Student Union Press Releases
UNB Student Union Charters Bus to Get Students Home
The UNB Student Union has charted a bus to get students home before the Christmas Break. The schedule for the bus is as follows:
When: December 21st, 2011
Leaving from: Student Union Building (UNB Campus) at 10:30am
Going to:
Moncton – Holiday Inn Express – 2550 Mountain Road - Arriving at approx. 12:30pm
Amherst – Circle K – 213 South Albian St. – Arriving at approx. 2:00pm
Saint John – Lancaster Mall – 621 Fairville Blvd. – Arriving at approx. 11:45am
The prices are as follows:
Moncton: $30
Amherst: $40
Saint John: $25
Reservations can be made by online at unbsu.ca.
Payments are to be made in cash day of December 21st.
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The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that represents over 6,000 undergraduate and professional students at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton.
For more information please contact Joey O’Kane, Vice President External, at:
Email: external@unbsu.ca
Phone: (506) 458.7164
Click here for a PDF of this Media Advisory.
Student Union Pleased to see Continued Investment in University Deferred Maintenance
Fredericton, December 15th, 2011 – On December 13th, Finance Minister Blaine Higgs unveiled a $948-million capital budget, in which $7.5 million has been budgeted to fund deferred maintenance costs for New Brunswick’s public universities. The University of New Brunswick will receive approximately $4 million of these funds.
The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) is pleased to see the government continuing to invest in our public universities aging infrastructure in a time of government belt-tightening. However, this funding represents only a fraction of what is needed to fix our universities eroding infrastructure.
“The University of New Brunswick alone has over $100-million is deferred maintenance,” said Jordan Thompson, President of the UNB Student Union, “This money from government will help lower this figure but long-term funding is needed in order for university infrastructure to be brought up to date.”
Addressing the backlog of university deferred maintenance would help New Brunswick universities improve their teaching and learning spaces, improve research facilities, and help attract students from province, out of province, and internationally.
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The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that represents over 6,000 undergraduate and professional students at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Jordan Thompson, President, please contact him at:
Tel.: 506.452.6091
Email: president@unbsu.ca
Click here for a PDF of this press release.
Education Remains a Priority in Speech from the Throne
Fredericton, November 24th, 2011 – The UNB Student Union (UNBSU) is pleased to see that Post-Secondary Education remains a government priority in yesterday’s Speech from the Throne. The Speech recognized the importance of research and innovation in order to get the provinces fiscal house in order. Our universities play the main role in the research of the province with the University of New Brunswick conducting approximately 75% of all university research. However, the UNBSU raises concerns about the current underfunding of our universities.
“In order to foster research and innovation, the province must provide the funds for our universities to be effective,” said Joey O’Kane, Vice President External of the UNBSU, “Our universities are currently among the most underfunded in the country and the government needs address this situation by increasing university funding.”
The Speech also mentioned the implementation of a tuition schedule for our students. While predictable tuition rates are important to students, what is more important is the affordability of tuition. “New Brunswick currently has the second highest tuition environment in the country. Ontario is first” said Jordan Thompson, President of the UNBSU, “Ontario released plans for a new grant that will see tuition fees reduced by 30% for students from families making less than $160,000.”
Overall, the UNBSU is encouraged to see confirmation from our government about the role our universities play in getting New Brunswick’s fiscal house in order.
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The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that represents over 6,000 undergraduate and professional students at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton.
For more information or to arrange an interview with:
Jordan Thompson, President,
Tel.: 506.452.6091
Email: president@unbsu.ca
Joey O’Kane, VP External, Tel: 506.458.7164 Email: external@unbsu.ca
Click here for a PDF of the above press release.
UNB Student Union’s Book Buy & Sell Breaks Records
Fredericton, September 19th, 2011 – Last week, the UNB Student Union hosted its bi-annual Book Buy and Sell, where students drop off their used textbooks to sell and set their own price and then students have the opportunity to purchase these textbooks. The event is a great opportunity for students to save money when purchasing textbooks and is one of the UNB Student Union’s most popular events. However, expectations and records were broke with this semester’s sale.
“It went phenomenally,” said Hansika Gunaratne, VP Internal for the UNB Student Union, “and I am very happy with the efforts put in by everybody involved.”
The sale facilitated an exchange of $70,434 between students, compared to $45,000 from first semester the year previous.
“It is absolutely satisfying to see students’ money go back into students’ pockets,” said Gunaratne, “As a Student Union, we are proud to help students with their financial situations.”
Jordan Thompson, President of the UNB Student Union, is also delighted with the results of the sale. “During a time of government cutbacks to student aid, students are taking measures to save money and, as a result, this semesters Book Buy and Sell far exceeded sales from previous years.”
The next edition of the bi-annual Book Buy and Sell will be happening in January 2012.
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The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that represents over 6,000 undergraduate and professional students at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Jordan Thompson, President, please contact him at:
Tel.: 506.452.6091
Email: president@unbsu.ca
Click here for a PDF of this press release.
UNB Student Union Helps Clean Up Streets and Raises Money for Shinerama
Fredericton, September 6, 2011 – From September 7th to September 9th, the UNBSU will be accepting donated furniture and selling it back to the community. All proceeds will be going to Shinerama, Canada’s Largest Post-Secondary fundraiser, which raises money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis Research.
Trius Truck Centre has generously donated a Cube Van for the day to be driven by Student Union Volunteers to pick up any donated items on September 7th. Community members are still encouraged to drop off items on both September 7th and September 8th.
“It’s a great opportunity for the community;” says Joey O’Kane, Vice President External for the UNB Student Union. “It not only cleans up the streets and stops homeowners from getting fined for leaving large items on the side of the road, but also allows students to buy items for a much lower price than what they would have paid otherwise. Not to mention all proceeds go to a great cause, which the UNBSU has supported for years.”
The schedule for the event is as follows:
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011: 10am to 5pm
Thursday, September 8th, 2011: 9am to 5pm
Friday, September 9th, 2011: 9am to 5pm
It will be taking place in the Student Union Building’s Blue Room.
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The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that represents over 6,000 undergraduate and professional students at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Joey Kane, VP External, please contact him at:
Tel.: 506.458.7164
Email: external@unbsu.ca
Click here for a PDF of this press release.
5th Annual Canada Day Shinerama a huge success for Student Union
Fredericton, July 5, 2011 – For the fifth consecutive year, the University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) participated in the Canada Day Block Party held at Officer’s Square downtown Fredericton. The Student Union raised $1,229.12 towards their goal of $30,000 for this year’s Cystic Fibrosis campaign.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. CF is a multi-organ disease, primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system, of which there is no cure. Every year on campuses across Canada, students engage their local communities with new and exciting fund raising activities in a friendly competition against other post secondary institutions. The UNBSU got a jump start on the competition by participating in the Canada Day Party.
The University of New Brunswick Student Union Executive together with the Orientation Committee staffed a booth that sold popcorn, cotton candy and water to those enjoying the festivities. The most popular attraction at the booth, by far, was the face painting. “We knew that salty and sweet snacks would sell quickly on the day, but we never expected the face painting to be such a hit.” explained Brad Gibson, UNBSU Orientation Chair.
The UNBSU has been involved with Shinerama since 1973 and has raised over $559,000 in support of the cause.
“This is the 38th consecutive year we have committed to Shinerama and were happy to be able to participate in the Block Party hosted by the City of Fredericton. The people of Fredericton are generous and have always supported Shinerama.” said Jordan Thompson, President, UNB Student Union.
Both Thompson and Gibson are expecting great things with the official launch of Shinerama on September 10, 2011. Shine Day activities will include door-to-door canvassing, carwashes, and a barbeque. There is also a softball tournament scheduled for August.
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The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that represents over 6,000 undergraduate and professional students at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Lisa Thomson, Policy and Research Officer
University of New Brunswick Student Union
Tel.: 506.451.6878 Email: pro@unb.ca
Click here for a PDF of this press release.
Board of Governors approve Budget without Student Consultation
Fredericton, May 18, 2011 – The University of New Brunswick Board of Governors met yesterday to approve the University’s operating budget, which included both an increase of $150 to student ancillary fees and an increase of $200 for undergraduate tuition. The increase to student fees is slated to cover the cost of the newly minted Richard J. Currie Center.
In New Brunswick, these ancillary fees, unlike tuition, are not regulated by the provincial government. Instead, the fees are imposed by the University governing body, where student representation and engagement is limited. “The UNB Board of Governors has manipulated the provincial government’s guidelines of capping tuition increases by including a mandatory ancillary fee of $150 per undergraduate student,” explained Joey O’Kane, VP External, UNB Student Union.
The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) has been advocating for the need to take this increase and other changes in ancillary fees to a student referendum. “Essentially increases to fees that affect students, should in fact, be decided on and voted on, by students,” said Jordan Thompson, President, UNB Student Union.
In April of this year, the UNBSU passed a motion in council asking for ancillary fees to be placed under the control of students as is the case in other jurisdictions. In Ontario, ancillary fees must be approved by the student body through referenda or by the student government. This has been in effect since 1994.
“The decision to approve an increase to fees while students are away from campus does not bode well for clear and transparent relations between the administration and students,” stated Thompson.
The increased ancillary fees highlights the need for, and urgency of, a referendum policy to be implemented at UNB. Ancillary fees have been used, in the past, to bypass tuition regulations and ultimately increases the cost of education for students. “This is an adverse situation for students. Although the Currie Center will provide a great benefit to some students of UNB, the way in which it was financed is questionable and one that the Student Union is not comfortable with,” said O’Kane.
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The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that represents over 6,000 undergraduate and professional students at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Joey O'Kane, VP External, please contact:
Lisa Thomson,
Policy and Research Officer
University of New Brunswick Student Union
Tel.: 506.451.6878
Email: lisathom@unb.ca
Click here for a PDF version of this press release.
For archived press releases click here.
