Free access to Red Deer Public Library for all RDC students

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Did you know that all members of the RDC community have free access to all branches of Red Deer Public Library?

Through a unique partnership with RDC Library, RDC students, faculty, and staff can freely borrow from RDPL’s vast collection of books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, graphic novels, video games, and original artwork.

For RDC students, simply prove that you’re currently registered at RDC. Show your schedule on paper or on your phone to the staff at the Circulation Desk of any RDPL branch. Your iCard will be your RDPL library card.

Red Deer Public Library has three branches: Downtown (main), Dawe, and the newly opened Timberlands branch. The Downtown branch will be particularly convenient for DSB students as well as for those using public transit (as it’s located across the street from the transit terminal, Sorensen Station). For more information about RDPL, visit their website at rdpl.org.

Talk to RDC Library staff if you need more information.

SA Councilors speak and advocate on behalf of students

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Students’ Association Winter Council — the highest governing body of the SA — has been set. All major decisions are made by Council, which consists of 12 Councilors and the current Students’ Association Executive Council.

Councilors represent the students and have the responsibility to speak up and advocate on behalf of the student body. Student Council meetings are held every second Monday and are open to the students of Red Deer College.

Your 2014-2015 SA Council
• Daniel Jackman
• Patti Lapointe
• Jordyn Saxton
• Brady Podloski
• Robert Raincock
• Alannah Clayton
• Diane Richard
• Frans Badenhorst
• Kelly Lockhart
• April Massie
• Austin McGrath, Ex-officio
• Erik Elilngson, Board of Governors Representative
• Evan Lintick, Vice President College Affairs
• Jhymylyn (Jaime) Miranda, Vice President Student Life
• Rebecca Tootoosis, Vice President Operations
• Bailey Daines, SA President

Student Council plays important role at RDC

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Things are gearing up here as we head into election season at the Students’ Association. Nominations for your Students’ Association Student Council closed at 4 p.m. Sept. 23.

Make sure to keep your eyes open from Sept. 24 to 30 as campaigning gets underway. The candidates will be informing you why Student Council is important and they should be your voice on Council and what makes them a great choice to be a student leader and representative.

Council is many things, but to summarize, it is a group of students elected from the larger student body who represent their peers on campus. It is the highest governing body of the Students’ Association, and thus directs how we operate. Finally, Student Council is a  group of students who want to make a difference and affect change for the betterment of Red Deer College and all students on this Campus. Council member bringing forward concerns of students and inform students of issues on campus that will affect them. They also help run events to engage students.

All of this work is important because student representation ensures that students are taken into account when decisions are made on campus. Without this voice, the College is not going to know what students really want and remain accountable to the primary stakeholders of this institution.

Upcoming Council events include a Student Council Forum in the Library North Nook today (Sept. 25) at 4:30 p.m. Come out and learn how Council’s work impacts students at Red Deer College. Students at the Donald School of Business (RDC’s downtown campus) will also have an opportunity to learn about Council at an event Sept. 29 at 10 a.m.

And lastly, remember every voice counts. Exercising your democratic right is something that should be done every opportunity you can.

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: REBECCA TOOTOOSIS, VP OPERATIONS

YOUR Students’ Association: here to represent and serve the students

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Hello RDC Students! Welcome to what is sure to be a crazy, yet exciting year at Red Deer College. My name is Bailey Daines and I’m YOUR Students’ Association President for 2014/2015.

For some of you who are returning, it may feel like you are simply coming home after a long summer vacation.  Okay sorry, “short” summer vacation, because after all, this is Alberta. For others, this may be your first time on a busy campus, with everyone looking as if they’ve got this place figured out. The truth is, you’re not alone.

My first year at RDC I spent most of my time back and forth to classes, wandering the hallways with what felt like a backpack of bricks, and in all honesty I didn’t get the college’s tag line “When you get here, you understand.”

While that slogan still perplexes me, this is what I do understand:  There is way more support and opportunities on this campus than I could have ever imagined.

The SA truly is here to represent students and create a quality post-secondary experience, and this year is no exception. The in-front and behind-the-scenes work for our businesses, representation, and services we provide for students, all exist to support you.

It’s never lost on me that the Students’ Association exists because of you, and for you. YOU are the true bosses on campus and this is YOUR post-secondary experience.

With that said, your voice and your involvement is important! You’re already a member and opportunities await! So GRAB this experience by the … books, and make your time at RDC a truly memorable journey!

Come and check out your Students’ Association, pick up a handbook (coupons galore!), and see what we’re all about.

Again, welcome to RDC, thank you for making it this far down the article, and I’ll hopefully be seeing you soon!

Warmest Welcome,
Bailey Daines
Students’ Association President

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: BAILEY DAINES, SA PRESIDENT

Extra-curricular activities: Add some spice to your college experience

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Hello new and returning students,

It’s a brand new year full of excitement and learning! I’m here to inform you about some of the amazing ways you can get involved on campus this year. You may think there’s not enough time to participate in the extra-curricular stuff, but you’d be surprised.

I’m here to tell you that, yes, those experiences do take time out of studying and you may not feel like you have the energy after class, but at the end of the day the experiences you get from being involved are worth it.

I know that sounds somewhat cliché, however, employers are looking for more than the fact you passed a course or completed a program, they are looking to see what makes you stand out and what you’ve been a part of outside the classroom.

So without preaching any further, here are some opportunities you should take advantage of:

1) SA Council- This is the highest governing body of your Students’ Association. Through an election, 12 students are chosen to represent their peers. They bring forward concerns of the students and also make sure that students are informed about matters that affect them. It is NOT like your typical high school council. SA Council is a much larger, very influential, and essential component in influencing the environment here at Red Deer College. Council is open to all students and we encourage you to get involved.

2) Academic Council- This is the highest governing body on campus that overlooks all of the policy and curriculum. If you want to influence any policies on campus that affect students this is the place for you.

If you want to get involved, nominations for these councils open on Sept. 16. Should you need more information before making a decision please contact me, Rebecca Tootoosis, at [email protected] or 403-356-4977.

That being said, there are other opportunities besides these Councils. If you are interested in volunteering and not putting in quite as much time, we always appreciate help with our events and activities. There are also a variety of student groups on campus that you can contribute to.

I hope you all take advantage of the multiple extra-curricular activities that are offered and have an amazing year.

Rebecca Tootoosis
VP Operations

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: REBECCA TOOTOOSIS, VP OPERATIONS

On Point & On Time: What’s next for the Students’ Association?

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First of all, I would like to say thank you to the Election candidates, their campaign teams, the Chief Returning Officer, SA Staff and of course, our many volunteers for their hard work during Elections Week!

The enthusiasm and camaraderie that was displayed only proves what the Students’ Association is all about.

Now that the elections are over, it is time for the outgoing and incoming student executives to work on determining the next steps the Students’ Association will take to ensure continued success in advocacy, representation, and services the SA provides.

Continuity is key to an organization’s success; we are committed to ensuring the Association continues to build on the foundation of advocacy and representation, not just within the College but also throughout the province.

This year, together with Alberta Students’ Executive Council (ASEC), the lobby group that we belong to, we lobbied the government for transparency with tuition and the mandatory non-instructional fees (outside the classroom materials) we pay, long-term funding for mental health in ALL post-secondary institutions, consistent student representation for all committees, and lastly, transferability.

The College is gearing up to changing into a school model starting July 1, 2014. An information session for students, led by Brad Donaldson, Vice President Academic was held March 12 informing the students about the upcoming change and answering students’ questions. To learn more about the School Model Implementation, please visit the Students’ Association website: www.sardp.ca. The Students’ Association would like to thank Brad Donaldson and his team for taking time to answer students’ questions and concerns.

Congratulations to all the new upcoming student executives and we’re excited to be working with you!

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: MARTIN CRUZ, SA PRESIDENT

Health plan coverage continues until August 31

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Student Benefits Plan … Did You Know

Health and dental plan coverage continues until August 31; it does not end at the completion of the school year. The new benefit year commences September 1.

Dental benefits

If you have not had your annual dental check up and will be away from Central Alberta for the summer, phone Concept Dental at 403-347-2377 and make an appointment now. To receive dental benefits, you must use Concept Dental. Your RDC student number is all you need; no claim forms are required unless you are referred to a specialist by Concept Dental.

The dental benefit is $750 per patient, per insurance year.

  • Diagnostic and Preventative (annual exam) includes polishing, one unit of scaling and medically necessary x-rays once per benefit year, fluoride for dependent children up to age 15 once per benefit year, pit and fissure sealants for dependent children up to age 16 – one replacement per tooth, per lifetime, on permanent molars only at 100 percent
  • Minor Restorative includes Fillings, Space Maintainers, Denture Repairs, relining, rebasing and tissue conditioning at 80 percent.
  • Oral Surgery limited to two wisdom teeth per benefit year at 50 percent.
  • Endodontic – root canals at 50 percent.
  • Periodontic – up to six additional units of scaling/root planning per benefit year at 50 percent.
  • Major restorative services such as crowns, bridges and dentures at 15 percent, once every five benefit years.

Tax tip

Did you know that your extended health and dental plan premiums are tax deductible ?

You can add the premiums to other medical expenses if you incurred health-related expenses, such as vision care, when you calculate tax credits. Retain a copy of the tuition invoice showing the health and dental fees and the statements attached to any reimbursement cheques from the insurance company, also receipts from Concept Dental.   Proof of medical expenses paid, need not be sent with your income tax submission, but must be kept in case you are audited.

For more information and a brochure outlining your Student Benefits Plan, Contact Renee Marcenko, Rm 2010A in the Students’ Association office, phone 403-356-4982, email [email protected], website: www.mystudentplan.ca

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: RENEE MARCENKO | STUDENT BENEFIT PLAN

Soothing RDC students’ stress heading into mid-terms, final projects and exams

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Stressed?

Most students would respond with a resounding YES!

The constraints of limited budgets, pressures of work-school-life balance, weight of nagging deadlines and looming exams coupled with anxiety, loneliness and other issues make this time of year tough for students.

All of this adds up to a lot of pressure and stress for students in their academic and personal lives. And sometimes, it can become too much.

In recognition of these pressures, last fall the Students’ Association of Red Deer College introduced its Mental Health Initiative aimed at promoting a positive atmosphere in which mental health can be explored and enhanced. The initiative is supported by funding from the Alberta Campus Mental Health Initiative Fund (ACMHI).

“We want to help give students the tools to take care of themselves,” explained SA President Martin Cruz. “Throughout the year we have held a number of awareness campaigns to help students learn about mental health and to try to remove the stigma around mental illness.

“With Mental Health Week, we want to help students relieve stress in a very hands-on fashion while creating a framework where we can all learn about mental health and how to foster good mental health within ourselves, our friends and families and our communities.”

Relieve stress now

Stress, depression, anxiety are an ongoing threat to students’ mental health. According to studies, one in four post-secondary students experience stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health symptoms. The three most common factors affecting academic performance are stress, sleep difficulties and anxiety.

The Mental Health Initiative is continuing its efforts to give students the tools to deal with mental health stressors and show that there are many ways to deal with stress in a healthy manner. Mental Health Week, which runs March 24 to 28, seeks to give student a week of fun, healthy and soothing activities.

During Mental Health Week, students will be encouraged to give their stresses and worries a physical dimension as they post them on the stress board, set them free on a balloon, pop them in bubble wrap or squash them in playdough. Students will also be reminded of the role of healthy eating in their overall wellness with the fruit tray event and Healthy Sandwich Race.

“Hopefully a fun, open approach to mental health and stress will help students relax and begin to discuss their worries, anxieties and concerns,” said Cruz. “We want to foster an environment where there is no stigma surrounding mental illness and where people are comfortable accessing the services they need.”

The Mental Health Initiative also brings mental health information to the forefront for students with its Mywelleness program, www.mywellnessplan.ca (select Students’ Association of Red Deer College).

This site has a wide selection of on-campus and off-campus links and resources — ranging from the RDC Counselling & Career Centre to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Red Deer district — to help students become more informed about mental health issues and the services available to them.

Feeling Better Now

Imagine its 3 a.m. and you are not feeling well. It’s the middle of the night and it feels like there is no one to call.

You remember hearing about the Feel Better Now tool. You grab your phone or tablet head to mystudentplan.ca/reddeer/mywellness, click on the Feeling Better Now link and within 20 minutes you have a preliminary assessment of your emotional and mental health and can start mapping your road to wellness.

“Feeling Better Now is an online assessment tool which provides users with an immediate outcome at the end of the survey,” said Cruz, adding that Feeling Better Now is the only mental health assessment tool for students accredited by the Canadian College of Family Physicians.

“Students can take their results to a doctor, a counselor or other medical professional. We believe this allows students to respond to their situation from an empowered position and allows them to take an active and informed roll in their care.”

Students who are at high risk are provided with online tools to help them and their physician identify and treat emotional and mental health problems using medical best practices.

“This tool will enable students who previously were unable — or unwilling — to make an appointment for mental health screening to access the help they need,” said Cruz. “At its ultimate, this tool could help ease strain on the emergency health system as mental health concerns could be treated before becoming emergencies.”

If you have any questions or suggestions for the Mental Health Initiative, email [email protected]

On Point & On Time: The importance of being informed and voting

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With the Students’ Association elections just around the corner, I wanted to remind you about the importance voting.

The Students’ Association is here to represent you, as a student at Red Deer College. You paid your tuition to be here and get the education you want. That makes you a shareholder of this institution, which means you have a voice in the decision-making process within this institution and the provincial government.

That voice and representation are held the student leaders you elect during the SA elections. Just as your current executive team has, those students will make decisions, lobby and represent you to the College administration, the government and the community on your behalf. Of course, all of that happens after consulting with the majority of the students.

Like every single student organization across Canada, the Students’ Association collects fees (essentially part of your tuition). This covers the cost of the services we have available such as advocacy and representation, events, the student handbook/daytimer, lease for the photocopiers in the library, Students’ Association scholarships and awards, and more importantly, a building that shelters all of the services that the SA provide which includes the Far Side Bar & Grill and The Lift convenience store.

It is the job of the elected officials — SA president and the three vice presidents — to ensure you have the services you need as a student. In addition, they represent you to within the College, the government, and the community.

If you are thinking about running for a student executive position you can talk to the current executive in that position. If you’ve got what it takes to experience a thrilling yet challenging role, I would encourage you to pick up a nomination package and learn more about the positions and the election process. Another quick reminder of Uncle Ben’s words to Peter, “with big power comes big responsibility.”

Completed nomination packages must be submitted to Elections Officer Marie Evangelista by 4 p.m. March 11.

It is important to know the candidates and make an informed a decision before voting. Regardless if you’re returning to RDC next year, it is your responsibility and duty as a paying member to vote for the next set of student representatives.

Please vote on March 19, 2013. It takes only two minutes to make a difference. Let your voice be heard during the 2014 Spring Executive Council Election!

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: MARTIN CRUZ, SA PRESIDENT

Students’ Association Executive Elections approaching

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The Students’ Association of Red Deer College (of which you are a member!) is holding its annual Executive Election.

At the end of the election process a brand-new Students’ Association Executive Council will be chosen.

These four people represent students at RDC to College administration, the provincial government and the community. They oversee the operations of the Students’ Association and its businesses and plan events, awareness campaigns and more for you, the RDC student.

This election will fill the following positions: Students’ Association President, Vice President Operations, Vice President College Affairs and Vice President Student Life for 2014-2015. They will take office May 1.

Can I be involved?

Yes! You can volunteer with the election, run for office, and above all — VOTE!

Vote: Voting is easy; all you need is your iCard. Simply walk up to a poll on Election Day March 19, show your iCard, receive your ballots and vote.

All RDC credit students (academic and apprenticeship students), U of A Collaborative students and U of C collaborative students registered at the time the list is prepared (usually a week to 14 days prior to the election) should be on the Voters List. In the event your name does not appear on the list on Election Day, poll clerks will give you further directions.

Volunteer: Several dedicated volunteers are need to help make the election successful. Volunteers will help set up/tear down polling stations, operate polling stations, count ballots and more. Email [email protected] for details.

Run for office: Want to make a difference and ensure students have a voice in their education? Consider running for office. If you would like more information on the positions and how to run for office, contact Elections Officer Marie Evangelista at [email protected] or phone 403-342-3200.

Results will be announced in the Far Side Bar & Grill at the conclusion of ballot counting on March 19(approximate time: 8 p.m.) Election results will also be announced on the SA website (www.sardp.ca), Facebook, Twitter and the Loop. You can also check out one of the SA bulletin boards for a poster with the winners!