The U of C’s SU is a devoted group of students who advocate on behalf of the student body. They sit on many decision-making and administrative groups at the university.
This year’s executive team have set out attainable goals, but with only four months left in their positions, time is slowly slipping away for them to finish what they set out to do.
Scott Weir has done a great job as the vice-president operations and finance. He has business sense and can ask tough questions. He does research before making decisions and has a professional leadership style. Sustainability has been his main focus.
His three main platform points were community spaces, sustainability and affordable housing. The SU has recently seen the completion of the Stör renovations, though Weir mostly inherited the success of this project. The Den and the Black Lounge have been renovated, along with the washrooms in MacHall that desperately needed a boost. Weir has addressed sustainability through the recent implementation of compostable cutlery and by organizing compost educators to help students sort their garbage. More education and sustainability efforts are needed though, to get all students composting.
Weir’s third platform point was affordable housing. While campaigning, he tossed around the idea of potentially buying or building housing, but an old report stated that the costs are prohibitory. Weir is working on the off-campus housing website, but affordable housing is a large problem that won’t be fixed in a year.
“Things definitely take a little bit longer than I initially expected,” said Weir.
Weir is also working on the operating agreement between the university and the SU over the MacEwan Student Centre.
Overall, Weir is working hard for the students and doing a great job, like a true, charismatic leader, but he needs to focus on what is attainable.