Student Refugee Programme Potluck Dinner

On Thursday, March 4th, the SRP Committee within WUSC at Trent University will be hosting a potluck dinner at the Champlain College Senior Common Room. The event begins at 5:30pm and ends at 7:30pm. You are hereby invited to take part in this wonderful opportunity and learn about the SRP‘s plans at Trent University. Following a short presentation there will be a discussion about what WUSC intends to do with the levy funds should there be a good response from the student body during the March 2010 elections.

If you plan on attending the dinner we ask that you bring a small dish to contribute to the potluck. This is an open event so anyone can attend and can invite others to join. Confirm your attendance through our Facebook page for the event.

Refugee Stories at World Affair Colloquium, Friday 26-Feb-2010

On Friday, February 26th, the World Affairs Colloquium will be hosting a talk about Refugee Stories and WUSC‘s Student Refugee Programme. Among the speakers are McAnthony Keah, author of “Growing Up Naked”, who will be sharing the stories that inspired his book, and Michelle Manks, the current Programme Officer for the SRP in WUSC Ottawa. Come join us in discussion at the LEC Pit (3:00pm on Friday) as we take this opportunity to learn more about the issues being faced by refugees.

Those Trent University students who supported us in January’s Levy Petition are especially invited to attend this talk. Invite your friends! The occasion promises to be quite informative and engaging.

Levy petition success and next general meeting

WUSC at Trent University is very excited to announce that we succeeded in getting enough votes in last week’s petition for the levy increase. Not only did we receive enough votes, but we surpassed our target of 700! The more than 1000 signatures collected came from Trent University students who support the Local Committee’s on-going efforts to sponsor two students next academic year. Thanks to all those who signed the petition and those hard-working members who accepted responsibility for collecting signatures. We could not have done it without you! Drawing from the success of this petition, we can now move forward to the next stage – that is, campaigning for the levy increase in the March 2010 elections. Our strategy for the campaign will be discussed in the next General Meeting to be held at 5:00pm on Friday, January 29th, in room 208 of LEC. General meetings are intended for all local committee members and prospective members are invited to attend.

Vote for levy increase, help to sponsor two SRP students

WUSC at Trent University is one of the levy groups on the Trent University campus. What this means is that our organization “[receives] direct funding from a student fee that is charged to each full-time undergraduate student with their tuition and ancillary fees” (ref. TCSA). Funding from the levy goes toward assisting the SRP within WUSC at Trent University in sponsoring a new student every year. During the TCSA elections in March 2010, the local committee hopes to request an increase in the levy so that we can sponsor two students for the next academic year. If successful, two students from countries abroad will have the opportunity to obtain a tertiary-level education in Canada. However, as with all requests of this nature, the TCSA needs to see that a certain proportion of the student body agree with this levy increase prior to funds being collected. Here is where we need your help.

Between now and Thursday, January 21st, WUSC members will be going around to collect signatures from students. Should we collect 700 signatures we will be eligible to make a levy request during the March 2010 elections. As a Trent University student, we hope you will support us after witnessing all of the great things that WUSC and its partner organizations are doing through education.

Here are a few things you should know before providing your signature:

1. WUSC at Trent University’s levy is non-refundable,
2. Only full-time undergraduate Trent University students can sign,
3. Student information is cross-checked with current enrollment register,
4. Students cannot sign more than once.

Also be reminded that we will also appreciate your vote for the levy increase at the March 2010 elections. Thank you!

Assist Haiti relief through monetary donations

The news about the devastating earthquake in Haiti that took place on the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, 2010, in the region near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has been flooding media headlines for the past few days. This unfortunate tragedy, which has claimed the lives of countless individuals, is a sad reality for everyone. In response, many countries in the immediate region and around the world have volunteered and donated a tremendous amount of resources focused on rescue efforts. While some of us may not be traveling to Haiti to assist the relief effort, we can still assist financially. You have probably encountered a variety of ways in which you can send a donation to help. If you have not already heard, however, the CECI has also established an Emergency Haiti Campaign. It is just another means through which your contribution can go towards providing aid to this nation.

CECI Donation Page

This update is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect a preference by WUSC at Trent University or WUSC in general in these relief efforts. You are free to donate to any organization of your choice and are encouraged to first consider those within your community or with whom you are most familiar. Please also continue to pray for the families who have lost loved ones.