Presidential Candidates

My name is Alaine Spiwak and I am a fourth-year student studying International Development and Politics. I am excited and honored to be re-running for my current position of TCSA President for 2016/2017.

Since I started my time here at Trent, I have been an active member in various parts of our community. Before being elected as TCSA President in 2015/2016, I spent a year as the TCSA Ethical Standards Commissioner, was co-chair of Trent Free the Children and Trent Get REAL, volunteered for Gzowski College ISW staff and the Trent Ambassador team, and I am currently an employee at the Trent Athletic Centre.

I am passionate about student leadership because of my positive experience at Trent, and I want to do everything I can to maintain and improve everyone’s time at Trent. To show how I have and wish to continue working toward this, I have highlighted some of this year’s achievements below.

In my time as president I worked hard to build respectful relationships with Trent administration, which resulted in many successes for the TCSA and our students.

In regards to the new Student Centre, I vigorously negotiated with Trent to have the TCSA portion of annual utility and operational costs reduced nearly in half ($141K to 82K in the first year).

I also saved $60,000 for the TCSA transit budget, as students were previously being charged for snow removal on campus (taken from your transit levy). This means we now have an extra $60,000 every year to improve our Trent Express service.

As someone passionate about social justice and sustainability, I personally launched the TCSA “Respect Indigenous Space” campaign, partnered with the Trent Muslim Student Association to arrange a solidarity event and increased support and partnership with our regional groups, TISA and TUNA.

As well, just this week we will be launching Trent’s Green Dish Program, a program that allows students to rent reusable dishes for their events, instead of buying disposable ones, that will be stored and cleaned by Chartwells.

I dedicated my year to honouring student voice. We launched the new TCSA app which has over 1,400 users, installed suggestion boxes in OC and Bata, ran multiple tabling sessions handing out free snacks and collecting student feedback, launched multiple student surveys and facilitated collecting student feedback for the current Trent University external review processes.

You spoke this year and I listened. I’m basing my goals for next year on what students want: improved food services (healthier options, more variety, lower prices), reliable ATMs on campus, the development of the dirt path between the Champlain Annex and campus, support for our student athletes, the regulation of international student tuition fee increases, lobbying for affordable post-secondary education and much more.

There is nothing more important to me than the students and their ability to have their voice heard on campus. I can offer this to you, along with my promise to always act honestly, professionally, democratically and fair.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

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Dear Students,

My name is Corey LeBlanc and I am a third-year student studying Economics. I am excited and honoured to be running for the position of TCSA President for 2016/2017.

I am an active member of the Peterborough and Trent community. I have served on the TCSA’s Organizational Review and Development Committee (ORDC), I was a student representative on the Architect Selection Panel for Trent’s planned state-of-the-art student centre.

I was a leading advocate for equality on campus as a pivotal member of the ‘Trent4Israel’ campaign to remove the hateful and anti-Semitic “Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment against Israel” policy (including a summer as a successful intern with the world renown Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies), and I currently serve as the secretary-treasurer of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Campus Association representing hundreds of campus activists province-wide.

I am a passionate advocate for Trent in every capacity in which I serve, and I believe the qualities that have made me successful in other endeavours will make me an asset as the president of the TCSA.

Folks, the reality is that post-secondary education in Ontario is going to hell.

We have a problem, and the problem is incompetent and ineffective student leadership, coupled with a government who takes advantage of this fact. The TCSA needs a president with common sense, logic and strength.

The TCSA needs a president who will fight for the students when negotiating with university administration. The TCSA needs a president who understands not only how to make a deal, but how to make a good deal. The TCSA needs someone who will let you, the students and its due-paying members, decide how, where and when your money is spent.

The big money school administration, vested special interests and our current ineffective student leadership do not want to see us succeed.

They do not want us to take back our student union. They do not want to see us have a voice, because if this happens, they will be forced to give students a fair shake and that means less for them. Make no mistake; I am not their friend.

My goal will never, and has never, been to win a popularity contest. I do not care if the administration likes us, or likes what we represent; I care that they respect us, and believe me, they will.

I am the only candidate-for-president who represents fundamental change within the TCSA. I am the only candidate who will take immediate and meaningful action against sexual assault on campus.

I am the only candidate that is in support of a campus-wide referendum on all ‘opt-out’ levy fees, to allow you to have your voice heard on the fees you pay to your student union.

I am the only candidate that can effectively represent all voices on campus, without bias and without prejudice, and I am the only candidate that will fight for students struggling in poverty.

With your help, we will take the TCSA back, and We Will Make Trent Great Again.

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Vice President Campaigns and Equity

Upon arrival to Trent, I became involved with the South Asian Association (SAAT). As VP, I have grown with the community.

Meanwhile, I have stayed in touch with my roots, teaching myself river-dance and creating Saoirse Central, a radio program about Irish culture and politics.

Political issues have always intrigued me, especially because I am a political science major. As co-chair of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), I address many domestic and international issues.

Working with the Student Refugee Program has broadened my outlook. Another issue I am passionate about concerns the stigmatizing of the disabled. As co-president of Best Buddies at Trent I work to break these barriers.

On occasion, my outlook towards the world is communicated textually, as evident by my involvement with Arthur Newspaper. English being my other major, I value creativity and expression.

All of this and more has been my experience thus far at Trent.  My involvement with over a dozen TCSA groups this year has shown me many different perspectives. As VP of Campaigns and Equity, I will voice these perspectives on behalf of the TCSA.

Some objectives I have for the upcoming year:

i) Focus on environmental health: Reach out to members of Sustainable Trent, SERTU and the Environmental Science Department. Emphasize the importance of nature-awareness; support our Environment and Sustainability Commissioner. Set an initiative to increase litter clean-ups and nature walks. Encourage the consumption of locally-grown food, with the aid of our Ethical Standards Commisioner and stress the benefit that this offers both environmental health and personal health. Continue support for the Divest campaign. Work alongside the Indigenous Commissioner to encourage protest of the oil sands in Alberta.

ii) Focus on mental health: create more spaces for discussion, such as peer-to-peer counselling and forms of group therapy. Conduct a campaign that which helps to explain the cause and effect of mental health and the lack thereof. Set up a weekly program on Trent Radio where mental illness is discussed. Set up a pen pal program for the exchange of confidential letters, submitted anonymously. Encourage involvement with helplines in the local area.

iii) Focus on physical health, as an extension of mental health. Cooperate with various sport associations, while stressing the importance of physical activity. Explain the correlation between mental and physical health, and social and academic life. Create spaces for students to be physically active, especially during the winter, when inactivity can lead to depression.

iv) Address forms of oppression by identifying the presence of it within our community. Create avenues through which students can tackle these issues on campus, in Peterborough and beyond. Work with Equity Commissioners to launch one anti-racism and one gender-oriented campaign. Organize at least two speeches or gatherings to address transphobia and homophobia respectively. Launch at least one poster campaign which addresses ableism on campus.

Life at Trent has been crazy busy and I’m ready to continue the ride. Onwards and upwards! Vote Ryan Newman for Vice President of Campaigns and Equity!

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tānisi nitōtēmak! Greetings, friends! My name is Brendan Campbell and I am running for the position of Vice-President Campaigns and Equity.

I would like to begin first by acknowledging the various privileges I hold. I am indigenous, queer and non-cis, but I understand that my identities are ambiguous and that I do not experience oppression or prejudice to the extent that others with these identities face. I also acknowledge that there are other systems of oppression I will never experience.

As an indigenous and two-spirited (queer) individual, I am aware of how representation in leadership and programming can impact my participation in a space. It is for that reason that I state my privileges. But more needs to be done than making this acknowledgement.

Safer spaces and student voice are very important to me. These two things have informed the decisions I made, as Indigenous Students Commissioner, and they will continue to inform my decisions as VPCE, if elected.

By establishing an Equity Space that meets regularly, is open to TCSA Board members and the greater student community and privileges Equity Commissioners and other individuals of oppressed identities, we can build capacity within the TCSA Board so we can effectively and collaboratively challenge forms of oppression.

It can also be a site for growth and learning for all who attend, as we can share stories and decompress, but also strategize and learn about different mobilization approaches.

Such a space would work to create safer spaces and bring student voice to inform all sorts of aspects of the TCSA, from advocating efforts to the eight monthly events of the VPCE.

However, the discussions don’t need to end there. As an indigenous and queer student, I can attest to the empowerment that can occur within the Canadian Federation of Students.

Challenging oppression can be more effective if brought to the provincial and national stages. I would work with the equity commissioners and various student groups in drafting motions. I would also seek alternate funding when needed in providing more students the opportunity to participate in the CFS.

With respect to those who are not marginalized and do not experience other forms of oppression, I welcome them to the discussions as well. Equity is incredibly important to me.

Therefore, navigating discussions with privilege in mind is essential in working towards equity. However, as students, we are not yet the educators, lawyers, police officers and other professionals who operate within oppressive institutions.

I believe in a process of educating and “calling in” with students. No student should feel left behind. I strongly believe in the student movement and that it can operate effectively at various levels to challenge oppression, educate the community and empower students to be the thinkers and innovators who work towards an equitable and harmonious future.

takī-ihkin kahkiyaw awiyak ta-pīkiskwēt. It can be possible for all to speak. kinanāskomitināwāw. I am grateful to you all. mācihtātān. Let’s get started.

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Vice President University and College Affairs

Hello, I am Anna Leonova, a second-year biochemistry student. For the two years I have spent here at Trent, I have been actively involved with the student community.

I was a part of the Trent Equestrian Club and singer of the jazz band for Trent University Music Society (TUMS) last year, I was also volunteering for the Trent University Russian Speaking Association (TURSA) as a teacher of Russian language classes.

The experience from being a part of these groups developed me as a person from different perspectives: academic, physical and emotional.

As an international student, I faced many challenges during my first year.

By being involved with many student groups, I was able to cope with all the pressures, as well as adapt myself to my new environment.

At the end of the year, I was not afraid of the awaiting challenges of second year anymore. I was simply looking forward to them with the confidence that I would definitely overcome them.

In my second year at Trent, I became the president of TURSA and the membership officer at Trent University Group in support of the Red Cross. All achievements and failures of our activities throughout the year provided me with priceless experience and knowledge.

I believe that all of the positions I have ever held have prepared me for the position of TCSA VP University and College Affairs. I understand the level of responsibility and dedication required for the position and I am ready to devote myself to the mission of Trent Central Student Association.

Colleges of Trent are the main bodies of the university’s mechanism. They are not only facilities of academic success, but our shelter and our home.

Since TCSA was established as a liaison between college cabinets and university administration, my role would be to foster the cooperation of colleges as once created. It is important to keep traditions and values of the institution we belong to, so I will do my best to exceed expectations for Trent’s honours.

I believe I can provide a positive input to the work of the Colleges and Student Services Committee (CASSC), as I lived on campus myself during the first year and I am familiar with the administrative and social aspects of life in college.

Since the main goal of every single student is to get our education and knowledge that would prepare us for our future career, it is an important to meet students’ and services’ interests. I am sure I will be capable to speak for your issues and concerns.

TCSA always has unforgettable events and I will be happy to contribute to the success of the association’s activities.

All year round, starting with the orientation week, the TCSA gets every student involved with the community and makes sure no one is left behind.

I have experience organizing events and collaborating with different people, and experience listening to and hearing people – I will make sure every student is heard and everyone’s interests are represented.

Hello my name is Andrew Clark, I am an English major. I am running for Vice President of University and College Affairs.

I currently hold a position as equity commissioner for the TCSA. I am currently the Vice President of the Trent Southeast Asian Organization.

Both of these positions have given me the experience of working within the political sphere of Trent and advocating on students’ behalf while working with administration and the colleges.

The issues that I would like to focus on are looking at the contract that Chartwells agreed to, and seeing if it is being upheld.

Also, if it is not working with the people who are already working on this issue, I would like to assist them in trying to fix the issue.

I would like to look further into Traill College and options related to it with Trent administration, along with making sure the dialogue is open to students.

I work with the administration in looking at complaints or issues student are having with curriculum's and working to find solutions with both the student and the administration.

Vote for me!

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Ethical Standards Commissioner

I am a fourth-year student studying both International Political Economies and Business Administration. My academic interests include urban economic development, urban governance and security studies.

As the Equity Commissioner for Ethical Standards, I hope to evaluate and re-calibrate the university’s internal procurement policies, in order to incorporate more local and ethical suppliers, while simultaneously being mindful of budgetary constraints.

I believe that by doing so, not only will we reinforce Trent’s traditionally ethical image, but we will and can also help strengthen the surrounding community at large.

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Vice President Clubs and External Affairs

Hello! My name is Pippa O’Brien and I am running for Vice President Clubs & External Affairs at the TCSA.

I am returning for a fifth year at Trent to finish a second undergraduate degree in Economics, since I am planning on graduating with a BSc in Anthropology this April.

Last year I was elected as Vice President University and College Affairs (VPUC), and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work for students this year.

During my time as VPUC I helped organize the association’s activities for Orientation Week, Dis-Orientation Week and Frost Week. I was the executive in charge of clubs, including overseeing there training and funding, and I sat on numerous committees across campus.

Prior to last year, I was part of Lady Eaton College Cabinet for two years. This year I have also been part of a group of students who revived the Journal of Undergraduate Studies at Trent, and I have recently joined the board of OPIRG as a non-voting member.

Through these experiences I have a strong understanding of how the TCSA, clubs and levy groups and Trent University runs. I hope to continue to build upon what I have learned over the past years and bring this knowledge to the position.

Based on my understanding of the position, I would like to accomplish at least two events a semester with external organizations as well as liaising with them, as well as maintaining and improving the TCSA’s Clubs and Groups services.

For instance I would like work with the Graduate Student Association to maintain student voice in discussions about Traill College, and organize an event to help fourth-year students applying to graduate programs.

I hope to build the relationship between the TCSA and the unions at Trent to continue labour rights conversations with students, such as with the CLIFF film festival.

I plan on organizing a volunteer day downtown with Fleming College to get students out into the Peterborough community.

I would also like to work on larger events in collaboration with the levy groups and TCSA clubs, for instance working with the TBSA to hold financial literacy events for students, as well as continuing the TCSA radio show with Trent Radio.

Regarding TCSA clubs, I would like to continue to increase the transparency of the clubs’ funding process, so groups can better predict the amount of funding they will receive. I would also like to organize clubs roundtables or drop-in events for clubs and groups to provide feedback or ask questions.

I plan on attending city hall meetings and distribute my notes to increase student engagement with the city.

Finally, last year I began working with the Downtown Business Improvement Area for Orientation week activities and would like to continue this relationship.

I hope you will give me the opportunity to take on this position in its first year of existence. Thank you for your support, and I hope to see record numbers of students voting this year!

My name is Sam Khaira and I am a third-year Business Administration student at Trent University. Before coming to our beautiful campus, I attended Sheridan College and graduated with an advanced diploma in accounting.

While at Sheridan, I was dually involved with student led initiatives and elected to Sheridan Student Union’s executive as Vice President of Services. I have also had the privilege to serve on the local board of Cystic Fibrosis Canada in Peel region.

As VP clubs, my goal is to review the funding formula for clubs and groups so that more money can be put into the hands of all of our 68-plus campus clubs. Being fiscally responsible, I intend to find cost savings in the existing budget in order to fund the increases.

I will also work closely with all 37 levy groups ensuring their needs are being met. As VP external, I will leverage my existing personal and professional relationships with the elected officials to further the interests of Trent’s student body.

In this newly created role, I will build upon my prior student government experience so that I can hit the ground running.

I strongly believe in participatory politics where the average Joe and Jane are heard and everyone gets to have a say. Voting is the cornerstone of any democratic system and ours is no different. This general election, I urge you to cast your vote and get involved. Remember, every vote counts.

From March 14 to 17, I ask for your vote of confidence so I can serve you as your new Vice President of Clubs and External Affairs.

Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Sam and I am the one with a plan. Thank you.

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Anti-Racism Commissioner

Ndizhnaakaaz, my name is Shanese Steele and I am running to be your Anti-Racism Commissioner for the 2016/2017 academic year.

Trent has a growing diverse student population, with more racialized students choosing to make our halls and classrooms their academic home.

With that comes a challenge for both racialized and white students on our Trent campus. Racism is very well alive in our society, as well as systemically. It is an issue that affects all of us.

Racialized students continuously face micro-aggressions and overt racism, while white students are coming into to contact with new terms such as white privilege.

I have the privilege of coming from a diverse and intersectional background. My father is a Trinidadian immigrant, while my mother comes from an Indigenous and European ancestry.

Being a black and indigenous queer woman has allowed me to apply these intersectionalities to both my personal life as well as my time here at Trent.

This past year I served as the co-president of the Trent University Native Association as well as the Infinite Reach Facilitator for the Métis Nation of Ontario. These positions allowed me to hear the voices of racialized students at Trent.

They raised concerns about the struggles that they face as indigenous students, as well as the racism they must endure during their academic journey.

I have had the privilege to attend some events run by the Trent African Caribbean Student Union and listened in as other black students discussed things such as Black History Month as well as systematic oppression.

On March 4 I sat on a panel for an event entitled “Gendered Voices in a Changing World,” where we discussed the barriers and issues that gendered and minority voices face in the world of politics.

I spend my time at Trent working tirelessly to create safe spaces for racialized students. As a result of actively striving for change I have attended Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) racialized and indigenous constituency groups where we discussed ways to combat racism and colonization.

I plan to further progress and make our voices heard. I will be attending a summit later this month called R.I.S.E (Racialized and Indigenous Students Experiences). It was created to address the issues racialized, and indigenous students face on our campuses.

If elected as Anti-Racism commissioner I will dedicate my year to creating spaces for us to learn about the ways we can collectively combat racism on our campus.

I intend to do so with various mediums, some of which will be workshops addressing “reverse racism,” allyship, people of colour self-care nights, as well as campaigns such as “I’M NOT YOUR MASCOT,” and Black on Campus. I will also address lateral violence between people of colour, Islamophobia and xenophobia.

Combatting racism is about finding ways to call in and call out problematic behaviour. Ultimately, the goal is to create safe spaces for racialized students to address the barriers and racism they face in conjunction with non-racialized individuals.

While I am aware that I will not be able to completely eradicate racism at Trent on my own, I do believe that in partnership with you, the student body, we can unite against racism at Trent, and I am the one with a plan.

Thank you.

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International Students Commissioner

I am Ivana. I am an international student from Montenegro, a small European country on the Mediterranean coast.

I was born in Montenegro, but I finished my high school in the Netherlands where I had the privilege to be a part of a vibrant international community as a student of the United World College of Maastricht.

Being influenced by such a diverse community, I became very passionate about learning about different cultures.

After that, I continued my journey here at Trent. I am a first-year student in forensics. I am also an active member of our community, interacting on daily basis both with international and domestic students.

From those interactions, I became aware of some disputes concerning the international student body.

Therefore, I decided to run for the position of the International Students Commissioner.

Three main problems I would like to address at this juncture are: international tuition fees, healthcare and the interaction gap between international and domestic students.

International students who choose to pursue their graduate or undergraduate degree in Ontario are either from wealthy families who can afford the fees or from middle and low-income families that receive some kind of financial assistance.

The reason many middle or low-income families cannot afford fees is that tuition fees for international students are extremely high – at rates double or triple the fees paid by domestic students.

Moreover, the tuition fees are not regulated by the provincial government, which means that fees can increase by any percentage.

This certainly is not fair. Additionally, international students do not have OHIP and are required to obtain an alternative, private health insurance called UHIP.

This usually comprises of high costs, limited coverage and bureaucratic obstacles.

These are major limitations preventing international students from pursuing their degree in Ontario, despite being a huge contribution to the university communities through their diversity and global perspectives.

If elected, I would try to get involved in groups and organizations, like the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) Ontario, where I would be able to continue building on the work of Boykin Smith, the current International Students Commissioner, and fight for fairness for international students.

I would be willing to organize platforms where international students of Trent would share their concerns with me. Moreover, as I am a part of Trent’s WUSC, TISA and TIP student groups, I would be able to act as a liaison between these groups and the TCSA.

When it comes to bridging the evident interaction gap between the international and domestic students here at Trent, I would attempt to put together events where both groups would have a chance to interact with each other.

I would promote and represent international education at Trent and in Peterborough.

Additionally, I would encourage the domestic students to attend the regional group events. I believe that my leadership skills would help me achieve these goals.

My organizational skills, coming from being a part of the organizing teams of different conferences and events, would certainly aid the goal achievement.

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Queer Students Commissioner

My name is Annette Pedlar and I am a third-year student taking a double major in Politics and Indigenous Studies. I’m running for the TCSA’s Queer Commissioner, and excited about the opportunity to represent Trent’s queer community and our allies alike.

Before I go any further I’d like to acknowledge the stolen Indigenous land that we are all working, learning and living on.

I believe that when fulfilling a position such as an equity commissioner it is imperative to bring an intersectional approach to understand and recognize the many different layers of oppression within our campus and community.

Throughout my time here at Trent I have become involved in many different capacities on campus and throughout the community.

I played on the varsity women’s volleyball team last year and currently play intramural soccer.

I sit on the Board as a member for OPIRG (Ontario Public Interest Research Group), an organization with a 40-year history of standing up for marginalized people and the environment here in Peterborough.

I was also elected as one of the vice presidents of the Trent University Politics Society this academic year. I encourage you all to become involved on campus!

During my term as Queer Commissioner, along with continuing Self-Love Week, I intend on making a map available that outlines all of the gender-neutral washrooms on campus. It is a positive step for the university to create these spaces, but it is now time to make them more accessible.

The fact that there are dozens of these spaces on campus, yet most people are only aware of the location a handful of them is a gap that needs to be filled.

Modelling after an initiative from San Francisco, I plan on beginning a campaign for the downtown businesses of Peterborough to be able to obtain certificates of “No Hate Space.”

Although I recognize that homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and other forms of queer-based hate happen on campus, we become the most vulnerable when we leave campus and venture downtown.

By providing training to business owners and workers, we can turn these downtown spaces into active allies who commit to not allowing the macro and micro aggressions of hate happen within their doors.

This initiative would be a collaborative effort with the incoming executive team and other equity commissioners, along with the municipality itself.

Finally, members of the queer community face an increased risk of mental health illnesses.

Health services on campus are underfunded and underserviced for all, but the increased risk of illness within the queer community means that this underfunding hurts queer people, especially.  I will tirelessly advocate for increased resources for health services on campus.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  I look forward to working with the TQC and other queer organizers and allies to strengthen the queer community on campus and in the larger community.  Please become engaged with your democracy and vote!!

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Indigenous Students Commissioner

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Referenda's

The Community Movements Conference referenda

The Community Movements Conference (CMC) is one of the largest undergraduate student-organized conferences.

Since 2007, conference has shed light on global issues and created a space where students, community members, academics and activists can share knowledge and engage in meaningful conversations.

The CMC tries to center dialogue around global issues and their local, regional and national implications. Past conference topics have included: “Migration: Exploring Roots & Routes,” “From Skyscrapers to Slums: the Dynamics of Urbanism” and “Water: A Thirst for Justice.”

The conference also features a “Challenge for Change” component, where a local organization is invited to present an issue that they are currently grappling with.

Attendees are given tools and skills necessary to present solutions to a real world issue and connect with local organizations.

A number of local organizations are also invited to attend a networking lunch where they can make meaningful connections with students. Yearly, the CMC welcomes all students, from all disciplines, interests and walks of life to join the conversation.

For nine years, dedicated students have raised the funds, planned the three-day event, collaborated with local organizations and gathered prominent speakers to make the CMC a successful event.

However, hosting such a widely attended three-day conference is costly. The CMC organizing committee hopes to create a refundable $0.75 levy to cover one-third of the cost of the conference.

Such a levy would allow the continuity of the CMC, facilitate annual fundraising efforts and create the opportunity for a larger, more successful conference.

The Warming Room

The Warming Room is a last resort shelter for Peterborough’s homeless population when they are unable to utilize any other resource in the city.

Located on Murray Street in downtown Peterborough, The Warming Room exists to provide a safe, warm place for the most vulnerable to sleep during the winter months.

For this reason, the shelter has an open door policy where all, no matter the state they are in when they arrive, are welcome.

At the shelter, a place to sleep is provided as well as a warm meal, blankets, laundry services and much needed supplies including socks and toothbrushes.

The Warming Room also works to begin to break down the barriers that exist in the city of Peterborough by providing a space where volunteers and overnight guests have a chance to meet, talk and learn from one another.

They are open every night of the week from 8:30p.m. to 8a.m., from Nov. 1 to April 30, and run primarily with the support of volunteers.

Knowledgeable staff, volunteer, and visiting community organizations help to connect guests with resources, especially those that help to secure safe affordable housing.

It is because of the great services, and unfortunately the need of these services, that I am trying to include the Warming Room in the Trent student levy.

I am campaigning for a $2 refundable fee to be added to the levy, so the Warming Room can continue to provide a warm, safe place for Peterborough’s homeless.

A refundable fee means that students who do not wish to pay can receive their money back.

I would appreciate your support in my campaign and believe that voting “yes” for this student levy is a great way for students to make a valuable contribution to the health and safety of their community.

For more information on The Warming Room, visit www.warmingroom.ca or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thewarmingroom/

Thank you for your vote!

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Trent Vegetable Gardens

The Trent Vegetable Gardens (TVG) is a volunteer-driven levy group at Trent University. We operate two garden sites at Trent: the Rooftop Garden, which is located on top of the Environmental Science Complex, and the Field Garden, which can be found north of the DNA building.

The gardens take inspiration from organic, intensive, permaculture and indigenous agricultural methods, and strive to practice low-impact ecological agriculture.

The TVG seeks to reconnect students and community members with the source of their food by providing opportunities for individuals to learn about ecological agriculture, hands-on gardening skills and food system issues.

These learning opportunities take the form of workshops, student research projects, community service learning projects and work bees, as well as paid and volunteer positions.  We also manage a campus community garden, offering individual plots to students and community members wishing to grow their own food in a supportive environment.

Food grown in the Trent Vegetable Gardens is primarily given to the Seasoned Spoon Café, but it is also donated to volunteers and other community organizations like Food Not Bombs and community meal programs.

The partnership between the gardens and the Spoon represent the completion of a sustainable field-to-table food system at Trent and provides students with access to campus-grown foods at affordable prices.

The TVG are currently campaigning for a non-refundable $2 levy increase in the 2016 TCSA elections. With the levy increase, the gardens will be able to increase our programming such as running workshops during the school year, volunteer programs and additional student research projects and course connections.

We will also be able to work toward the development of a student food box program, providing students with direct access to sustainable campus-grown foods at subsidized prices.

Furthermore, we will be able to update equipment and purchase needed soil amendments on an ongoing basis. In anticipation of the Seasoned Spoon joining the full first year meal plan in the fall, we are also looking to scale up production.

Overall, a levy increase will improve sustainability of the TVG operations and increase tangible benefits for students. A $2 Levy increase will enable the TVG to:

-Increase staffing required to maintain two garden sites, grow organic produce, run programming and administer organization including additional student employment

opportunities

-Increase programming, including hands on workshops and volunteer days, volunteer mentorship programs and community gardens

-Work to develop a student food box program giving students direct access to campus-grown foods

-Increase student research opportunities for and academic course linkages

-Replace worn out equipment and update equipment as needed

-Purchase needed soil inputs for long-term soil sustainability

-Continue to be able to provide produce to the Seasoned Spoon Café in a viable manner

-Engage in additional fundraising activities in order improve infrastructure including composting, rain gathering systems, irrigation and educational signage