SU Updates for February

PROUD AT OCAD

HELLO OCADIANS!!
We have some good news for you!
There are some rumors circulating around that OCAD has started an LGBQTI2Q group!
Well…YES! It IS true – But you might ask your self,

What is LGBQTI2Q?

Let me tell you: LGBQTI2Q stands for: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Transgendered/Transsexual, Intersexed, 2-Spirited, Questioning.

OCAD’s Campus Life department, Diversity & Equity and Student Union have joined one more time to bring you all the brand new PROUD AT OCAD cafè talks!!
This group has been designed for all students, faculty, staff and alumni at OCAD; to provide a space to socialize, plan activities and exhibitions, support each other, celebrate, promote equity and social justice, break down barriers and educate the community.

Our Queer Cafè talks will happen the second Monday of every month, in room 5200 at 51 McCaul— for meeting and time updates please follow up on our FACEBOOK group “PROUD AT OCAD” –or contact Brent James at bjames@ocad.ca for more information!

STARVING STUDENTS PANTRY

HELLO AGAIN LITTLE KITTENS!
More great news from the UNION!
As usual things are constantly brewing up, and we’ve cooked a big meal this time.

Over 20 receptacles have been distributed around campus, including 113 McCaul and the first year building- this will help us to keep BIG TIME to keep our Starving Student’s Pantry constantly full. The Starving Students pantry has been created with all of you in heart. As we all know, times are tough, and life isn’t as easy as we thought it would.
The party will keep all sorts of dry goods, canned food, VEGAN, VEGETARIAN and NON-vegetarian items, cereals, grains, snacks, and MUCH MUCH more!

The Pantry is available for everybody, so c’mon and take a walk down the street, and grab a couple items, stock up YOUR belly,  and stop worrying on what’d for dinner.

THE SU COMMITTEES!

As you fellas might have read on our past issue of CADMIUM, the student union has started a number of committees: The Student Fees committee, The Special Events committee, and The Student Spaces committee. Each committee meets once a month on Mondays from 11:30am- 1pm at the Student Union.

We are inviting everyone to drop in,  and take part on any of these committees, our doors are always open and we hope with these committees we can spread some OCAD spirit throughout campus.

Student Spaces Committee
Co-Chairs: Chris Allen and Matt Moreland
-    The student spaces committee is focusing it’s attention in the enhancement of places around campus, that belong to students, and the re-birth of dead zones which can be used for intellectual interaction of students, faculty, staff and more.

Student Fees Committee
Chair: Alexander McKellar
-    The Student Fees Committee focuses around the paperwork of OCAD, where our money goes, why tuition keeps on increasing year after year, who makes decisions around the campus, and WHAT can we do to regulate it all, and make sure things run smoothly around Administration!

Special Events Committee
Co-Chairs: Sasha Oshckepkova and Long Gao
-The Special events committee will focus around planning the different events throughout the year. Sexy Bingo, the RETROSPECTIVE show, 2010 Orientation and many more! – Get involved in the fun things that OCAD offers students, and feel part of the Community and it’s events.

RETROSPECTIVE SHOW! April 7-19, 2010

End of year Student Work Exhibit!
Our annual retrospective, show is now accepting submissions, this end of year show, hosted by the Student Union consists of a variety of artworks from all disciplines throughout the school.

OCAD ‘s Retrospective show has taken place in the great hall for the past 3 years. And it is produced, curated and juried by students; this is an exciting opportunity to showcase your art and design combined in the one space for everybody to see!

We are looking for DESIGN and ART from ALL years and ALL majors.
The Retrospective will be in the Great Hall from April 7-19, 2010, with a
celebratory evening of performance and video screenings on April 8.

The DEADLINE for submissions is FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 by 4 PM.
If interested, please submit to the Student Union at 51 McCaul, IN PERSON- with the following requirements with your work.
1) 2-5 images of available work (color or black & white)
2) Full name, contact (phone + email) , department & year
3) Medium and approximate size
(This includes digital submissions)
4) A brief artist statement (5 sentences)
Design submissions should include a similar project brief.
NO E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

New Initiative at the OCADSU – Bulk Food Shop

We need feedback from the OCAD community about a new initiative under works at the Student Union. We want to expand our affordable, local and organic food services on campus by operating a small bulk-buying shop. By purchasing in bulk we are able to save money for YOU by avoiding the additional costs that supermarkets add on to make a profit. The SU is taking the following initiatives into consideration: 1) To purchase dry and packaged food items directly from Ontario Natural Food Coop, 2) To purchase freshly baked bread from a bakery in coordination with FoodShare delivery days.

The Bulk Shop would run in conjunction with our hugely successful Good Food Box program, where the SU acts as a delivery point for fresh fruit and vegetables from one of the largest centralized bulk buying organizations in Toronto, FoodShare. Our long term goal is to transform the Bulk Food Shop into a Food Co-op, meaning those who purchase their food from the co-op also decide how to run the shop.

Why is this important?
One thing we learned from the Drop Fees Campaign for a Poverty Free Ontario, was that students are facing an enormous crunch. “This past summer saw the highest level of youth unemployment on record.” Financial instability for students, combined with the highest tuition fees in the county has put a huge burden on post-secondary students. In their research, the Canadian Federation of Students has found that students cut back  on essentials such as textbooks and food in order to further stretch their dollars. This is something we’ve observed firsthand down at 51 McCaul, as the demand increases at our foodbank.

And, as many students can relate, a student budget often means the cheapest foods. Their nutritional content though questionable, will at least temporarily settle the hunger pangs in our bellies. But living off of processed foods doesn’t give us what our bodies desperately need – especially with the crazy schedules of student life. Deadlines, all-nighters, etc. all put extra stress on our bodies, and that’s when a balanced diet becomes that much more important.

The obstacle for many students in buying healthier options is often the cost. In 2008, the Ontario Association of Food Banks reported on the trends of short and long-term price increases of food staples in Canada beyond the rate of inflation. This is expected to continue into the decade. The other alarming trend is that the cost of healthier foods (bread, milk, eggs, produce etc.) is escalating at a much more rapid rate than non-healthy foods (such as processed cheese and confectionary items). For students living on a limited income, this means that healthier options become less and less accessible.

Let us know what you think!
You can help us get this project off the ground by filling out a short survey at:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PMNWSDS
Alternatively, you can send your thoughts and ideas to twhan@ocad.ca with the subject line: Bulk Food Shop