By BRIANNE ROHOVIE
With all four University of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) Executive Council members having hit the ground running upon taking office May 1, several initiatives set for completion this summer are already well underway.
"We've had opportunities to meet with many people we will be working with this year in the University community, municipally, provincially and even federally," says ULSU president Jeremy Girard, adding that he plans to keep a strong focus on maintaining the value of the ULSU to these external stakeholders throughout his term.
An equally important task, planning main elements of ULSU events and initiatives for 2009-2010, is also slated for completion this summer. With this being a central responsibility of the VP Internal, the next few months will prove crucial for Cole Lehto.
"By the end of summer we intend on having concrete arrangements with the artists who will perform at the Zoo this year, as well as plans for what will be involved in other ULSU events," Lehto says.
Among additional tasks on Executive Council member's to-do lists are: complete a detailed plan for Fresh Fest 2009, take steps to have a used text book exchange program in place for this school year and make arrangements to host academic speakers and ensure the ULSU food bank is prepared to continue serving students at a high level of functionality.
"I want to see the food bank running efficiently and effectively all year," Lehto says. "With the addition of a food-planning guide, which will act like an in-hand counsellor, we can provide an even greater service to food bank users."
From September's Fresh Fest to April's Last Class Bash, with awareness weeks, concerts, charity drives and club events in between, Girard promises 2009-2010 will be a great year at the U of L.
"I think this year we have the potential, through our many initiatives, to reach more students than we ever have before," says Girard, adding that the Executive Council is prepared to work as hard as is necessary to do so.
"Although we've begun our terms very strongly, I'm sure that over the year our energy levels will fluctuate," Lehto says. "We plan on keeping pace in a way that allows us to cross the finish line still running."