About 15 students showed up to the second break out strategic planning session for students on Saturday Jan. 23.
The two hour session was one of many that have been held throughout the year for various focus groups in the UNB community. This break out session was student focused with a goal of improving student life at UNB.
A similar session took place prior to Christmas break, however it coincided with the exam period so Saturday’s session was planned to give more students an opportunity to have their voices heard.
“We had about 15 people come out to have a bigger conversation specifically with regards to what you can do to improve the student experience here and how can you build a better UNB,” Jon O’Kane, president of the UNB Student Union and a member of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, said.
O’Kane said that participants in the session were mostly Student Union councillors, however other students did partake in the discussion. The SU president said one of the major topics raised surrounded international students on campus and the international student differential fee.
Another issue that was discussed at the session included mentorship for younger students.
“There were some very interesting conversations about mentorship and connecting earlier year students with upper year students and alumni to improve the student experience,” O’Kane said.
Other issues that were raised include graduate studies at UNB, English as a second language training and having the voices of underrepresented groups heard.
O’Kane said he is optimistic the conversation that took place at the session will be included in the overall strategic plan. Feedback gathered from this and other sessions will be reviewed by the Strategic Planning Steering Committee for implementation into the overall strategic plan.
UNB’s strategic planning initiative aims to build a better university as they move into the 225 year. The Strategic Planning Steering Committee consists of 30 members from all areas of the UNB community including students, faculty, staff and administration.
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