VOTE YES For A Greener UVSS
Question:
“Are you in favour of establishing a fee of $2.00 per full-time student per semester and $1.00 per part-time student per semester, starting in September 2023 and ending in August 2030, to prepare and adapt UVSS operations for climate change? This could include but is not limited to heat pumps, new windows, sunshades and awnings, cooling stations, tree-planting around the SUB, and building insulation.”
Proponent: Izzy Adachi
The UVSS recognizes the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for all organizations to take action in addressing the greatest challenge of our time. The UVSS’ values include “strive[ing] to be climate justice leaders that set an example for our members, UVic, and the greater community.”
Voting yes on this referendum will enable the Student Union Building (SUB) to further pursue environmental sustainability. If passed, the UVSS will fund infrastructure improvements to reduce the consumption of greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental sustainability such as upgrading windows and building entryways that limit heat loss, and investigating renewable energy options.
This is only the first step in funding major upgrades for improving energy efficiency in the SUB, as these renovations are costly. Upgrading all of the windows in the SUB is estimated to cost $1.5 million, for example.
For financial context, an increase of $1.50 per student per semester will result in roughly $300,000 after five years.
For more information on specific sustainability improvements please check out the reports located on https://uvss.ca/sustainability.
If you support environmental sustainability, the UVSS asks you to support this referendum question.
If you have any questions about sustainability at the SUB, feel free to reach out the UVSS Director of Campaigns and Community Relations, Izzy Adachi (she/they), at campaigns@uvss.ca.
Vote YES to Empower UVSS To Serve Future Students
Question:
“Do you support tying UVSS fees to the previous year’s annual, all-items Consumer Price Index for BC (a maximum annual increase of approximately 0-2.5%) starting in September 2023, so the UVSS can continue to serve and represent students as the cost of doing so increases? This does not include Health and Dental or U-Pass fees.”
Proponent: Izzy Adachi
With the increase in inflation the past few years, it is important that the UVSS can continue to serve and represent students as the cost of doing so increases.
Voting yes in this referendum will increase student fees annually to the previous years annual, all-items Consumer Price Index for BC (a minimum of 0% to a maximum annual increase of 2.5%)
As your student union, we have worked hard over the past year to advocate on your behalf around areas like high costs of food, rent, and tuition. Our affordability survey found that UVIC is not doing enough to address the high cost living for students, and these costs are only going to rise. In order for us to keep providing low cost food, advocacy and services to students, we need to be able to keep ourselves afloat financially. Tying fees to inflation with a reasonable cap will help our student union to run smoothly in this rapidly changing world.
If you support good governance, the UVSS asks you to support this referendum question.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out the UVSS Director of Campaigns and Community Relations, Izzy Adachi (she/they), at campaigns@uvss.ca.