Simon Fraser University Senate is the highest academic body of the university and is responsible for the academic governance of the University. It is concerned with all matters that effect teaching and research at the University: this includes the development of new initiatives, the formation of priorities, and the consideration and approval of policies. Senate is made up of the Chancellor, the President, the Vice Presidents, the Deans, Faculty members, and students. Annually sixteen graduate and undergraduate students are elected by the student body who represent the interest of their faculties and peers.
Student Senators also get the chance to sit on Senate committees. Committee work ranges from approving undergraduate and graduate curriculum, determining university academic priorities, developing policy on awards, scholarships and bursaries, and setting policy for the Academic Calendar.
Fortunately, I was elected in February 2015 as one of the sixteen student senators. Becoming a Student Senator has been one of the best experiences of my undergraduate degree at Simon Fraser University. Being a Senator provided me a platform to represent the interest of my fellow students and bring their voices to university administration.
I saw first-hand how critical decision making happens at the upper level of school administration. By actively participating in committees and meetings I learned what goes on behind the scenes to make the student experience better.
During my time as Senator, I served on three committees: the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee, who select the recipient of university scholarships and awards; the Senate Committee on Disciplinary Appeals, who gives final recommendations to the President on disciplinary appeals; and the Senate Committee on University Priorities, who recommend and review the priorities that should be attached to the central allocation of resources required to implement approved new programs and strengthen existing programs. Being a member of Senate committees gave me the opportunity to learn and to enhance many skills, such as critical thinking.
I made many memories while contributing as a Student Senator. One of which was my time as a member of the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee, where I worked collaboratively to find new and numerous ways to streamline the method of awarding scholarships and awards. Apart from reading thousands of pages of applications for scholarships and being called Senator Najaf, my favorite memory was being part of the Convocation platform party, having the chance to sit with the upper-level university administration on the podium during convocation ceremonies.
I would highly recommend my fellow peers to nominate themselves for the Student Senator position, it’s not only a great way to give back to the university but an opportunity to be a member of the platform that strives to make student experience better.
BIO:
Ali is a 3rd-year student, pursuing Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management. He has recently completed two Co-op terms working as a Business Consultant with Small Business BC. He likes to assist others to overcome the challenges that they face because he believes that: “Life is not measured by the number of days you live, but the number of lives you inspired, so be someone’s inspiration.” He has volunteered more than 2000 hrs with 25+ organizations in Canada and Pakistan, and has mentored many students at Simon Fraser University in different facets.