INSPIRING STUDENT CULTURE

A university campus is a vibrant place where ideas, events and people come together. While traditionally campuses have been a place of learning, with more students living on campus than ever before, hundreds of organizations, and thousands of people mean that UBC has the potential to be more active than ever before. Sometimes culture needs a catalyst, the right resources to inspire truly amazing experiences.

A Challenge to the War on Fun

The AMS and it’s 48,000 members live, study and play in an environment that has been consistently diminishing in terms of its excitement and energy. This has been the result of the War on Fun, a trend that has reduced the diversity of experiences at UBC in favour of a limited range of activities. It is time the AMS takes a proactive approach to dealing with this issue. We can improve student experiences by clarifying guidelines and protocols for alcoholic events, and we need to start challenging the increasingly limiting liquor laws and policies by lobbying the local and provincial governments, something the AMS has not previously done.

Revitalized Emphasis on Arts

There are thousands of students across the university that express themselves artistically. The success of UBC’s Got Talent demonstrated not only student interest in performing but student interest in attending arts events. At a time when governments are reducing funding for the arts, the AMS has an opportunity to encourage and grow artistic talent on campus. Through a revival of significant events that increase campus spirit and by providing supplemental support and funding for arts, the AMS can play an active role in cultivating artistic culture.

Focused Student Club Strategy

With over 300 clubs on campus, the AMS’s most vibrant and involved area can continue to grow and prosper with the right incentives and support. Supporting clubs in new ways can have a huge impact on student culture by bringing about the necessary adjustments that can make the experience that much more fulfilling. The AMS can also assist clubs by fighting against the plan to charge a fee on use of the University logo, coordinate the new e-commerce platform to help clubs and constituencies generate revenue, while also ensuring that any proceeds from the site go back to benefit clubs and constituencies. By assisting clubs we can continue to strengthen student culture on campus, inspiring students to do more with the time they have at UBC.