Reaching students
TWUSA attempts “lofty goal”
December 6, 2006
Lauren Thompson
As the fall semester draws to a close, the Trinity Western University Student Association’s current endeavor, Project 7, is well on its way to reaching its goal.
According to President Norman Van Eeden Petersman, Project 7, which aims to reach every TWU student at least seven times over the school year, has reached students approximately 7,014 times as of Nov. 15. This number does not include the most recent TWUSA Express results, which were not available at press time.
This number is calculated by adding together the estimated number of attendees at all TWUSA-sponsored events, including the 605 present at this fall’s Hootenanny, and the 35 students who attended the recent Presidents’ Forum.
Van Eeden Petersman noted that these numbers are generally low estimates. The total number doesn’t include students who come into the TWUSA office simply to hang out or to take advantage of services such as free coffee, or free pancakes on Friday mornings.
“The amount of coffee we’re going through is incredible,” he said.
The current system of calculation is fallible, though, and does not reflect students who are impacted more or less than seven times. This means some students may not be reached at all.
“It’s a lofty goal, and a lot of people can’t be reached,” explained Van Eeden Petersman, noting that regardless of how well events and services are planned, it takes students to engage them.
Overall, Van Eeden Petersman sees Project 7 results as a positive message to those who he feels “underestimate what TWUSA does,” saying they reveal the large impact the association has on campus, even if it is not always direct.
Other beginning-of-the-year goals are coming to fruition as well, according to Van Eeden Petersman. In the freshman issue of Mars’ Hill, Van Eeden Petersman promised to “invite seventy students to take on the role of what he calls ‘specialists and consultants.’”
“We’re on our way [to reaching that goal],” he said, although no numbers have been assembled yet. He sees this being fulfilled through “random engagements” with students who play an active role on council but do not receive a stipend.
For example, Van Eeden Petersman cites the efforts of one student who investigated alternative funding options for TWU’s yearbook Pillar, a TWUSA-funded publication.
TWUSA also reaches students through its proposal budget, which uses money left over from the Annual General Meeting to fund student initiatives. So far, this budget has funded events such as a Mountain Riders Discipleship surf trip to Oregon, as well as the purchasing of a foosball table for Robson.
The International Social Justice club was also granted $70 for a semester-end meal, and the Lester B. Pearson Society received $750 for an upcoming Model United Nations event at the University of British Columbia.
According to Vice President of Finance, Greg Norris, the majority of the proposal budget is still available to be claimed by campus groups and initiatives. Out of the $11,000 allotted for the year, there is still $7,882 left as of Nov. 30.
Although Van Eeden Petersman admitted that TWUSA is imperfect, he is optimistic about the spring semester. One of his goals is to create focus groups that will look into issues such as community standards and tuition.
As for council right now, he said, “We’re doing our best.”
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