News brief: KSA council makes new committee appointments, approves executives as bank signing authorities

The Kwantlen Student Association approved internal committee appointments, assigned new executive committee members as bank signing authorities, and announced a possible partnership with vending machine supplier JusFres during a council meeting on May 2. 

Business Rep. Harkamal Singh was replaced by different council members in three KSA committees. Arts Rep. Amanpreet Singh took Harkamal’s spot in the Grassroots redevelopment committee, Students with Disabilities Rep. Bhoomika Seera replaced him in the environmental sustainability committee, and Business Rep. Gurdit Singh filled his seat in the finance and operations committee.

The council also approved Harkamal’s removal from the social justice and equity committee. 

Vice-President (VP) Finance and Operations Manmeet Kaur, President and VP University Affairs Paramvir Singh, VP External Affairs Harpal Singh, VP Student Life Ishant Goyal, and Associate President Shawinderdeep Singh were appointed as bank signing authorities for the KSA’s accounts, effective April 1. 

Executive Director Timothii Ragavan said the motion was proposed on recommendation of the student association’s accounting department. 

In his report, Goyal said the association is in talks with Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Sports and Recreation department about extending its contract under which the KSA covers badminton fees for students. 

“The rackets earlier [were] about $2, but now the KSA covers the fee,” he said. “We have also talked about other partnership opportunities to do more intramurals and bring back sports life like sports teams on campus.”

Goyal added he has been meeting with different club executives to talk about what can be changed as well as looking at different recommendations from committees about club funding. 

The student union is also planning to organize on and off-campus events such as hikes, trips, information sessions, and academic workshops. 

“We are also looking for trips, possibly sometime at the end of September, [to] the PNE or Cultus Lake [to bring] active life back on campus,” Goyal said. 

Goyal will also be visiting other universities with Harpal to “reflect back at the KSA to see what modifications could be made.” 

In her report, Kaur wrote that she is familiarizing herself with the KSA’s internal systems and financial procedures, such as learning to set up and manage honorariums as well as understanding documentation requirements and timelines for processing payments.

She is also learning about budget allocation, expense tracking, and financial reporting “to ensure transparency and accountability within [the KSA’s] operations.” Kaur wrote that she is also reviewing the financial planning process for events and initiatives.

In his report, Ragavan said the KSA has been finalising preparations for the Welcome Week event, which takes place on May 12 at KPU’s Tech campus, May 13 at the Surrey campus, May 14 at the Langley campus, and May 15 at the Richmond campus from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on each of the days. Students will be able to meet with different KPU departments and learn about academic and student life resources available to them at the event.

Ragavan said the KSA is also working to confirm its contract with JusFres, an organization that will provide free vending machines to the KSA for fresh orange and apple juice at a reduced cost for students at all KPU campuses. 

The KSA also held an executive meeting on April 30, where it approved the club roster and constitution for the KPU Journal Club and the Snapshot Society. 

The committee also approved $495 for the Kwantlen Sikh Student Associations WWO SSA Roundtable and $750 for the Brew Club’s year-end celebration. The executives also approved $500 for KSA Cares’ Tax Filing Clinic and $315 for additional snacks for students during the spring semester exam period. 

The next KSA executive and council meetings are scheduled for May 8 and 9 at 1:00 pm respectively. Interested students can email info@kusa.ca to join.