From the Editor: Student unions are vital on campus, here’s why you should pay attention to the KSA

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My first interaction with the Kwantlen Student Association was in 2019 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s student orientation event. I remember being given a bag from the KSA in the Surrey campus courtyard, filled with info sheets on the services they offer along with a water bottle. 

As a new student at the time, these info sheets helped me learn more about them, but also the services they offer. However, outside of the orientation, I was unaware of what the KSA did, other than if a large event happened or if food trucks appeared once a week on campus. 

The KSA is KPU’s student union, which provides services for students such as the health and dental plan, the MultiPass, the food bank, and more. Student associations like the KSA are a great way for KPU students to get involved with campus life and experience student politics, but also be a voice for students and advocate for their needs. 

There are many positive things the KSA have done this year such as proposing a women’s centre, offering a free fresh produce box program in the summer, hosting events to educate students on their housing rights, sex positivity, and a talent show for those with disabilities. They will also be advocating for affordable education this Wednesday at the Surrey campus courtyard. 

It is vital as students that we pay attention to the KSA to make sure council and executive members are creating positive change that is in the best interest of students, but also to hold them accountable. 

Recently, reports of misbehaviour have been made from the Fresher’s Party the KSA organized at the Grassroots Cafe on Oct. 4. Inappropriate behaviour towards some students and attendees, people outside of KPU attending the event, and minimal security were some of the issues at the party. 

“There’s obviously KPU policies with respect to alcohol consumption, and vaping. … I was deeply concerned with respect to some of the allegations that I’ve heard concerning female students and attendees that were there and individuals putting video phones in front of female attendees and filming them, and that’s just not appropriate,” Executive Director Richard Hall said in the Oct. 20 council meeting. 

Council and those who aren’t part of the KSA wishing to use a KSA space are required to give a minimum four weeks notice, as stated in their Regulations. Funds for the Fresher’s Party were approved at an executive meeting on Sept. 29 and the event occurred on Oct. 4. 

The Fresher’s Party is a recent example of why students need to pay attention to the KSA to not only hold those in positions of power accountable but to take part in decisions happening within the student union when possible. 

Every year, usually in February, students can run to be a KSA council member. Students can also vote for those running in these positions and attend council, executive, and committee meetings to ask questions or observe. 

That being said, meetings have not been posted on their website for a long time, and sometimes meeting times change with little notice. This can make it difficult for students to attend meetings, know which projects are taking place, and have an input in their campus community. Meetings can be attended in-person usually every other Friday at the Surrey campus or online through Microsoft Teams. Students can email info@kusa.ca to learn more about joining a meeting. 

The KSA has 10 committees which serve to improve life for KPU students. Most of these committees have student positions for those to take part in or to observe. Some of these committees include the student life, university affairs, and governance. 

There’s also the annual $10,000 tuition benefit that was passed unanimously last August by the then-executive committee, which was amended to offer reimbursement for six credits per semester in March. However, there is no official update that the executive tuition benefit will be removed despite the KSA telling The Runner they would several months ago. 

We, as students, have the power to make change at the KSA. It’s important that we take part in elections by voting or attend meetings to know what is happening and make a difference. 

It’s never too late to start taking interest in the student association.