The Queen’s University Alma Mater Society also had the privilege to present at the prebudget committee hearings this morning in sunny and frigid Kingston. Our presentation focused on student success, and how it is affecting Queen’s. Because over 90% of Queen’s student leave their home to attend the school, student services provides the support that would normally be found at home with family members. This is why it is imperative that student services are readily accessible and are maintained, even throughout budget cuts.
Furthermore, we emphasized how teaching quality needs to be a focus of universities and that it is one of the highest priorities for undergraduate students. Creating teaching chairs, and training PhDs students in pedagogy is vital to ensuring that the new generation of professors can properly reach out to students and engage them with the curriculum. Universities need to start blending research and teaching, and make them of equal priority so that more students are able to attain post secondary credentials.
After the presentation, we answered a few questions. The committee was interested in the specific challenges at Queen’s, including the inability to expand and new capital projects. The committee seemed impressed in that we did not ask for lower tuition, which was something none of them had seen before from a student presentation. Our understanding of the government’s situation was appreciated and refreshing said one MPP. In the hallway, MPP Charles Sousa complimented us on our presentation, and related stories of his own children who are attending university and stated that he was very sympathetic to the students. I think the presentation was a great way to highlight the new and evolving issue of student success to the government. It was a nice and fairly relaxed atmosphere, and I never felt as though I was on trial. Being the second time slot of the day really helped in that everybody on the committee looked fresh and attentive.
It was nice to have somewhat of a follow up from LobbyCon. I even recognized a few faces from lobby meetings, and hopefully this will translate to having a stronger message when the budget gets made.
-Adam Zabrodski
Vice-President (University Affairs)
Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University
