Image by: Dave Lee
Darts
- This year revealed a gross lack of student leadership, from the ASUS jackets fiasco, Louis Plamondon’s resignation (and CAC’s ice rink debacle) along with the four other AMS senior staff resignations and the ongoing poor judgement and irresponsibility of the MCRC executive.
- The Kingston Police’s decision to purchase Tasers is not an effective tactic for dealing with future Aberdeen Street parties. The potential use of Tasers on Aberdeen could pose a threat to the safety of students and others who gather on the street.
- Racism on campus has been a constant issue, particularly in light of the student who dressed in blackface for Halloween and the recently released Henry Report, which documents faculty ’ experience with systemic racism at the University.
- Principal Hitchcock’s “Engaging the World” discussion paper shifted the focus away from the big issues facing current students towards making Queen’s an internationally recognized institution. But to make it an internationally recognized institution, the university must focus on current, local issues.
- The unruly and destructive behaviour of some Queen’s students at the Aberdeen Street party reflected poorly on the larger student body and only added to the tension between students and the city.
- The AMS Commission of Internal Affairs consistently demonstrated ineptitude resulting in a poorly planned Clubs Night, late Assembly agendas and JComm rulings overturned on the basis of the CIA’s “lackadaisical” work. The AMS cancelled the After Hours Childcare program on the basis it was a money-losing service used by few students. With the Greenroom and the Tricolour Market though, they created two more money-losing services used by few students.
- Rather than addressing the real issues like the high number of robberies in the Ghetto and enforcing bylaws that would actually improve housing in the Ghetto, Kingston Police chose to instead enforce the city’s exterior sign bylaw.
- Throughout the year, the AMS Board of Directors has routinely demonstrated a lack of transparency. The Board’s decision to create a $13,600 position to oversee the AMS’s Swipe program without running it by AMS Assembly is questionable, as was their decision to extend the Journal business manager position from a 10-month to a 12-month position without alerting anyone at the Journal.
Laurels
- The CFRC Funding Drive was a huge success. The dedicated staff took the initiative to improve their service’s resources. The goal was to raise $5,000; they raised $11,200 and Programming Manager Eric Duncan fulfilled his promise of getting the CFRC logo tattooed on his body.
- ASUS Vice-President Lindsey Hannigan implemented new procedures to ensure both financial ability and transparency, including monthly budget updates.
- Queen’s Athletics’ move to hire Kirk Muller as coach of the men’s hockey team has not only benefited the players, but Muller has also brought greater visibility to the team on campus. He has managed a handful of sold-out games and his presence as a former Stanley Cup champion promises to boost recruitment.
- While her “Engaging the World” discussion paper alienated many students and her lack of visibility on campus made her seem like an ivory-tower , Principal Hitchcock has also made many efforts this year to become more accessible to her constituents, holding several forums and even going so far as to compete in an arm wrestling challenge. It’s a step in the right direction.
- The construction of the Queen’s Learning Commons at Stauffer Library has made more resources readily available to students. There is an increased number of computer stations and more desks to work at. The Writing Centre, Learning Strategies Development and ITS are also more accessible.
- Student involvement in various charitable organizations continued this year and shouldn’t be overshadowed by the juvenile behaviour of select students at Aberdeen and elsewhere. Events like Cuts for Cancer demonstrated the concern students have for important issues and their motivation in to make a difference. Conversely, events like Float showcased the worst kind of charity event: more focused on raucous partying than raising money. The Golden Cockroach awards presented by the AMS were effective in holding landlords able for their failure to ensure decent living conditions for their student-tenants. The awards also recognized exceptional landlords like Keystone Property Management for their efforts.
- The chip truck at Union and Division has become a haven for hungry and exhausted university students. The people are friendly and the food is good and cheap—what more can we ask for?
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