The Ontarion interviewed Drew Garvie, CSA communications and corporate affairs commissioner, about the issues of student space on campus. The CSA is planning a student “sit-in” on Dec. 1 to advocate the need for more student space.

The Ontarion: What are the main issues surrounding student space on campus and what are some of the solutions the CSA has proposed?

Drew Garvie: We think that most students are well aware of the main problems with student and study space on campus.  In terms of study space, it’s common to walk into the library and not find a place to study or write a paper.  You see students in the strangest places all over campus sitting on the floor in dimly lit corners or searching for non-existent outlets.  Comfortable lounge areas for socializing or group studying are in high demand and there just aren’t enough spots available.  As we move towards having more commuter students on campus, the need for places to unwind and work grows.  In general, it’s a case of not having enough study space, as well as the space that’s available not meeting the needs of students, such as outlets, furniture and lighting.

Also, student controlled space continues to be a growing problem for students.  The CSA and other student run organizations are crammed in the second floor of the University Centre.  With around one hundred CSA clubs and fifteen offices, there is constant competition for rooms.  Other campuses have large student union buildings that are student controlled and allow students to organize their space democratically based on their needs.

Solutions to the current situation rely on the University’s willingness to meet the needs of students.  Currently the University is updating its “campus master plan” which looks at infrastructure and space all over campus. Now is the time for the University to make meaningful commitments.  This could include extending hours at the library, upgrading available space to include proper lighting, furniture and outlets, and increasing the space controlled by students in the University Centre.

TO: Have there been any initiatives to create student space in the past? Were they successful?

DG: We have seen study space being incorporated into new buildings on campus, specifically the engineering expansion and the Science Atrium.  These are welcomed additions to campus, but students are still expressing further need.  What is in high demand is general inter-disciplinary study space, especially for arts and social science students.

As for student-controlled space, we are conscious of the history surrounding the University Centre.  In 1966, students decided to pay $10 a semester to construct a “student union building”.  Then a series of unfortunate events followed, including provincial funding being offered and withdrawn, the student union collapsing, and a separate UC administration being set up through a law suit brought by students against the University.  The fact remains that while students paid to create the building, and still pay to maintain it, the space we directly control is limited to the second floor.  This is not a sustainable situation and we need the university to provide more student-controlled space to students.

The CSA is committed to taking action ourselves, with the limited power we have, to make space student-friendly on campus.  The UC second-floor “airport lounge” is study space that the CSA has provided and upgraded with outlets.  We are compiling a “study guide” to communicate existing study space effectively with students.  We are also installing another microwave in the CSA owned Bullring for students to use, as well as working with the library to get more microwaves.

TO: What are some of the barriers preventing the creation of student space? 

DG: The main obstacle to the creation of student space is priority.  This is why united student action is so important, as it shows the University of Guelph where student priorities lie.

Another deeper problem is governmental funding.  Ontario now has the lowest per-student funding in the country.  More and more funding is based on specific infrastructure projects for specific programs, and not general inter-disciplinary money.  In general, funding is going into programs that can attract corporate and private funding and research.  This has a deep impact on the University’s prioritization. So there are systemic problems that need to be addressed in terms of the future of post-secondary education as well.

TO: What is the purpose and the idea behind the “sit-in” planned for Dec. 1?

DG: The “student space sit-in” will take place next Thursday on the last day of class.  If you’re tired of searching for study space, sitting on the floor to find an outlet, if you’re a member of a club without office space, or just want to see a more student-friendly campus, you should participate!

Don’t change your routine for the day, just show up to the University Centre and get studying.  We’ll be busting out the chairs, tables and extension chords to help out.  The idea is to have a large visible presence, solicit feedback from students towards the “campus master plan”, and to have a symbolic reclamation of common space for a day.  Talk to your friends and bring them out to study together.  This is meant to be a reminder that universities are here to serve the needs of students.

TO: Why does the CSA feel like this is an effective way to advocate the need for student space on campus?

DG: It is important to campaign now on behalf of students as the “campus master plan” is being discussed.  United action shows common needs, and it is a message to other students that it is possible to affect decision making in our interests.

If you’d like to be involved with the campaign, if you’d like to volunteer for the day or if you have any feedback please email your HR&O Commissioner Josh at csaadmin@uoguelph.ca.

On December 1^st, let’s take our studying out of the nooks and crannies all over campus and come together in the UC to send a clear message!

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