ALMA MATER SOCIETY

ASSEMBLY REPORTS

JUNE 2025


MISSION STATEMENT

To serve and represent the diversity of students at Queen’s University.

MANDATE

To represent Queen’s University students within the university and externally by working to further the best interests of the members of the AMS, giving particular concern to representation on issues related to education.

To provide experiential, out-of-classroom opportunities to develop skills and learn, through the provision of services and programs.

To uphold the principles of Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, Accessibility (I-EDIAA) within the Queen’s community and on behalf of Queen’s undergraduate students.

To serve as a liaison between the various affiliated student societies

VOTING MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY

Alma Mater Society Executives

President of the Alma Mater Society

President of the Alma Mater Society
Report to Assembly
Jana Amer
president(@ams.queensu.ca)

It is with deep gratitude and excitement that I submit my second report to AMS Assembly as the 156th President of the Alma Mater Society.

Somehow, it’s already the end of June, and I don’t know where the time went. One minute we were moving into the JDUC and finalizing goal plan templates, and now we’re deep in hiring, budgeting, and onboarding season. Time is fake, but the work is definitely real.

PORTFOLIO | What my team has been up to?

Marketing | Finalized its goal plan and budget and is now focused on content production. The team has been finalizing the content calendar in collaboration with the MRA and SMC, producing reels and graphics to highlight hiring, and showcasing what the AMS has been up to. I’ve been personally working on the JDUC trailer, finalizing commission highlight month materials, business card designs, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the AMS Media Centre.

Communication| Supporting the Rector and the CAC with planning for the JDUC alumni reunion and grand opening. They’ve also been working closely with commissions to finalize wireframes for our website redesign, convert our news section into a blog format, and restructure the entire platform for easier navigation. Additionally, they’ve been developing an Advocacy Toolkit to support student engagement across the year.

Orientation| Planning is in full swing! The ORT team has been reviewing fee forms and slogan submissions, and they’re working toward their sponsorship goals to offset event costs. We’ve officially hired Jonathan Shenouda as the new ORT Coordinator, and we’re still recruiting for the ORT Assistant Coordinator.

Internal Affairs| Focused on supporting the Board, and planning for Assembly, elections as well as reviewing goal plans, and finalizing budgets. The team has also been closing out sanction cases from the past year and supporting policy revisions and committee coordination.

Information Technology| Working with myself and the exec to modernize how students interact with AMS systems and how we support portfolio transitions. This includes exploring the Bounce platform for elections, event engagement, and communication, as well as reworking our internal transition process to reduce institutional knowledge loss and improve onboarding.

Human Resources| Preparing for summer hiring, which officially opens on June 23. The team has been finalizing interview rubrics, integrating Dayforce contracts, and reviewing our internal HR policies to ensure they’re up-to-date and aligned with best practices.

UPDATES | What I have been up to?

Budgets| All AMS offices have finalized their 2025–26 Budget and Goal Plans earlier this month. These documents will be presented to the AMS Board of Directors at the June 18 and June 25 meetings for final approval. This process continues to ensure our operations are grounded in clarity, accountability, and alignment with organizational priorities.

Staffing| We’re continuing to strengthen our team through targeted rehiring. As mentioned, Jonathan Shenouda has been hired as ORT Coordinator, and interviews for the Assistant Coordinator are ongoing. We are still actively hiring for the Secretary of Internal Affairs (IAO) and are looking for someone who can bring strong governance support and documentation skills to the table.

University Engagement | I’ve been continuing consultations with the University as part of the Bicentennial Visioning Group, ensuring the student voice is integrated in the long-term vision for Queen’s. We’ve also been in ongoing conversations with the Athletics and Recreation Centre to ensure that the student Athletics and Recreation fee provides the best possible membership experience, with a focus on value, access, and transparency for students.

Prayer Spaces | We’ve finalized QUMSA’s space allocation in the JDUC and secured University funding to support daily Friday prayers. This is a meaningful win for student wellness, accessibility, and equity. We’re continuing to work with University partners to ensure QUMSA has consistent space access throughout the academic year.

Closing Reflections | This past month has been a whirlwind of planning, pivoting, and progress. While a lot of the work has been behind the scenes, it’s been so rewarding to see things start coming together. I’m proud of the momentum we’re building and constantly inspired by the creativity and care that our staff, managers, and student leaders bring to the table every day.

We’re just getting started, but if this is how we begin, I can’t wait to see where we end up.

Cha Gheill,

Jana Amer (she/her)

156th President, Alma Mater Society

613-533-6000 ext. 32726

president(@ams.queensu.ca)

Vice President of Operations

Vice President of Operations
Report to Assembly
Elena Nurzynski
vpops(@ams.queensu.ca) 

Hello everyone,

Dear Assembly,

It has been another exciting yet busy month under the VPOPS umbrella. All AMS services continue to operate smoothly, with head managers and chiefs completing their goal plans and budgets for their respective service. We are currently preparing for our summer hiring period for eight-month service staff and supervisors, with job postings opening June 23rd and closing July 6th.

Common Ground Coffeehouse |Hiring is currently open for an 8-month head manager, starting officially on August 29th. In the interim, Alex is currently planning logistics for the opening of The Brew. The marketing manager is currently working on re-vamping the Common Ground logo to improve its accessibility. I will begin working in tandem with the Operations Officer to begin integrating Common Ground and The Brew into LS Retail, aligning with our strategic plan.

Tricolour Outlet | Tricolour Outlet is operating a pop-up booth at Summerhill for convocation and will be operating for both the morning and afternoon services. Tatyana and her team are currently working on updating the website and are meeting with suppliers to source merchandise for the upcoming year.

Media Centre | The Media Centre officially opened their doors and were operating at a limited capacity on June 3rd. By June 7th the service became fully operational, with summer hours from Monday-Friday 11am-2pm. AMC is currently focusing on their efforts on distributing hoods and gowns to graduating students for convocation week, overseeing 10+ staff waged by Gaspard Hoods and Gowns. Be sure to stop by the Media center for all your printing and creative needs, or to pick up the 2025 yearbook (they’re free!).

Queen’s Pub Restaurant & Bar | The Queen’s Pub team are gearing up for convocation week and Canaday Day weekend as Queen’s graduates, parents, and alumni return to Queen’s campus since the Queen’s Pub’s grand opening on June 3rd. The team is working diligently to schedule staff according to operational needs, while ensuring a smooth flow of service. Be sure to stop by The Pub to try out their daily specials.

Queen’s StuCons| The StuCon team is gearing up for their first wave of hiring after seeing an influx of applicants. Kaiwen and her team and working on preparing their staff and supervisor training at the end of August. The team is also organizing licensing and other administrative tasks for the service, including updating S.O.Ps and tracking inventory.

Walkhome | The Walkhome team is currently working with various AMS and community groups to begin planning Take Back the Night, which is set for September 19th, 2025. If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please reach out to Niki ().

Peer Support Centre | The Peer Support centre attended the 2025 Kingston Pride celebration and saw high interest in their service. Anne is currently preparing for August training while revamping the website and streamlining the booking portal. Interviews for an 8-month Peer Support Centre head manager are currently underway.

Foodbank | Foodbank is currently closed for operations until July 2nd, due to an ongoing facilities issue. Out of our commitment to the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, and patrons, the service will remain closed as we promptly and thoroughly address the issue.

Queen’s Journal | The Queen’s Journal had their first press release on May 26th, with their second release on June 30th for the pride edition. The Journal is currently looking to commission 2SLGBTQIA+ students for contributing writing, photography, or illustrations for the pride issue. Please email if you are interested in the opportunity.

Consolidated Budget | The 2025-26 consolidated operating budget is currently underway. All allocations to the AMS offices and commissions have been finalized. I look forward to presenting the final consolidated budget at a future Assembly session.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns, I am always happy to chat.

All my best,

Elena Nurzynski (She/Her/Hers)

Vice President of Operations | AMS

Vpops(@ams.queensu.ca)

Vice President of University Affairs

Vice President of University Affairs
Report to Assembly
Alyssa Perisa
vpua(@ams.queensu.ca)

Hello everyone,

June has been a very busy period as the commissions have focused on getting their goals for the year to paper. You will see lots of plans for inter-AMS collaborations between the commissions themselves and newly partnering with our amazing services. This year you can expect lots of cross-over between the governance portfolio, with strong collaboration for events and campaigns underway. This year’s focus will be strengthening the foundation of the governance portfolio and building up what last year’s team has implemented. Now to delve into specifics of what has been occurring.

Commissioner Ballaj and I have been setting up strong relations with the City of Kingston. We are having very frequent meetings with Councilor Glenn to discuss harm reduction. We will be going to City Council this month to voice our ideas and support our district Councilor.

Members of the AMS had fun preparing signs at the YellowHouse for the Kingston Pride Parade. The AMS was represented again this year at the parade, with friendly faces showing up to support and celebrate the annual event.

President Amer and I have begun planning how we will be showing volunteer appreciation this year. Although it has usually fallen under the President’s role, then last year under the Vice President (University Affairs), this year we have decided to continue our overall team goal of collaboration by working on volunteer appreciation together. We are looking for ways to ensure that volunteers feel truly seen and appreciated.

The commissioners have also begun working on their marketing strategies for the year. This year, one of the most important focuses is outreach. We will be ensuring we create tangible and real plans for marketing so that messaging is sent out in a timely manner and students are made well aware of AMS initiatives.

The commissioners have also been holding many meetings with Queen’s staff to help create more streamlined communication channels and funding opportunities. My commissioners have spoken with Sandra den Otter (Vice-Provost, Global Engagement), Patrick Deane (Principal), and Stephanie Simpson (Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion), to name a few. We have received a warm welcome to our ideas and are excited about potential university collaboration that will directly ensure that student voices are included at the table.

June has been fun and productive. You really can have the best of both worlds.

Warmly,

Alyssa Perisa

Vice President of University Affairs | AMS

vpua(@ams.queensu.ca)

Faculty Societies

Arts & Science Undergraduate Society

Arts & Science Undergraduate Society
President’s Report to Assembly
Ivana Drinziu
president(@asus.queensu.ca)

Hello members of assembly,

My name is Ivana Drinziu (she/her), and I am the ASUS President.

The ASUS Executive Team has been reviewing drafts of Council’s strategic plans and budgets. We are excited to see the revamping of our initiatives and the changes each Commissioner and Officer is bringing into their role.

ASUS is also prepping Fall volunteer hiring period in the first few weeks of September. We have tons of open positions from Deputies, Directors, Chairs, and Coordinators. We still have a few positions available with honorariums, some of which will open this summer and some in September.

Camps is close to its opening week, and the VPSA and I are thrilled to see all the hard work pay off! We have sold out of many weeks, and we are so excited to welcome our campers and councilors.

Billy yang, the ASUS Academics Commissioner, and I are working on filling all co-president roles for our DSCs. Most are hired or elected, but some remain vacant. If you have questions about your DSC and availability, feel free to reach out!

The community garden is blooming and the lettuce is almost ready to be plucked! If you are looking for a ASUS-grown salad, stop by and we would be happy to hand some over.

That is all, for now. I hope everyone is having a great summer!

Engineering Society

Engineering Society Affairs
President’s Report to Assembly
Jordan Belainsky
president(@engsoc.queensu.ca)

Hello Assembly!

I’m trying out a new format that is a little more personable but keep a bit of the point form because I love it too much. Anyways, here’s what we have been up to!

President: I’ve been having my regular statics with my Directors, Orientation Chair, and our Exec. We’ve been slowly making progress on strategic plans and budgets while also making sure each of their teams have received all their transition material to help the Directors with their year plans. Our Exec has also attended the Smith Engineering Dean’s showcase to catch up on updates and plans for the next year in terms of that donation. If you tried to email me last week you may have noticed I took a week of vacation to go home, which was very refreshing with the weather getting nicer! Upon returning, Gabby (Director of External Relations) and I attended the ESSCO PM where we got to meet other engineering faculty societies Presidents and VP Externals! Here’s some other general things I’ve been up to:

  • Attend Toronto Smith Engineering Alumni Reception
  • Assist Director of Academics of BED Fund strategic plan for next year
  • Assist Director of External Relations on strategic plan for our interactions with ESSCO & CFES next year
  • Orientation Week assistance with Arus our OC

VPSA: Alexis has continued to execute all our marketing on social media as well as regular executive tasks such as statics, budgeting, and strategic planning. With this also came lots of work within our governance, bylaws, Pre-week training for our ED Team, reaching out to other universities to attend Toronto pride, and currently in the process of hiring a new SVPR lead.

VPOps: Jacob has been occupied getting the services set up for the next year. With this comes finishing up old month ends, tracking down invoices, and keeping his directors up to date with their services. A highlight of this month was fixing the leak in the Tea Room. Other highlights:

  • Science Quest will officially be starting their camp later this month
  • Summer Rituals are finished up so he can get evenings back to himself!

VPFA: Ian has been deep in the spreadsheets finishing up month ends, processing credit card trackers, processing reimbursements, and many other finance things that are beyond my knowledge. He finally was able to collect all the credit card statements from our uppers so our bookkeepers could be up to date.

If you have any questions about what we’ve been up to don’t hesitate to reach out!

Jordan Belainsky

President

Smith Commerce Society

Smith Commerce Society
President’s Report to Assembly
Prem Mehta-Spooner
president(@comsoc.queensu.ca)

Over the past month, ComSoc has prioritized strengthening governance practices and institutional onboarding to ensure smooth transitions and effective leadership continuity. A key focus has been the comprehensive review of ComSoc’s internal policies and procedures. This review will result in a summary report shared with the Alma Mater Society (AMS) to help guide a prioritized policy update process. Particular attention is being given to clarifying the responsibilities and procedural authority of the Speaker of Assembly, which has been identified as an area in need of greater definition and alignment between AMS and ComSoc interpretations.

In parallel, ComSoc has continued to manage ongoing stakeholder relations with AMS leadership, ensuring that key issues — including interpretive discrepancies and procedural concerns — are addressed collaboratively. This includes active dialogue to mediate tensions and strengthen the governance bridge between AMS and faculty societies.

Additionally, ComSoc recently experienced a vacancy in the Advisory Board Chair position following a resignation. In response, a reappointment process was initiated to ensure that the Advisory Board — a cornerstone of our strategic governance and accountability structure — continues to provide robust oversight and continuity in institutional memory. The reappointment process is being conducted with transparency and urgency, recognizing the importance of having a trusted Chair in place to support both long-term planning and real-time decision-making.

These efforts collectively signal ComSoc’s continued commitment to accountability, institutional health, and proactive governance.

Sincerely,

Prem Mehta-Spooner

President, Commerce Society

Health Sciences Society

Health Sciences Society
President’s Report to Assembly
Arani Hiritharan
president(@hss.queensu.ca)

The June 2025 Health Sciences Society President’s Assembly Report is currently unavailable.

Computing Students’ Association

Computing Students’ Association
President’s Report to Assembly
Hugh Tuckwell
president(@compsa.queensu.ca)

The June 2025 Computing Students’ Association President’s Assembly Report is currently unavailable.

Concurrent Education Students’ Association

Concurrent Education Students’ Association
President’s Report to Assembly
Emily Gluckman
president(@cesa.queensu.ca)

The June 2025 Concurrent Education Students’ Association President’s Assembly Report is currently unavailable.

Physical Education & Kinesiology Students’ Association

Physical Education & Kinesiology Students’ Association Sustainability
President’s Report to Assembly
Cynthia Charette
president(@pheksa.queensu.ca)

Dear Assembly,

I hope your summers are going well.

There is not much from PHEKSA, aside from my previous updates regarding implementing our revised constitution and getting our new assembly members set up for their term.

ECKO is working hard to plan an amazing orientation for the incoming class, and we look forward to seeing it come to life in September.

At this time, PHEKSA does not have any motions we wish to propose to the group.

See you next week!

Best wishes,

Cynthia Charette (she/her)

PHEKSA President

Nursing Science Society

Nursing Science Society
President’s Report to Assembly
Mika Heler
president(@nss.queensu.ca)

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying summer break. Not many updates on our end this month. Here are my updates:

Class Council Updates

  • Ella McRae (President of 2025) has finished organizing the year 4 pinning ceremony for BNSc students, set to commence after convocation.

Commissioner Updates

  • Our Events commissioner and VPOPS have begun to plan our nursing formal, set to commence in November
  • Our Communications director has created a series of posts highlighting different EDIIA events happening through QHS.

Best,

Mika Heler

She/her (Click here to learn about pronouns)

NSS President

Nursing Science Society | Queen’s University

Email: president(@nss.queensu.ca)

Kingston, ON

I acknowledge and honour that Queen’s University is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory. I invite you to join me on a continual reflection regarding the history of the land on which we learn, work, play, and reside.

NON-VOTING MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY

Alma Mater Society Commissions

Commission of Clubs

Commission of Clubs
Report to Assembly
Xian Tronsgard
clubs.manager(@ams.queensu.ca)

Dear Members of Assembly,

Building on the success of the last month, June has provided myself and this commission with wonderful progress and growth opportunities. The goal plans and budgets are reflective of our commitment to addressing procedural gaps and improving transparency. We have begun implementing policy changes in careful consultation with the Secretariat and the VPUA to ensure alignment with the AMS Constitution. The bi-annual re-ratification process for AMS Clubs has been communicated, and we are currently in the process of dividing clubs into their respective cohorts. Dates for our major events, including the Tri-Colour Open House and Professional Development Day, have been tentatively selected as planning continues.

Our club support mechanisms have also seen meaningful improvements. Many clubs are receiving more personalized and timely assistance through one-on-one meetings, which has enhanced relationship-building and problem-solving. This tailored approach has helped ensure clubs feel heard and supported in navigating AMS processes. We’ve also developed new programming for our clubs, including Ratification and Re-Ratification Workshops. These sessions are designed to give club executives an opportunity to connect directly with the Clubs Commission and with one another during what can often be a stressful period. Importantly, non-AMS club executives and prospective club leaders are also beginning to feel more confident in navigating the AMS ratification process, thanks to the clarity and accessibility these supports provide.

On June 6th, we launched the Summer Experience Grant, and we are thrilled with the number of submissions received and the incredible events that our vibrant clubs are organizing. It’s inspiring to see the creativity and initiative of our student leaders, and we are excited to continue communicating with clubs throughout the summer to ensure they feel supported every step of the way.

Additionally, we are actively working with internal AMS partners to solidify collaborations and foster stronger inter-commission relationships. These efforts are laying the foundation for more integrated support and shared success across the organization. Looking ahead, I’m very excited to begin the process of hiring my Assistant Managers and expanding the Clubs Commission team. This next phase will allow us to build capacity, bring in new perspectives, and strengthen the support we provide to clubs. I’m committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative working environment that empowers my team to lead, innovate, and serve the AMS club community with excellence.

Commission of Social Issues (Internal)

Commission of Social Issues (Internal)
Report to Assembly
Edward Sy
sic.internal(@ams.queensu.ca)

Dear Members of Assembly,

Happy Pride and Indigenous History Month! I encourage everyone to keep an eye out for upcoming initiatives and social media content from the Social Issues Commission in recognition of these important commemorative dates. These moments serve as crucial reminders to actively reflect on our responsibilities in dismantling systems of homophobia, colonialism, and discrimination—not just this month, but throughout the entire year.

Over the past month, I have been working collaboratively with the SIC-External to begin planning a number of student-facing initiatives. These include programming for Consent Week and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), as well as our involvement in the AMS Pride Parade walk and other associated awareness and community campaigns.

On the SIC-Internal side, a significant portion of my time has been dedicated to finalizing the goal plan, budget, and webpage wireframe for the year. In collaboration with the SIA, we are finalizing the first two Assembly themes of the year: the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) and Hunger Action Month (with OUSA).

In terms of advocacy and stakeholder engagement, I have begun outreach to key campus partners—including the VPCEI, the DSA, Queen’s Library, and the Shift Project—to lay the groundwork for upcoming projects. I have also initiated updates to the AMS equity policy, with the goal of enhancing structural supports and introducing regular accountability check-ins for all senior managers.

In addition, planning is underway for several major internal initiatives:

  • Menstrual Equity Project: Looking to implement more menstrual product dispensers and integrate new sanitary disposal bins.
  • Equity Library: Exploring new collaborations and promotional opportunities.
  • Equity Caucus: Drafting a revised structure with support from the Clubs Commissioner.
  • Club Equity Certificates: Revamping the program by designing a refreshed, sustainable framework.
  • Academic Advocacy: connecting with the VPTL to see where we can support student voices in academics and academic equity through QSSET or promotional campaigns

With support from the executive assistant, we’ve submitted a brief report of our accessibility audit of the JDUC to identify areas for improvement and ensure the space meets diverse student needs, especially as September approaches. Lastly, I continue to represent student perspectives on various Queen’s equity-focused committees while building meaningful relationships with members to better inform my advocacy work.

I look forward to seeing you all again shortly!

As always, never hesitate to reach out if you’d like to chat about plans or have any questions.

Regards,

Edward Sy

Social Issues Commissioner (Internal)

Commission of Social Issues (External)

Commission of Social Issues (External)
Report to Assembly
Mujeedat Lekuti 
sic.internal(@ams.queensu.ca)

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well!

This month, Edward and I collaborated with the Peer Support Centre to support the AMS Pride initiatives. We attended the Pride Parade, where we distributed free books and stickers, and recorded an AMS AsksU educational video to engage students and community members around Pride-related topics.

We’ve also been drafting plans for the year and have made strong progress on event planning across our portfolios by connecting with key stakeholders to assess feasibility. Notably, we’ve initiated conversations for the Equity Gala, in partnership with Students of Collective Colours.

In addition, I’ve been working alongside AMS stakeholders and community partners on planning Take Back the Night (TBTN) and Consent Week, with both initiatives currently being finalized. I’m also part of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) Committee, where we’ve been discussing student engagement strategies and an upcoming educational campaign.

Lastly, planning for the Black Legacy Mentorship Program is underway in collaboration with both university and community stakeholders.

Thank you,

Mujeedat Lekuti

Commission of Campus Affairs

Commission of Campus Affairs
Report to Assembly
Ali Al-Safadi
cac(@ams.queensu.ca) 

Hello Members of Assembly, 

I hope you’re all doing well. As I continue transitioning into the role and begin preparing for the year ahead, I wanted to share a few updates from the Campus Affairs Commission.

Two funding opportunities are currently open:

  • ORT-CAC Equity Grant – Open until July. This grant supports faculty societies or orientation planning groups running events that center equity. It is intended to reduce financial barriers to equity-focused programming.
  • Student Graduation Bursary – Open until June 30. This bursary supports undergraduate AMS members with expenses related to attending convocation.

In addition, hiring for the Commission will begin shortly. Positions for Special Projects Director and International Affairs Director will open on June 23.

Thank you,

Ali.

Commission of External Affairs

Commission of External Affairs
Report to Assembly
Edlira Ballaj
cea(@ams.queensu.ca)

Hello Members of Assembly,

I hope you’re all doing well and settling into the rhythm of the summer term. June has been a productive and strategic month for the Commission of External Affairs as we transition from planning to early implementation.

I finalized both the Commission’s Goal Plan and Budget Briefs, and also the commission’s marketing strategy for the year. Alongside this, I’ve continued meeting with key stakeholders across both the university and the City of Kingston to strengthen our advocacy partnerships and programming priorities. This month, the VPUA and I also attended City Council and delivered a statement on a proposed recommendation related to increased enforcement across the city including campus, voicing student concerns about the implications for community safety and trust.

Internally, I’ve been connecting with collaboration partners across commissions, services and external parties to begin the initial stages of program planning and setting collaborative priorities. Looking ahead, in a few weeks I’ll be participating in OUSA’s ThinkTank to begin policy writing for the fall and have also started researching Bill 33, particularly its implications for campus safety and institutional autonomy.

Wishing you all a great July!

Best,

Edlira Ballaj, She/her

Commissioner of External Affairs, Alma Mater Society

Commission of Environmental Sustainability

Commission of Environmental Sustainability
Report to Assembly
Brooke Schmidt
ces(@ams.queensu.ca)

This month has centered around goal planning. Besides completing goal plan documents, these are the other highlights of this past month:

Collective Closet Restructure: I have started rewriting the Collective Closet Deputy transition manual to better reflect the updated structure of the service. Greater planning has ensued to create a distinct flow of work for the CC staff to do while on shift.

Sustainable Event Certificate (SEC) Restructure: The new SEC format has been completed. My Internal Manager is now working to create a new Formstack file to replace the old form, including automation of the form into our score sheet. Meetings with campus partners are continuing to negotiate improved perks to the SEC relaunch.

SIC-E x CES Cultural Cookoff: The venue for the cook-off has been booked. Work on this project has shifted to grant applications and budgeting for the event.

CES x TRO: The design of the TRO release has been finalized. The CES is now looking into previous merchandise lines with the AMS to determine how much stock we will order.

Community Garden: Much work has been done on the community garden plots. Multiple crops have sprouted, and work is being done to maintain these growths. We are exploring different weed-prevention strategies that do not include use of herbicides.

Alma Mater Society Offices

Orientation Roundtable

Orientation Roundtable Coordinator
Report to Assembly
Ali Haider
ort(@ams.queensu.ca)

The June 2025 Orientation Roundtable Coordinator Assembly Report is currently unavailable.

Office of the Secretariat

Office of the Secretariat
Report to Assembly
Emma Capstick
secretariat(@ams.queensu.ca)

Hello Assembly,

Happy June,

This month is Indigenous History Month and Pride Month, so I hope you all are taking some time to learn, reflect, and commemorate these important celebrations. It has been great to see all the incredible content and initiatives being produced across campus and reminds me what amazing community we have at Queen’s.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been focused on finalizing items for this Assembly. I’m happy to share that most of the major pieces are now in place, and we will be shifting our focus towards other matters.

June is shaping up to be a beautifully busy month, with goal plans and budgets being presented to the Board. I’ve also been supporting ongoing policy reviews and I’m particularly excited to continue this work.

Elections

We’ve begun the process of identifying groups up for tri-review and planning which groups to audit. Election dates are ready to be ratified, and I’m looking forward to working with the Chief Electoral Officer later this summer to begin developing a comprehensive marketing strategy

Judicial

Our Case Officer is continuing to address outstanding items from the past year and has been instrumental in supporting policy reviews, particularly those related to elections.

Hiring

The IAO is hiring for the two assistant manager roles: Chief Governance Officer and Chief Returning Officer. These are great learning opportunities with flexible hours, so encourage you to pass these along to interested students.

With many of the large items now wrapped up, I’m excited to dive into the next phase of projects, including the continuation of the Athletics Audit and the Judicial Council constitutional interpretation.

Thank you all for your continued engagement, I’m looking forward to what’s ahead!

Observers

Chair of the AMS Board of Directors

Chair of the AMS Board of Directors
Report to Assembly
Dreyden George
board.chair(@ams.queensu.ca)

Hello, Presidents!

I hope everyone’s has been having a healthy, fun, and productive summer with each of your roles. For the month of June, the board has met twice to complete all business ahead of time.

Board Meeting:

We hold a board meeting on the 25th and 18th of June for approving all goal plans, receiving the societies goal plans, and approving all allocations and service operating budgets; this is in the goal of having a earlier complete budget allowing the units to begin processes and projects ahead of September with fully approved and/or received funds. With the board expecting by end of July a complete consolidated operating budget; this is about one month earlier than prior years approvals. In our board meetings we also have adopted a consent agenda; allowing to foster more thorough and adequate discussion, evaluation, and analysis of new business presented to the board; while also ensuring a method and channel of accountability on the board minutes, agenda, and reports. If anyone has any questions or inquiries about our board meetings, or requests of open session minutes, feel free to reach out to myself, the secretariat, or the Vice-Chair of the Board Eshal Ali ().

Committees:

This month for committees we have begun as per compliance of our Board policy manual, the Finance and Risk Committee and Personnel Committees meetings which have met once and begun their years projects. Further, the remaining committee co-chairs are working ahead of school year projects in anticipation of the starting of those committees. From policy updates to feasibility studies for operational projects, the committee chairs are doing incredible work this year. For details on the F&R Committee or Personnel Committee, compositions and responsibilities; check out the Board Policy Manual on the AMS Website on the Policy page under Corporate Policies. For committee projects this year have major themes around, improving our feedback and data, improving awareness and engagement with Board processes/outcomes, shareholder transparency/satisfaction, and establishing / updating frameworks and policies to ensure to address current concerns and opportunities.

Residence Society

Residence Society President & CEO
Report to Assembly
John Bae
president(@ressoc.queensu.ca)

Report to Assembly

Hello Assembly,

I hope everybody is still having a lovely summer!

Over the past month, the Core Executive team has been focused primarily on finalizing staff onboarding in preparation for our upcoming training cycle. Much of this work has been led by our VP of Residence Operations (VPRO) and VP of Society Operations (VPSO), who have been instrumental in planning ResSoc training. At this stage, we are awaiting final scheduling confirmations from Residence Life and Services, as training logistics are planned primarily by their incoming Manager, Residence Education.

I also had the opportunity to sit on the hiring board for this Manager, Residence Education role. This position plays a key role in coordinating don training as well as supporting the logistical needs for ResSoc’s training initiatives. Once the successful candidate has been onboarded, we anticipate a smoother and more coordinated scheduling process.

In developing our staff training program, we’ve also consulted with several external stakeholders, including the Social Issues Commission and other campus partners. Their input is helping us ensure our training content reflects best practices in equity, inclusion, and student support. We are grateful for their collaboration and are working to integrate their contributions meaningfully into our sessions.

Additionally, we are actively working to implement a universal training accommodation framework for staff members who may miss parts of training due to legitimate personal or academic commitments. The goal is to ensure that all staff receive equitable and comprehensive preparation, regardless of availability.

Looking ahead, we have also begun preparations for residence orientation events, including the “Welcome Home Night,” which is being organized in partnership with the Student Experience Office. This event will serve as a cornerstone of our fall programming, and we are excited to welcome students back into residence with energy and enthusiasm. I’ve also connected with the Peer Support Centre (PSC) and the Campus Observation Room (COR) to extend the network of resources advertised and supported by ResSoc.

Strategic planning across each Executive Officer portfolio is also progressing steadily, with most officers approximately halfway through their planning process for the upcoming academic year. Here are some specific updates from each portfolio:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO):

Our annual budget is now more or less finalized. Our current focus has shifted to securing external sponsorships to subsidize event costs and overall operational expenses. In parallel, we are developing a streamlined reimbursement process and a new internal finance tracking system to ensure transparency and efficiency throughout the year.

Programming & Marketing Officer (PMO):

Six major events have been scheduled for the year. Three are near-finalized, while the remaining three are still in the planning phase. As with training, we are waiting on the hiring of the Manager, Residence Education to align our event timelines with other residence programming. Once that role is filled, we anticipate stronger coordination.

Human Resources Officer (HRO):

The Policy on Human Resources is currently undergoing a comprehensive review and update. We aim to align the policy with current practices that have not yet been formally codified. Additionally, we are developing detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for reporting HR-related incidents. These SOPs will also expand the range of support available to our interns and floor representatives, with a focus on inclusion.

As always, thank you for your continued support and involvement in ResSoc’s work. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or ideas for the year ahead. We are looking forward to an impactful year!

Best regards,

John Bae (he/him)

President & CEO | president(@ressoc.queensu.ca)

Student Senate Caucus Chair

Student Senate Caucus Chair
Report to Assembly
Sakura Koner
sscc(@ams.queensu.ca)

Hello everyone,

Just a little introduction about myself! My name is Sakura Koner and I am the Graduate Student Senator. This year I have the privilege to serve as the Student Senate Caucus Chair and I am excited to step into this role with my best foot forward. I look forward to a great year ahead with a ton of collaboration and communication amongst all so we can tackle the issues of concern efficiently and together. Additionally, I am excited to be able to attend AMS assemblies and report on all matters related to the Senate.

There are no Senate sessions during the summer. However, I am focussing on setting up meetings with members of the administration including Principal Deane, Provost Evans, the President of QUFA, alongside my fellow senators, as an introduction and also to establish a fruitful working relationship as we go into the academic year. I have met with the SGPS President a couple times and have had several conversations about plans for the upcoming year, although, these discussions have mainly been focussed on graduate student challenges.

I am always happy to meet and chat with anything that requires discussions and I am excited to have a great relationship with the AMS executive in the upcoming year. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime on my emails: sscc(@ams.queensu.ca) or senator(@sgps.ca).

Thank you,

Sakura Koner (she/her),

PhD student,

Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University

Graduate student senator (2024-2026),

Student Senate Caucus Chair (2025-2026).

Undergraduate Student Trustee

Undergraduate Student Trustee Affairs
Report to Assembly
Reem Al-Rawi
trustee(@ams.queensu.ca)

Hello everyone,

My name is EJ Kelvin, and I’m excited to introduce myself as your newly elected Undergraduate Student Trustee! I just completed my first year in the Concurrent Education program, where I’m majoring in Political Studies with a minor in History.

My term officially began on June 1, so things have been a bit quiet on the governance front. That said, I had the opportunity to attend the Board of Trustees’ biannual retreat last weekend, which was a great chance to meet and connect with fellow trustees and begin settling into the role. I’ll also be connecting with my assigned board mentor shortly to support my onboarding.

In the meantime, I’ve started working through online orientation modules and other onboarding materials to ensure I’m fully prepared for my term. The next Board meeting is scheduled for September 26, so it will remain relatively quiet over the summer in terms of board business, but I’m looking forward to connecting with student leaders.

Thanks again, and I’m really looking forward to working with all of you this year!

Warmly,

EJ Kelvin

Undergraduate Student Trustee

Queen’s University

Office of the Rector

Office of the Rector
Report to Assembly
Niki Boytchuk-Hale
rector(@queensu.ca)

Hello Presidents,

It’s officially Kingston summer. If you are in town, I hope you take full advantage of the activities, such as the free weekly movie nights in Market Square.

Office | I have acquired help from the Principal’s Summer Student Interns to support with internal projects, such as updating the website and planning for the Student Leader Development Conference. My team has also reached out to each Faculty Society to set up an introductory meeting for July and I look forward to getting to know you and your goals for the year.

Community Engagement | This month has been full of celebrations, including Kingston Pride, the Alumni Awards Gala, and convocation. Up ahead, we are planning for the JDUC Opening Celebration during homecoming with the AMS and look forward to welcoming back alumni who contributed to the revitalization project, as well as current students to celebrate this exciting time.

Board of Trustees | The Board of Trustees recently met for our bi-annual retreat. The purpose of these meetings is to gather in pursuit of education surrounding current issues in post-secondary education which will allow us to make more informed decisions.

The Board has regular Open Session meetings four times per year, and community members can request to join in-person or online by sending an email to trustees(@queensu.ca). Anyone can also access the Governance Portal to view the agenda by clicking on the calendar date of the meeting.

Committees | While most committee work dials down during the summer, there are a few that persist. Here are my current updates.

  • Tricolour Award Selection Review: I have struck a committee made up of student leaders, a past Rector, and Tricolour Society members to conduct an overview of award criteria nomination and selection processes.
  • Rector Election Policy Review: I have struck a committee made up of representatives from the AMS, SGPS, Faculty Societies, and the University Secretariat, to clarify aspects of the current policy and clean it up in time for the next election. Changes will be proposed to AMS Assembly and SGPS Council in the fall for approval.
  • Graduate Funding Taskforce: We are getting closer to the conclusion of our work and will soon have recommendations for the Provost.

That’s all for now! Please reach out to me if you have any questions, need support, or would like to share an experience that can help me convey student voices to the administration.

At your service,

Niki Boytchuk-Hale (she/her)

University Rector

Office of the Rector

Princeps Servusque Es (Be a Leader and a Servant)

T 613-533-2733

rector(@queensu.ca) | queensu.ca/rector

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