News Brief: KSA approves funding for club events, first council meeting of semester scheduled

The first council meeting of the fall semester is scheduled for Oct. 28. (File photo)

The Kwantlen Student Association held their second executive meeting of the month on Oct. 21 in hybrid format. President and VP Student Affairs Armaan Dhillon, VP External Affairs Karan Singh, and VP Finance Lesli Sangha were in attendance. 

Executives approved funding for several club events happening in the next few weeks. 

The KPU Social Enterprise Club (KPUSEC) is hosting a “Claws for Cause” fundraiser on Oct. 27 at 6:00 pm on the Surrey campus. Students can purchase tickets at a discounted price for PNE Playland, which will be “transformed into a horrific Halloween-themed experience,” according to the proposal. Funds raised will be donated to the humanitarian organization UNICEF. 

The Kwantlen Poetry Project is bringing back their poetry slam “Slamapalooza” on the third Thursday of each month starting Oct. 27 until Jan. 19 at 6:00 pm in Birch 250 on the Surrey campus. 

The new KPU Pride Society is having a room opening combined with a Halloween party on Oct. 28 at 6:00 pm in Birch 250 on the Surrey campus. The Pride Society was also given funding to create their own website and logo. 

The Kwantlen Psychology Society (KPS) is hosting an event for their speaker series titled “Loneliness and Social Connection in a Busy World” on Nov. 18 at 2:00 pm on the Surrey campus. 

In her report, Sangha said she continued to advocate for students with disabilities that take a reduced course load to be recognized at British Columbia universities as full time students at ABCS Lobby Days last week. She is also in discussion with KPU about multipass exemptions for students with disabilities. 

Executive Director Ben Newsom said the byelection is running smoothly so far, and they will review the results with the Chief Returning Officer Ron Laufer after they receive his report. They said the KSA legal counsel has been in discussions with KPU and should have updates in the coming weeks regarding location and costs. 

The KSA is in discussion with Gallivan, which offers the extended health and dental plan at KPU, to renew their contract. Sangha wants to add a legal support service, which she suggested doing a trial-run in which the KSA would use excess funds to cover the cost for a year. Newsom agreed, and the KSA would ask students through a referendum to increase fees to implement the service permanently after a year’s trial. The KSA will discuss further at their council meeting. 

The next KSA executive meeting is scheduled for Nov. 4, and their first council meeting of the semester is scheduled for Oct. 28. Students can email info@kusa.ca to join the meetings and both are at 10:00 am in hybrid format.