UNBSJ student refugee program copes with scheduling conflicts

Managing conflicting schedules for club events is never easy. Is our SRC rising to the task?

By Rafal Szymanski

Planning events at UNBSJ is not an easy task.  The fact that the best “real-estate” for weekend fundraising (being Friday nights) are already booked by the Student Representative Council makes it even harder.  How are clubs supposed to raise money if the “prime-time” for fundraising is already taken by the student government?

The SRC has decided to host Student Party Nights every Friday, 10:00-2:00.  Although this can result in being an excellent idea it does pose certain problems for clubs on campus.  WUSC (World University Service of Canada) has recently tried to host dance party fundraiser nights and was informed that all Fridays (for the rest of the semester) are already booked.  Although the possibility exists of a partnership between the various clubs and the SRC, prices for entrance are fixed and the proceeds, for the most part, are already spoken for.

Where does that leave clubs in need of fundraising?  In the ditch.  Those interested in going to the Student Party Nights will be able to do so for a symbolic charge $2.00 as an entrance fee.  Don’t get me wrong, this is great!  Affordable parties on campus will attract that much needed crowd at Tucker’s bar.  But as with all great ideas, they benefit some, while not others.

Back to WUSC.  It is an entity on campus that is almost invisible to those that do not actively try to get involved.  I don’t know the reason for this, but it is how it is.  After hearing about the great work they do, I was moved to spread this message, to pass on to others the opportunity to change the world.

A leading Canadian international development agency, WUSC is a network of individuals and post-secondary institutions.  If you are looking for volunteer experience, international travel, or are concerned with the state of the world in which we live, WUSC is what you are looking for.

Our mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training.  Education has the ability to change to world.  It gives power to the powerless and fosters lasting international relationships.

WUSC-UNBSJ’s most ambitious endeavor achieves every aspect of this goal, one individual at a time. It is called the Student Refugee Program. Thanks to the hard work of many, we have been able to gain the financial support needed to enable a student refugee to pursue their academic goals at UNBSJ in 2009-2010 as well as acquire permanent residency status in Canada so that they may start a new life free of violence and persecution.

The success of this project inspired WUSC members to try to financially support a second refugee student.

These efforts encompass the reality of attaining large sums of money, money that, frankly, WUSC UNBSJ does not have.  Not being a certified club at UNBSJ, WUSC does not receive SRC funding.  It is an international organization that relies on the dedication of its members to fundraise on and off campus.

Founded more than 60 years ago, WUSC is a registered Canadian charity with headquarters in Ottawa (Ontario) and regional offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  This club transcends borders, it reflects the reality that is the human spirit: that we are open to change, to bridging the gap between rich and poor, to providing others in this world with the same opportunities we are blessed with.  All we have to do is give some of our time and effort.

WUSC at UNBSJ is in need of people willing to participate and belong to an organization that brings people together, regardless of race, color, or creed.  The university and its students provides for an excellent opportunity to do this.  Large amounts of money can be raised, and yet the effort is being hindered (albeit, unintentionally) by SRC Student Party Nights.  I know that it is not the intention of the SRC to curb other club events.  It reality, all the SRC want is for students to participate in campus life.  This is all well and good.

The Student Party Nights on campus came to fruition when it became evident students do not see it as a place to enjoy themselves.  Students living in residence have no other choice but to pay expensive cab fares in order to have the priviledge of once again paying $5 at the door.  The idea is that $2 will not only attract students because it is close and convenient, but the low cost, and cheaper drinks once inside, but turn Tucker’s into a regular hand out spot.

The SRC does not believe students will pay $5 to hang out at a bar on campus.  I agree with that, on a normal night, I would not either.  But once in a while, something happens that can alter the way you conduct yourself, how you spend your money, and what places you occupy and frequent.  What is more, the most recent earthquake in Haiti has revealed just how willing our students are to help those most in need.  Can UNBSJ students afford to reach out and give similar opportunities they have been given to them by birthright?  How can we afford not to?

Students will be more than willing to donate $5 as an entrance fee to Tucker’s Bar if they know the money is going to an organization that already brings results to our campus.  We study with the very students that benefit from WUSC work on campus.  They are in our school!

Like any government, the SRC is inevitably going to be criticized.  Their job is to walk a thin line between servicing the student body while attempting to avoid encroaching on their time, effort, and opportunity.

I have no qualms with the SRC, they are extremely helpful when needed.  Much of what they do is excellent work.  This case, on the other hand, weakens the possibility that WUSC will meet its fundraising goals and sponsor another refugee to study at UNBSJ.

See more information about WUSC at www.wusc.ca

Rafal Symanski is a staff writer with the Baron.