On November 12th the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) Board of Directors convened following the ratification of new commissioners and the fulfilment of the outstanding Vice President College and University Affairs (VPUC) position. While brief, the meeting saw the Executive’s presentation of their reports, detailing the usual variety of Committee obligations, advocacy portfolios, and events curation. 

After the Chair’s Remarks and approval of the meeting’s agenda, VP Student Health & Wellness Bri Policicchio presented her Executive Report, with a focus on her work with the Food Services Advisory Committee and various workshops she had facilitated. 

Policicchio mentioned the “Frictionless Market” at the Bata Bean and its transition to BOOST, a mobile app that allows students to pre-order and pay for food services on campus using Trent Cash or their dining plan. This would render the attendee position at the Bean obsolete. While the app is already utilised by select locations on both Trent campuses, it should be noted that Trent University charges students a $0.99 service fee to each order placed through BOOST through the TrentU Card system. 

Other highlights from Policicchio’s report include the proposed increases in Trent’s dining plans, which would see both the fees for Traditional and Suite Style plans increase by $300. This drew some ire from Environmental/Sustainability Commissioner Alyssa Scanga during the question period of the report presentation.

“I'm just a bit confused about the purpose behind increasing the dining plan to address food insecurity, because from the way I understand it, it's just that the students aren't necessarily able to afford to pay the high prices,” Scanga inquired. “They're still paying more and that's not really addressing food insecurity.” 

Policicchio explained how Food Services “can't keep such a competitively low dining and meal plan because students are running out too fast” with rising prices and inflation being the cited reasons behind the proposition. 

Additionally, Policicchio declared that she “didn’t appreciate” the proposed increases. 

VP Campaigns & Equity Alexx Bodden, outlined her role in the TCSA’s participation in the CFS National Day of Action. 

“I can't remember off the top of my head how many students, but we had over 1,000 students, probably over 3,000 students across the province for the National Day of Action, so that was pretty good,” Bodden reported. 

VP University and College Affairs Rovel Rehman detailed her new Committee appointments, discussing how a student representative brought up the need for “more emphasis on student services” for academic and wellness-related resources and especially those related to mental health.

Rehman also discussed the shortage in academic advisors, citing how difficult it is for students to access academic advising and how the University has hired more advisors but not more roles in Academic Skills. 

Finally, Association President Aimee Anctil presented on her various advocacy fronts and events she organized, starting with a report on her continued push to mobilize Trent’s student residence life staff, especially trying to increase student participation in the TCSA’s March elections.

“Hopefully the housing department can also help us with getting some more voter turnout from students and residents,” Anctil stated.

Anctil further reported on a supposed collaboration with CUPE 3908 on facilitating a Student Staff Union, citing how she is “just waiting on some more engagement from student staff on that front.”

On the subject of unions, Anctil also made mention of the commencement of the TCSA’s email campaign to City Council in order to advise the City on “what the circumstances are for students and how students are in solidarity with the ATU.”

When questioned by Arthur if other unions on campus had been sought out, Anctil reported that they were “speaking quite closely” with the Trent University Faculty Association (TUFA) and CUPE 3908, citing how there will be an inter-union meeting in relation to the impending strike.

Anctil also spoke to a joint statement released by TCSA, the Trent Durham Students Association (TDSA) and the Trent Graduate Student Association (TGSA) on the ongoing attacks on Palestine, with the statement coordinating support efforts for affected students “as needed.”

During the question period for the President’s report, Arthur brought up the Association’s November 8th purchase of McDonald’s breakfast for the TCSA’s outing to the CFS National Day of Action, which is against current Boycott, Divest, Sanction actions against the fast food corporation. When asked about a commitment to BDS guidelines, Anctil briefly replied “yes,” then deferred to VP Bodden, who was responsible for the organization of the Action and the purchase of the food. 

Bodden then apologized for the “oversight,” and when it was mentioned to Bodden by Commissioner Alyssa Scanga beforehand, she stated that “it had already been paid for at that time.” 

There was no further comment from the TCSA on their position to adhere to BDS guidelines besides a brief “yes” from both Executives. It is worth noting that the TCSA has not had an official BDS stance since a previous policy on the matter was rescinded in 2015 amid controversy. 

After a short presentation of Committee appointments by Resource Manager Wendy Walker, who was the only staff member present, the meeting enthusiastically adjourned at 1:33 PM.

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