FSU and USC pledge to work together

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The Fanshawe Student Union of Fanshawe College and the University Students' Council of the University of Western Ontario are teaming up. The two student organizations signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on April 3, which outlines their shared goals and missions that will benefit all students studying in London.

This is the first time the student organizations from the College and University have partnered together to create a formal document, which USC President Andrew Forgione and FSU President Veronica Barahona said would pass on to future councils. The Memorandum of Understanding will help the organizations maintain communications and strengthen their relationship, as well as partner together for joint events, lobby together and represent a united voice for students in the city.

“Today is a big day for the students of London that we represent,” said Forgione. “When we began this process of discussing a partnership agreement, we saw this as a bold opportunity to bridge the gap between the two post-secondary institutions our city is very proud of, and to better support the students who attend both of our institutions. Our two organizations are strong representatives of students in the Forest City, and I think that by committing to work together in the years to come on shared goals and priorities, we are also committing to serve our constituents better than ever before.”

Barahona agreed, calling it a “monumental” day for students in London. “With this document, we are committing to work together in the year to come.”

“This Memorandum of Understanding is something set in stone — it's a living document — that will let each board know that they have a responsibility to connect with each side,” she added. “The purpose of that is so that every year, they have certain things they collaborate (on).”

Barahona explained that the two organizations were inspired to create the document after they both wrote proposals for the Status of Women in Canada grant. “We think that we could have pooled our resources … It would have benefitted all students in London.”

The Memorandum of Understanding will also allow the two student organizations to represent a united voice to local government, said Forgione. “From an advocacy perspective, I think it's a smart partnership that will allow us to influence our local government more effectively on shared student priorities, leveraging the 42,000 (students) that we collectively represent in the London community.”

Barahona said the Memorandum may affect the way the FSU and USC represent students when new bylaws — such as the public nuisance bylaw — are proposed. “If we're working together collectively and just give the same message, then we'll be able to get more of a student-focused view on things.”

“I see this as a positive step forward in reinforcing the value of students in our community,” said Forgione. “By signing this document, I commit the USC to working collaboratively with the Fanshawe Student Union to better achieve our mission statement, one that is focused on the principle of enhancing the student experience.”