The Journal provides free space for parties on the referendum ballot. All statements are unedited.
INCREASING FEES
Queen’s Black Academic Society (FEE: $0.50 to $1.10)
Queen’s Black Academic Society (QBAS) is the largest Black student organization on the Queen’s campus. Driven by three core values: unity, excellence, and scholarship, the club hosts several events on campus, including social events, study nights, and Real Talk events, meant to initiate discussion on topics important to students and the Black community. Each year, the club hosts conversations on mental health and generational divides, encouraging students to engage with one another and share their opinions on issues often ignored. The club also provides various mentorship opportunities between students on campus, acts as a liaison between Black students on campus and the school administration to ensure proper communication, representation, and the creation of a safe space on campus for Black and minority students. In the broader Kingston community, QBAS serves as a member of the planning committee on the Black Legacy Mentorship Program, offering an opportunity to help meet the needs of Black youth in the area. Aside from serving the local community, QBAS is one of the founding and leading bodies of the Black Undergraduate Coalition, an organization built to unify student leaders across campuses, develop leaders, and provide a space for advocacy and collaboration. Their yearly conference brings together students and professionals to share ideas and discuss Black scholarship in the country. QBAS remains committed to delivering impactful events and initiatives, and with the referendum fee, will be able to improve financial accessibility and serve a wider student base. The funds would be used for supplies, food, and other expenses that limit the ability of the club to expand its outreach. As an equity-facing group on campus, we play a unique role in representing the voices of Black students on campus and creating safe spaces.
DECREASING FEES
NeuGeneration (FEE: $0.35 to $0.25)
NeuGeneration is a two-day neuroscience conference held at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. The conference is organized by a group of undergraduate students who share a common interest in the fascinating field of neuroscience. This year, our team has been working hard to institute procedures to allow delegates to learn, make memories, and be inspired in-person. We would like to gladly announce that our conference will be hosted the weekend of January 21st and 22nd, 2023. NeuGeneration Conference 2023 will provide delegates with the opportunity to listen to and network with leading neuroscience researchers within Canada. Delegates will compete in a case-competition that gives them a chance to share their passion for problem-solving through group learning and presentations. Lastly, our delegates will participate in hands-on workshops that encompass a diverse set of neuroscience topics. We hope to provide students with a deeper connection to a network that is bigger than themselves, giving delegates the opportunity to share their thoughts, questions, and passion with other individuals who are united by their love of neuroscience. Our conference has explored a wide variety of topics within neuroscience from mental health and neurodegenerative diseases, to topics in artificial intelligence, neurosurgery, and brain plasticity. We are committed to providing our group of delegates with an in-person conference full of revolutionary research, stimulating conversations and networking opportunities to inspire the next generation of undergraduate students to further their passion for the brain. As we approach our eighth annual conference this January, we hope to entice you to join the conversation and to explore the complexity surrounding the sophisticated inner workings of the human mind.
NEW FEES
Social Issues Commission (FEE: $3.50)
The Social Issues Commission (SIC) is committed to advancing Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility (I-EDIAA) at Queen’s University. As one of the six commissions of the AMS, the SIC collaborates with university offices, AMS bodies, and student groups to deliver grants, awards, and programs that promote an equitable and inclusive campus environment.
As Queen’s student population becomes increasingly diverse, the demand for equity-focused supports continues to grow. The SIC is proposing a $3.50 Equity Action Fund fee to ensure we can continue meeting these needs and strengthening inclusion across campus.
This fee directly supports cornerstone student programs such as the Robert Sutherland Prize, Seven Grandfather Teachings Award, Equity Grants, and the Equity Library, which have seen rising applications and engagement. It also sustains community-building initiatives like Equity Townhall, Equity Caucus, Collective Reflections, Queerientation, THREADS, the Black Farewell, and ongoing programming such as Accountability Café. These spaces are vital for amplifying student voices, celebrating identity, fostering belonging, and offering experiential learning opportunities in equity and advocacy work. In addition, the fee enables the SIC to establish and continue impactful projects such as the Black Legacy Mentorship Program and the Indigenous Strengths Mural, both created in direct response to student needs and campus priorities.
Most importantly, this funding goes straight back to students, supporting clubs, groups, equity projects, and recognition programs that shape a more inclusive campus experience. Over the past year alone, grant applications have increased by 38%, and participation in SIC programming has grown by 95%, demonstrating the clear need for sustained support.
The Equity Action Fund represents a small investment that empowers students to confront systemic barriers, celebrate diversity, and drive meaningful change. Your support will ensure that Queen’s remains a place where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered.
TRIENNIAL REVIEW
Good Times Diner (FEE: $0.50)
Good Times Diner is a student-run soup kitchen located in St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 5:30PM for fifty out of fifty-two weeks a year, nutritious, hot, free meals are provided for many less fortunate members of the Kingston community. This is a valuable service that creates a safe and welcoming environment for its patrons while addressing their social and economic challenges.The food is prepared by Queen’s University student volunteers who are interested in expanding their understanding of community issues, particularly poverty, in a fun, hands-on learning environment. Volunteers have the opportunity to learn valuable cooking skills and make new friends while working as a team to give back to the community they call home. Good Times Diner is a non-judgemental, anonymous, free service for all patrons of the Queen’s and Kingston community.
Baja SAE Design Team (FEE: $0.69)
The Queen’s Baja SAE Design Team is a multi-disciplinary team that designs, manufactures, and races a single rider off-road vehicle. Queen’s Baja competes in the North American Baja SAE Three Series, which attracts over 100 teams from around the world to compete in a variety of events. The competitive environment allows team members to test their designs and learn from other passionate students from all corners of the globe. The team’s success hinges on open, positive communication whether that be between team members, with the faculty, or with the public. Team members with strong communication skills often become team leaders in their senior years providing valuable experience managing teams, developing a project plan, and creating a vision for success. The Baja team provides members with a real open-ended design problem that requires extensive research, an iterative design process, advanced modelling and analysis, and final design validation. This dynamic platform is ideal for students seeking a challenge where hard-work, sound design principles, and creativity are encouraged. The team is always looking for ways to innovate from using topology optimization software as part of the ideation process to designing fully custom parts that are traditionally stock parts. Queen’s Baja is one of the most established design teams on Queen’s campus and continues to provide students with amazing experiences.
Queen’s Musical Theatre (FEE: $0.50)
Queen’s Musical Theatre is a student-run organization that aims to provide opportunities for those interested in or passionate about theatre. The club was formed in 1969 when the Queen’s Glee Club, which was established in 1883, made significant changes to its mandate. With the 1969 production of “The Boyfriend” QMT started producing Broadway musicals. Now, the club aims to stage two musical productions per year, welcoming students from all faculties to contribute to the productions, as well as host events such as cabaret nights. You can see photos from past productions and learn more about us at www.queensmusicaltheatre.ca.
Canadian Association for Research in Regenerative Medicine (Fee: $0.50)
The Canadian Association for Research in Regenerative Medicine (CARRM) is a non-profit organization. The organization, at its core, strives to improve the quality of healthcare and research worldwide by advancing the innovative science that is regenerative medicine. The Queen’s chapter consists of a group of dedicated students who, in conjunction with many other universities, work to secure funding for groundbreaking research and raise awareness of the potential applications of this research. In many ways, the Queen’s chapter focuses on involving and inspiring students to explore the science of regenerative medicine. Speaker panels with experts in their fields, networking and information sessions, coffee house trivia, fundraising events, and many other functions engage students to actively learn about regenerative medicine. The club also accepts general members who volunteer at numerous events and find a common interest among their peers. In essence, this club runs on a common belief that regenerative medicine has untapped potential to advance the medical field, and passionately works to aid in the discovery of that potential.
Canadian Undergraduate Conference On Health (FEE: $0.30)
The mission of CUCOH is to design and implement a conference that informs undergraduate students of the current state of Canadian healthcare. This is accomplished by engaging them in discussions with other students and professionals to develop leadership, inspiration, and an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of healthcare in Canada. The objectives are to present a cohesive overview of the current state of Canadian healthcare and explore specific areas of future change, investigate global health trends and our place in them, and increase the exchange of knowledge between professionals and students from across Canada through discussion and debate, encourage student research in the sciences through a poster competition, present a broad perspective of the Canadian medical sector by introducing a range of topics that highlights the diversity of health-related professions, and initiate a well-informed and proactive generation of leaders by providing early involvement in diverse health-related professions that will shape the future of Canadian healthcare. With our current student fee, we have been able to subsidize costs for attendees, particularly Queen’s students, allowing us to broaden the scope of the conference. For example, we were able to increase the number of workshops we run, increase the breadth and expertise of the knowledge of speakers involved in the conference, and use campus spaces that can accommodate more delegates. In this way, expanding delegate enrollment for the conference. Additionally, with the creation of our Outreach Committee in 2021, we are increasing the number of educational opportunities for Queen’s students to participate in throughout the year. For example, last year we were able to offer an Indigenous medicine-making workshop for free due thanks to our student fee. We hope that going forward we can broaden our engagement with the Queen’s community and offer a breadth of opportunities to students throughout the year.
Queen’s Cardiac Research Committee (FEE: $0.25)
The Queens Cardiac Research Committee is a student-led committee that aims to make research findings pertaining to cardiovascular diseases more accessible and digestible for Queens students. We hope to raise awareness for the importance of cardiovascular research, as well as inspire students to explore career options that align with their interests. Our goal is to make complicated research and information more accessible for the public to understand. Within our committee, we post weekly infographics and digital animations on our Instagram (@queenscrc). This year, we will be hosting various events throughout the year and an end-of-year conference! We believe that the success of our mission will greatly benefit both Queens students and the community on a larger scale.
Mental Health Awareness Committee (FEE: $0.20)
The Mental Health Awareness Committee (MHAC) is a student-led group dedicated to promoting mental wellness, reducing stigma, and connecting students with mental health resources on campus. Through inclusive, educational, and engaging programming, MHAC fosters a supportive environment where mental health is openly discussed and prioritized. Our committee is organized into subcommittees, Outreach, Marketing, Logistics, Education, Journal, EDII (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity), Events, and General Members, each contributing to the planning and execution of initiatives that reflect the diverse needs of our student body. We host a variety of events throughout the year, including trivia nights, educational workshops, a cultural market, and a men’s mental health awareness dodgeball tournament, all designed to build community and raise awareness in creative and accessible ways. MHAC is seeking a student fee to help cover the costs of event materials, venue bookings, promotional campaigns, and accessibility support. This funding will allow us to expand our programming, reach more students, and ensure our events remain free and inclusive for all. Mental health affects every student, and MHAC’s work directly contributes to a healthier, more compassionate campus culture. By supporting MHAC, students are investing in peer-led advocacy, education, and community-building efforts that make mental wellness a visible and valued part of university life. The fee will allow us to continue creating safe spaces for dialogue and community while amplifying student voices in the conversation around mental health.
Queen’s VEXU Robotics Team (FEE: $0.69)
Queen’s VEX U Robotics team is a relatively new group on campus, consisting of over 30 students, the majority of whom come from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. We compete in the VEX U Robotics Competition, an interdisciplinary robotics-based international challenge run by VEX Robotics Inc. and the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF). The highest tier of the VEX Competitions, it requires students to design, build, and program multiple robots for a challenge that involves precise manipulation of objects, autonomous motion and navigation, assistance and feedback for human drivers, and interaction with other robots.
Queen’s Concrete Canoe Team (FEE: $0.50)
The Queen’s Concrete Canoe Team is a multi-disciplinary design team under the organization of the Engineering Society at Queen’s University. The team is entirely student-run by an executive group of ten individuals, and involves around twenty general members. The purpose of the team is to design, develop, and construct a canoe made entirely of concrete. Each year the team competes in the Canadian National Concrete Canoe Competition with universities and colleges nationwide. Our key objective is to provide a unique learning environment for students of all years while promoting a creative, innovative, and fun activity that encourages leadership, teamwork, communication, project management, and problem solving skills.
Queen’s Debating Union (FEE: $1.40)
The Queen’s Debating Union is oldest club at Queen’s University and the oldest debating society in Canada, founded in 1843. The QDU fosters a deep commitment to maintaining both our competitive excellence and open social community. We cherish our traditions and our enduring connections with our alumni. In both the fall and winter semesters we send Queen’s students across Canada and the world to debate tournaments at all different universities. The QDU is open to all Queen’s students and to the greater Kingston community, as demonstrated by our afterschool programs with local elementary schools as well as our outreach program at Collins Bay.
Queen’s Model Parliament (FEE: $0.50)
Every January students from a variety of faculties attend a conference in Ottawa and fill the seats of our distinguished Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. In the months leading up to the conference, QMP delegates form political parties, elect leaders, engage in debate and draft bills. These bills are prepared to be debated in the House of Commons and cover topics that our delegates have decided on. Entirely student run, Queen’s Model Parliament is a unique conference that allows students from a variety of disciplines to explore the Canadian legislative process in the presence of many notable political figures. Members of Parliament, Justices of the Supreme Court and prominent members of Canada’s journalism scene join the conference to preside over debate as Speakers of the House of Commons. We also host panels with various themes where delegates are given the chance to ask questions and further interact with those in various areas of the political field. Many notable politicians, journalists and Queen’s University Alumni also join the conference as Keynote Speakers and distinguished guests at both the Annual Wine and Cheese Soirée and the spectacular Final Gala. QMP delegates have used their experiences at the conference to become Rhodes Scholars, distinguished entrepreneurs, academics, political figures, and other prominent members of Canadian Society. Two of QMP’s most distinguished alumni that inspire our delegates to participate in Canadian politics are the Honourable John Baird and the Honourable Peter Milliken, who helped bring our conference to the House of Commons.
Queen’s Chess Club (FEE: $0.05)
Queen’s Chess Club is a diverse community of students sharing their passion for chess. We organize chess tournaments, social events and weekly meetings. Our mission is to create a community of Queen’s students who share a love for chess. We strive to focus on the culture and community of our club. We believe that to engage more students in the game of chess establishing a community where people feel comfortable and included is vital. Our goal is to use the Queen’s University spirit to inspire and create a long-lasting legacy of Queen’s Chess Players.
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