Students for students

Mount Royal University is not the only one putting our students first — the new Students’ Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU) executive is also passionate about improving the student experience.

The executive — president, vice president academic, vice president external, vice president student life — officially took over their roles in May and to prioritize their commitment to representing their fellow students the four have downsized to part-time studies.

“We are passionate about our roles,” says SAMRU President Meghan Melnyk. “We are overseeing more than 130 events this year and we sit on almost every committee (approximately 75) in the University. So at any given time the four of us probably has a better idea of what is going on than any other single individual.”

Vice President External, Michelle Dennis, adds: “It’s wonderful. If you are a student you would have to go out of your way to not be touched by something one of us is doing.”

Vice President Student Life, Kaylene McTavish, says she can’t imagine having a better job and loves helping give her fellow students a voice at the decision table.

“After travelling to all the different conferences ... I realized that we are fortunate to have the relationship we do with Mount Royal,” says McTavish. “The fact that our voice is valued and has weight is definitely very meaningful.”

And for those who think the all-female executive may show some favoritism, Melnyk and the team encourages anyone to read their meeting minutes to see how objective they are.

“It’s not just about gender it’s about personality and we have a great (diversity),” says Melnyk, adding the SAMRU executive personalities include an extrovert, a quiet thinker, a detail-oriented analyst and a forceful go-getter.

Megahn Melnyk, 27
President (last term: vice president external)
Bachelor of Arts

Main goal: “I want to build positive relationships across campus. And I want to leave the Student Association in better condition than when I found it.”
Why she ran for SAMRU executive: “I got involved in SAMRU in the first place because of a boy,” she sheepishly admits. “But I stayed because I had a passion for it. I love what the SA is, what the SA does and how it has so much potential.” So, inquiring minds want to know … did she get the boy? “That’s debatable!”
Lesson learned: “I’ve learned how to be self motivated — there is no one there to kick you in the butt. I’ve also learned how work with different personalities … how to wear different hats … as well as discretion and the power of words.”

Jennifer Langille, 23
Vice President Academic
Bachelor of Arts

Main goal: “An institution-wide grading rubric (ensuring the same percent equals the same grade across faculties and departments),” says Jennifer Langille, the self-professed quiet one in the group. “To me it is logical. When the same mark is weighed differently it can have an effect on your GPA, and getting scholarships and awards.”
Why she ran for SAMRU executive: “I was tired of hearing myself and other people complain about certain things but not doing anything about it. So, I decided to do something about it.”
Lesson learned: “I’m better at getting outside of my comfort zone. I’m better at sitting down with people, talking and opening up.”

Michelle Dennis, 25
Vice President External
Bachelor of Communications — Public Relations

Main goal: “There was a time that everything was against me being a student in post-secondary,” says Dennis, who moved out when she was 16. “Becoming a student and jumping over those hurdles probably saved my life, so in this role I want make the hurdles less and make it easier for people who have the odds against them to go to post-secondary and study what they want.”
Why she ran for SAMRU executive: To make a difference. “When it was suggested to me I couldn’t think of a why not.”
Lesson learned: “I’ve heard being on the SA is like taking a whole new degree,” she says about the real-world experience she is getting. “In class I could bang off a press release in 20 minutes, but when I actually wrote a real press release here it took me three hours.”

Kaylene McTavish, 22
Vice President Student Life
Bachelor of Communications — Public Relations

Main goal: Building a stronger community at Mount Royal. “I have always believed there is more to school than going to class. To me it is an easier lifestyle to feel like you are a part of something.”
Why she ran for SAMRU executive: Michelle Dennis recommended McTavish run and she immediately knew it was a good fit. “I talk a lot — not sure if you noticed — but I can use it to my advantage. I can build student involvement … on a face to face level.”
Lesson learned: “I can’t think of a better job for a 22-year-old,” says the bubbly McTavish. “This has changed my work ethic and how I view myself as a person. I’m learning all the tools I’ll need in the future and it’s a great ride.”

— Anika Van Wyk, Aug. 12, 2011