SFSS food bank accessibility

In an attempt to make the SFSS food bank more accessible to the SFU community, the board is looking into providing certificates to services on campus such as the SFU Dining Hall.

Concerns were voiced about the stigma around these certificates which could make people uncomfortable about using the food bank. In order to address these concerns, the vouchers would come in a form akin to the cards used by all diners in order to prevent attention being called to food bank users.

SFSS discusses institutionalizing student society fees

The board of directors approved a letter to be sent to the Ministry of Advanced Education with the intent to initiate discussions on changing its member-authorized targeted levy to an institutional mandatory fee.

The student society fee is currently being used to fund the design work for the Student Union Building (SUB) and stadium seating project. However, in order to obtain the proper loans to begin construction of the SUB, the SFSS must be able to guarantee to the banks that they will be able to repay those loans. The current problem is caused by the fact that any existing student society fees can be overturned by referendum, and as such banks are hesitant to lend money.

The decision, which would have to come to the membership for approval at the SFSS’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) this fall, would create a fee that, being institutionalized, could not be overturned before the loan is repaid. Once repaid, the institutional mandatory fee would no longer be collected.

Farewell Lorenz

The board accepted the resignation of their chief electoral officer (CEO) and former president, Lorenz Yeung.

The SFSS has issued a call-out for nominations to fill the position, which will end at noon on September 22; the board will select a candidate on September 24. The appointment for the position of CEO will last for the duration of the fall semester, when Yeung’s term would have ended.

Having held the position since December 2013, and after overseeing an eventful election last Spring, Yeung is now ready to hang up his hat. Reflecting on the experience, he imparted some words of wisdom: “Last election showed how just a handful of votes can change election outcomes. Everyone should vote.”