyinhisthirdyearatQueens,andgiventhesuspensionofHomecominguntiltheFallof2014,hewill
potentiallygraduatewithouteverexperiencingit.TeamGPPunderstandsthecomplicationsandintricaciesofthishottopicandhasthusdecidedtotakearestorativestanceonthematterinordertomakesurethatwhenHomecomingreturnsin2014,itdoessoforgoodandinasafeandpositiveenvironmentthatboththeadministrationandstudentsareproudof.
TeamGPPbelievesthatHomecomingisnotabout
theAberdeenstreetparty,butisacompletelydifferent
eventwherealumnicaninteractwithcurrentstudentsandsharetheirpassionandQueensexperience.Thisiswhywe
feelthatHomecomingcansuccessfullyreturnin2014with
asetactionplan.WehavemetwithpeoplefromtheAlumniAssociation,QueensStudent
AlumniAssociation(QSAA),andtheAdvancementOffice,andtheresabeliefthatHomecomingcaneffectivelyreturnwiththeAberdeenStreetPartybeingavoidedandthatitcanevenbecomeawayfortheUniversityanddifferentcampusorganizationstoraisemoneyfortheircauses.
AfterspeakingwithRectorNickFrancis,asimilarideawassuggested.Nick
suggestedthatitwouldbepossibletoorganizesomesortofeventonUniversityAv.thatisregulatedandcontrolledbyboththeAdministrationandtheAMS.Thisevent
canfeaturedifferentclubsandhelpconnectstudentswithalumniwhoperhapsparticipatedinthoseextracurricularactivitiesand/orspecificprograms.WewouldliketohelptheUniversityplansomethinglikethissothatstudentscangetintouchwithalumniwhoperhapsgraduatedfromtheirownprogramandwhocansharetheirexperienceandadvice.
TeamGPPhasalsolearnedfromsomeSeniorAdministratorsthatifthe
AberdeenStreetPartycomesbackin2014,whenthesuspensiononHomecomingislifted,thenHomecomingmightbegoneforgood.Giventhis,wewillworkcloselywithResidenceLife,FacultySocieties,andtheAdministrationtocreateeffectiveeducationalcampaignsandalternativeeventsforpeopletoattendinsteadofgoingtoastreetpartyinAberdeen.Webelievethatifafunanduniquealternativeiscreated,wherestudentscaninteractwithalumni,thentheAberdeenStreetPartycaneffectivelyfadeawayintheverynearfuture.
WewantHomecomingbackandwewantittostay!
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13-ASustainableAMSandStudentLifeCentre
TeamGPPiscommittedtoensuringthattheAMSisassustainableand
environmentally-friendlyaspossible.WiththeshiftoftheSustainabilityOfficetoacommission,theAMShasshownthatsustainabilityisakeyitemofimportancein
therunningofthegovernment.TeamGPPseestheenvironmentasapriority,andwillconsidertheenvironmentinbothnewandcurrenteventsanddecisions.
AsdiscussedintheCommissionofEnvironmentandSustainabilityportionoftheplatform,wewillworktochangeourStudentLifeCentreBuildingsovertousingsensorlights.
Wehopetodecreaseourenergyusagethroughonlyusing
lightingresourceswhenstudentsareactuallyinourbuildingsandtheirvariousrooms.
Aftertakingtheleadtomakeourbuildingsmoresustainable,wehopetolobbytheuniversitytoaddmoresensorlightstotheirbuildingsaswell.
Further,afterspeakingwiththeStudentLifeCentreOffice,TeamGPPwilldoanassessmentofthewindowsinourbuildings.Currently,wearelosingheatthroughthewindows,especiallyolderbuildingsliketheJDUC.Wewilldeterminewhatwindowsneedtobereplacedinordertoreducetheamountofenergythatweareusing.IncollaborationwithPhysicalPlantServices,
wewillworktoassesswhatneedsthereareintheSLCin
termsofreplacingandfixingwindowsinanefforttobeas
sustainableaspossible.
Finally,asidefromgenerallysupportingthetransitionandcreationoftheCommissionofEnvironmentofSustainability,TeamGPPwillworkcloselywiththeSustainabilityAssessmentTeaminordertotakenoteoftrendsacrossAMSevents.TheSustainabilityAssessmentTeamwillbelookingatAMSeventsandnotingwherechangescouldbemadeinordertoimprovesustainability.TeamGPPwillexaminethisdataandworktotackleproblemswhichspantheAMS,inordertocomeupwithcollectivesolutionswhichcanbeappliedatalllevelsofthegovernment.Wewillencouragethatthefindingsoftheteambeconsideredcarefullybyallofoureventplannersinallaspectsofwhattheydo.
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14-EnsureUniversitysFinancialSituationDoesNotJeopardizeAcademics
ThiscurrentacademicyearisthethirdyearinwhichtheUniversityis
projectingadeficitbudget.Toalleviatethisandotherfuturefinancialthreats,theBoardofTrusteeshasaskedtheUniversitytobalanceitsbudgetforthefirsttimein
thelastfewdecades.Thiscanonlymeanthatthebalancedbudgetin2012-13willonlycomeataconsiderablecostandwillrequiredifficultdecisions.
InJune2010,theUniversitymovedtoaProvostmodel,makingonepersonin
chargeofboththeFinancialandAcademicmattersoftheUniversity.Similarly,theQueensUniversityPlanningCommitteewasinauguratedinthisverysameyeartodiscusskeyfactorsimpactingthecurrentandproposedbudgets.WithmanyofthesechangeshappeningatSeniorAdministrationlevels,
TeamGPPwillhaveastrongstanceinthefinancial
issuesthatareaffectingtheacademicnatureofour
educationandwillensurethatnewSeniorAdministratorsareawareofthestrong,historicimpactandsaythat
studentshaveatthisinstitution.
Wewillbearepresentativevoiceinmanyimportantcommitteestoadvocate
forwhatstudentswant.However,balancingthebudgetandthenegativeacademicimpactthatthiscanhaveisnotthemostsignificantbudgetarychallenge.AccordingtotheUniversitys2011-12BudgetReport,thepensionplandeficitisthelargestfinancialproblem.Inthecurrentacademicyear,Queenspaymentstothepensionplanhavealreadyincreasedby$8milliondollarsdespitethesolvencyrelief;thiswillincreaseto$17millionby2013-14and$34millionwhenthesolvency
paymentsarescheduledtobegin.TeamGPPisinterestedinthisgreatchallengebecauseweknowthatthemoneyhastocomefromtheOperatingBudget,meaningthatsomethinghastobecutinordertocompletethesolvencypayments.AsyourAMSExecutive,TeamGPPwillbeastrongvoicewiththeadministration,makingsurethatthequalityofaQueensdegreeismaintained.
Finally,TeamGPPunderstandsthat,sincehewroteWhereNext?,Principal
WoolfhaswantedtogivetheUniversityasenseofacademicdirection.GiventhefinancialsituationtheUniversityisin,itiseasytoseewhyPrincipalWoolfbelievesweneedtodolesswithless.However,TeamGPPdoesntbelievethatweneedtodolesswithless.WeneedtoinnovateandfindmorecreativewaysofobtainingrevenueinordertokeepprogramssuchastheBachelorofFineArtProgramalive.Themuch-discussedAcademicPlanhasjustbeenrecentlyapproved,andmanystillbelievethatithasntchangedanythingyet.TeamGPPwillrepresentstudentsandlobbyforthepreservationofhighacademicqualitywhenmeatisaddedtothebones,whathasbeenreferredtoasbymanySeniorAdministratorsastheAcademicPlan.
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15-SupportingStudentAthletics
AthleticsareabigpartofstudentlifehereatQueens.TeamGPPrecognizes
theimportanceallofourcompetitiveandrecreationalsportsteamsplayinfomentingagreatQueensspiritandspreadingthewordacrossCanadaabouthow
greatourathleticandacademicprogramsarehereatQueens.SomethingthatwehavetorecognizeaboutQueensathletesisthattheyare
allstudent-athletes;thismeansthattheUniversityconsidersthemstudentsfirstandthenathletes.Ifonedoesnthavegoodacademicstandingthenitdoesntmatterhowgreattheyareattheirrespectivesport,theywontbeallowedtoplay.ThismeansthatstudentathletesatQueensfacethetremendouschallengeofbalancingtheirdrainingtrainingsessionsanddifficultclasswork.
TeamGPPrealizesthatAthleticsandRecreationalreadyhasavastamountof
resourcesforvarsityathletessuchastheStudentAthleteAcademicMentors
(SAAMs);however,
wewouldliketodevelopalargerpartnershipwithA&RsothatwecangetmoreathletesinvolvedwiththeAMSandso
thatstudentathletesareawareofthedifferentacademic
andnon-academicresourceswehavetooffer.Similarly,wewanttosupportourAthleteswhentheyplayathomeandaway.
WiththenewpartnershipthathasbeensignedwithQueensTVandA&Rwewantmorepeopletogetexcitedaboutattendinghomegamesandpotentiallyawaygamesaswell.WealsowanttopartnerwithA&RtoorganizeabusthatgoesfromMain
CampustotheMemorialCentreSkatingRinkwhenourGaelsteamsplaythere.AcknowledgingthatwewontbegettingaskatingrinkonMainCampusanytimesoon,wewantourhomegamesattheMemorialCentretofeellikehome.
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AMSCommissions
AcademicAffairsCommission(AAC)
TheAcademicAffairsCommissionisavailabletosupportstudentsthroughouttheiracademiccareerhereatQueens.Thecommissionlobbiestoimprovetheeducationalexperienceaswellasprovideacademicresourcesforstudents.TheAACrunseventssuchastheLastLectureonEarthseriesandFacultyJeopardy,aswellasrunningtheAcademicGrievanceCentre.
First,TeamGPPwillensurecontinuedsupportforstudentsthroughoutthetransitionfromQCARDtoSOLUS.GoingforwardintothesecondyearofusingtheSOLUSsystem,manystudentsstillhavequestions,andTeamGPPwillworktoprovideanswersandassistanceinorderfortheprocesstobeassmoothaspossible.WewillworkwithstudentsandtheUniversityRegistrartoprovideaclearguide
andtohavethemosteffectiveresponsestostudentinquiriesoverthesummermonthsandintotheterm.
Further,TeamGPPwillcontinuetosupportandaddressconcernsthatstudentsmayhaveregardingtheGPAchangesaswellasthenewtuitionschedulepaymenttimeline.ItisimperativetoTeamGPPthatstudentsareinformedandfeelcomfortablevoicingconcernswiththevariouschangesoverthepastfewyearswhichaffecttheiracademicsandtuition.Further,wewillcontinuetoworkwiththeAlternatePaymentArrangement(APA)whichwasputintoplacethispastyearduetothechangesinthepaymentscheduletoallowstudentstodefertheSeptember1sttuitionduedate.Wewillworktoensurethatthisprocessisinitsmosteffective
formforstudents.TheAcademicGrievanceCentreisatoppriorityforTeamGPP.Wewantall
studentstobeawareoftheserviceandwhatitcandoforthem.WewouldliketoincreasethetrainingoftheOfficers,includingworkingmorewiththefacultysocieties,aswellasanti-oppressiontraining,inordertoservestudentsaseffectivelyaspossible.TeamGPPwillimplementawidespreadmarketingcampaignfortheAcademicGrievanceCentrethroughtheAMSMarketingandCommunicationsOffices.
Finally,TeamGPPwillworkwiththeOntarioUndergraduateStudent
Alliance(OUSA),ofwhichQueensiscurrentlyamember,toensurethatweareeffectivelylobbying.TeamGPPwillsolicitfeedbackandstudentinputtotaketoOUSAsothatQueensstudentsareeffectivelybeingrepresentedinourcollectivelobbyingefforts.
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CampusActivitiesCommission(CAC)
TheCampusActivitiesCommissionprovidesstudentswithvariousfunsocial
activitiesthroughouttheyear.OneofthelargesteventsthattheCACoverseesisOrientationWeek,withtheOrientationRoundTableCoordinatorworkingdirectly
fromtheoffice.Further,thecommissionorganizesvariouseventssuchasQueensModelParliament,BestDarnSingeronCampus,CharityBallandCatchMeifYouCan.ThevariousactivitiesthattheCACrunsofferstudentstogetinvolvedinfun,safeandpositiveways.
OrientationWeekisthefirsteventthatmoststudentsinteractwithhereatQueens.Yougettheopportunitytomeetupperyearsinyourprogram,aswellasmakefriendsinyouryear;youlearnaboutopportunitiesoncampus;yougetlostrepeatedlyuntilyoucanfinallylocatetheJDUC;and,mostimportantly,youbegintofindyourhomehereatQueens.ItisextremelyimportanttoTeamGPPtoensurethatOrientationweekcontinuestobestudent-run,andthatweprotectthe
traditionsthatplaysuchakeypartinOrientationWeek.WewillworkwiththestudentrepresentativesontheSenateOrientationActivitiesReviewBoard(SOARB)toensurethattheyfeelcomfortablevoicingstudentopiniontothegroupandthattheyareseekinginputfromthestudentbody.Further,wewillworktokeeptheFroshConcertoncampus,asitwasverysuccessfullastyear,withthemayorofKingstonagreeingthattheeventwentwellandprovidinguswithpositivefeedback.Wearecommittedtokeepingtheconcertoncampusforthecomingyear.
TeamGPPwillalsocreateanewcommitteeundertheCAC,entitledthecommitteeforCreativeStudentTeachingandLearning.Thiscommitteewillbeinchargeofbookingstudentteachersforthenewperformancespace/bookablespace
intheJDUC.Thesestudentteacherswillofferfreeclassestostudentsinareassuchasyoga,dance,improv,acting,pilates,creativewritingandotherareasofinterest.Thestudentteacherswillhavethechancetogainexperienceteachingclassesandteachingsubjectsthattheyarepassionateabouttoothers.Studentswhoattendtheclasseswillhavetheopportunitytopickfromvarioustypesofclasses,severaltimesaweek,freeofcharge.
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CommissionoftheEnvironmentandSustainability(CES)
ThenewestcommissionintheAMS,theCommissionoftheEnvironmentand
SustainabilitywascreatedunderTeamCESin2011.TheshiftfromtheSustainabilityOfficetoacommissionhasshownthattheAMSisdeeplycommitted
tosustainability,whichTeamGPPsupportsfully.FromretrofittingyourUniversityDistricthometosaveenergy,toteachinglocalyouthandQueensstudentsaboutsustainabilitytoensuringthateventsoncampusarebeingassustainableaspossible,theCEStrulyworkstocreateeco-friendlychangeoncampusandinourcommunity.Theyalsoworkonsustainableprojects,anddistributefundstostudentswhoarelookingtodothesame,aswellasrunningtheBikeShop.
TeamGPPiscommittedtoensuringthattheCommissionofEnvironmentandSustainabilitycontinuestogrowandbecomeestablishedwhilebuildinginstitutionalmemorytosolidifythecommissionforyearstocome.OurteamwillfullysupportandcultivatetheprojectsoftheCESaswellasworkingtoensurethat
theAMSissustainableinalloftheeffortsandprojectsweundertake.TeamGPPwillworktoprovideforalloftheneedsofthecommissionsothattheyarefullysupported.
TeamGPPwouldliketoundertakeaprojectwiththeCESinordertorunourStudentLifeCentrebuildingsinasustainablemannerbyworkingtoinstallsensorlightsthroughoutourbuildings.Currently,therearemanyplaceswherelightsstayon,regardlessofwhetherornotstudentsareinthatarea.Thesesensorlightswouldensurethatweareonlyusingtheenergythatweneedandconservingwhenwecan.TeamGPPisalsocommittedtoleadingthisproject,andthenlobbyingtheuniversitytomakemorechangesintermsoftheirlightsaswell.
Finally,TeamGPPwouldliketoworktoevolvetheBikeShop.Theshopisa
placewherestudentswillbeabletotaketheirbikesinordertolearntofixthemandbeassistedinthoserepairs,undertheguidanceofthevolunteers.TeamGPPwouldliketoaddadimensiontothisservice,whichwouldbebikerental.Theshopwouldobtainolder,usedbikeswhichthevolunteerscanpracticetheirrepairskillsupon,andthenthesebikeswouldbemadeavailableforstudentstorent.
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CommissionofInternalAffairs(CIA)
Contrarytopopularbelief,theCIAisnot,infact,thesecretserviceofthe
AMS.TheCommissionofInternalAffairsdoes,however,overseeextremelyimportantaspectsofthegovernment.TheCIAconsistsoffourmaincomponents:
electionsandreferendums,clubs,theNon-AcademicDisciplineSystem,andAMSAssembly.AstudentwouldcometotheCIAforeverythingfromaninquiryabouthowtorunforanelectedpositiontohavingaquestionregardinghowtocreatetheirownclub.TeamGPPwillensurethatallaspectsoftheCIAcontinuetogrowandimprove.
First,TeamGPPwillprotecttheNon-AcademicDisciplineSystem.Since1898theAMShashadtheresponsibilityofadministeringtheNADsystem,asgiventothembytheUniversitySenate.ItisofgreatimportanttoTeamGPPthattheAMSremainincontrolofNADandthatthesystemcontinuestoruneffectivelyandsmoothly.TeamGPPiscommittedtoworkingwiththecurrentExecutive,
CommissionerofInternalAffairs,andJudicialAffairsDirectortocontinuetoworkonthechallengesfromthisyearandensurethatwefacethecomingchallengesheadon.
Second,TeamGPPwillworktoensurethatassemblyisaccessible,welcoming,andcomfortableforallstudents.AssemblyisthebimonthlymeetingofAMScouncil,representativesfromthefacultysocieties,thestudentsenatecaucuschair,rectorandthestudenttrustee.Electedstudentrepresentativesonthisbodyhavetheabilitytovoteonvariousissueseffectingstudents.TeamGPPwantsallstudentstoknowthattheyhaveavoiceatAMSAssemblyandaremorethanwelcometocomeouteveryotherweekinordertobeinformedandexpresstheir
opinions.TeamGPPwillassignastudenttogreeteachmemberatlarge(astudentwithoutanelectedorcouncilposition)atthedoorandbereadytoansweranyquestions.
Finally,TeamGPPwantsalloftheclubstofeelsupportedbyandconnected
totheirAMS.CurrentlytheClubsOfficeconsistsoftheClubsManager,aswellastwounder-utilizeddeputypositions.TeamGPPwouldliketorevampthesepositionsinordertogiveeachdeputyasetnumberofclubsthattheydirectlyoversee,makingthemthefirstpointofcontactfortheseclubs.ThisdivisionwillallowforgreaterclubsupportandwillcreatealiaisonbetweenclubsandtheClubsManager.
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MunicipalAffairsCommission(MAC)
TheMunicipalAffairsCommissionisknownbymanyasthehousing
commission.ThetruthisthattheMACprovidesmanyvaluableprogramsandservicesasidefromworkingonhousingissues.AstudentcangotheMACwith
questionsregardinghousing,leases,landlordsandthelike.HowevertheMACalsooffersopportunitiestovolunteerintheKingstoncommunitythroughprogramsuchasGenerations,Kaleidoscope,theBreakfastClubandUnitedWay,aswellasprovidinghandyserviceslikeHolidayHouseCheckandtheStudentPropertyAssessmentandDwellingEducation(SPADE)program.Thisyear,thecommission(alongwiththeCAC)developedtheUniversityDistrictHockeyLeague,andtheyareworkingtostarttheStudentMaintenanceandResourceTeam(SMART).
TeamGPPisinterestedinworkingwithSMARTtocontinuetodeveloptheprogram.TheteamwouldbegoingtohousesintheUniversityDistrictinordertodosmallmaintenanceprojectsandupkeepforstudenthouses.Thisprogramwillhelp
toensurethatrealchangeistakingplaceinthestudenthousingarea,tocoincidewiththerebrandingoftheareaastheUniversityDistrict.TeamGPPiscommittedtosupportingthisprogram,aswellascontinuingtotransitionthenewnameforthehousingarea.AftermeetingwithMayorGerretsen,wefeelextremelypositiveaboutthesupportheandvariousindividualsonthecitysidewillprovidefortheprogramandrebranding.
Further,TeamGPPiscommittedtoworkingwiththepositionoftheEmploymentOpportunitiesFacilitatorintheMACinordertoensurethatQueensstudentsarebeingmadeawareofpotentialsummerandpost-graduatejobsinthecityinthemosteffectivewaypossible.TeamGPPwillworktocreateadatabaseof
jobsforstudentstoreviewandwillworkwiththecity,aswellastheKingstonEconomicDevelopmentCooperation(KEDCO)toensurethedatabaseisexpansive.Theserelationshipscanalsoprovideopportunitiessuchasjobfairsoncampusforstudents.
TeamGPPisalsocommittedtoworkingwiththecitytogainmorestudentrepresentationonCityCouncilcommitteesandworkinggroups.AfterspeakingwithMayorGerretsen,TeamGPPfeelsthatisimportantthatstudentsberepresentedmorewidelyonthevariousgroupsthatthecityhas,asuggestionthemayorwasopento.Asstudents,Kingstonisourhome,anditisimportantthatwearehavingasmuchinputaspossible,andbeinggiventheopportunitytovoiceourneeds,opinionsandconcerns.
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SocialIssuesCommission(SIC)
BornoutoftheEducationCommission,theSocialIssuesCommissionwas
formedin1996.Nowwell-established,theSICprovidesavarietyofopportunitiestoengagewithequityandanti-oppressionworkthroughvariouscommittees,services
andevents.Thecommitteesincludemandatestoworkwithissuessuchasmentalhealth,racism,poverty,sexism,queerissues,(dis)abilityissues,religiousaffairs,andgender,whichtheyfulfillthroughvariouseventsorintheformofapublication.TheservicesincludetheAMSPeerSupportCentreandtheFoodCentre.
InordertoseecontinuedgrowthandeffectivedeliveryoftheSICmandate,TeamGPPwouldencouragethecurrentinitiativesoftheSICtotheirfullextentaswellasimplementchangeswhichwefeelwillbeextremelypositive.
First,TeamGPPwouldliketoaddaclothingdonationsectiontotheFoodCentre.TheFoodCentrecurrentlyprovidesfreshandcannedfood,aswellassome
hygieneproducts,toundergraduateandgraduatestudents.TeamGPPwouldliketoseethisexpandedsothatclothingitemscanbedonatedtotheFoodCentre.Thisaddedresourcewillensurethatwearecontinuingtoworktomeetstudentneedsinavarietyofways.
Secondly,TeamGPPwillexpandthehoursoftheAMSPeerSupportCentre,aswellasprovidetheopportunityforstudentinputonthecreationofmoresupport/discussiongroups.Currently,theAMSPeerSupportCentreprovidesindividualpeersupportsevendaysaweekfrom3pmuntil1am.TeamGPPwouldliketoseethisservicebeopen12hoursadayfrom2pmuntil2am,sevendaysaweek.Thecentrehasseenamassiveincreaseinuseoverthepasttwoyears,and
mostnoticeablyinthefallsemesterofthisacademicyear.WewouldliketoensurethatthePeerSupportCentreisprovidingasmuchsupporttostudentsaspossibleandthattheyareopenandavailableforanextendedperiodoftime.Further,TeamGPPwouldliketosurveystudentsinordertoseewhattypesofsupportgroupstheywouldliketoseethePeerSupportCentreproviding.Currentlythecentrerunsadepressionandanxietysupportgroup,aswellasaGraduatestudentgroup.Wewouldliketogagestudentinterest/needforothersupportgroupsandensurethatthecentreismeetingthatinterest/need.
Finally,TeamGPPwouldliketocreateaSpecialProjectsDeputywithintheSocialIssuesCommission.Thisdeputywouldallowthecommissiontoreachmorestudentsbyrunningmoreeducationalcampaignsonissuesofequityandoppression.Further,thecreationofthisdeputypositionwouldallowstudentsatlargetoworkwiththecommissionontheirprojectsandaccessSICresources.
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AMSOffices
CommunicationsOffice
TheAMSCommunicationsOfficeisofextremeimportanceforthesmooth
runningandoperatingoftheSociety.Afewyearsago,thisOfficeusedtooperateasaCommission,butitsstructurewaseventuallychangedtothatofanOfficeunderthedirectsupervisionofthePresident.TheCommunicationsOfficeristaskedwithbothreceivingandcommunicatinginformationthatisrelevanttothestudentbody,theUniversity,andtotheSocietyasawhole.TheOfficerworkscloselywithQueensCommunicationsandanyoutsidemediathathasexpressedaninterestinwritingarticlesthatrelatetoanyoftheSocietysbusiness.
Overthelastfewyears,andwiththeincreasingroleofsocialmediainstudentlife,theresponsibilitiesoftheCommunicationsOfficehaveincreasedwhileitshumanpowerhasdiminished.WhentheOfficewasaCommission,theCommunicationsCommissionerhadasizeablenumberofpeopleworkingunderthemtoconductdifferentprojectsandfacilitatetheCommissionerswork.Withthecurrentstructure,theCommunicationsOfficeonlyhasadeputyandaninternworkingwithinthisimportantOffice.AfterspeakingwiththecurrentOfficer,AmandaJudd,ithasbecomeevidentthatthisOffice,alongwiththeMarketingOffice,couldbenefitfromthecreationofaStreetTeamthatallowsthemtoconductspecialprojectsandreachouttothestudentbody.
Withthenewwebsite,theCommunicationsOfficecouldreallybenefitfrom
theadditionofanewWebDeputy,capableofupdatinginformationontothewebsite
inarapidmannerandreachingouttoFacultySocietiesandClubssothattheireventscanbefeaturedonthefrontpageoftheAMSWebsite.Itisimportanttoconsidercommunicationintwoways:onepartbeingthe
AMScommunicatingthingstostudents;andtheotherpartbeinghearingfromstudentsandfacilitatinghowtheycommunicatetheirneedstousasstudentleaders.
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HumanResourcesOffice
TheHumanResourceOfficeisoneofvitalimportanceforthesmoothrunning
oftheSocietyasawhole.AsboththeGovernmentandCorporatesideoftheAMShasincreaseddrasticallyovertheyears,theamountofworkandimportanceofthis
officehasincreasedaswell.ThemainportfoliosoftheHROfficearetraining,hiring,andrecruitment.In
additiontothis,theofficedealswithemployeedevelopment,staffandvolunteerappreciation,disciplineandconflictresolution,policyadvising,andafewmorethings.
AfterspeakingwithAlexMiller,thecurrentHumanResourcesOfficer,it
seemslikethingsaregoingfairlywellwiththeOffice.However,therearestillafewareasinwhichtheOfficecangrowandimprove.
Forexample,wewanttomakesurethatongoingtrainingcontinuesthroughouttheschoolyearsothatouremployeesarealwaysfollowingthehigheststandardssetbytheSocietyandtheyareasqualifiedastheycanbe.
Moreover,wewouldliketohavetheHumanResourceOfficeconductan
anonymouscensusofouremployeesinordertolearnaboutthedemographicsofthestudentswhoworkfortheAMS.
Finally,wewanttoimplementonlineapplicationsstartinginthefallof2012
hiringperiodinordertoreducepaperwaste,increaseefficiency,andfacilitateaccessibilitythroughouttheapplicationprocess
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I.T.Office
TheITOfficeisintegralinthesupportandrunningoftheAMS.Notonlydo
theyprovidetechnicalsupporttotheAMSofficesandservices,butafteracquiringtheequipmentfromQueensIT,theynowalsorentoutaudiovisualequipmentto
studentsandstaffatasmallcost.TheITofficewasparamountinthecreatingandrunningofthenewmyAMS.org.Alongsidetheexecutive,Marketing,andCommunications,theITofficeworkedwiththeexternalcompany,Envision,torunthemosteffectivewebsiteforstudents.Theycontinuetoworkwiththesite,andworkwithAMSemployeessothattheycanproperlyusetositetoservestudents.Further,theITofficeworkswiththeservicestomeettheirvariousweb-basedneeds.
TeamGPPwillensurethecontinuedeffectivemanagementoftheITOffice.WewillworktohavegoodrelationsbetweentheIToffices,andalloftheotherAMSofficesandservices.ITisanextremelyimportantpartoftheAMS,andwewillmake
surethatthisisapparent.Further,wewillworkwiththeofficesinordertoensurethatmyAMS.orgcontinuestoruneffectivelyandsmoothly.Finally,wewillhelpfacilitatetheneedsofourservices,suchastheweb-basedorderingsystemforTricolour,inthecomingyear.
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MarketingOffice
TheMarketingOfficehasincreasedtremendouslyoverthelastfewyears,
andithasdoneagreatjobsofarundertheleadershipofAndrewBaldanza.WebelievethatgiventheamountofworkandhowusefulthethingstheMarketing
OfficehasworkedonthisyearhavebeenfortheSocietyasawhole,thepositionshouldcontinuebeinga12monthposition.
TheMarketingOfficehasbeenworkingcloselythisyearwiththe
CommunicationsOfficerandmanyourplatformpointsthereforeoverlap(particularlythatoftheStreetTeam).ThemainareaofimprovementfortheMarketingOfficecouldbetheutilizationofaStreetTeamthatprovidesthemwiththeavailabilitytogoseekstudentsandobtaintheirfeedbackandinputfordifferentAMSrelatedproducts.
ThisStreetTeamhasbeendescribedintheCommunicationsOfficesection
anditissomethingthattheMarketingOfficecouldalsotakeadvantageofandthuscouldworkcloselywiththroughouttheschoolyear.
WeneedtolookintoMarketingnotonlyasatooltomakeourevents(and
thoseofclubs,othersocieties,etc)lookbetterandmoreappealing,butalsoasanOfficethatstudiesthemarketthatstudentscomprisesothatweareorganizingeventsthatstudentswanttoattend.Wewanttomakesurethatweareusingmoneyinwaysthatstudentswantustouse,andthusthisOfficeshouldplayavitalroleinobtainingthatinformationthroughvariousmarketstudies.
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StudentCentreOffice
TheStudentLifeCentre(SLC)isthenameusedtodescribeseveralimportant
buildingsoncampusthatcontainalargenumberofstudent-usedspacesthatcontainactivities,clubspace,andstudentgovernance,justtonameafewthings.
ThebuildingsthatcontainthesethingsaretheQueensCentre,JDUC,MacGillivray-BrownHall,and51BaderLane,alsoknownastheGreyHouse.
ThemanagementoftheStudentLifeCentrein2010-2011isthenewestadditiontotheAMS,andaswithanynewaddition,adjustmentsandchangesarerequiredinordertoimproveourabilitytoofferservicestostudents.ThecurrentmanagementstructureofSLCisrunthroughtheStudentCentreOffice,whichisheadedbytheStudentCentreOfficer.Afterreceivingfeedbackfromthecurrentmanagement,itisclearthattheOfficerpositionneedstobetransformedintoaDirectorpositioninordertoallowforthemanagementstructuretobemoreindependentandforthenewStudentCentreDirectortohavemorepullinthe
managementandgovernanceofthisveryimportantservice.BygivingthenewStudentCentreDirectoranincreasedamountofindependence,decisionscanbemadefasterandmanagementwillbecomemoreeffective.
TeamGPPwillalsocompletethecurrentmanagementstransitiontoanewonlineroombookingsystemforSLCbookablespaces.Itsimportantthatstudents,clubs,andothercampusorganizationsareabletoefficientlyandeasilybookspaceinourstudent-managedspacesinordertofacilitatetheireventsandactivities.
WiththeopeningoftheQueensCentre,weveseenadrasticdecreaseinstudentfoottrafficthroughtheJDUC.TeamGPPrecognizesthatsignificantefforts
havebeenmadethisyeartopromoteactivitiesandprogrammingwithintheJDUC,andwedliketobuildonthiscurrentyearssuccesswithanemphasisonincreasingthefrequencyoffunactivitiesandeventsthatwilldrawstudentsbackintotheJDUC.TheJDUCisahistoricmonumenttotheabilityofstudentstoworktogetheratanytime.JustasstudentsworkedtogetheraftertheJDUCburntdownin1947tofundraiseenoughtorebuildit,wedliketoigniteasimilarpassioninstudentstouseSLCspacesasgatheringplacesforfun,conversation,andasharedQueensexperience.
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AMSHospitalityandSafetyServices
CommonGround(CoGro)
CommonGroundisanotherAMSservicesuccessstory,afterimproving
significantlyoffofthe2010-2011revenuenumbers;itisalsoontracktomeettheAMSBoardofDirectorstargetsforthe2012-2013year.Thecurrentmanagementhasmadeimmensestridesincreatingaconcretefoundationthattheserviceisrunoffof,withonlyminormodificationsneededtooptimizeitspotentialrevenue.Specifically,CommonGroundwilltargetcustomersduringsomeofitsslowerbusinesshours,whichareduringdinnertimeandlaterintheevening.Increasingtrafficduringthoseslowtimesisakeyareaforimprovementthatcouldhaveasignificantimpactonrevenue.PossiblewaysofdoingthisaretocreateconsistentactivitiesorotherprogrammingintheCommonGroundloungeareatocreatealargerbaseofcustomerstodrawfrom.Inaddition,aconstantemphasisonefficiencyandconsistencyincreatingfoodanddrinkproductswillcontinuetobeoneofthemanagementsfocusesintheupcomingyear.
TheCommonGroundExpresshasalsoincreaseditsdailyrevenuetothepointwhereitisnowcompletelysustainableandiscreatingahealthyprofit.AcontinuingprojectistoattractconsumerstothislocationduringthebusylunchhourinordertomakeroomforadditionalcustomersatthemainCommonGroundlocation.TeamGPPwillcontinuethisyearsprojectofexpandingpremadeoptionsavailableattheCommonGroundExpress.
TeamGPPisalsoveryexcitedtoseecompostingcometotheCommon
GroundthisJanuary,andfullysupportsthisimportantenvironmentalinitiative.WerealizethatcompostingatourAMSservicescanbecostlyanddifficultlogistically,butTeamGPPiscommittedtocreatingandmaintainasmanygreenpracticesaspossibletooffsetourimpactontheenvironment.
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TheAMSPubServices(T.A.P.S.)
AstheproviderofboththeQueensPubandAlfiesNightclub,TAPSisamajor
partofmanystudentsQueensexperience.Fromgrabbingaquickbitetoeatbetweenclasses,watchingsportsontheweekends,orenjoyingaWednesdaynight
ofdancingwithfriends,TAPSprovidesallthisandmore.
Withthisbeingsaid,itsimportanttorealizethattheseserviceshavestiffcompetitionfromcompaniesintheHubareaofKingston,especiallywhenitcomestoAlfiesonFridaynights.IncreasingattendanceonthisnightisahighpriorityforTeamGPP.ThecurrentmanagementhasbegunadvertisingathemeforeveryFridayAlfies,whichisanexcellentstartandcanbeexpandedonbyconciselyremindingstudentsofeverythingthatAlfiesoffers,mainlyastudentrunvenuethatprovidesexcellentserviceandgooddrinkpricesinafriendlyatmosphere.ItsalsovitalthatstudentsareactuallyawareofwhereAlfiesislocated.ItspossiblethattoursofAlfiesmaybeincludedduringOrientationweektofamiliarizestudentswith
thegeneralfeelofthisgreatvenue.AnimportantissuethatTAPSmanagementwillneedtokeepaneyeonisthe
AlcoholWorkingGroupandanydocumentsthattheyproduce.AnysuggestionsorrecommendationsthatthisworkinggroupmakescouldhaveasignificantimpactonTAPSabilitytooffertherangeofservicesthatitcurrentlyoffers,whichwillaffectourcustomersexperience.
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QueensStudentConstables(QSC)
Aftertheintroductionofnewprovinciallicensingrequirementsfor
individualsperformingsecurityrelatedtasksin2009-2010,theQueensStudentConstableshavebeengrapplingwithimmenselyincreasedcostsoftrainingnew
StudentConstables,whichhasimpactedtheirbottomline.Inordertomakethisstudentservicemoresustainableinitscurrentform,thecurrentStudentConstableleadershipandHospitality&SafetyServicesDirectorhaveplannedfortheimplementationofaflatcharge-outrateforconstablesofallsenioritylevels.TeamGPPsupportsthischangeandwillcompletetheimplementationofthischange.Inaddition,corporatesponsorships,grants,andothersourcesofrevenuewillbepursuedtoworktowardsmakingthisservicebreakeven.
AsStudentConstablesareoftenoneofthefirstfacesthatgreetpatronsinourAMSPubServices,TeamGPPbelievesthecontinuationofcustomerservicetrainingisanexcellentideainordertomakethebestimpressionpossible.Thistraininghas
alsoimprovedthegeneralimageofStudentConstables,butTeamGPPbelievesthattheresstillroomforimprovement.Wehopetocreatealastingpositiveimage(especiallyamongstfirst-yearstudents)oftheStudentConstablesamongstthestudentbodyatlargethroughyearlymarketingcampaigns,possiblyinconjunctionwithCampusSecurityandQueensFirstAid.Wefeelthatamorepersonableandface-to-facestrategywillreachawideraudienceofstudents(ratherthankeepingmostofthemarketingconstrictedtoQueensJournalads),aswellascreatingastrongerimpactamongstudentsthatarereached.
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Walkhome
Walkhomeisanimportantsafetyserviceoncampusthatprovideswalks
aroundcampusandtheUniversityDistrictduringtheeveninghours.ThisAMSserviceisunparalledinitsusagecomparedtoanyotheruniversityinCanadawith
morewalksperformedthananyothersimilarservice.Withtwelvethousandwalkslastyear,weveseenacontinuousincreaseinthenumberofwalksandTeamGPPbelievesthatthisservicecancontinuetoplanforgreaterusageintheyearstocome.Withthissaid,itsstillimportanttocontinuebuildingthisbrandandtheknowledgeofitamongthestudentpopulation.
Witharecentlyincreasedstudentfee,thisserviceisinexcellentfinancialconditionandwilllikelybemeetingitsbudgetedtargets.TeamGPPwillcontinuetobudgetforapproximatelyaroundzerodollarsinprofitasweunderstandthatthegoalofWalkhomeistoprovideanimportantstudentserviceandnotogenerateanysortofprofit.
Asalways,oneofthegreatestchallengesofWalkhomeistryingtopredictthe
nightlyusageoftheserviceinordertoscheduleasufficientnumberofwalkteamstomeetpatrondemand.Withprevioususagedata,nextyearsWalkhomemanagementteamwillcontinuetoplanoutthepredictedpatronneed.TeamGPPalsobelievesincontinuingtomaketheWalkhomekioskawelcomingandfriendlyplacethatisasapproachableaspossible.
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AMSMediaServices
C.F.R.C
AsoneofthemostuniqueservicesundertheMediaServicesportfolio,CFRC
isacampus-communityradiostationthatservicesbothstudentsandthegreaterKingstoncommunity.Withthisinmind,itsveryimportanttoproperlybalancetheprovisionofpositionstobothstudentsandcommunitymembers.Inaddition,theCFRCmustcontinuetoensurethatallCanadianRadio-televisionTelecommunicationsCommission(CRTC)rulesregardingtheoperationofthestationandcontentrequirements.Inordertocontinuethegrowthandmaintenanceofthisservice,oneofthelargestissuesthatneedstobeaddressedistheissueofstudentfunding.DuetothefactthattheCFRCistheoldestcampus-communityradiostationinCanadaat90yearsoldandthatCFRCoffersauniqueexperienceandskillsthatcantbefoundanywhereelseonthiscampus,theAMSneedstoreviewifthemodeststudentfeeof$4.93shouldbeincreasedconsideringthefinancialneedofthishistoricandimportantservice.
Underthecurrentmanagement,thedecisionhasbeenmadetomovetheCFRCscurrentcollectionofCDsandvinylrecordstothedigitalformatinordertocreateamoreefficientdigitalaudiolibrary.TeamGPPsupportsthismovetoamoremodernsystemthatwillincreasetheefficiencyofCFRC.
Inaddition,TeamGPPalsorealizesthatCFRCprovidesvolunteeropportunitiestomorethantwohundredindividuals,whichgivesthemanopportunitytolearnhandsonskillsrelatedtoradioandmedia.AsQueensdoesnt
offeranequivalentprogramorcourse,wefeelitsimportanttoprotectthislearningopportunitiesforstudents.
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QueensTV
QTVhasseenimmensegrowthinthelastyear:itnowfeaturesdailyonline
contentreleases,inadditiontobreakingnewsandlivesports.ThishascreatedanaudiencethatismoreawareofandengagedintheQueenscommunity.However,
therearestillpositivechangesthatcouldbemadetothisservicetoallowcommunitymemberstotakegreateradvantageofit.
WehopetobringQTVclosertotheeverydaylivesofstudents,aswellprovidethemwithup-to-datenews,entertainmentandcontentthroughtheintroductionofmobileapplicationsandpodcasts.
However,toaidinthecontinuationofconsistentcontentcreation,weplantoinvestigateadditional,morepermanentstudiospace.ThispermanentstudiospacewouldallowQTVtocreatemoreelaboratecontent,inadditiontoallowingbreakingnewscoveragetohavealocationtofilm.
TomakethegrowthofQTVrealistic,currentandadditionalfundingsources
willneedtobeevaluatedintermsoftheamountofadvertisingrevenue,videofactoryproductionrevenue,studentfees,andexternalsponsorship.Acombinationthatinvolvesvideofactoryrevenueandexternalsponsorshipisidealinordertooffsetthenecessityofincreasingtheamountofadvertisementscurrentlyincludedincontent.Wewillalsobepursuinganotherlive-streamingcontractwithQueensAthleticsandRecreationfortheupcomingyear,whichwillprovidesubstantialfinancialbenefittoQTV.
ThepaidQTVBusinessManagerwillcontinuetobuildrelationshipswith
bothoff-campusandon-campusgroups,inordertosustainthedemandforvideofactoryservices.Ittakestimetosecureconsistentusefromadiversecustomerbase,butvideofactoryrevenuehasluckilybeenincreasingatanexcellentrate.
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QueensJournal
AsoneoftheoldeststudentnewspapersinCanada,theJournalconsistently
strivesforhighqualitystudentjournalisminadditiontoprovidingopportunitiesforstudentstodevelopskillsthatarenottaughtintheclassroomatthisuniversity.
Withsuchvaluableopportunities,TeamGPPbelievesinstronglysupportingtheAMSmediaservicesinordertoprotecttheirabilitytoofferstudentsadiverseexperiencethatwillgivethemusefultoolsintheirfuturecareersorendeavors.
Inordertoprovidethisservice,anongoingstruggleinthecurrenteconomyisfindinglocaladvertisersthatarewillingtospendmoneyonaconsistentbasis.Withthisbeingsaid,theQueensJournalhasbeencontinuouslyupdatingandreinforcingitswebbasedcontent,whichalsoallowsspaceforthemorepopularformofonlineadvertising.TeamGPPbelievesthatacontinuedemphasisonwebbasedcontentandpresentationisespeciallyimportantasoursocietycontinuestoshifttoamoreweb-centricneedforinformationandnews.Tofurtherthis,the
alreadyplannedmobileapplicationwillalsoallowsmartphoneuserstocontinuetoconnecttoandviewQueensJournalcontent.
TeamGPPrealizesthatQueensJournalwillbefinanciallyaccountablethroughtheJournalBoardandcontinuestobelievethateditorialcontentshouldbeunderthepurviewoftheEditorsinChief.
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YearbookandDesignServices(YDS)
AfterarebrandingoftheTricolourPublicationServicetotheYearbookand
DesignServices(YDS)in2011,itsimportanttotryandrebuildthebrandandincreasestudentrecognitionforwhatYDSisabletoofferthem.Theprimary
focusesofthisserviceinthecomingyearsarethatwedlikestudentstorecognizethatwhentheyattendaneventhostedbyorganizationsoncampus,theycanfindandtagthemselvesinphotographsontheYDSFacebookpage.Ideally,wedlikestudentstotreattheYDSFacebookpageasthegotolocationforprofessionalphotographstakenatcampusevents.Thiswouldhopefullyincreaseinterestintheyearbookastheyearendpublicationthatincludesphotosofcampuseventsandactivities.
Everyyear,YDStriestodistributeapproximately5200yearbookstostudentswhodidntoptoutoftheQueensYearbook.Thiscanbeanespeciallydifficulttaskconsideringthatmanystudentsdontknowwhereorhowtopickup
thisvaluablememoryofastudentsQueensexperience.Thisyearsmanagementhasdevelopedaneffectivesystemforyearbookdistributionthatwillcarryontonextyear,andhopefullycontinuetobeimproved.
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AMSRetailServices
PublishingandCopyCentre(P&CC)
WithanotherestimatedstrongfinancialyearforthePublishing&Copying
Centre,thisserviceisontracktomeettheAMSBoardofDirectorstargetsthathavebeensettobereachedin2012-2013.ThisismostlyinthankstoanincreaseinprofessoruseofcoursepackswhenQueensdecidedtonotrenewitsagreementwithAccessCopyrightduetoasubstantialincreaseinfees.
Inaddition,withatrendingincreaseinbackshopprintingandareductioninself-servicecopying,TeamGPPagreeswithP&CCmanagementthatanincreasedamountofspaceshoulddedicatedforbackshopprintingandservicestoallowthisservicetoexpandandservestudentsbetter.Inordertoachievethis,asummerrenovationwilloccurtoincreasebackshopservicespace,whichwillprovideadditionalstorageandworkspaceinadditiontomoreroomforbackshopmachines.Bysimplyfollowingtheongoingtrendofreducedself-serviceprinting,wecanprovidestudentswithfasterandmoreefficientservices,whichwillhopefullyleadtoincreasedgrowthandrevenueinthebackshopareasofP&CC.
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TricolourOutlet
AftertheTricolourOutletcreationin2010-2011,thisservicehasbeendoing
itsbesttore-branditselfamongthestudentpopulation,andcreateaconsistentneedforsomeofitsservicesonayearroundbasis,ratherthanjustinSeptemberor
January.Somesuccesshasbeenfoundasthisserviceisprojectingtolosslessmoneythanlastyear,butsignificantmeasureswillneedtobetakeninorderfortheTricolourOutlettomeettheAMSBoardofDirectorstargetsin2012-2013.
OneofthebiggestadvantagesthatthisservicehasonitssideisitspositiverelationshipwithCoachCanada.ItisimmenselybeneficialtostudentsthattheTricolourExpressisabletopickstudentsuponcampusratherjustatthebusstationonJohnCounterBoulevard.Thisyear,theAMSwillalsohaveanewonlineticketportalinconjunctionwithCoachCanadathatisthefirstofitskindinCanada.Thatbeingsaid,theamountofprofitgeneratedoffofeachTricolourExpressticketisquiteminimal,whichleadsTeamGPPtobelievethatinupcomingnegotiations
withCoachCanada,theAMSwillneedtobargaineffectivelyonbehalfofstudentstolowerCoachCanadastakeofeachticketsale.
ItisalsovitalthattheTricolourOutletcementitsmarketingbrandoncampuswiththeadditionalsupportandresourcesoftheAMSMarketingOffice.Aneffective,recognizable,andrememberedbrandiskeyforthegrowthofthisservice,especiallyconsideringhownewitis.