SAIT’s Student Association capped off 2023 with its annual general meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
The meeting highlighted the association’s work in helping international students as well as the work in helping students face the affordability crisis.
“This year was definitely a very busy and productive one,” said Aaron Ramos, president of the association. “We were able to essentially achieve everything that we set out to.”
During the year, Saitsa successfully helped advocate for the temporary lifting of the 20-hour working cap for international students, allowing them to earn more money while getting their education. The association also introduced more eligibility for grants and scholarships for international students.
“By just changing the wording on some policy, we were able to ensure that everyday students were able to get the everyday scholarships,” said Ramos.
Saitsa also advocated for Muslim students to gain access to more prayer space after multiple complaints.
“They were running out of space to pray, so we spoke to the right people, and we’ve been able to get them more space now,” said Mansoor Ali, vice-president of the association.
Saitsa also worked to aid students struggling with the growing affordability crisis.Forty-four per cent of students who attend SAIT report needs for financial assistance. International students faced a bigger struggle with the re-instituted cap on work hours.
Saitsa held multiple events to help students save money during a year of financial burden.
The Tedi Market, a pay-what-you-can grocery option for students, served 379 people during the year. Free breakfast was also served to 2,526 SAIT students from February to June of 2023.
Saitsa also sold 386 Good Food boxes, and helped 147 students access the emergency food fund.
Food and affordability isn’t the only focus Saitsa had throughout 2023.
“We’re also in a housing crisis right now,” said Ramos. “So we went to Ottawa to speak to federal government officials, and just the other day they released that Canada was funding institutions to support affordable student housing.”
Saitsa also addressed the lack of mental health support available for international students.
According to their annual report, 79 per cent of international students are less likely to seek mental health help on campus.
“We want to see if we can hire a more diverse counselling background, so that people like Mansoor and myself are able to see themselves in their counselors,” said Ramos.
New board members will be voted in after the March elections, but Saitsa hopes to continue to support the students they represent.
“We want to save students a bit more money, and to ensure we are acting right as agents of the student body,” said Ramos.
