On Wednesday, the University Students’ Council held its first meeting of the fall. Following is a brief summary of the major issues addressed by council:

General:

• Faculty of social science is now affiliated with Make-A-Wish Foundation

USC website:

• The USC has decided to redesign its website
• Feedback from students indicated the old website was difficult to navigate and not aesthetically pleasing
• The council will be arranging focus groups to discuss a new design

Student services:

• Student services is working towards distinguishing itself from clubs such as Pride Western, Women Issues Network, EnviroWestern and Ally Western
• The USC continues to develop the student services policy and to implement recommended changes from last year’s meeting. The rough draft — to be made public upon further review — has been created, outlining governance policy, elective selection procedure, statement of standards of service and health service removal policy

USC minutes:

• Council has made a decision to upload a summary of minutes on its website as opposed to a complete transcript
• The minutes will include hyperlinks to guide the user to a video of the council meetings, so they can see a full presentation of the issues being addressed
• New posting will ensure minutes will be more accessible to the general public

UCC space update:

• Desks have been taken down in the atrium to be replaced with kiosks for students — the emphasis on this space is for it to have multiple uses
• The space in the UCC atrium formerly occupied by Wellman’s Cleaners is now occupied by a smoothie and frozen yogurt bar — only a temporary use for the space
• Negotiations are still in the works for the gym space. The current priority is to make the gymnasium into lounge space for the use of students. This will be a multi-step process because of limited capital.  In the meantime, students and clubs are welcome to use the gym space for events.
• The cardio annex will be used for more retail space
• An area in the basement of the UCC may be turned into a 24-hour study area for students

The Spoke:

• The patio is awaiting approval for a liquor a license. Meanwhile, the interior renovations have ended, making the area available to students

Fund polices:

• The Occupancy Stabilization Fund will be used to offset increases in occupancy — this is the only time money will be used from this fund