A Message to our Members
Dear SAMRU Members
At the Students' Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU), we're all about making your life as a student better. We're here to listen, support, and advocate for you, and we're proud of what we've achieved together in the 2022-23 academic year.
When we reached out to you through our surveys, you told us that physical and mental health, financial strain, and social interaction were top of mind, and we took that to heart. Now, let's rewind and reflect on the challenges we faced, the strides we made, and how SAMRU remained your unwavering advocate every step of the way.
Helping ease inflation's bite: We understand the financial burdens inflation placed on students’ shoulders. Because of this, SAMRU lobbied for increased student financial aid and affordable housing options, working tirelessly to ease the pressure and ensure education remained accessible for all.
Launching the SAMRU Care Cupboards: Responding to student needs, we introduced the SAMRU Care Cupboards — offering free snacks and hygiene items to ensure no student faced hunger or hardship due to financial challenges. Funded entirely by fundraising efforts, the cupboards provided over 102,560 items to students in need!
The joy of reconnection: In-person events returned, and students were keen to connect with one another again. The excitement at the Wycked House Party, the spirit of community at our Round Dance, and the lively student performances at Gender Bender were just a few moments from many that fueled our collective spirit, reminding us of the power of community and shared experiences.
Fostering community and support: Our volunteer program saw over 200 students contribute over 1,000 hours, demonstrating the power of involvement! Events like the SAMRU Open House and Stress Less Week, and services like the Free Tax Clinic and the Peer Support Centre, have been instrumental in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Advocating for your needs: The Representation Executive Council (REC) was instrumental in advocating for student interests. From tuition advocacy to promoting gender inclusivity and voter engagement, REC's initiatives reflect our collective commitment to positive change.
Empowering student voices: Our Student Governing Board, led by dedicated individuals, continues to champion SAMRU. From enhancing board visibility to getting involved with initiatives like the SAMRU Awards ceremony, their commitment to governance is steadfast.
As we reflect on the past year, we are proud of our achievements and grateful for the opportunity to serve you. We remain committed to enhancing your university experience and advocating for your needs.
We care about your challenges
SAMRU conducts two key surveys each year to gather insights from students. The Fall Member Check-In Survey is designed to understand the concerns, interests, and expectations of our members, which helps in setting organizational priorities and shaping our future initiatives.
Last year’s survey was conducted in the context of two significant factors: pandemic recovery and inflation. 2022-23 marked a return to in-person classes and on-campus activities. Moreover, and inflation in Canada reached a 40-year high. These unique circumstances may have influenced respondents' answers and the resulting trends observed in the survey.
The Fall Member Check-In Survey revealed students’ top concerns as physical and mental health, financial strain, and social interaction. In addition to being a top concern, Financial Security also showed a continued to increase from the previous year’s’ survey responses.
"Overall, SAMRU has been pretty good at helping students ease their anxiety about their classes."
- 2022 FALL MEMBER CHECK-IN SURVEY
Our Student Satisfaction and Awareness Survey (SSAS) is conducted annually in the Winter semester to get a sense of members’ awareness, usage, and satisfaction with services provided by SAMRU
Member Awareness
As SAMRU focuses on engaging with members, the Student Satisfaction and Awareness Survey showed how members actually received and preferred to receive information:
As we’ve seen in the past, the email newsletter continues to be the most effective method of communication, and also student’s most preferred method to receive information from SAMRU. This also shows up in the data we receive when we send email messages, with an average email open rate of 81% — significantly above the overall industry average opening rate of 34%.
Email open rate: 81%
Governance
2022-23 Student Governing Board (SGB)
Taylor Amy
Student Governor
Sundus Baig
Student Governor
Andrea Barlaan
Student Governor
Angel Castillo
Student Governor
Tristalyn GiVogue
Student Governor
Rafael Hernandez Alarcon
Student Governor
Kyle Joseph
Student Governor
Prairie Morgan
Student Governor
Akash Parmar
Student Governor
Nic Savage
Student Governor
Orion Tigley
Student Governor
Nancy Tran
Student Governor
Emma Maguire
Board SpeakerThe Student Governing Board is comprised of 14 elected students who together oversee all elements of the Students’ Association’s business and affairs, including student representation. The Board also determines the strategic direction of the organization and is the official channel of communication between the student body and MRU.
2022-23 Student Governing Board Highlights
- One of the Board’s main priorities this year was to increase members’ understanding about the purpose of the Board and the importance of governance at SAMRU. This was achieved through targeted communications about the Governors and the Board’s work, and increased participation by Governors in events like the SAMRU Awards ceremony.
- The Board had an unprecedented number of candidates run for SAMRU’s governor elections in Winter 2023 and hosted the most attended Annual General Meeting in SAMRU history, with almost 300 attendees.
- The Board revised many of SAMRU’s policies throughout the year, and presented the membership with multiple recommendations to further refine the SAMRU Bylaws, which were subsequently approved at the AGM by the membership.
- The Board prioritized also undertook many other projects by establishing Board work groups this year, including: the Governor Recruitment Work Group, Board Highlights Work Group, Board Development & Governor Recognition Work Group, ED Review Work Group, REC Review Work Group, and the REC VP External Hiring Work Group.
Representation
2022-23 Representation Executive Council (REC)
Joseph Nguyen
REC President
Yasmin Ahmed
REC VP Academic
Tera Cardinal
REC VP External
Pamela Malec
REC VP Student AffairsThe Student Governing Board achieves its objectives for representation and communication with MRU, the government, and external student groups by hiring student employees and delegating authority for this work to them.
Representation Executive Council (REC) members are the student employees selected by members and hired by the Student Governing Board to carry out these important representation duties under the direction of the Board.
Here are some representation initiatives from 2022-23:
Tuition and Fees Advocacy
✔️ Participated in MRU’s Tuition and Fees Consultation Committee by providing student perspectives
✔️ Negotiated an extra $200,000 be allocated to the MRU Tuition Bursary (an overall increase of 20%)
✔️ Voted against proposed tuition and fee increases for the 2023-24 academic year
Gender Inclusive Washrooms
✔️ Advocated for MRU to expand the network of all-gender washrooms on campus
Free Period Products on Campus
✔️ Supported a proposition from MRU’s Wellness Services which resulted in free menstruation products being supplied in campus washrooms
Get Out the Vote (GOTV)
✔️ In collaboration with the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS), the REC team launched their Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign in January 2023
✔️ MRU achieved the highest student pledge count of any post-secondary institution in Alberta
MRU Policy Review
✔️Voted to approve new versions of:
- the Grades Policy and Examinations Policy;
- the Code of Student Community Standards;
- and the Code of Student Academic Integrity policy
✔️ Pushed to increase the grades shown by the final day of classes from 25% to 50%. This benefits students because:
- Students must be able to make informed decisions about whether they want to remain in the classes by the withdrawal deadline
- Students will not be able to successfully study for their final exams if they do not know their standing on the topics tested beforehand
Internal MRU Committee work
✔️ Participated in MRU hiring committees for several executive roles at MRU. Some of the roles that REC had a hand in hiring included:
- Dr. Moussa Magassa, Associate Vice-President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Alena Boczek, Director of Student Success and Learning Services
- Mustansar Nadeem, Vice-President of Finance and Administration
- Dr. Chad London, Provost and Vice-President Academic
Strengthen Communication with Members
✔️ Hosted a Fall Town Hall to discuss MRU’s grading and examination policy, MRU’s budget, and health and wellness initiatives
✔️ Published monthly advocacy update blog posts to ensure members could stay informed about all the important advocacy REC was working on throughout the year
"My principle interest in SAMRU services are in it's advocacy role and representation of student issues."
- Member Check-In Survey
SAMRU in the Media
UCP to cap post-secondary tuition hikes at two percent
Joseph Nguyen, REC President: “We’ve been advocating to the government in terms of affordability, having conversations with the minister and his office to talk about inflation and advocate for all the things that have been announced today, so we at SAMRU and CAUS (Council of Alberta University Students) are very happy to see these changes,”
SAMRU tackles food insecurity on campus through accessible cupboards
“The Student’s Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU) has started an initiative called SAMRU Care Cupboards where students can acquire free snacks and hygiene supplies through pantries displayed in different areas of the campus.”
Mount Royal students first to take reading break next week
“Joseph Nguyen, … supports the idea as a way to set students up for academic success. "They gathered lots of data and they found out that the earlier students have a break, the more it sets them up to succeed better than if it's later," said Nguyen.”
Mount Royal students can choose a COVID-19 pass or fail again this term
REC President Joseph Nguyen: "Whether it's a one percent increase or seven, students don't like rising costs. We are happy about the $200,000 that MRU has allocated to increase the student bursary fund that will help students.”
Calgary Journal - The Solutions podcast (Episode 2)
“This episode aims to give money management solutions through the financial services provided to students through the Student Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU). There are many resources available that students can access through SAMRU to overcome financial burdens.”
MEMBERSHIP
SERVICES
Care Cupboards
"The SAMRU Care Cupboards have been a great addition to the campus. They have greatly helped my food insecurity."
- 2022 FALL MEMBER CHECK-IN SURVEY
SAMRU’s Representation Executive Council (REC) President, Joseph Nguyen, noted that: “this effort to increase food security and access for all students couldn’t have been realized in this way without MRU agreeing to provide space for the cupboards, and for that we are grateful.”
Nguyen continues, noting that the program was not funded by student fees: “the SAMRU Care Cupboards are currently 100% funded by organizational fundraising efforts and our aim is to continue this funding model into the future.”
102,560 items given away
Volunteers
SAMRU would not be able to serve our members without the generous support of our volunteers. To support students who are interested in volunteering, SAMRU categorizes its volunteer opportunities into three broad areas: Programs & Services, Governance, and Representation Committees. From there students can decide which areas interest them most and find opportunities that best suit their interests. From sitting on a committee to helping to run an ongoing service or program, there’s something for everyone.
218 volunteers
1115 Volunteer hours
SAMRU Open House
The SAMRU Open House welcomed students into Wyckham House in the fall, providing an interactive and engaging platform for new students to learn about SAMRU's initiatives, connect with student leaders and staff, and discover the many ways they can get involved and make a positive impact within the Mount Royal University community.
over 700 students attended
Free Tax Clinic
SAMRU’s free tax filing service had 26 trained student volunteers to help students file their tax returns. The 2023 Tax Clinic marked the return of in-person and online appointments since the program moved fully online in 2020.
176 tax returns filed
Stress Less
Stress Less Week emphasizes the importance of student self-care and healthy lifestyle habits as essential tools for managing stress and promoting overall well-being, especially during final exams. Winter 2023 saw the addition of new Stress Less programs, including the Indigenous cultural tradition of Smudging, an Oxygen Bar, and a Sound Bath Experience in addition to all our regular Stress Less programs.
2322 students served during the fall stress less week
1566 students served during the winter stress less week
Sex Toy Bingo: Building Healthy Relationships
Sex Toy Bingo is held in both the fall and winter semesters, and aims to create an atmosphere of fun, judgment-free exploration of sexuality, consent, and healthy relationships. In addition to the popular bingo games and prizes, there were burlesque and pole dancing performances, information booths, and educational activities.
200 attendees in fall
220 attendees in winter
Peer Support Centre
Free Breakfast
Running for over 16 years now, SAMRU’s Free Breakfast program removes barriers to students accessing nutritious food, helping promote well-being, academic success, and a thriving campus environment where all students can succeed.
12,554 people accessed
Experiential Learning Fund
As a component of SAMRU’s scholarship fund, the Experiential Learning Fund (ELF) is available to provide funding to help eligible students take advantage of unique learning and growth opportunities outside their experience at MRU.
87 applications awarded
$49,750 total
SAMRU Awards
For over 60 years, SAMRU Awards has recognized students who have inspired and enhanced the lives of their fellow Mount Royal students. This year, SAMRU was proud to present 25 students with awards such as the Inspiring Culture Award, Citizenship Award, and Committed Learner Award, among others, with financial awards totalling over $40,000.
110 attendees
25 awards
$41,000 in awards
Clubs
SAMRU clubs are student-led and student-driven, providing opportunities for members to take on leadership roles, organize events, and shape their club's activities and initiatives. Clubs are an essential part of the student experience, where students’ hands-on involvement fosters valuable skills in organization, communication, teamwork, and project management while creating opportunities for building communities and making social connections on campus.
70 ratified clubs
294 in-person activities
6 virtual activities
Student Advocacy Resource Centre
The Student Advocacy Resource Centre provides confidential services, support, and options for students experiencing academic and/or non-academic concerns and questions. This service offers guidance on university policies, procedures, and student rights. It aims to empower students to navigate their academic journey successfully and address any issues they may encounter.
163 students served
Cultural Inclusion Centre
As a dedicated space for students from diverse cultural backgrounds, our Cultural Inclusion Centre provides support, resources, and programming to foster intercultural understanding, dialogue, and community engagement while creating opportunities to make social connections on campus. Ongoing programming included the Indigenous Crafting Circle, International Eat and Greet, Tea and Bannock Talking Circle, Drum, Dine and Discuss, and the BIPOC Support Network.
Round Dance
The SAMRU Round Dance celebrates Indigenous culture and community, fostering unity, connection, and healing through the power of traditional dance, music, and ceremony. SAMRU has been hosting the Round Dance since 1999.
500 attendees
Pride Centre
SAMRU’s Pride Centre is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for 2SLGTBQIA+ individuals and allies on campus. Its primary objectives include providing resources, support services, and weekly programming to promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance of diverse gender and sexual identities, all while creating opportunities for students to make important social connections on campus. Ongoing programming included Crafternoon, Wellness Wind Down, Rainbow Post, Building the Love You Want, the Gender Affirming Clothing Swap, and Live Music Thursday: Rainbow Edition.
Pride Parade
The Calgary Pride Parade stands as a vibrant testament to diversity, inclusion, and the celebration of the 2SLGTBQIA+ community, and SAMRU proudly stands in solidarity with this important event.
35 students and staff walked with SAMRU in the parade
OPERATIONS
Wyckham House
Wyckham House is a central hub for student activities and services. It’s a gathering place for students, providing spaces for students to connect, socialize, and build a sense of community. Whether it’s grabbing a meal, studying, or attending events, our vibrant student center fosters interaction.
Foot traffic averages per week from September 2022 to April 2023
Wyckham House: 18,900
West Gate Social: 2,800
West Gate Social
West Gate Social is your campus pub and student lounge, offering students exceptionally low prices and excellent value for both food and drinks. In addition, lively entertainment and regular programming make West Gate Social a great place to socialize and meet new friends. With the return of its full food menu, West Gate Social’s popularity with students continues to grow.
Food Court Kiosks
SAMRU has many food court options for students in Wyckham House, including Subway, Good Earth, Dairy Queen, Booster Juice, Wycked Deli (since re-named Wycked Korean Grill), Cultures/Mr. Souvlaki, Zen, Mucho Burrito, Chatime, Thai Express and Edo Japan.
Other businesses
Other businesses available to students in Wyckham House include the INS Market convenience store, Wyckham Pharmacy, Old Street Optometry and Dental Choice.
Amenities
In addition to everything else offered in Wyckham House, there are also amenities which include tables and seating, lounge spaces, microwaves, cellphone charging stations, bank machines, vending machines and washrooms. SAMRU also provides the campus-wide Lost & Found service through the Wyckham House reception desk on the second floor.
SAMRU ONLINE
Website & Rentals Website
Fall 2022 marked one year of the new SAMRU website, re-designed to provide a user-friendly platform for our members, the MRU community, and external stakeholders. The addition of a rental website showcased the value and versatility of SAMRU’s available rental spaces.
43k website visitors
Fundraising & Sponsorships
2022-23 Donations and Grants
Grants
$4,745 from Canada Jobs to hire a summer student
Donations
CNRL - $15,000 to support SAMRU Care Cupboards and emergency grocery gift cards for students
I Can for Kids - Donated 36 grocery gift cards valued at $1,800
Online Giving - $1,203
Total donations: $18,003
