Student Groups Can Borrow KSA Equipment Via Rental System

Giant chess and jenga sets now available, more to come in spring

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The KSA’s giant Jenga set stands tall. Clubs can now rent this and the student association’s giant chess set, and more in the Spring. (Submitted photo: Natasha Lopes)

The Kwantlen Student Association has launched a new loan system by which student groups can borrow KSA items for their events. These items range from badminton equipment to the recently purchased giant chess set, and vary according to each campus.

“[The system is] just another benefit to that package of constituting under the KSA,” says Natasha Lopes, the KSA’s VP Student Life.

Lopes says that depending on the amount of notice a club gives them in advance of their event, the KSA will work to ensure that the requested equipment is available for the specified campus. Ideally the KSA wants the same amount of notice as they do for planning tools, 4 to 6 weeks.

Because this system is still in the pilot phase, only the Giant Chess set and the Giant Jenga set are currently available for rent. The official launch will be in the spring, sometime in January or Februar., and Lopes says that which items the KSA makes available will depend on what clubs are asking to use.

“We have so many cool things … and I don’t like seeing them get dust,” says Lopes. “I like using these things myself, but I know it would just enhance more events on campus.”

A Google forum will be made available for clubs to answer or send to the KSA. If this forum is paired with a planning tool, then both will be referenced at the same time. In effect, this forum is an extra step clubs can take to secure additional equipment for free.

Lopes also hopes to assemble a policy and collect data on the rental process. This will include information such as which clubs are using the rental system and what are they asking to rent.

Certain items that may become available are more difficult to use, like a tent. So the KSA will be hosting workshops for clubs to take part in and prove to the KSA that they can operate the item they rent without damaging or breaking it.

“This is again a pilot project,” says Lopes. “We’re hoping that it will be a success … because we want to make sure they help students have the best experience possible.”