The Central Student Association (CSA) Election Week is drawing to a close today. It’s been a week full of classroom presentations, buttons and banners and the candidates have been in a frenzy trying to get the student body to recognize them as the most skilled and capable candidate! We are in the midst of electing five Executive Commissioner positions and several positions on the Board of Directors. 

So what exactly is the CSA?

The CSA is the body on campus that represents all undergraduate students. The CSA advocates on behalf of undergraduate students and acts as our representative in issues like public transit, accessible (affordable) education, and more. They are responsible for the Food Bank, the Bike Centre, clubs, the health and dental plans and lots more. It is founded on the principle that together, students can be a powerful and can make positive change. According to their website, the CSA, it's their responsibility to make sure that students’ voices are heard.

The CSA is made up of the five Executive Commissioners, 7 permanent staff and numerous part-time staff. The Board of Directors is made up of two undergraduate representatives from each college on campus and they act as the governing body to the CSA. The Executive Commissioners and the Board of Directors are currently being elected.

I am always surprised by the low voter turnout that we experience during the CSA elections (and all elections!). The CSA Executive Commissioners have the opportunity to really make change on our campus which affects your student directly. For example, Derek Alton, the current Local Affairs Commissioner, has been working tirelessly with Guelph Transit to ensure that the many kinks in the new bus system are worked out to better serve the student population. Jessica Carter, the current Academic & University Affairs Commissioner, has been working on a campaign and referendum to ban plastic water bottles from our campus to ensure that we remain sustainable and cut down on our carbon footprint.

Though voting ends today, it’s not too late! Students received an email to the University of Guelph email with the online ballots. It takes less then 3 minutes and it’s totally worth it!

For more information about the positions that are currently being elected as well as the students who are running for the positions, click here.

For more information about the CSA, click here.

Happy Voting!