The novel coronavirus and ensuing global health pandemic have created an unprecedented social and economic crisis. Although Queen’s is beginning to reopen, many of the services students have come to rely on are not, or they are opening at a reduced capacity. While referenda processes ensure that students vote on many of these mandatory fees, services are not running as expected. In March, PSAC and the SGPS called for a suspension or at least a reduction in summer tuition due to students no longer having access to physical university services, including office space, facilities, classrooms, and the physical library. Many students also face additional economic hardship due to summer job loss and considerable future employment uncertainty. These requests for a suspension or reduction were met with a stern “no.” As TAs and RAs, graduate students support the larger undergraduate student body while precariously employed. These struggles have been compounded even further during the current crisis and social isolation. Throughout the summer, the SGPS called for a refund on the Athletics and Recreation Centre fee. Despite the ARC being closed for 45% of the 2019-2020 school year, graduate and professional students were only offered a 17% refund. This means that 28% of the 2019-2020 ARC student fee was withheld due to “summer outside field access,” something available to all Kingston residents whether or not they have paid the ARC fee. Due to this disproportionally small refund, students are worried that refunds will not be issued fairly and that many fee collecting bodies will scramble to justify keeping the full student fee. We request that fees be adjusted based on the services that will be offered, not the services wished to be provided. We request that the ARC provide refunds to the students who request it, as Queen’s has encouraged students not to return to campus this fall, and many students will be unable to do so due to health, travel, and financial restrictions. We will also be in contact with the Queen’s University Alumni Association and other Alumni bodies, calling on them to withhold their donations to the ARC and to donate to COVID relief causes. We request that Queen’s reassess the fee slate based on what is fair for students and increase transparency around the spending of these mandatory fees. Click here to sign the petition.

To All SGPS Members, The 2020-2021 Executive team will be holding a town hall-style meeting on Saturday, October 3rd @ 2:30 pm EST. Zoom Etiquette Please mute your microphone to avoid background noise. If you have video capabilities, please use it when speaking or asking a question so that we can make it a more personable experience. Use the hand raise function when you have a question. The chat function should only be used for a question if you do NOT have access to a video or microphone. Guidelines for Engagement Be responsive, not reactive: Listen with the aim of understanding and intent of learning. We strongly encourage all members to actively take part in the discussion. Speak from your personal experience; don’t expect others in the group to represent more than their experience. Ask for clarification, not to judge: Sometimes it can be difficult to understand someone’s meaning, especially when it is a newly formed idea. Work with that member to bring about clarification and insight, both for them and for the group. Discomfort or tension need not be a negative experience: times of emotions, stress, tensions, or misunderstandings need to be addressed, not dismissed, otherwise it negatively manifests in your physical, mental, and emotional well being. Seek out additional support such as the EmpowerMe program or Student Wellness Services at Queen’s University. Should you have any questions or concerns leading up to this meeting, please feel free to reach out to our President, Justine Aman, at president@sgps.ca at any time. Thank you, The SGPS Executive Team Click here to access the Zoom link for the Town Hall The password will be sent out via the SGPS mailing list one hour before the meeting.

To All SGPS Members, The 2020-2021 Executive team will be holding a town hall-style meeting on Saturday, September 5th @ 2:30 pm EST. Town Hall Guidelines Any agenda items should be sent to president@sgps.ca by Friday, September 4th at 5 pm. You will have the opportunity to bring up your ideas/concerns one at a time. After an executive addresses your idea/concern you will have the opportunity to clarify or ask a follow-up question before we move to the next student. If you would like to speak to the Executive team privately, please reach out to president@sgps.ca and to start a dialogue. The chat function will be open during this meeting for individuals to state that they have a question and you will be added to the speaker list. This is not a formal meeting although we will be trying to keep a list of speakers and do the best to address individuals in order. We ask for your understanding if we make an order error or miss your name, it is not our intention to skip anyone and will ensure you have the time to talk. Should you have any questions or concerns leading up to this meeting, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. Thank you, The SGPS Executive Team Click here to access the Zoom link for the Town Hall The password will be sent out via the SGPS mailing list one hour before the meeting.

To All SGPS Members, The 2020-2021 Executive team will be holding a town hall-style meeting on Friday, August 7th @ 2:30 pm EST. Town Hall Guidelines You will have the opportunity to bring up your ideas/concerns one at a time After an executive addresses your idea/concern you will have the opportunity to clarify or ask a follow-up question before we move to the next student If you have any concerns or would like to speak to the Executive team privately, please reach out to me at president@sgps.ca and we will start a dialogue. The chat function will be open during this meeting for individuals to state that they have a question and you will be added to the speaker list. This is not a formal meeting although we will be trying to keep a list of speakers and do the best to address individuals in order. We ask for your understanding if we make an order error or miss your name, it is not our intention to skip anyone and will ensure you have the time to talk Should you have any questions or concerns leading up to this meeting, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. Thank you, The SGPS Executive Team Click here to access the Zoom link for the Town Hall The password will be sent out via the SGPS mailing list one hour before the meeting.