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2013-2014: Difference between revisions
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==Major Milestones for EngSoc in 2013-2014== | ==Major Milestones for EngSoc in 2013-2014== | ||
===UTSU fee diversion and the Student Societies Summit=== | |||
As a result of fee diversion referenda succeeding at the Faculty of Applied Science as well as Trinity College and Victoria University, the University initiated a consultative process with the UTSU, divisional student societies at the St. George campus, and UTMSU in lieu of granting fee diversion outright, mainly over concern that the UTSU would no longer be able to manage the Student Commons if ceased to represent all undergraduate students on the St. George campus. Four professors were hired as expert moderators to mediate discussion and ultimately provide a report to the Provost (Cheryl Regehr), who would then provide a staff recommendation to Governing Council. | |||
The once-a-month meetings were controversial, with the UTSU complaining that the University did not invite levy groups and clubs to participate (though they were invited to make written submissions) and some divisional societies complaining that facilitated dialogue had been tried before and to attempt the process again would be a waste of time. Engineering Society representatives Mauricio Curbelo (President) and Thomas Santerre (VP Communications) held the position that full separation from the UTSU would be the only viable solution. | |||
Topics discussed included the history of animosity between some divisional societies (especially EngSoc) and the UTSU, the financial arrangement between the UTSU and UTMSU, concerns over the UTSU's democratic processes, the legitimacy of divisional referenda, and the purpose of the Summit itself. Ultimately both the UTSU and UTMSU withdrew from the Summit. The [[file:summit.pdf|final report]] was issued near the end of the 2013-2014 academic year, and called for a number of significant changes to student governance. | |||
===Donation to the Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship=== | |||
During the previous academic year it became known that the Faculty intended to construct a new building on what was then the surface parking lot behind Simcoe Hall. The building would focus on interdisciplinary engineering work and would be the first Faculty building not assigned to a particular department. Included in the building would be new student club space on the basement level. Carrying over an idea from the previous administration, the Engineering Society established a donor agreement with the Faculty to contribute $1 million by 2016 to "name" the basement space of the CEIE, with the funds to come from the recently-established Skule Endowment Fund. The naming of the space provided greater assurance that the space would not be re-purposed in the future, allowed the Engineering Society to become more involved and respected as a stakeholder in the building planning process, and provided the Faculty with student support for the building project. | |||
===Engineering at UTM proposal=== | |||
During the 2013-2014 academic year, the Faculty revealed a proposal to create an engineering program at UTM, where students would attend UTM for 2 years, completing a general first year of engineering studies as well as a number of Arts & Science courses, and then attend the St. George campus for another 3 (or 3+PEY) years to complete their degree, ultimately graduating with a BASc and a Minor in Arts & Science. The Engineering Society opposed the proposal on the grounds that it was based on a larger plan to eventually move undergraduates off the St. George campus and the Faculty should have no role in such a project. Other reasons included the uncertain value of an A&S minor, the reputation of UTM compared to the St. George campus, the fact that grade 12 students would be committing to a 5- or 6-year program (and a Minor) without knowing the benefits of such a program to their particular career path, and a dubious survey conducted to justify the proposal which contained misleading questions intended to produce a favourable result. The Engineering Society involved its class representatives, Faculty committee representatives, and Discipline Club chairs in opposing the proposal at every stage of the governance process until finally the Dean announced that the proposal was postponed for "further market research". | |||
===Resignations and recalls=== | |||
There were fewer resignations and recalls than in the previous year. VP Academic Shaishav Shah resigned at the beginning of the summer due to personal reasons. Ishan Gupta and Nolan Piette resigned as Chem Club Chair and Suds Manager, respectively, after accepting PEY positions outside the GTA. | |||
{{Engineering Society by 2013 | {{Engineering Society by 2013 | ||