Each year, the Students’ Union hosts the Student Budget Consultation to ensure students have a voice in shaping our university.

Your budget priorities and service expectations are gathered through a comprehensive survey and a Town Hall. Priorities and recommendations are compiled in a report and presented to university administration and decision-makers for consideration. That means that your concerns are built into budgeting and plans – right from the start!

The Student Budget Consultation offers an opportunity to not only identify students’ priorities for future improvement, but also to recognize and celebrate the ways in which TRU excels, improves, and responds to the needs of students.

This article is part of a series recognizing excellence, improvement and responsiveness to student concerns at TRU.

We are pleased to recognize the following areas for undertaking initiatives that respond to students’ prioritization and recommendations in previous Student Budget Consultations, and that may be expected to improve student satisfaction going forward.

Food Services

Food is a critical part of the university experience, from well-being and success to diversity and campus life. Students identified food services for improvement in the Student Budget Consultation Report 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20.

The Food Services department has worked since 2017 to address students concerns by, for example, permitting food trucks, providing greater dietary information, extending hours, and providing more timely service. The TRU Board of Governors subsequently committed to use the opportunity presented by the spring 2018 expiry of the exclusive food service contract to fulsomely consult the campus community on the future of food service. Food Services has since led the planning of this consultation, which is expected to begin September 2018.

On behalf of our members, the Students’ Union offers appreciation to the staff and administration of Food Services, as well as the Board of Governors, on the commitment to respond to students’ priorities and recommendations for campus food. Impacts on the student experience are eagerly anticipated.

Course Materials

Textbook affordability is a crisis at TRU and beyond. Students identified course materials for improvement in the Student Budget Consultation Report 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20.

In the past two years, the university has increased its support for free, open educational materials (OER). Open Learning was awarded funding to support the development of OER. Subsequently, the Students’ Union, the Library, Open Learning, the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, and the Faculty of Arts developed a successful funding request for an OER Development Grants Program. The program has now funded eight development projects in 2018/19.

At the same time, the Library has committed to investigate textbook reserve practices at other universities in consideration of establishing a comprehensive textbook reserve program at TRU. This could provide critical immediate aid in the textbook affordability crisis whilst OER are developed.

On behalf of our members, the Students’ Union offers appreciation to the faculty, staff, and administrator champions from across the university on the commitment to respond to students’ priorities and recommendations on affordable course materials. Impacts on the student experience are eagerly anticipated.

Student Awards and Financial Support

In the face of rising tuition fees and other costs, access to financial aid is increasingly important. Students identified Student Awards and Financial Support for improvement in the Student Budget Consultation Report 2017/18 and 2018/19.

The Student Awards and Financial Support department has consistently recognized students’ increased need, and worked to secure the resources to meet it. In 2017/18, it undertook a project to categorize its awards based on eligibility requirements to better align with student needs. In 2018/19, an Awards Coordinator position to improve service delivery and planning was funded. Finally, the department engaged a consultant to help improve its organization, processes and workflow to be more efficient and effective.

On behalf of our members, the Students’ Union offers appreciation to the staff and administration of Student Awards and Financial Support on the commitment to respond to students’ priorities and recommendations. Impacts on the student experience are eagerly anticipated.

Classrooms

Classrooms are where students spend most, and the most impactful part, of their time at university. Students identified classrooms for improvement in the Student Budget Consultation Report 2017/18.

In May 2018, the university announced and began significant renovations to Old Main, which houses nearly half of all classroom space on campus. The renovations reflect many of students concerns including resizing rooms, new flooring and paint, new seating, better lighting and natural light, soundproofing, and more electrical outlets. Impacts on the student experience are eagerly anticipated.

On behalf of our members, the Students’ Union offers appreciation to the staff and administration of Facilities Services on the willingness and commitment to respond to students’ priorities and recommendations. Impacts on the student experience are eagerly anticipated.

Student Budget Consultation

To learn more about how students’ opinions and experiences are reflected at TRU, visit the Student Budget Consultation page.

For more information, contact: