NPSP Platform
Transcript of NPSP Platform
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
1/15
NPSP Platform
SCSU Elections
2014-2015
Habiba Desai- Presidential Candidate
By
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
2/15
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Who We Are: The New Political Student Party......................................... 3Habiba Desai- Presidential Candidate ......................................................... 3Shauna Nandkissore- Vice President of Academics and University Affairs
Candidate .................................................................................................... 4List of NPSP Directors .................................................................................. 5Mission Statement ...................................................................................... 6Pillar One: Improving Student Life............................................................ 7School Spirit ................................................................................................ 7E-Mentoring Program ................................................................................. 7Thursday Night Shows ................................................................................ 7Sports Night Out ......................................................................................... 7Homecoming ............................................................................................... 7Game Board ................................................................................................ 7Gym Schedule ............................................................................................. 8Mascot Change ........................................................................................... 8Walk Home Program ................................................................................... 8Parkette MakeOver ..................................................................................... 8Multicultural Gala- Celebrating UTSC Diversity .......................................... 9UTSC Clothing Line ...................................................................................... 9Student Center Makeover .......................................................................... 9Daily Events Board ...................................................................................... 9Fusion Radio- FM transmission ................................................................. 10Pillar Two: Advocating Student Issues.................................................... 10
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
3/15
2
TA Evaluations ........................................................................................... 10Marking Schemes- Understanding Vs. Memorizing ................................. 10Offering a Grammar Course ...................................................................... 11Student Spaces Vs. Study Spaces .............................................................. 11Pillar Three: Rexs Menu Make Over....................................................... 12Pillar Four: Learning is Fun....................................................................... 12Professor Mentorship ............................................................................... 12Educational Groups- Enhance Skills .......................................................... 13Pillar Five: SCSU Mandatory Updating............................................. 13Club Funding ............................................................................................. 13Efficiency and Productivity Campaign ...................................................... 14Accountability and Transparency ............................................................. 14Participatory Budgeting ............................................................................ 14Conclusion................................................................................................ 14
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
4/15
3
WHO WE ARE: THE NEW POLITICAL STUDENT PARTY
HABIBA DESAI- PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Dear UTSC Students,
My name is Habiba Desai and I am the NPSP Presidential
Candidate for the SCSU Elections 2014-2015. I am in my fourth year
studying International Development and Economics.
UTSC is my second home. Ive been involved on campus over the
years as President of the Pre-Law Society, Fundraising Director for the
MSA, an executive for the Sovereignty club, First Year Mentor and also a
part of the Green Dot Training Program with UTSC Campus Police.
Outside of school I was the Outreach Director for Kids Help Phone and
worked at my local MPs office for three years as anadministrative
assistant. Just on paper alone I have over 1000 volunteer hours. I was
also a manager at a caf and did a summer internship as a marketing
intern under the supervision of a Schulich CEO.
My skills are in organizational management, finance and making
sure things get done. My values revolve around Justice, my nickname isJustice Desai. I want everything to be fair, and I don't think campus is a
fair environment.
I came to UTSC not only because it offered one of the greatest
International Development programs in Canada but also because I
wanted to be surrounded by the diversity and natural beauty our campus
holds. Before my first year at UTSC, my cousins came to this campus and I
attended many events with them. As a result, I fell in love with the UTSC
campus.
NPSP believes in our campus, we see the potential our campus
holds and we want to unleash it. By focusing on small doable changes to
the daily life on campus, we believe we will achieve this! Through
improving student life, academics and the overall environment of the
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
5/15
4
campus, you will not want to leave UTSC. We have great plans such as
homecoming, TA evaluations and efficiency campaigns.
Please read our platform to understand what we have in store for
the next year. I am humbled by the privilege of running for President of
SCSU. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to serving you.
Its time for a better student union,
Habiba Desai
SHAUNA NANDKISSORE- VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMICS AND UNIVERSITY
AFFAIRS CANDIDATE
My name is Shauna Nandkissore, and I am the Vice President of
Academics and University Affairs candidate for the New Student PoliticalParty. I am a third year student, specializing in English and minoring in
Psychology. Over the past three years, I have experienced all the small
yet extremely irritating problems which affect every student, yet are
never addressed. I have felt the frustration and anger that every student
has felt after paying thousands of dollars only to have a grade that does
not reflect their true capabilities.
First, I would like to introduce TA evaluations. Through
experience, I have had the fortune of meeting TAs who teach
wonderfully. But, I have also been taught by TAs whom sometimes do not
fulfill the requirements of their job description. To avoid the latter issue
for current and future students, TAs should be evaluated just like
Professors, as our grades also depend on them. I also strongly believe
students should be allowed to use an Exam Aid during exams, as this
would allow students to demonstrate their full potential.
Another goal would be to create a Grammar Course that could be
taken as a breadth requirement. This would help all students on their
essay writing skills and improve grades.
Another extremely irritating problem, is the unreliable WiFi. WiFi
should be accessible and reliable for all students in every part of the
school.
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
6/15
5
I currently work as a Student Library Assistant for UTSC. I have
worked with the Business and Conference Services department, and the
Green Path program. For the last three years of my academic life, I was a
part of the University Staff, striving towards a better school. I am now
asking for a chance to make a bigger impact on this school for thestudents. Your voice. Your choice.
LIST OF NPSP DIRECTORS
Anthropology Alexson Philipiah
Arts, Culture & Media Kristina Zaja
Biological Sciences Novie Saura
Computer Science & Mathematics Sophie Wang
English Rumaisa Khan
French & Linguistics Louisa Julius
Human Geography Farishta Barez
Management Simran Manghirmalani
Philosophy Davinia Chew
Physical & Environmental Science Anesh Jeyakumar
Political Science Barrah Faysal
Psychology Rekha Thayaparan
Sociology Director Marc Laurin
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
7/15
6
MISSION STATEMENT
The New Political Student Party was created to build the best
campus possible! The University of Toronto is one of the most widely-
acclaimed, established universities and we want UTSC to be just that. Our
focus is on improving the lives of UTSC students academically,
professionally and socially.
We will accomplish this by tackling daily student problems
through small doable changes. We aim to implement strategies such as
TA Evaluations, salted parking lots, fresh fast food and heated bus
shelters.
We do not intend on campaigning, endorsing or advocating issues
that do not affect the UTSC student community. The NPSP envisions a
campus environment that empowers you as a student to meet your
potential. Lets unleash it!
We are a team of students that believe it is time for a better
student union. As fresh faces to the Union, we will bring change through
innovative ideas and solutions.
We hope you see the vision of what our campus can be and join
us in making UTSC a hallmark of diversity, knowledge and innovation by
making meaningful doable changes to student life.
We are the student union you want. The New Political Student
Party. Your Voice. Your Choice.
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
8/15
7
PILLAR ONE: IMPROVING STUDENT LIFE
Improving student life on campus is our first pillar. We plan to work with
the VP of Campus Life, Department of Student Life, directors and the rest
of the SCSU team to create the best experience for current and future
students at UTSC.
SCHOOL SPIRIT
E-MENTORING PROGRAM
The E-Mentoring Program is a way for students to connect with alumni
through email. We will create a program which would allow for alumni
and students to join. Once we get started, it will only grow larger. This
allows for better networking, job recruitment and stronger school spirit.
THURSDAY NIGHT SHOWS
We want to create an environment that students love. This means
Thursday nights on campus will be rockin. We will showcase UTSC talent
by allowing student bands, comedians, poets, actors and dancers to
perform in the student center.
SPORTS NIGHT OUT
We aim to turn final matches into events with halftime shows thatinclude performances by UTSC talent and the UTSC Cheer Team.
HOMECOMING
We intend on incorporating the SCAA in our work by beginning a tradition
of having a football game at the beginning of the school year in the
valley. This will be the annual Homecoming. Whats a university
experience without Homecoming?
GAME BOARD
We have great sports teams but many students are unaware of game
times. We will create a game board in the Student Center that includes
daily game times so students can have fun and support our athletes in
maroon!
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
9/15
8
GYM SCHEDULE
We have heard many concerns from students about the Gym being
booked but not used. We will work with the SCAA and Athletics
department to create a 15 minute rule. If the team booked to use the
gym does not arrive within 15 minutes of their booked time, the gym will
open for other students to use.
MASCOT CHANGE
As much as we love our beloved Raccoon, it doesnt make for the
greatest mascot. We want to hold a school wide online vote to decide on
a new mascot. Rex the Raccoon will be an option but other choices will
be available. In addition to the mascot, we wish to create a cheer so even
when students have graduated, school spirit still remains.
These are all doable changes that will make
our school spirit stronger and UTSC a lot
more fun.
WALK HOME PROGRAM
We are concerned for your safety! We aim to commence a walk home
program for the students that live off residence and study late on
campus. Our plan is to get students to meet at the student center oncetheyre done studying and walk to the bus stops together. The times will
be 12AM, 1AM and 2AM during exam periods. We aim to have students
feel safer during their late nights on campus.
PARKETTE MAKEOVER
We aim to work with the City of Toronto to make a pathway and add
lights to the park across campus. Its a shortcut commonly used by
students walking to their cars or home but is not the safest. We wish to
add an emergency red box in the walkway to make it as safe as possible
for students walking.
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
10/15
9
MULTICULTURAL GALA- CELEBRATING UTSC DIVERSITY
We aim to unite our diverse student population by hosting a Multicultural
Gala. It will be a glamorous night where students dress up in their cultural
clothing, be it a little black dress, sari, abaya, cheongsam, thobe or suits.Let's celebrate the diversity on campus together!
We aim to hold it at the end of first semester. It will be an annual
tradition. Next year, we aim to hold it during the Pan-Am Games. In
addition, we aim to invite guests from the Games to celebrate the
diversity of cultures. The Pan-Am Games may bring the world together
for a few weeks, but at UTSC we aim to work together in unity for the
pursuit of knowledge and moving humanity forward.
Tomorrow is created here.
UTSC CLOTHING LINE
We want school gear that is not for the sole purpose of working out.
Working with students we wish to design a UTSC clothing line. We also
wish to create graduation memorabilia such as a UTSC Graduation Ring.
Another idea would be to create Graduation Watches. Furthermore, we
believe that with the development of UTSC leather jackets will create
more campus spirit and love. We will work with the UTSC Bookstore to
bring this tradition to our campus.
STUDENT CENTER MAKEOVER
DAILY EVENTS BOARD
Many great events happen around campus each day. Students do not
attend because they are unaware of the occurrence of such events.
Although the Intranet posts events, most students do not use the
Intranet because almost all courses are accessed through Blackboard. We
aim to create a post-it board in the student center with posters of the
events happening that day. Have time to kill between classes? Check the
board and head on over.
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
11/15
10
FUSION RADIO- FM TRANSMISSION
By making Fusion Radio an FM channel, we will not only increase our
revenue, but it will create more school spirit. Students will be able to
tune in on music chosen by their own peers. Furthermore, we want toalso create an inclusive campus for international students. One idea is to
create a weekly show in Mandarin as well as one in Hindi/Urdu that talks
about international headlines and issues relevant to the respective
community.
These are just some of our ideas in making
UTSC a great undergraduate experience.
We will work with students and the rest of
our team to create even more greatness!
PILLAR TWO: ADVOCATING STUDENT ISSUES
TA EVALUATIONS
An issue that students face at UTSC are TAs and the issue of
accountability. Most students have experienced TAs who do not fulfill the
requirements of their job description. We aim to fix these problems by
working with the University to create TA evaluations.
Working with the newly elected VP of Academics we aim to create an
evaluation survey and will collaborate with Registrar to implement them.
This will be a collaborative project with the different departments on our
campus.
MARKING SCHEMES- UNDERSTANDING VS. MEMORIZING
Another issue that UTSC students face are courses with a 40/60 or 50/50
exams in which the studentsentire grade is based on the midterm and
final exam. This is especially the case for large classes, which take place in
first year. The first year of university is a hard transition from high school
and this style of grading increases stress levels. This leads to many
students not at their peak performance in first year and having their
GPAs pay the price.
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
12/15
11
We want to work with Professors to allow students the chance to be
graded on what they truly understand instead of how well students
regurgitate. We aim to standardize an acceptable exam aid for all future
exams. This allows professors to grade students on understanding instead
of memorization skills. Students get the chance to demonstrate their truepotential.
OFFERING A GRAMMAR COURSE
There are set breadth requirements that must be completed before
graduation. One of the breadth requirements is Arts, Literature, and
Language. We believe that learning about poetry or childrens literature
may not help students who are science or psychology majors.
A solution would be to create a Grammar Course. This enhancesstudentswriting skills in essays, resumes and for future employment
opportunities. Many student will be provided the opportunity to use this
towards graduating instead of taking electives that do not necessarily
pertain to their future career choice.
STUDENT SPACES VS. STUDY SPACES
We are a commuter campus. This means that most students are on
campus while they are between classes. The issue we believe is not only
the lack of study space, but the lack of spaces to hang out.
Occasionally, study spaces are being used to relax which creates
incredibly unproductive environments for students who wish to study.
We wish to create more spaces where students are able to freely relax,
eat, talk, play pool and enjoy being a UTSC student.
Students spend a large amount of time on campus. We would like to
make this experience as comfortable as possible to promote a productive
atmosphere. We aim to place heaters in the bus stops for the student
who use public transit. In addition, we wish to ensure that there is WiFi inall parts of campus for better accessibility.
Campaigning and advocating for issues that
affect you as a UTSC student.
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
13/15
12
PILLAR THREE: REXS MENU MAKE OVER
After speaking to many students, we have discovered that students want
fresh fast food options on campus. By fresh fast food, we do not mean
fast food corporations. Instead we aim to have food on campus that is
not processed, frozen or comes in powder form.
We have a simple solution that not only will fix this issue but will help
create profits for Rex's which has been losing money for the past few
years. The SCSU provides Rex's Den with a subsidy for $130 000. This
money can be used to purchase the equipment and food.
During exam time, we will bring in waffles with various toppings
available. We aim to bring in a salad bar and dinner will be home cooked
meal style. We will have limited options but the food will be fresh and
delicious.
Having a small simple menu will allow us to buy more of the same
ingredients and make food in a large quantity in order to keep costs low.
Since it will ready to plate, it will make for delicious fresh fast food.
Simple, delicious, fresh fast food
PILLAR FOUR: LEARNING IS FUN
PROFESSOR MENTORSHIP
We want to create a flourishing academic life on campus. We want
students to love learning, and we plan on doing this by tapping into one
of our most underused valuable resources; professors. We aim to create
monthly events where professors can discuss anything new and
interesting in their respective fields. Imagine TED inspired talks
happening every month to keep us motivated and informed. It also gives
students from different programs the chance to learn about things thatinterest them outside of their studies.
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
14/15
13
EDUCATIONAL GROUPS- ENHANCE SKILLS
We wish to enhance UTSC students skills beyond academics by funding
student educational groups providing students the opportunity to teach
other students. Our three group plans are entrepreneurial, computerprogramming and fashion design. These groups will also work with the
SCSU to gain valuable work related experience.
For example the fashion group will help design our new school gear and
also work on the multicultural galas fashion show. We also want to give
students computer skills to add to their resume. Basic programming is
becoming an asset in all job markets, so we want to set up classes where
students teach students. This gives students volunteer experience and
provides other students learning experience.
Furthermore we will aim to make all sessions lecture casted so that
students who are unable to attend can watch online.
Imagine a university campus flourishing
with ideas, and students excited about
learning
PILLAR FIVE: SCSU MANDATORY UPDATING
We plan to do full reviews of the SCSU office, in order to create efficiency
and productivity. We will be fair and create opportunities for all our
students. Furthermore we are going to create a new commission open to
all students and advertised formally, that will make sure the deficiencies
in our student union do not occur.
CLUB FUNDING
We will review the funding process, the documentation required andhow much funding is provided for different events- we want to know
whats going on at campus and how we can help you.
-
8/13/2019 NPSP Platform
15/15
14
EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY CAMPAIGN
We will do a full review of the SCSU office, Fusion Radio, Rexs Den, Hero
Burger, and KFC to find new innovative ways to create efficiency and
productivity so that things get done. This will include going over thewages and benefits which are the SCSU largest expense, to see where we
can create innovative methods for less spending. We also want to
breakdown all expenses per receipt to understand our finances better.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
We want to be transparent and accountable. This will be done by
updating our monthly progress, spending and hiring on the SCSU website.
If students feel they have found an issue, it will be addressed and
resolved. We also want you to know the SCSU. We aim to hold discussion
sessions in the student center monthly to discuss any issues or concerns.
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
We want to work with students to spend our money. This means we want
to give a portion of the net budget to students, to nominate ideas and
vote on where the money should be spent that year. It will create
opportunity for involvement from the student body, fresh new ideas and
an additional student issue will be solved.
Its time for a better student union
CONCLUSION
We know this was a long read, but we want to show you just how serious
we are about change and the ideas we have to make our campus the best
it can be. From homecoming, to salted parking lots, student participation,
TA evaluations, galas and much more, we are the student union you
want!It's time for a better student union. The New Political Student Party.
Your Voice. Your Choice.