With the school year coming to a close, AMS President Kate McCuaig, Vice-President (Operations) Michelle Hudson, and Vice-President (University Affairs) Victoria Mills sat down with The Journal to reflect on their time in office.
After a whirlwind AMS election, Team KMV is ready to pass the torch to the incoming executive team. The team talked JDUC negotiations with the University, responding to on-campus protests, and changes to AMS services.
Redefining spaces: JDUC revitalization project
The AMS executives are still negotiating rent prices for JDUC spaces with their landlord Queen’s University. With the Student Life Centre (SLC) fee failing at winter referendum, it remains unclear how the AMS will afford the move home.
McCuaig is confident negotiations will end in the AMS’s favour because no party wants the JDUC to sit empty.
“It is in the best interest of the University for the AMS to occupy and to come [into the JDUC], and to not have an empty building on campus,” McCuaig said in an interview with The Journal.
According to McCuaig, promoting the importance of the SLC fee was a “tremendous” undertaking for many divisions of the AMS.
“The goal wasn’t to necessarily pass the [SLC] fee but to educate students on the building. That part was successful,” McCuaig said.
The team said the University suggested a higher SLC fee wasn’t reflective of student’s wants and needs. They opted to have a $5 fee go to referendum.
Vice-President (Operations) Hudson is transitioning The Queen’s Pub and The Brew—two AMS services which have been out of commission for four years—into the JDUC. She’s ensuring the services are fully equipped for the upcoming year.
For The Brew, Hudson has focused on training new employees and assisting Common Ground Coffeehouse Head Manager Phallon Melmer with rebranding the product line.
KMV’s top priority: student safety on campus
Countless protests led by students affected by the conflict in the Middle East, Queen’s Students versus Cuts, and PSAC 901 swept campus this year. The AMS was publicly questioned for not reaching out to Jewish groups on campus after antisemitic incidents.
Mills said the executive met with senior administrators to amplify students’ voices.
The executive took over communication surrounding protests about the war in the Middle East. According to Mills, the Social Issues Commissioners were involved every step of the way.
“Our first and foremost priority has been, and will always be, to ensure students are safe and supported on campus,” Mills said.
Democracy in action: AMS election season
At the last AMS Assembly, faculty societies proposed a motion to amend section 2.2.2 of the AMS constitution to de-slate the executive elections. This amendment would allow candidates to run for AMS executive as individuals rather than as a team.
The AMS had 12 days to amend the constitution, a task McCuaig describes as “daunting.” Despite this, she’s ready to buckle down and get it done.
“We’re here to make that happen and figure it out and put the hard work in. […] We will bring forth a policy next Assembly that de-slates elections […] If students vote for it,” McCuaig said.
The AMS has been surveying students’ opinions on de-slating the executive elections. They have a survey up on their Instagram account and met with current and incoming student leaders to discuss the potential change.
The AMS will bring the amended constitution at the next General Assembly for a vote on April 9.
Homecoming and St. Patrick’s Day
For Mills, Homecoming and St. Patrick’s Day were major milestones. With the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) in full force, Mills was proud of the Know Your Rights Campaign, spearheaded by the Social Issues Commission, as a major success in harm reduction.
“We wanted to get creative with harm reduction this year,” Mills said.
The AMS sent a delegation to the Police Services Board to advocate for students’ rights under the UDSI, which Mills said can seem “adversarial” towards students. The executive said they encouraged Kingston Police and the University to be clearer in their messaging to students.
There were no major injuries to students or police officers this year on either weekend, Mills said. From handing out Gatorade and coupons on St. Patrick’s Day to condoms and snacks on Homecoming, the AMS helped students stay safe and satisfied during major weekends.
According to Mills, the AMS fostered a positive relationship with the City of Kingston this year. The AMS partnered with the City of Kingston to encourage students to attend St. Patrick’s Day events in the downtown core, supporting local businesses.
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