Details of 5-Star Plan & Relevant Issues

Nathaniel Koh Kim KuiCandidate, SMU Students’ Association 2008Produced in September 2007

Structure

The 5-Star Plan Relevant Issues

The 5-Star Plan

Appreciate the “sandwiched” students Enhance identity of each school Promote culture of values Develop skills for success Enable financial autonomy for CCAs

The 5-Star Plan

Structure of each starAimCurrent SituationHowSMU in December 2008

Appreciate the “sandwiched” students Aim

To foster a sense of unity amongst students by showing our appreciation to them, regardless of GPA or social status.

Appreciating the “sandwiched” students Current Situation

Top students in studies and CCAs are rightfully recognised and valued.

Average students must feel valued too. They work hard, if not even harder than everyone else

Appreciating the “sandwiched” students How

Good Progress AwardsStudents Appreciation Month

Appreciating the “sandwiched” students SMU in December 2008

All students, regardless of GPA or CCA, feel appreciated and valued as important members of the SMU student community

Enhance identity of each school

AimTo promote a dynamic student environment

where every student feels a sense of belonging to both school and university

Enhance identity of each school

Current SituationSchools are doing its best to bond their

students with activities and eventsFinance is a crucial area to address

Enhance identity of each school

HowMake resources more easily accessible to

school societiesSmoothen process of finance and facilities

Enhance identity of each school

SMU in December 2008All students are proud to identify themselves

with both SMU and their respective schoolsSchool societies find it easier and smoother to

organise activities and initiatives

Promote culture of values

AimTo develop a culture where values play a

significant role in our student community

Promote culture of values

Current SituationObsession with grades and social status rule

the SMU culture at the expense of a vibrant student life

Promote culture of values

HowTransform SMUGGING culture into a positive

oneShare stories of fellow students practicing

each value. Lead by example.Turn Plagman into a positive motivation

instead of negative motivation

Promote culture of values

SMU in December 2008SMUGGING becomes a positive term and

said by all students in a positive mannerValues are practiced by all students with the

common aim of becoming better students and humans

Develop skills for success

AimEquip every student with life skills to raise the

level of competency in studies and CCAs

Develop skills for success

Current SituationAcademic intelligence and CCA skills are

mostly emphasized within their respective fields.

However, skills of life can be emphasized more, e.g. class participation, conducting productive meetings, working in teams…

Develop skills for success

HowBegin with awareness

Show skills by week via campaign awareness

End with application Show how these skills are put to use in studies and

CCAs

Invite trainers on relevant topics

Develop skills for success

SMU in December 2008Students are equipped with skills and apply

them to their daily activities in studies and CCA

SMU becomes a more dynamic place as students become more adapt in life skills as well

Enable financial autonomy for CCAs Aim

To allow CCAs to manage the funds they gain from activities

Enable financial autonomy for CCAs Current Situation

CCA organises event

Students pay a norminal fee

CCA collects fee

CCA transfers funds to corporate account

CCA needs to use funds from event

CCA enters claims process

CCA waits for approval from SA

CCA gets money

Enable financial autonomy for CCAs How

Allow CCAs to manage their own funds that they collect from activities for the benefit of the members, OR

Reduce procedure for claims for such funds

Enable financial autonomy for CCAs SMU in December 2008

CCAs will feel appreciated and benefit by making their hard-earned money easily accessible to them

Members will enjoy the fruits of their labour and become more committed to the well-being of the CCA

Relevant Issues

How do you plan to promote the SA Specific issues in SMU and how to resolve

it How to improve student life How to encourage more students to join

clubs

How do you plan to promote the SACampaigns, Posters, Stickers? No.8 elected representative are the embodiment

of the SA. We must set the example for our fellow students to follow.

Start with exco reaching out amongst the ones closest to us.

Relevant Issues

Specific issues in SMU and how to resolve itOverflowing of rubbish bins

Purchase more rubbish bins, at lower cost

Lack of GSRs Open up classrooms Allow use of admin building

Relevant Issues

How to improve student lifeThree main types of students

Study Events Balance

Challenge to find out what’s common amongst them

Relevant Issues

How to improve student lifeCommon aspect

SMU buildings & environment

Reduce restrictions on pasting of posters on walls and pillars

Creates image of healthy, dynamic student life

Relevant Issues

How to encourage more students to join clubsBelieve in freedom of choiceRespect those who focus on studiesBelieve in value of joining clubsStrike fine balance between studies and CCA

Relevant Issues

How to encourage more students to join clubs Create environment in which individual choice is tilted

towards being involved with clubs Help clubs create web presence. Explore os3 Increase email quota from 2 to 3 or 4 per week Tackling spam:

Opt-out approach for students for do not want to receive any emails

Targeted emails Opt-in approach to selected CCA list

Relevant Issues