KSA council donates $50K to KPU Foundation to set up student awards, approves $20K for ‘external work’

The Kwantlen Student Association approved a $50,000 donation to the KPU Foundation during a council meeting on Nov. 14, and more than $25,000 to KSA Peer Support at an executive committee meeting the day before.   

Council’s donation to the KPU Foundation is to set up scholarships, awards, and bursaries in the KSA’s name — which the foundation was given the authority to distribute, administer, and decide the criteria of.

The KSA approved $20,000 for “funding external work and conference-related expenses, including travel, registration, and associated costs.”

Associate President Shawinderdeep Singh attended the Canadian Federation of Students National General Meeting from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 in Toronto.

Gurdit, who also attended the conference and chairs the external affairs committee, wrote the issue of student strikes in relation to affordability, accessibility, and student rights was the most significant one discussed during the meeting.

“The conversation allowed us to better understand the complexities involved in organizing, supporting, or navigating student strikes within a post-secondary context,” Gurdit wrote.

Shawinderdeep wrote in his report, posted in the meeting chat, that councillors also went to the Université de Montréal as part of the trip to explore its campus and student engagement practices.

“The visit offered valuable perspectives on how institutions in other regions approach student advocacy and academic life,” he wrote.

Gurdit wrote members learned about the university’s governance models, services, and advocacy priorities, which helped them understand how their student association addresses student concerns, engages with the administration, and builds community on campus.

KSA President Paramvir Singh said he would email his report to the council. The Runner reached out to Paramvir but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Through a motion from the internal committee, Arts Representative Amanpreet Singh was appointed to five committees: external affairs, social justice and equity, student life, university affairs, and Grassroots redevelopment. Amanpreet also replaced Vice-President Student Life Ishant Goyal in the environmental sustainability committee.

Speaker of Council Amandeep Brar presented the Oct. 23 council meeting minutes for approval.

KSA Advocacy Coordinator John O’Brian said the minutes were not ready for adoption or approval yet since they weren’t posted on the association’s Microsoft Teams channels.

“You haven’t read them. You shouldn’t approve something if you haven’t read them,” he said. “You were attempting to approve something that clearly no one has seen.”

The KSA also held an executive committee meeting on Nov. 13, where it approved more than $25,000 in funding for its Peer Support program.

On Dec. 8 and 9, Peer Support is hosting trips for Black and Indigenous students to visit the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Museum of Anthropology and Black Student Space. The visits cost $6,000 in total and are open to student and staff allies.

Peer Support Coordinator Lovlina Prasad said she has been engaging in conversations among students and KSA staff about the importance of ensuring Black and Indigenous students feel safe and heard.

Since KPU does not have a dedicated space for Black students, Prasad said the visit to UBC’s Black Student Space can allow Peer Support to bring ideas back and possibly “collaborate with students to create a space for Black students here.”

Peer Support received $5,000 for mind-body, somatic anxiety, and embodied activism training for its team. A combined $5,000 went towards cleaning supplies, snacks and refreshments, games and activities, furniture, storage, and appliances for the Peer Support lounge. Peer Support also received $3,500 to hold an Appreciation Day for its volunteers.

Peer Support received $3,500 for sleep-smart kits for students, which contain ear plugs, a sleeping mask, an under eye mask, lip balm, hand cream, and a sleep smart pamphlet with tips and resources.

In an email to The Runner, Prasad wrote the kits are part of an initiative to increase sleep health awareness on campus and “will be helpful during stressful times in the semester, such as the exam period.”

Executives also approved $1,350 to Peer Support for gift cards for volunteer appreciation and $1,200 for the team’s TimeCounts volunteer management and tracking software.

Accounting Students of Kwantlen received $300 for their Post-Midterm Bash: Espresso Your Future and MPAcc Info Session events.

The KSA’s volunteer program received $2,550 for volunteer appreciation gift bags and $1,550 for a volunteer team bonding event.

The gift bags include KSA swag items and items for the holidays, said Harky Johal, volunteer program coordinator.

“We do a very nice volunteer appreciation dinner or an activity, so I just give these gift bags for that. I’ve been doing these for the past couple of years … and I’ve gotten really good feedback.”