STEPHEN F. LECCE

Report of the President & Chairperson University Students’ Council

Wednesday September 24th, 2008USC Council Meeting

(burp.) Excuse me. (burp.) Excuse me.

“Where da President At?”“Where da President At?”

Interviews, meetings, speeches, engagements, events, discussions, forums:

Gazette Interviews, Senior Management, Communications Meeting (WSRC), Huron University College USC Volunteer Fair, Rescue-911, Jeff Armour & Mark Lenord (Wave Management), Gazette meet & greet, Dr. Davenport Lunch, Campus Council, Affiliate College Presidents Dinner, Board Initiative Strategic Planning Committee, Advocacy Meeting, Big Purple Couch, Welcome Reception for Dr. Doerksen, Interview (MIT Student), Senior Administration Meeting (Susan Grindrod & Gitta Kolzyscki), Conference call with Daneal, Rob Esselment (Government Relations), LTC Meeting (Scott Courtice)

On the agenda I London Transit Commission

I have been working in cohert with Scott Courtice, and Jacqueline Cole on the London Transit Commission proposed increase on students, in and around 7.5-10% increase.I have sent a letter to Commissioner Usher, regarding my official request to address the LTC.

BACKGROUNDER:During the April 28, 2008 meeting of London City Council, all Board and Commissions were given a target budget increase of 3.5 per cent.Council indicated a strong desire to ‘rein in spending’, as property tax rates in the city have increased well about inflation for the past several years. LTC staff estimate the impact of this directive to be a 1.5 million budget shortfall for 2009, which staff recommended to address by: a) cutting service, b) putting in higher than planned fare Increases, c) cutting non�service expenditure (back office admin), d) look for one�time funding for Senior levels of government, or e) combination of all options.

IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENTS

The universal bus pass currently costs students $124.31 for 8�months (September – April) of unlimited riding. A 10 per cent increase would be $12.43 beginning in September 2009.A $12.43 increase in the LTC fee ($255,523 increase in revenue for LTC) would require us to take the increase to referendum, and would put the entire bus bass agreement in jeopardy if students reject the increase.If the fee is approved, service will remain largely the same. Students would be paying 10 per cent more, and receiving no enhancement in service.

On the agenda I Neighbourhood RelationsOn the agenda I Neighbourhood Relations

Dr. Davenport and I have co-signed a column for the London Free Press, outlying our collective position on Western’s positive relationship and connection to our community.

This is constructive collaboration and illustrates that UWO/USC are a united front on (student) citizen responsibilities / contributions. I have e-mailed you the letter-to-the-editor on Monday.

On the agenda I Student Focus Group

I have selected the 20 students who will sit on the student focus group for first semester.

Purpose: This forum will provide the USC with incredible insight into student opinion, and ways to improve our organization,.

We have a diverse and creative population – this is one more way to tap into that resource and open our doors to new ideas.

Total Applicants: 178 students! My goal is to have our inaugural meeting in the first week of October.

On the agenda I Student Focus GroupOn the agenda I Student Focus Group

A productive meeting, focused on defining our goals / outcomes for the year.

Orientation Week: Defining our roleServices: Closer to youCommunications: An Improved & Shared ResponsibilityExecutive Retreats: Working together

Next Meeting: Wednesday October 1st, 2008 at 6pm at Brescia

On the agenda I Affiliate Caucus on Student IssuesOn the agenda I Affiliate Caucus on Student Issues

Next meeting: Friday October 17th, 2008• Voting Students on the Committee: (i) Adam Papini and (ii) Interim

Appointment, Will Bortolin• I am looking for a second appointment – if you are interested, please

email me. • USC Resource Members: Jacqueline Cole (Vice President University

Affairs), Matt Kington (Vice President Finance), General Manager (Cathy Clarke), Controller (Carrie Passi)

On the agenda I Student Services CommitteeOn the agenda I Student Services Committee

• I e-mailed you all the manual. • Please take this week to review and send feedback to Scott Courtice

(Scourti@uwo.ca) • Input & feedback welcomed and encouraged• This is YOUR operating manual you set the direction

Projects & Initiatives on the go…Projects & Initiatives on the go…Engaging Constituency Operating ManualEngaging Constituency Operating Manual

My Team… great people. great times.

Speaker of Council: Kyle Ruttan (usc.speaker@uwo.ca) - Kyle has committed to shorter meetings, and preparing for IRC

meetings.

Deputy Speaker: Amber Ruddy (aruddy3@uwo.ca) - Amber is working well with Kyle, and reviewing Roberts’ Rules.

Commissioner-At-Large: Vince Cifani (vincecifani@gmail.com) - Vince is organizing the G13 conference.

Presidential Liaison Commissioner: Apply Today!

A final thought.

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by

reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which

is easiest; and third by experience, which is the

bitterest.”

- Conficius.

THANK YOU

I just got MIT’ed.