Questions are listed in no particular order. Platforms may have been edited for print purposes. All edits were made for length, not for content.
TCSA Benefits Referendum Question:
The current TCSA Student Benefits fee of $262 has historically been comprised of two amounts; $150 representing the health portion and $112 representing the dental portion. The charges on your student accounts, as well as opt out refunds, are demonstrated as one amount of $262. Do you support the official amalgamation of these two separate fees ($150 and $112) into one ($262) thereby eliminating redundant administrative work?
Transit Referendum Question:
The City of Peterborough is implementing a 10% increase to our transit fee beginning September 2015. Do you support a 10% increase to the current TCSA transit fee ($252.35 increased to $277.59) in order to maintain a similar level of service?
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Society
Although a relatively new student group, the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Society (SAFSS) has already strived to engage students on a number of food system related issues. Whether it be through fun, multi-stakeholder events like the Local Food Days, or community building partnerships like the TEDxManhattan viewing party, we want to share our passion with the larger Trent student body population. What better way to facilitate this then by securing funds to expand upon these initiatives, and encourage student-driven projects?
One of the projects that would benefit from SAFSS being granted a $2 refundable levy is the Trent Market Garden. This plot of land, located on Trent’s Experimental Farm has been designated to grow produce that would then be purchased and served by Chartwells in their cafeterias, and potentially local businesses. Students are already hard at work creating marketing materials, business proposals and garden plans. Levy status and funding could lead to employment of students during the summer using holistic, agro-ecological practices. Other projects we are hoping to support include the creation of a SAFSS resource library, a fund to subsidize costs for students to attend food-related conferences, and a documentary screening series.
If you are interested in learning more about the goals and future plans of SAFSS, you can check out our website (http://safssocietyattrent.weebly.com/), add us on Twitter (@SAFSsociety) or email us (safssociety@trentu.ca) to sign up for our mailing list.
Students will also be given an opportunity to discuss our levy campaign with key members the following dates and times:
– Monday March 16th from 1-3pm in OC Caf.
– Tuesday March 17th from 9-11AM in the Great Hall. Free fair trade, organic hot chocolate samples from Dan Ledandan Foods available!
– Wednesday March 18th at Local Food Day. Visit the Ceilie, the Planet North, the Seasoned Spoon, and Chartwells LEC between 11AM-1PM and grab a free sample of an apple based dish, and a handout!
– Thursday March 19th from 1-3PM outside Gzowski.
Free fair trade, organic hot chocolate samples from Dan Ledandan Foods available!
Thank you in advance for supporting this levy, and for participating in the democratic process!
Trent Valley Fencing
The Trent Valley Fencing Club was founded in 2013 to continue to legacy of fencing at Trent University after the Varsity program was cut. Fencing has existed at Trent since the 70s. The Trent Fencing Club functions as a competitive OUA team attending tournaments from October to March. 2015 was our first year back at OUAs after a two year break. We were thrilled to have a 4th and 5th place finish as well as a female fencer as the 2nd highest ranked novice.
The club runs as both a competitive team and a club for those wishing to pursue the joys of fencing without competition. Fencing is one of the original five modern Olympic sports and combines mental and athletic abilities. We run and inclusive, fun and interactive club that encourages healthy living, sportsmanship, healthy competition and teamwork. Most of our members have not fenced before coming to Trent. They are able to try a new skill, meet new people, form new friendships and join a unique and exciting sport.
The Trent Valley Fencing Club is campaigning for a $2 refundable levy. This money would be use for the betterment of the club. We would purchase equipment and replace equipment as needed in order to run a safe training environment. This year unfortunately we had several problems with our electronic equipment which is costly to replace. It would also be used to expand our team and send more people to tournaments across Ontario. The past two years we’ve had to restrict the number of fencers who could attend due to budget constraints. We hope to allow more fencers to try fencing competitively. A levy would also allow us the flexibility to continue to grow our team and club.
Trent Students for Literacy
Trent Students for Literacy (previously known as Frontier College) is a student run program that helps promote the development of literacy in the community of Peterborough. We work with children, seniors and new immigrants to Canada through 6 different programs. These include, the reading circle, one-on-one tutoring, homework club, comic book club, ESL tutoring, and senior’s outreach. This year we worked with over 200 people in the community with the help of over 50 student volunteers! Trent Students for Literacy has been a group at Trent for the last 15 years, but we have recently went through a name change that requires our levy of $2.15 to be voted on in the spring ballot. Our organization is committed to developing partnerships in the community through student volunteering. Please vote yes for Trent Students for Literacy on the spring ballot so we can continue providing literacy programs in our community!
