2020-2021 CBU STUDENTS' UNION - STRATEGIC OPERATING PLAN - CBU Students' Union
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CBU STUDENTS’ UNION
2020-2021
STRATEGIC OPERATING PLAN
1
A Message from Our Team
To the CBU Student Body:
We, the Cape Breton University Students’ Union Executive Team is pleased to present
the 2020-2021 Strategic plan for the CBU Students’ Union. During the summer months we have
taken the time to determine what our objectives are and what we want to accomplish
throughout the year.
As we enter the 2020-2021 academic year, we understand that it will be like no other.
Classes have been moved to online, many people will not be on campus, and students can
study from the comfort of their homes anywhere in the world. We want you to know that the
Cape Breton University Students’ Union is committed to providing services to students during
these unprecedented times. We have also committed to developing individual plans to ensure
that students have access to the services that they need. We strive to engage with students
more often and keep them informed about decisions being made within the CBUSU, we will
advocate on behalf of students with University and government officials and we will continue to
address our goals listed in this document.
This is not only a critical time for the Students’ Union, but for all CBU students. We will
provide our members with opportunities to allow them to improve their skills, network with
other students and speak out about student issues or concerns. To ensure transparency and
accountability, we commit to reporting on our progress throughout the year to the Students’
Representative Council via monthly reports.
Thank you for your support as we strive to achieve our objectives, and we look forward to
serving you in the 2020/2021 academic year.
Amrinder Singh Tom Joseph Scaria Haeley Langlois Ryan Magee
President and CEO Executive Vice President Vice President Promotions Vice President Finance
& Operations
2
Meet the Executive Team
Amrinder Singh
President & CEO
su_president@cbu.ca
Tom Joseph Scaria
Executive Vice President
su_evp@cbu.ca
Ryan Magee
Vice President Finance &
Operations
su_vpfo@cbu.ca
Haeley Langlois
Vice President Promotions
su_vpp@cbu.ca
3
Our Strategic Plan
This strategic plan is intended to serve as a guideline for decision making and prioritizing
the actions of the CBU Students’ Union. The purpose of the CBU Students’ Union has never
been clearer – we exist to serve the student population, to act as a collective voice, and to
increase the quality of life for CBU students. With special emphasis on the current global
pandemic and the constantly evolving needs of our student population, we have taken a deep
look into the ways to facilitate our services in ways that are accessible to all in this virtual world.
The CBUSU has met with multiple community partners and university officials to recognize
areas with opportunity for improvement, and as we progress through the 2020-2021 academic
year this plan will guide our decisions, services, and events with students’ best interest in mind.
Vision
The Cape Breton University Students’ Union strives to provide students with services that meet
their ever-changing needs and to play an active role in all student matters. Through advocacy
and representation within the University and with the community at large, as well as the
services provided through CBU Students’ Union, it is our goal to provide a fully accessible
learning environment while increasing student satisfaction, engagement, and a diverse profile
of social activities.
Mission
The Cape Breton University Students’ Union advocates for high quality, fully accessible
education system which recognizes students as the priority. We are the collective voice of the
students of Cape Breton University. We create change through advocacy. We inspire growth
through engagement. We are here for one sole purpose—serving the students.
The Cape Breton University Students’ Union is committed to offering services that help to fulfill
the diverse needs of the student body. These services include:
Ø Student Advocacy Ø Health & Dental Ø Capers Helping
Ø Food Bank Plans Capers
Ø Women’s Centre Ø Legal Aid Ø Campus Events
Ø Pride and Ally Ø Student Societies Ø The Pit Lounge
Centre Ø Emergency Ø Caper
Ø Multicultural Hub Bursary Fund Convenience
Ø Indigenous Ø Caper Times
Liaison Office
4
Values
Every action was taken by the Students’ Union, and every event (both educational and purely
entertainment), is driven by the core values of our executive team. These values are:
1) Advocacy – Voicing the concerns of all students and providing accurate representation
to governing bodies that influence change.
2) Adaptability – Recognizing constantly evolving priorities and having the ability to shift
focus to accommodate student needs.
3) Inclusivity – Ensuring that the actions of the Students’ Union, the portfolio of events
throughout the academic year, and our representation within the community are
diverse and meet the needs of all students.
4) Accountability & Integrity – Holding each other responsible for our actions and
decisions, and their impact on the student population. We act in good faith and set
aside personal bias in making decisions for the student body at large.
5) Fiscal Responsibility – Spending student dollars in meaningful ways that directly impact
students. As a non-profit organization, we aim to utilize every dollar collected by
providing services to the best of our ability while placing emphasis on those that see
long-term rewards.
6) Innovation/Creativity – Creating events, workshops, and reaching out to students in a
way that engages our diverse population.
7) Transparency – Through record-keeping, engagement with the SRC, budget committees,
CBUSU Executive meetings, and consistent office hours, we want students to be aware
of how and why decisions are made within the Union.
Strategic Planning Process
The CBUSU Executive engaged in the process this spring and summer to determine strategic
outcomes that reflect the overall vision of the CBUSU which includes our campaign
commitments, long term plans of previous Executive, current academic environment, and
effects from COVID-19 restrictions. The planning process included:
o The transition from the 2019-2020 CBUSU Executive Team
o 2020-2021 Budget Committee
o CBU Senate and Board of Governor introduction
o 2020-2021 Coordinator and Centre Review
o Strategic review with CBUSU Full Time Staff
o Information sessions with our CBU Partners & Community Partners
o Information sessions with CBUSU Legal and Accounting Audit Partners.
o Final strategic plan approval by 2020-2021 executive
2
CBUSU Executive Key Priorities 2020-2021
The CBUSU Executive recognizes that the 2020-2021 academic year will be unlike any other and
that at this time it is more important than ever to adapt to the needs of our student
membership. It has been decided that the goals for this year can be put into three categories
that reflect the ideals of the Students’ Union:
1) Advocacy and Representation
Ø Opening communication channels with students to voice collective concerns.
Ø Representation within the University and the community-at-large.
Ø Recognize the financial and societal hardships of students and voice such concerns to
governing bodies.
2) Students’ Union Services
Ø Prioritize online services
Ø Finding creative ways to provide students with resources and workshops both in-person
and online
3) Student Engagement and Campus Culture
Ø Promote health, safety, and education
Ø Create activities
Ø Engaging students socially while adhering to provincial COVID-19 restrictions
Ø Creating personal development workshops addressing issues faced by students in these
unprecedented times
Actionable Goals
1. Student Financial Issues
Ø Address Board of Governors regarding tuition and fees
§ Consistent representation in meetings with CBU administration & Board of
Governors (SU President)
§ Influencing allocation of fees through advocating various university committees (SU
President)
Ø Scholarships & Bursaries
§ Committed to establishing new awards (SU VPFO)
§ Promoting lesser-known bursaries to student population (SU VPP)
§ Contacting university administration regarding eligibility requirements for bursaries
that reflect our growing diverse population (SU President)
Ø Address food insecurity through our food bank program
§ Adapt the Food Bank process to account for the changing world, students’ needs,
and access to campus. (SU VPFO)
2. Academic Issues
Ø Improving academic success in a virtual learning environment (SU EVP)
3
Ø Advocating the accessibility and affordability to textbooks and other educational
resources (SU EVP)
Ø Improve transparency and accountability by professors (SU EVP)
§ Discuss faculty training regarding fair grading procedures and the virtual learning
experience
§ Continue to stress the importance of academic integrity through workshops and
educational sessions
Ø Partnering with the Jennifer Keeping Accessibility Center to ensure the continuous flow
of accessible education (SU EVP)
§ Strong focus on students with special needs to address potential barriers to learning
and fair grading procedures in a virtual world
3. Local and Provincial Partnerships (SU Executive Team)
Ø Determining strategic partnerships within the community
§ Where decisions are being made that affect the student body, CBUSU strives to have
a seat at the table.
4. Municipal Concerns
Ø Transit (SU President)
§ Working with CBRM to discuss options regarding pricing, “U-Pass”, route schedules,
etc.
§ Seek potential resources for funding transit initiative (i.e. ministers, municipality,
etc.)
Ø Housing (SU President)
§ Tenancy board involvement in orientation (SU Full Executive team)
§ Coordinate with community, off-campus housing coordinator, and university
Residence Manager to circulate resources pertaining to off-campus housing
§ Increase student education surrounding housing issues, and decrease
housing/tenancy issues seen through Students’ Union legal services
5. Student Services
Ø Jobs (SU President, SU VPFO)
§ Committed to creating student jobs within the Students’ Union, maximizing working
hours when available, and continuously reviewing CBUSU operations to determine
where new opportunities for employment may exist
§ Collaborating with career services to provide resources, networking opportunities,
and workshops for students entering the workforce (SU EVP)
Ø Campus Centers (SU Full Executive Team)
§ The CBUSU will continue to support initiatives that connect students to relevant
resources in a barrier-free manner.
4§Determine issues currently facing students through surveys, testimonials, and
roundtable discussions. Emphasis on adaptability as we continue to work in a hybrid
virtual/in-person world.
• Strong emphasis on addictions, harassment, sexual violence prevention, healthy
relationships, mental health.
• Create awareness and decrease stigma towards utilizing myWellness services
Ø Campus Operations and Events
§ Caper Convenience (SU VPFO)
• Inventory selection that reflects students’ wants and needs
• Operating Hours reflecting campus life
§ The Pit (SU VPFO)
• Enhanced training measures for employees to improve overall customer
experience
• Consistent planned events
• Supporting local (Nova Scotian) distributers and breweries
§ Week of Welcome (SU VPP)
§ Ongoing Student Engagement (SU VPP)
Measures of Success
Ø Additional seats on committees within the university and the community-at-large
Ø Partnerships shall be mutually beneficial
Ø CBU representation in the form of volunteers
Ø An overall increase in total number (and dollar value) of awarded scholarships/bursaries
Ø Increased access to the food bank and Students’ Union campus centers, exhaustion of
resources
Ø Decreased overall academic-related grievances and issues pertaining to academic integrity
Ø Engagement on a municipal level regarding transit and housing issues
Ø Increased student employment within the Students’ Union
Ø Student Satisfaction & Engagement
Ø Social media likes
Ø Event feedback
Ø Participation numbers
Ø Breakeven Financials
Ø Bi-weekly social events and commitment to at least one educational event per month
Ø Simplified society application
Ø Increased society membership within the union
Ø Interdepartmental events
5Final Thoughts
This year, despite all the challenges and restrictions, the team has worked hard to maintain trust and
build a rapport. We continue to be the voice of the students and advocate on behalf of the them.
We are increasing our online and social media presence in order to fulfil our commitment of serving
student needs and wants. We will continue to communicate any significant change to our business
operations or any new information of benefit to the student community, should either scenario arise.
This document will also be reviewed regularly to adapt to the constantly changing world that we’re
living in.
As warmer weather arrives, let’s remind ourselves that we are adjusting well to the changes thrust upon
us as we all do our best to help #flattenthecurve.
And we will come out of it stronger, together.
Contact Us!
1250 Grand Lake Road, Sydney Nova Scotia - B1P6L2
@CBUStudentsUnion @cbustudentsunion @CBUSU www.cbusu.ca
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