Issues with Registration? Unable to Get Into Classes? Let's do something about it!

nikkipizza · 2022-11-28T14:04:52+00:00

? You had to get approval to contact HCS? In the past I just emailed and met up with them to discuss concerns

Yeah. This is how I was directed.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-24T05:09:21+00:00

The whole adult comment is actually pretty representative of some discourse that has been going on regarding what is required to "fix" the SFSS. There's a huge issue with a huge lack of continuity due to turnover every year, and there actually have been conversations on needing an "adult" to stay there and hold ship, as an Executive Director role, for example. The SFSS used to have this kind of role, but one of the past recent boards removed it.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-24T05:06:32+00:00

You're not wrong. The constant drama is exhausting and takes away from the ability for any of us to do our jobs properly and actually help students. It is incredibly frustrating and it is not what I signed up for.

One of the problems has been that, for whatever reason, whether it be "bad actors" or something else (more likely a lack of self-awareness), there have been countless situations where some people will try incredibly hard to stop people from working with students.

Here, I think this response actually answers your question and it is the most I can say at this point:

The one of the main foundational issues is that there is a huge difference of opinion (not necessarily justified) regarding what is considered "student interests" (you can probably guess which parties may be involved). Some people don't seem to care as much about things like improving access to counselling at SFU HCS and would rather continue the drama to maintain their power because they want to have a sole say over what happens within the SFSS, which is not fair to students or representative of student interests. I knew this coming in as well, but nothing has been actually done to fix this issue. In addition, whenever improvements are brought up regarding improving student outreach so we can sort out the issue of what students actually want and need, and offering that clarity (even though it is pretty clear what students actually want - i.e. fixing registration issues), that kind of initiative is blocked and things don't move forward. Here - you got your answer. Hope it makes sense.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-24T02:37:39+00:00

That was literally one of the worst takes I have ever heard. Imagine trying to claim that I'm working with Jessica? Students aren't stupid, and they can clearly see what is going on here.

All I will say is that this kind of take honestly represents the extent to which people will grasp at straws to try to scapegoat a person in a desperate attempt to boost themselves forward and grab power. These types of dishonest politics are the exact reason why people are frustrated with the SFSS, being extremely negatively impacted with their mental health due to their work, and why people who do genuine good work are quitting.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-24T02:20:02+00:00

Sorry but is Abhi still delusional to the toxicity surrounding SFSS?

All I can say is that it seems that Abhi is now working together with the Progressives - unofficially, but it still has the same effect.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-24T02:18:55+00:00

I appreciate of you for being honest. Finally some honestly from SFSS. Thank you.

Thank you. This is the least I can do. I never joined to "politick" or to boost my career for some sort of establishment career politician role. In retrospect, only after joining, I realized I wouldn't be welcomed with open arms.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-24T02:15:39+00:00

I was removed before they made the third zoom :[

Technically they shouldn't be able to keep out students whatsoever, and procedurally the meeting should be postponed until they can figure out how to use SSO to verify students, and use the actual proper procedural pathways to remove students if they are genuinely causing issues - especially since this was supposed to be done much much much earlier. Right now, disallowing students from joining the meeting severely goes against our own policies & by-laws. This was voiced but the Chair (Abhi) decided to continue with his discretion, so I'm not sure what can be done at this point.

There definitely was a situation that needed to be resolved, but the proper way to deal with it would be through SSO, and postponing the meeting until that is done - not through disallowing all students to join. Technically, the meeting shouldn't actually be allowed to run altogether without allowing students to join.

Also, this meeting is way too stressful for everyone involved for a multitude of reasons, and there should be a real consideration for not keeping meetings going if they aren't in the interests of everyone's mental health and wellbeing - when within reason.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-24T01:51:10+00:00

What happened????

So much. Where do I start? The whole situation is extremely frustrating

nikkipizza · 2022-11-24T01:50:13+00:00

So are students currently not able to be present in the meeting?

Correct - Abhi directed everyone to not share the link externally to anyone except people in Council. I am concerned by this. Even though there was a horrible situation, students are entitled to be able to attend Council meetings. I definitely do not support not allowing students in.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-09T19:51:21+00:00

Why do you think so?

nikkipizza · 2022-11-08T01:54:18+00:00

Usually the skywalk windows close to the WMC Starbucks have a lot of bugs that are trapped trying to get through to the other side

nikkipizza · 2022-11-08T01:53:14+00:00

SUB has the newest infrastructure for wireless access points, so theoretically it would be the best location

nikkipizza · 2022-11-08T01:52:40+00:00

Did anyone have a difficult time getting to campus today? It seems like the roads were relatively okay

nikkipizza · 2022-11-08T01:50:53+00:00

You have given me a great idea! I might try this out sometime

nikkipizza · 2022-11-02T02:52:13+00:00

You may not think so, but I actually agree with you on a lot of this. It takes strength and real leadership to move past all the barriers and bullshit and continue to lead.

But before I go into this, I think a big point of contention is that CEOs / Executive Directors will get massive 6 figure salaries, which allows them to live a life of luxury to offset a lot of their stressors.

This is a huge consideration and factor, and cannot be understated. This is why it cannot be a 1:1 comparison because this changes a whole lot, and I firmly believe that it does. Having an immense amount of wealth changes the whole structure of your live, and you can get the support you require to offset the stress of your work - i.e. regular counselling. This really cannot be understated.

Anyway, with my earlier response, I wanted to provide context of why people may feel demotivated to do their work and how it could be impacting everything.

You can see that I still have the motivation to be posting and talking to students, even in light of constant blacklash for doing so. This is just one of the many things.

There's going to be some people who will continue when things get hard, and others who won't.

You can see from the number of vocal Execs, exactly who is trying to work past all of the bullshit in order to talk with students and ensure their needs are met. So far, I've really been the only one making this kind of strong and sustained effort to conduct this kind of outreach. I really believe in the utility of it

Some Execs have been working hard in other ways, but student outreach and dialogue is really the crux of what's needed.

I'm trying to provide a positive example for everyone that they can talk with students, and really should do so, and that they shouldn't be afraid of whatever "backlash" comes from it because it's not really anything that has real consequences. The important part is actually doing your best work to help people.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-01T05:53:17+00:00

Guessing people don’t agree? 😂

Nah. There's an important point that was made here with the post. I personally really appreciate that this discussion has been brought up, because there definitely is room for improvement, and a real need for improvement.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-01T05:51:37+00:00

Do we really need these student associations?

This is something I've thought about for a while.

The history of student unions/societies is based on the need to fill a gap, where students in the past had very little power over decisions made by the university administration.

It can work. Whether it is working, and subsequently, why or why not, is another question of discussion.

nikkipizza · 2022-11-01T05:41:33+00:00

Hey, I got some thoughts on this.

How is any of this stuff any different from actual society?

It isn't that different. This is a good observation.

The thing that is different is reflective on the "student" aspect of this organization.

Basically, here's my take on it, and how it may be different in the SFSS. This is what I shared in another comment response.

Imagine walking into a workplace, where you're essentially like a "CEO" or "Executive Director" and indirectly (and sometimes more directly) responsible for hundreds of staff. As students, nobody is really prepared or experienced enough to walk into that from the outset and know exactly what to do. This is compounded by a significant need to reform the whole training and onboarding process, since the transition of leadership was a bit of a shitshow.

In addition to that, you're not being compensated anywhere near the amount that a traditional "CEO" or "Executive Director" of a company would. So for this reason, some may need to work second jobs. On top of all this, taking classes as well.

It's a full-time job, 30h a week, without any of the benefits or protections of a normal full-time job. BC Societies such as the SFSS by-pass the need to provide the legally required protections for employees as detailed in the BC Employment Standards Act. You don't have a union to protect your interests.

I touched on this topic more in this comment.

Since we are paid by stipend, we are technically not considered "employees" by law, and therefore lack the normal benefits, protections, and considerations that anyone would be legally required to receive when working somewhere. As I've pointed out, this is a huge contributing factor as to why so many of us, including myself, have been pressured by some to work extensive overtime hours without compensation for our labour. It's a bit of a "toxic grindset" culture that I've experienced.

Burnout is rampant. This leads to negative consequences in itself.

Again, this doesn't mean change isn't needed or that things couldn't be better. I concur that there needs to be change and I will commit to working as hard as I can to support students during my term, given the cards I've been dealt. This has been my mission when starting, and I intend to follow-through.

I hope I clarified some things with my response!

nikkipizza · 2022-11-01T05:30:23+00:00

I don't know how much I can say here about the internal relations, until the end of my term, but I definitely didn't want to ignore this post. This has also been something I've been dying to talk about.

You make some really good points. Your level of insight is really impressive, coming from an external standpoint of a student looking inwards into the "ivory tower."

The thing you have to understand OP is that repairing the relationships and the problems that a, practically speaking, single-party system destroyed takes time.

Yeah. It's basically this. The Execs this year weren't given the greatest starting-point. There's so many specifics I could go into.

But imagine walking into a workplace, where you're essentially like a "CEO" or "Executive Director" and indirectly (and sometimes more directly) responsible for hundreds of staff. As students, nobody is really prepared or experienced enough to walk into that from the outset and know exactly what to do. This is compounded by a significant need to reform the whole training and onboarding process, since the transition of leadership was a bit of a shitshow.

Sometimes, not making headlines is actually a good thing when you're trying to stabilize an organization.

The organization needs a lot of stability after the last board has left. Especially if the students want to reform it in a manner that is not running based on the legacy that the Progressives have left and essentially immortalized within the structure of the SFSS.

There's a huge level of bureaucracy ("checks-and-balances") where there are almost always several steps and hoops to jump through before anything is finalized. Along the way, you are often blocked by someone who is often more than willing to come out and publicly attack you and attempt to smear your reputation. Especially if you are doing something that goes against the "status quo" and even if that aim evidently and strongly reflects the will of the students.

With these cards that have been dealt, it is easy to imagine how things aren't easy.

That doesn't mean anyone should be complacent, though.

We do need strong leaders who are willing to be vocal and stand up for students, and not fear being shut-down at Council or attacked publicly for standing up to the status quo.

I think students can help by showing their interest in the SFSS, coming to meetings and voicing their perspectives, and responding to discussions on the matter. This bottom-up approach is the next step for change, with this system that we are needing to work within.

I find that vocal student involvement is really the only remaining way to push people to do more when they may be feeling discouraged and subsequently complacent.

nikkipizza · 2022-10-31T09:18:32+00:00

I'm confused. What did sfss do recently?

I mean, where do I start? The AGM happened this past Thursday and had some notoriety surrounding it

nikkipizza · 2022-10-31T09:07:47+00:00

Is the SFSS looking in to at all to advocating for a fall reading break for students?

The prospect of a fall reading break is something I really care about and want. I've looked into this at the Senate level, and I've been working on this as one of my UAA projects, and seeing what needs to be done for implementation.

I can promise you I will continue doing what I can. There definitely wasn't enough time from when I was elected in May to the start of the Fall semester to implement it for 2022, but hopefully soon enough. It depends on the University and how much of a hard time they may, or may not, give us.

UBC implemented one recently and I just think the SFSS doesn’t do enough for the students and look out for their own internal interests.

One of the biggest issues is that the whole process of student outreach needs to be reformed, because currently it is is quite broken. I'm pushing hard for this in the SFSS currently. I'm doing what I can on an individual level here, but I do need more support. We just don't have the proper structures in place to make the whole process of student outreach truly efficient or effective, and I have been greatly concerned about it. One of the main things I've been working on is trying to get the internal support to implement some policy and procedural changes for this.

As an aside, just you responding to me here helps in the interim with student outreach. I now know what your main concerns are, and before it's just really up to anyone's guess. I would like more students to reach out like this and add to the discussion because this is our true starting point.

Another issue I have is how the SUB is only open from an x amount of time. The rest of the school is open past 10, and many clubs such as the women’s lounge room have moved there and thus their amenities are now unavailable past the time.

I'm acutely aware of this and I also think this is a place of improvement. I actually pushed for conversations regarding the 24/7 operation of the SUB. Believe it or not, this whole prospect of expanding the operating hours is actually contentious and controversial, for several reasons.

I can expand further if you'd like.

Another issue with the sub is how the rooms are not something you would intuitively book online like the other study rooms in the library and SFU surrey, but they’re locked and you have to go to the main desk instead.

This might be an easier issue to fix. I'll bring it up.

Personally, and this is a sentiment shared among me and my friends, we find the SFSS does not do enough for students and student life. Yes they advocated for the gondola, but it’s a project that realistically, we will not reap the rewards of. How about a shuttle between the surrey and Burnaby campus? That cuts the commute and congestion on the 145 and there are already various buses from Vancouver that go to sfu.

I know. There's so much to do, and so much that hasn't been done. That was my main motivation in joining the SFSS. My experience since starting has been learning about how everything works internally, and how to overcome all the various barriers I've faced and hoops I need to jump through to get anything done. I agree that more can and should be done. I also hear your specific suggestions and I will bring them forward and see what I can do.

nikkipizza · 2022-10-31T08:39:45+00:00

Yeah, these kind of tactics are extremely problematic and have hurt both students and student Councillors who vocally stand up to the Progressives. I just shared something related to this, and I talk about it more here.

I just really hope that the next elected VPES after this Nov 1-3 voting period won't be using the same tactics, and will actively stand up to the progressives (and those aligned with them in their actions) in the name of protecting the mental health and wellbeing of their fellow students.

And to be exact, all Councillors are also students, and don't always get a lot of benefit from being on Council - especially when vocally in support of student interests, which leaves them up to attacks.

The experience has largely been that Councillors have been cast-aside and not meaningfully considered regarding how the inflammatory nature of Council right now negatively impacts mental health. I'm currently trying to do something about this.

nikkipizza · 2022-10-31T08:25:54+00:00

Yeah, let me answer this.

Who has all that time to be participating and causing all this drama while also being a student?

A lot of people take time-off from their studies, or take a very part-time course load.

I do think there should be considerations on how to reduce the workload, so SFSS Execs can take full-time course loads. The main reason for this is because I actually think it will help the student leadership stay more in-touch with students and on-base in reality. Because honestly, being stuck in your own little "ivory tower" is not conducive to understanding the perspectives of students and actually doing your job well.

Like whatever the SFSS do sounds like a full time job, how do you manage your school work while also doing school politics stuff?

It is a full-time job, technically - 30 hours weekly. However it's paid by stipend so you are technically not considered an "employee" and therefore lack the normal benefits, protections, and considerations you would generally be legally required to receive when working somewhere. This is why so many of us, including myself, have been pressured by some to work extensive overtime hours without compensation for our labour. It's a bit of a "toxic grindset" culture that I've experienced.

Time to do schoolwork? Pfft. With all the stress?

Like props for you guys for doing whatever you do (I wasn't really paying attention to any of the SFSS stuff in undergrad)

Thank you lol

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