SchoolofComputingApril2011

Set Rep Meeting Minutes of School of Computing & Academic Studies Thursday, April 14, 2011

Chair Michal Harisson, Chair of School of Computing &Academic Studies

Set/Tech Reps: Jaime Wilson

James Goth

Ranyl Bantog

Jacob Kwitkoski

Chris Elder

Tony Han

Chris Wood Staff: Christina Batstone Guest Speakers: Maggie Ross, the Director of Student Judicial Affairs for BCIT Christina Batstone, Advocacy Coordinator 4.1 Meeting called to order The Chair Person, Michal Harisson, called meeting to order at 7:45am 4.2 Guest Speakers Christina Batstone & Maggie Ross Maggie Ross is the Director of Student Judicial Affairs for BCIT and is current reviewing the Non-Academic Code of Conduct Policy and is looking for direct feedback from students Maggie differentiates between academic misconduct (cheating, plagiarism, absenteeism, etc) and non-academic misconduct (fighting, computer misuse, slander, etc).

Current code is a list of “don’ts” but does not define what students can expect and what their rights are. Students at any post-secondary have rights and responsibilities and these are laid out in the policies. One of these rights is the right to safety and security. BCIT has a response mechanism and an appeal mechanism for non-academic violations. Maggie handed out a

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document outlining the policy and review procedure (Please see Appendix I for the handout).

Maggie asks do students know there is a code of conduct and why or why not? Some of the responses include:     

No, it’s not shared at orientations No, it’s never provided Sometimes instructors share, but it’s very limited (majority don’t mention) Perhaps collaborate with the agendas There is some reference in the odd course outline, but most of it academic

If a student gets in trouble for beating someone up, etc, they might feel that BCIT didn’t educate them enough  Most students know through common sense that certain behaviours are not allowed in social settings  A student notes that the laws of the country obviously apply Questions: Michal asks does the policy apply outside of BCIT, off campus. Maggie says yes. For example, using info tech.

Students are not allowed to download/upload copyright protected material, they start on campus and then move off campus, would they be accountable at BCIT? Some say yes.

Campaigns to raise awareness of this specific example is ineffective Maggie asks if the administration should be paying more attention?Students say, yes there should be a consistency Maggie asks about drugs. What are your thoughts?  Some students feel it’s not a big issue but the school feels it is  Michal shares that he doesn’t personally care, but without a license is still illegal  The school has to accommodate students with permits Michal asks where the complaints come from?  Maggie shares that it can be security, faculty, or other students  Anyone can bring a complaint forward Maggie asks about smart drugs (Ritalin, etc).If you don’t have a prescription, it is illegal to possess. Does the institution have a responsibility to address this? Is it like cheating (equivalent to steroids, as a performance enhancer)?

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 Evidence seems to split on whether the drugs are effective at improving academic performance  How much does the school want to take a stand on a controversial social issue?  Does the school have any right to ask about a student’s prescriptions?  It would be too much of an administrative nightmare?

A student asked if Maggie gets any complaints about smart drugs? Maggie says no How do students feel about bullying and harassment? Usually it has to get really bad before the institution notices. Do you notice this in your set? What role do set reps have?  Michal shares a story about a student from last term that was bullying and harassing other student. Security was involved after set-reps complained and the student eventually left on his own accord.  Students shares that this process seems acceptable  Set reps are in the class and can act as a bridge Maggie asks if it is reasonable for BCIT to expect set-reps to report classmates? Maggie shares that BCIT cannot make set reps legally responsible Sometimes students act strange and no one reports it for a long time. Is there room to improve this process?  Yes, students need to understand the process better  Get in the first set-rep meeting  Students need to find out where is the first point of contact  If set reps have too many expectations and responsibilities, they will not volunteer to do it  Cannot be presented as an obligation  Give a sheet with important contacts at the beginning of year  One student shared that he didn’t know where security was until recently Maggie asks, knowing that students get so much info, what is the best way to get that info to student?    

Directly tell it to people, word of mouth Emails, handouts, websites that do not work Tell students that they need to pass it onto sets Integrate it with the orientations or with things students really want, like their free Microsoft  Take two minutes from the drum circle 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby BC | Bus: 604.432.8600 Fax: 604.434.3809 | info@bcitsa.ca | www.bcitsa.ca

Students can share any additional thoughts after the fact by contacting her at Maggie_Ross@bcit.ca or at 604-431-4972; or by contacting Christina Batstone, Advocacy Coordinator for the BCITSA, at advocate@bcitsa.ca or 604 456 1161.

4.3 Old business 

LAN Party-

Lots of people helped out – thank you! 80 or 90 people showed up, not as big as before, but still good Michal is going to transitioning with the new Chair soon so that this party can continue next year. 

SE12 Lab Equipment

Michal had meeting with SA and BCIT Executives. Mentioned to Paul Dangerfield (VP Education) and Val Karpinsky (VP Student Services) that equipment has not arrived and it is critical for students.

The VPs confirmed that the equipment is on campus but they don’t have enough people to remove the old equipment and bring in the new. Students cannot volunteer to move the equipment because of union contracts. Michal asked for a deadline and was told it would happen before the end of the academic year (which for the School of Computer is right now).One student asked which rooms would be getting the chairs and Michal says that it is the same list as from October BCIT staff did an inventory but Michal does not have the list BCIT plans on prioritizing the worst rooms first.

4.4 New business: 

Student Elections

Elections are still up right now and students are encouraged to vote. Board of Governors, Education Council, and BCITSA Executives etc. all have multiple positions. Michal explains that the Education Council is responsible for all student policies, so those student representatives directly affect policies that impact students. 

Set Rep Award

Set reps must be nominated by a classmate or faculty member (anyone by the Chair of Computing and oneself).Students must submit a one page later with the application describing 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby BC | Bus: 604.432.8600 Fax: 604.434.3809 | info@bcitsa.ca | www.bcitsa.ca

why they deserve the prize. Nominations close on April 29th (an extension from the original deadline). Michal and two other Executives will review applications and decide who will win it.

The prize is a $500 cheque (can be used for anything). Criteria = must be present at all set-rep meetings, actively involved in discussions, disseminate information to your set, actively involved in BCIT or community (volunteering, clubs etc), be a student, and have a minimum GPA as define by your program. Michal distributed forms and offered to give out more to those who want it. http://www.bcitsa.ca/pdf/awardsbursaries/Distinquished%20Set%20Representative%20Award%20Nomination%20Form.pdf 4.5 Set rep Forum 

Games club has secured a discount for the Canadian Games Conference (May 19-20).  Students can attend for $100 (discount of $150) for a two-day pass  There will be speakers and professionals sharing their experience  Students must be a member of the Games Club to get discount, but they will likely open it up to more student  Set-reps can pass on the info to their sets who can contact Ranyl Bantog (bcitgamesdevclub@gmail.com)

Michal will help send an email to send to set-reps. 

Microsoft is basically giving away free phones and money  Microsoft is running a contest for applications for their phones. More students should submit because you pretty much are guaranteed a free phone as there is a low number of applicants.  The grand prize is a trip to Australia to attend a conference



A majority of the independent app developers live in Vancouver  They didn’t realize BCIT had a games program  http://www.straight.com/article-215391/bcit-spawns-iphone-games  They are making a following up article that includes all the independents and are really interested in following up with students



Codex was nominated for Best Student Game at the Canadian Video Game Awards  Only one submission for school, so it would be a win for BCIT  Students can vote online tomorrow  http://www.microsoft.com/gulf/wp7dev/contest.html#

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 Christina Batstone, BCITSA Advocacy Coordinator, handed out a sheet that details the Advocacy Campaigns and Initiatives from 2010-2011  She asked the set-reps to go online and fill out a short survey on their opinions.  Their feedback will be incorporated into Advocacy Campaigns and Initiatives for 2011-2012  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BJF2JLW Please see Appendix II for the handout.

4.6 Next meeting Next fall!

4.7 Meeting adjourned at 8:4.5am The Chairperson Michal Harisson adjourned the meeting at 8:45am.

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School of Computing & Academic Studies Set Rep Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 14, 2011 7:30 am – 8:30 am 4.1

Meeting Called to Order

4.2

Guest Speakers  Christina Batstone & Maggie Ross

4.3

Old Business  LAN Party  SE12 Lab Equipment

4.4

New Business  Student Elections  Set Rep Award

4.5

Set Rep Forum

4.6

Next Meeting: Next fall!

4.7

Meeting Adjourned

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Appendix I

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Appendix II

ADVOCACY PROGRAMS AND CAMPAIGNS: A RE-EVALUATION Objective

To gain significant student input in an effort to realign the Advocacy Office’s harm reduction initiatives and campaigns with the needs and wants of the student body.

Background Harm Reduction Initiatives

In 2007, the BCITSA incorporated the harm reduction model into its core strategies and goals.

Specifically, the Advocacy Office became responsible for providing information, programming, and services to students in such a way that empowered them to make informed decisions without the imposition of an idealistic or moral philosophy.

The educational efforts, run by the Advocacy Office, were focused around five topic areas that were deemed to be of particular importance to students. They are: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Alcohol Awareness Safer Sex Personal Safety Gambling ID Theft and Credit

Awareness Campaigns

The Advocacy Office is also responsible for a number of campaigns each year that have often integrated the harm reduction key messages. Most of the campaigns evolved out need to take a stand on particular issues or a need to participate in larger events of significant to the BCITSA student body. The campaigns that currently run out of the Advocacy Office are as follows: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

The Respect Campaign (year round) International Day Against Homophobia (May 17) Zen Campaign for Mental Health (end of May) National Coming Out Day (October 11) White Rose: A Campaign for Anti-Violence (December 6)

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Feedback Questions Answer these online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BJF2JLW

1. Did you notice any of the 10 initiatives and campaigns on campus this last year?

2. Should the five topic areas for the harm reduction initiatives remain the same or be changed?

Are there other topics that are important for students?

3. Should we continue with the five current campaigns? Are there campaigns we should be doing instead?

4. What is the best way for the Advocacy Office to effectively execute the initiatives and campaigns? Should we use events, online media, print campaigns, etc?

5. Any other feedback regarding the Advocacy initiatives and campaigns?

Contact Information

Feedback is always welcome, so please contact the Advocacy Office at anytime.

Christina Batstone Advocacy Coordinator| BCIT Student Association T 604.456.1161 | F 604.434.3809 E advocate@bcitsa.ca | W www.bcitsa.ca

3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby BC | Bus: 604.432.8600 Fax: 604.434.3809 | info@bcitsa.ca | www.bcitsa.ca