Elaine Patterson, VP Student Life

Despite daunting logistical challenges caused by the construction on Mctavish, reduced staff due to budget cuts, and the presence of disruptive corporate advertising, Patterson successfully organized both the Fall and Winter Activities Nights at SSMU. Compared to last year, these events were very wellreceived by both those tabling and those who simply attended. While the moratorium on new SSMU clubs has caused some frustration among students, Patterson took advantage of the opportunity it provided to do valuable work with the Clubs Committee in updating the constitutions of several clubs. She also oversaw important improvements to the process through which club status is granted, ensuring that environmental and social sustainability are now criteria. Finally, with regard to the club-related portion of her portfolio, Patterson made important strides in facilitating storage in the SSMU building and streamlining the room-booking process in various spaces across campus for clubs.

Patterson also made Mental Health Awareness Week a success, and – though sometimes stymied by Student Services’ failure to coordinate effectively with student representatives this year – did important work to review and improve SSMU’S own plan on mental health. Furthermore, she oversaw two roundtables on mental health, which brought together disparate organizations and groups on campus that are working to improve students’ access to much-needed care. Based on the success of this kind of initiative, Patterson has expressed the intention to encourage her successor to organize more roundtables so as to streamline communication between different SSMU services and the VP Student Life.

While Patterson has not always been particularly vocal in important political debates during Council, she has played a key part in keeping the executive team functional in the context of recent upheavals. In the wake of Ger’s resignation, Patterson assumed the position of acting President, in addition to the duties and responsibilities associated with her own portfolio. In this capacity, she has served as the main spokesperson for the executive, fielding a barrage of questions and criticisms from the public.

In summary, Patterson could have engaged more directly with political debates within SSMU this year, and been more proactive in working with SSMU services. However, she has consistently done thorough and valuable work despite immense challenges, and in the face of virtually unprecedented conflict within the executive team she has risen to the occasion admirably.