The Fraser Valley, B.C., February 17, 2012 – The University of the Fraser Valley ( UFV ) has asked the Student Union Society ( SUS ) to host a referendum this Winter semester, to gauge the willingness of their membership to provide for the development of greater campus recreation and wellness programming, intramural sports and varsity athletics at UFV.
“The University came to us asking if we would poll our membership about an Activity and Wellness Fee starting in September 2012,” said SUS President Carlos Vidal ( fourth year, Business Administration ). “The one area that UFV doesn’t do well, when we receive so many accolades in the Macleans and Globe & Mail surveys, is always campus life. They want to know if their students, our membership, are willing to pay a fee to improve in that area of post-secondary life.”
The question that will appear on the my.UFV.ca survey interface between March 19 and 21 will be “Do you support a student fee rated at 3% of tuition, the proceeds of which will be earmarked for the sustainability of UFV varsity athletics, and the development of Intramural, Recreation, and Health & Wellness programs on campus.”
The funds raised by this fee will go toward developing a stronger intramural and campus recreation program at UFV for all students on all campuses, and ensuring the viability of Cascades varsity athletic programming.
Dr. Chris Bertram, department head for Kinesiology and Physical Education, and UFV’s acting Athletic Director, said, “I believe strongly that a University should be a place that promotes and encourages a healthy mind, body, and spirit. I think it is long overdue that students have a say in the direction of such decisions at UFV.”
Specific percentages will be allocated to varsity athletics and campus recreation, and the lion’s share will go to contingency funding that will be used to make sure the UFV community has the resources to provide quality athletics and recreation programming into the future.
The Campus Recreation portfolio being developed has the potential to include intramural sports, arts programming and a cultural agenda. “University life extends far beyond the classroom,” said UFV Student Life Department Manager ( acting ) Susan Francis. “Student Life endeavors to create a vibrant campus community helping all students develop relationships with others, create a healthy lifestyle, and build leadership skills. Campus recreation, health and wellness are essential to our goals and the well-being of all UFV students. We are committed to including the voice of the students in all that we do in providing a broad range of programming and activities to all students with varying skills, interests, and abilities.”
Links to information about the Fee and the programming that it will be earmarked for, are available at ufv.ca/athletics, ufv.ca/studentlife and ufvSUS.ca. There will also be an Information Session on March 16 ( the time and place TBA, so watch for announcements on the websites and postering. )
“The SUS has at our disposal the easiest way to give the majority of students at UFV their say on whether they want to see campus life and varsity athletics at UFV developed, and we’re happy to do that for the University,” said Vidal.
All Student Union Society members will be eligible to vote between March 19th and 21st, and are encouraged to cast an educated vote by visiting ufvSUS.ca to click the Referendum link that will be available as of February 17th.
