The Central Student Association (also known as the CSA by many) is the main student union for all undergraduate students at the University of Guelph. It is part of the Canadian Federation of Students and its Ontario Chapter. The CFS is Canada’s largest union of students. The CSA is local #54.

According to archives, the current CSA is either the fifth or sixth iteration of a central student union at Guelph,. The current CSA was founded in 1979 shortly after the previous union was bankrupted by the University. This was caused when the newly built University Centre was appropriated by the University in the 1970s. The CSA worked to regain student control of the Centre from the University in the 1980s.

The Main Office of the CSA is located on the second floor of the University Centre, on the South side of the building. Inside are located the front office, the business office, the offices of the executive along with services and information for Students.

More on the History of the CSA can be found at http://www.csaonline.ca/history

So what is the CSA?

The CSA is a democratically organized, dues paying student union representing over 16,000 full and part-time undergrad students at the University of Guelph.

The purpose of the CSA is to bring together the elected representatives of all the college governments on campus. The CSA also has appointed members of campus organizations into a single body.

The CSA provides services such as a health plan, the universial bus pass, and the Human Rights Office. The CSA also owns and operates the Bullring campus pub, and also has a controlling stake on the Board of Directors for the University Centre. All Campus Organizations and Clubs are recognized under the CSA, and together with the different club offices, occupy over half of the second floor of the University Centre.

Read more about the CSA’s directions and policy at http://www.csaonline.ca/about

Who runs the CSA?

The student government is administered by five full-time undergraduate executives, along with five full time staff members. The part-time staff are mostly made up of undergrad students.

On multiple levels, the CSA is controlled by student volunteers and paid employees. The Day-to-day operations are overseen by the elected Executive, who also run the various campaigns and provide advocacy for all undergrads and are assisted by the full-time long-term staff.

The elected and appointed Board of Directors holds open meetings each school year every two weeks. Twice a year, the general membership meets to ratify the decisions of the Board of Directors as well as provide ground level participation to the operation of the CSA.

For more about the staff go to http://www.csaonline.ca/staff. See below for more about the Board of Directors.

So how are people elected to the CSA?

Elections are held every March to select the next years Executive and Board. Along with this, all the part-time positions are re-staffed. Volunteers also assist the CSA with campaigns and referendums on issues like the rising cost of tuition, the enviornment and globalization.

For more information on elections, see http://www.csaonline.ca/policies

So what is the Board of Directors?

CSA Board of Directors meet six times per semester. Board meetings are scheduled in advance, and are usually held every other Wednesday. In the summer months, the board meetings are held in the CSA Boardroom, and in the Fall and Winter semesters, they usually meet in a larger room in the University Centre. All the Board meetings are open to the public, and are traditionally begun with a motion to extend speaking rights to all present, so that visitors may contribute to the process. Only members of the Board of Directors hold voting rights.

All votes for the CSA Board of Directors are held by the Executive, 18 college seats (3 from each college), and 5 appointed seats.

To see more about the Board of Directors, the Bylaws and other information, check out the CSA website link http://www.csaonline.ca/policies

Who is running the CSA for 2007-2008?

The 2007-2008 Executive is:

External Commissioner: Cailey Campbell

The External Commissioner represents the Central Student Association beyond the Guelph campus and community. He/she is the primary delegate to Canadian Federation of Students conferences and meetings, is responsible for lobbying the federal and provincial governments, and organizing with local and national labour, student, and anti-poverty movements (among others). The External Office also plans and oversees many of the CSA’s campaigns.

Finance and Human Resources Commissioner: Jakki Doyle

The Finance and Human Resources Commissioner oversees the finances, operations and human resources of the CSA.

Local Affairs Commissioner: Evan Dalzell

The Local Affairs Commissioner is responsible for representing the Central Student Association in the wider Guelph community. The Local Affairs Commissioner is responsible for providing advocacy services for tenant and legal issues that students face, also he/she is responsible for transportation issues, municipal government, and municipal elections awareness. The Local Affairs office manages the Bike Centre, Meal Exchange, and the Food Bank.

Communications Commissioner: Meaghan Hourigan

The Communications Commissioner is the primary liaison with the student body, advocating for and aiding them in various projects and events. Much of his/her work includes the promotion of the CSA’s services, events, and resources for students. The Communications Commissioner is the official spokesperson for the CSA and works very closely with the board of directors to gather student input on the operations of the CSA.

Academic Commissioner: Derek Pieper

The Academic Commissioner advocates/liases on behalf of undergraduate students to University committees and officials regarding academic matters. The Academic Commissioner is a member of Senate, the University’s highest decision-making body on academic issues, and provides support when students feel their academic rights and responsibilities have been violated. The Academic Commissioner also provides support regarding student scholarships, busaries and other financial matters.

More information on the CSA Executive is found at http://www.csaonline.ca/executive

What does the CSA offer in services and advocacy?

The CSA offers a wide selection of services and advocacy programming.

The CSA helps students who are having tenant or landlord issues through the Local Affairs Commissioner and the CSA Legal Resource Room. All Academic difficulties and University grievances, plus information and support on OSAP (, the Academic Commissioner is the person responsible. The Human Rights Office has many trained and experience staff to support students in the event that they are experiencing any acts of hatred, discrimination, or oppression.

Advocacy programs include: