Hello Everyone,
My name is Kieran Slobodin and I’m the Academic Affairs Commissioner (2010-2011) for the Alma Mater Society, Queen’s University. I came to Queen’s in 2008 from Whitehorse, Yukon, where I was born and raised and have thus far enjoyed two wonderful years at university. I am currently entering my third year of studies with a major in Economics and a planned International Studies Certificate in the works. I would like to talk about my involvement with the Alma Mater Society here at Queen’s as well some of the issues facing my Commission this year.
I’ve been involved with I have been involved with this commission since October 2008 when I was hired to be an Academic Affairs Intern. Since then I’ve been a Deputy Commissioner and now, Commissioner. I’m also heavily involved in our Orientation Week as a Gael and Orientation Coordinator (different divisions of orientation leadership). Up until this year I was employed with our safety service, Walk Home, and continue to indulge myself in the outdoors through Queen’s Outdoors Club one of our 200 plus clubs.
The Academic Affairs Commission is in an excellent place to start the 2010-2011 year. The result of the efforts of many past commissioners, the commission is offering a key service to students this year in the form of an online Syllabus Bank and USAT publication site, to be released sometime in the fall. Additionally, this year is a very important time at our university as our new principal, Daniel Woolf, has begun an immense undertaking to draft a new Academic Plan and driving plan for our university. This is a critical time for students to weigh in on their academics at Queen’s and the commission will play a big role in facilitating that dialogue. Finally, for those of you planning to attend an OUSA General Assembly this year, if you come in the winter Queen’s will be your gracious host and we welcome you to come to campus.
Over the next year with OUSA I am hoping to be involved in researching and drafting our revised Financial Aid policy and, like my fellow Steering Committee member, Saad Aslam, I am very interested in the provincial government’s plans for the proposed Ontario Online Institute. I have very high hopes that this initiative will not only increase access and affordability to students by making university courses available online, but I am hoping this will lead to less restrictive inter-university credit transfer policies.
The upcoming year has a lot of exciting opportunities before it, both at home and across Ontario and I am proud to be a member of such an excellent team representing students across Ontario. I encourage you to visit the OUSA website often as it offers excellent updates on post-secondary education and if you have any questions for me individually you can contact me at aac@ams.queensu.ca or, if you’re ever at Queen’s, stop by our offices in the JDUC.
Cha Gheill!
Kieran Slobodin
Academic Affairs Commissioner
Queen’s University
