TWUSA vice president resigns
Jenkins quits to pursue Master’s degree
January 23, 2007
Kristie Schwanebeck
The Trinity Western University Student Association lost another executive member last week as Matt Jenkins, Vice President of Student Relations, handed in his resignation Thursday.
Jenkins decided to resign after being given the opportunity to pursue a Master’s Degree of Digital Media.
“It’s what I always wanted, but I didn’t think it was offered in Canada,” he said. As this year is the first time that such a degree has been offered, Jenkins will be a part of the first class to pursue this degree.
In order to participate in the program, he must graduate this semester. As a result, this Spring he must take 19 semester hours. The TWUSA bylaws state that a student cannot take more than 16 semester hours and hold an executive role on TWUSA. And since Jenkins often put in more than the six or seven hours required per week, and is planning a wedding for June, he said the decision has a relatively easy one.
As Vice President of Student Relations, Jenkins handled all non-academic concerns of the student body. Recent concerns included such things as a daycare for students with children, environmental issues, as well as concerns over the breakdown of tuition.
Jenkins originally became interested in student government because he wanted to give students an effective student government.
“I could do that as Vice President of Student Relations because they played a major role in the triangle of TWUSA, Mars’ Hill and the administration,” he said.
Jenkins, however, is leaving with some regrets.
“I wasn’t able to accomplish the goals I wanted to.”
When questioned as to the nature of these goals, Jenkins described a two-fold vision: “TWUSA needs two things in order to succeed. First, they need the support and active involvement of the student body, and second, they need the support and active collaboration from the administration.”
Jenkins feels that TWUSA has neither of these two things. Although he did not have the opportunity to promote changes, Jenkins was quick to say that that was not the reason for his resignation.
When questioned as to whether TWUSA would carry on with Jenkins’ vision, President Norman Van Eeden Petersman refused to comment. Van Eeden Petersman does, however, support Jenkins in his decision.
“We appreciate the work he did thus far and he’ll be missed,” he said, adding, “We had a good relationship and we are excited to see what he’s up to.”
As Vice President, Jenkins would have been responsible for overseeing the upcoming February elections. However, he does not feel that his departure has left TWUSA in a lurch. As there are currently five executive members, Jenkins believes that his role in the elections will be easy to fill.
“Anyone can do it so long as they are deemed by the council to be the chief electoral officer,” he said.
Van Eeden Petersman seemed to concur. In looking for a replacement for Jenkins, Van Eeden Petersman replied, “Currently, we are not committed to any one plan of action.”
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