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Dear Minister McCann, In response to the desperate situation unfolding at Dawson College concerning in-person final examinations, we have decided to write to you today to ask that action be taken in this regard. The Dawson Student Union has firmly opposed this decision before both the college administration and the media. We kindly ask of you today that you hear our concerns. Considering that the province of Quebec and the Greater Montreal area is currently under maximum alert, it is inconceivable to ask 3000 students of the College to attend in-person exams in Downtown Montreal, one of the highest centers for contamination. While we value academic integrity, it is impossible to think that these concerns are more significant than our students' health. After a calmer summer, the academic year's start was plagued by a widespread of Covid-19 cases in schools throughout our province. This is not a shock considering the number of students attending school every day. Though the problem is not just in the classrooms, it can also be traced to increased contacts in public transportation, the primary means of transportation for the vast majority of Dawson students. This, in our view, will expose thousands of students to the risk of contracting Covid-19 and needs to be taken into consideration. We are also deeply concerned for our high-risk students, those suffering from a suppressed immune system and chronic medical conditions. We find this situation unjust since students are forced to make an impossible choice between putting their lives at risk and failing their academic semester. We are not only concerned about the physical well-being of the students but also their mental health. Attending in-person exams has a considerable impact on the mental well-being of our students. Furthermore, in order to respect Legault's plan for authorized gatherings for the holidays, a seven day isolation period is necessary. Dawson is currently planning on holding exams from the 16th to the 23rd of December 2020; therefore, Dawson students will not be able to see their families during the holidays. For many, spending time with family during the holidays was something they have been looking forward to as an escape during these unprecedented times. According to Dr. Arruda, we will already see a rise of cases during this period due to the multiple contacts during the holiday season. With this in mind, the College's decision to hold in-person exams would aggravate and increase the possibility of outbreaks for so many. We would like to thank our government for all the measures put in place since the start of this pandemic and would like to count on your support in this regard and ask that the College's decision be overturned. We would like for our members and students to remain safe in this trying period. In the hopes that our student's concerns will be heard, The Dawson Student Union (PDF Format) (French PDF Format)

On November 4th, 2020, Dawson students gathered on zoom to attend the DSU`s fall 2020 General Assembly. Clubs and members were encouraged to submit resolutions on socio-political positions they would want their union to implement. A resolution presented by Green Earth Club on the union's placement regarding the GNL Quebec Project was adopted unanimously by the students present. Following this resolution’s passing, the Dawson Student Union`s Executive Committee decided to further take action on this critical issue at its regular meeting. The GNL Quebec project is a 782-kilometre long gas pipeline from northeastern Ontario to Saguenay: the most significant industrial project in the province’s history. Not only will this natural gas liquefaction plant generate 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, which is equivalent to 60% of Quebec’s annual greenhouse gas emissions (1), but it will also hurt endangered wildlife in the area (2). The executive committee positioned itself and 48 other student associations, favouring an immediate halt of the GNL Quebec project. Further, in light of our recent joining to the CASAQ (Coalition of the Anglophone Student Association of Quebec) climate plan, we believe that it is even more important to formalize our position on this project. We would ask that elected officials put an end to this project, which will have devastating repercussions on the environment. *This statement, along with the Green Earth club's resolution, has been sent to BAPE (Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement) and government officials. Signed, Kevin Contant-Holowatyj (Chairperson) Alexandrah Cardona (Deputy Chairperson) Noah Lemaire (Treasurer) Leana Ramirez (Director of Internal Affairs and Advocacy) Valeria Sygal (Director of External Affairs) Amélie Chornet (Director of Clubs and Services) Nicole Vega Rivas (Director of Student Life) Sarah Bensemana (Director of Sustainability) Danahé Orduna Martinez (Director of Mobilization and Communication) 1.http://www.environnement.gouv.qc.ca/changements/ges/2016/inventaire1990-2016.pdf ​ 2.https://baleinesendirect.org/en/quantifying-the-number-of-belugas-in-the-st-lawrence/

The Dawson Student Union’s motto is ‘Connect, Support, Inspire’. These words are the driving force behind every plan, every decision, every change and every implementation made. Recently, the last word ‘Inspire’, or to motivate others and push for positive outcome, was the guide for an executive decision taken. General assemblies are usually catered events. Given that assemblies are currently being held digitally, the Executive Team decided to do a gift card raffle instead for those in attendance. Fifty of the students who attended had the chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card. At first this seemed fairly innocuous, however, during the GA, one of Dawson’s oldest clubs and associations, Green Earth, brought up a very important point: Amazon has been known to be quite the harsh pollutant, and as such, providing support for that company in the form of gift cards may not entirely align with the Union’s position on sustainability and the goal of preserving the environment. The Executive Team agreed with Green Earth, and in the end, the result of that discussion was that students would be given the option to either keep their $20 Amazon gift card upon winning, or they could donate the $20 to the ‘All Eyes on Mi’Kma’ki’ charity, which is currently supporting efforts to protect indigenous fisheries in the Maritimes. The DSU Executives take their mandates very seriously including and especially their commitments made to the environment and have made the decision that in the future, they will try their best to work exclusively with companies with low negative social and environmental impacts and will offer the choice to claim prizes or donate the equivalent amount to charity in the case of future giveaways. During this round of giveaways, over $460 has been pledged to the charity. The Union Executive Team would like to issue a special thank you to Green Earth for bringing this concern forward, and for more information, please contact sustainability@dawsonstudentunion.com.

The Dawson Student Union`s Executive Committee unanimously decided at its regular meeting to position itself against holding in-person final exams at Dawson College. We believe that this would undermine the performance of certain students and would effectively put them in harm’s way. It is essential to understand that having in-person exams will still increase the risk for students to contract COVID-19, even if safety measures were to be put in place. For the past week, we have watched as daily cases have risen both in Quebec and Canada above levels previously witnessed in Spring 2020. The situation greatly alarms our organization, and as representatives of the Dawson student body, we believe it is our duty to voice these concerns to the administration. We have formally reached out to the College to express our concerns and request a specific course of action. While our board believes that it is paramount to limit exposure and halt all plans for in-person exams, we understand that this issue is very contentious. That is why we have asked that the College survey students concerned with these in-person evaluations so that a decision can be made based on the will of our members. We have also requested that the College not hold exams in-person unless there is a resounding majority of students favoring such a course of action. We have a meeting scheduled next week with Dawson`s academic Dean, Diane Gauvin, to discuss these concerns and our specific position on this issue. The students must be heard on this crucial matter: our body`s health and safety should all be our number one concern. Finals are already a stressful time for students, and we believe that having to be in a room with other students can augment the stress to many of the student population. While we understand that some students and faculty may be concerned with academic integrity, this cannot outweigh in any way the risk of contracting the virus. These are challenging times, and we understand that difficult decisions must be taken; however, we believe that the arguments supporting the transition to online exams are more than substantial. We will keep our student members informed of any further developments. Signed, Kevin Contant-Holowatyj (Chairperson) Alexandrah Cardona (Deputy Chairperson) Noah Lemaire (Treasurer) Leana Ramirez (Director of Internal Affairs and Advocacy) Valeria Sygal (Director of External Affairs) Amélie Chornet (Director of Clubs and Services) Nicole Vega Rivas (Director of Student Life) Sarah Bensemana (Director of Sustainability) Danahé Orduna Martinez (Director of Mobilization and Communication)

The 2020/2021 DSU Executive Team ran on transparency transparency transparency and that is precisely the purpose of the newly written ‘Code of Standing Regulations of Dawson Student Union Clubs’. ​ As opposed to waiting to be given instructions as to how to operate a club, how to manage the finances, how to conduct oneself, and so on, the DSU Executive Team has outlined everything from club budgets and how clubs are created, to the safer space policy and club status revocation, explicitly in this new policy document. ​ Most of the information contained within the document will be familiar to veteran club members, however there are a few changes that have been made including changes to the number of events required, changes in special project funding, an increase in club budgets, as well as new provisions for those seeking to open a new club under the Dawson Student Union: ‘Interim club status’. ​ Previously, in order to open a club, one would have to print out the club signup sheet, get 250 signatures and place a star next to 50 people’s names who are pledging to be active club members. The decision has been made to greatly decrease the number of signees from 250 to 50 people, and instead of having to wait until the following semester to be given full club status, one can achieve interim club status right away in order to get the ball rolling. ​ Outside of transparency, especially through this digital semester where social interactions have significantly decreased, the Team is looking to get more students to participate in extracurriculars, to create more ways for students to bond, and to deepen our collegiate social cohesion by simplifying the process and making it less lengthy to open new clubs. ​ The full breakdown of Interim Club Status as well as the Code of Standing Regulations in its entirety can be found in the PDF below. ***Some details have changed and are pending ratification at the winter General Assembly ​ For more information, please contact the Director of Clubs and Services at clubs.services@dawsonstudentunion.com. ​ ​ ​

Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 was the 2020/2021 DSU Executive team’s first General Assembly and it exceeded all expectations. ​ Being the first full digital semester and the first semester conducting a digital General Assembly posed a great deal of challenges. It was already always a difficult endeavor to reach quorum and without being physically in the school, the team’s avenues for mobilization were significantly limited. Yet still, with days spent getting the word out as much as possible, along with the help of some wonderful volunteers, and some assistance from Dawson College support staff, the executive team not only reached the minimum attendance needed but were actually able to more than double the needed quorum, which was the highest turnout in 5 years. Throughout the Assembly, there were more than 100 students who participated which is double the normal student participation for these types of events. ​ The Chairperson, Kevin Contant-Holowatyj gave some opening remarks in which he introduced the team and some of the ambitious plans for the year. He also mentioned that the formal director plans were to be released in the coming weeks. ​ The Assembly then proceeded to ratify the budget, the policy on clubs with an overwhelming majority. Major changes were brought this year's budget to account for the realities of Covid-19. The assembly also looked at the resolution position presented by Green Earth Club on GNL Quebec Project. This Resolution was adopted with a nearly unanimous consent. Finally, following the adjournment of the Assembly, the Executive Committee also remained available on zoom to answer any questions from members. Topics ranged from club budgets to the amendment process of the by-laws. ​ To see what was discussed and ratified at the Fall 2020 General Assembly, click here. ​ In addition, 50 of the students who attended won a $20 Amazon gift card. The list of winners (highlighted) can be found in the PDF below. If your name is on the list and have yet to claimed your prize, you can do so by sending a message on social media or by sending an email to general@dawsonstudentunion.com.

The Coalition of the Anglophone Student Associations of Quebec (C.A.S.A.Q.), which includes the Champlain Student Association, the Student Union of John Abbott College, the Marianopolis Student Union, The Vanier College Student Association and the Dawson Student Union, have come together to sign the CASAQ Climate Plan and Policy. This is a binding, yearlong long formal document that: ​ - Outlines positions that the 5 student unions are in lockstep with, including the importance of ending discrimination in its many forms, and being in lockstep with the UN’s Sustainable Development Plans ​ - States the objectives that the 5 student unions hope to achieve by the signing of this document ​ - Commits to series of guidelines to uphold as well as specific actions that each individual student union is expected to take on ​ The Dawson Student Union is very proud of this collective effort as we are in fact doing our part in ensuring a better, cleaner, more respectful and generally more sustainable future for upcoming generations, while simultaneously laying a positive foundation and precedent for others to follow and build upon. ​ The plan was ratified by the Executive Committee and then signed by Valeria Sygal, the Director of External Affairs who represents the Dawson Student Union at the CASAQ meeting.