Students are pushing for a new Humanities PDU
Here's why you should support it.
[Publisher's note: Sam Holland returns again onto the Seagull Soapbox to yammer about PDUs and student governance. Seems like the Humanities students are cooking something up.]
A group of Humanities students and several Course Unions are pushing for the creation of a new faculty-wide body on campus, the Humanities Undergraduate Society (HUGS). They have a constitution, a petition, a website, and a meeting date set (Jan 18th, 6pm).
But what does this all mean? Why do we need another student organization?
An undecided internet stranger asked me these questions, and more. I am here to share my answers! If I haven't answered something you are wondering, pop a comment down and I'll get to it!
What the hell is a PDU?
A PDU, or Professional Development Union, is a faculty-wide organization with a lot of autonomy from the Students's Society (that big organization we all pay fees to).
PDUs can charge their own membership fees (approved only by referendum) on top of the Student Society fees. They represent students to the faculty, run events, offer scholarships, and provide services to students. These services can range from free menstrual and sex health supplies, to food, to connecting students with employers.
PDUs are in a much stronger position than Course Unions to negotiate with the University for things like student social and study space, particular courses, hiring, etc.
There are four existing PDUs on campus: Engineering, Commerce, Education, and Law.
HUGS aims to register as the fifth PDU.
What will HUGS do?
Let's be real here. Humanities students often experience a lack of student supports, fewer professional opportunities, and less funding for our programs.
HUGS can help address these issues. First, we will support Course Unions, above and beyond what little help they get from the UVSS. This will be of particular help to smaller departments, where most people in the department are minors, and Course Unions are just one or two hardworking people. This will address an inequality of student supports.
To address a lack of professional opportunities, HUGS will provide funding for scholarships and conventions, and represent the faculty to major employers. This will boost student access to professional development and networking opportunities.
HUGS cares about students, and that's why our first priority will be standing up for students. We will represent Humanities students to the Faculty, and for departments and programs without Course Unions, HUGS will represent students to the relevant departments. Together, we will be able to accomplish more in the battles for funding, hiring, student supports, and access to student space.
HUGS will ensure that humanities students are represented in bodies like the University Senate, Board of Governors, and the UVSS. The upcoming 2022 Spring sAGM of the UVSS will likely consider a motion to establish Faculty directors. Humanities needs to be prepared.
How will HUGS be funded?
HUGS needs to be independently funded by Humanities students, for Humanities students. Should a referendum pass, HUGS will draw funding directly from membership fees.
Membership fees? Ugh.
I share your pain. But membership fees are the only way to ensure we can be a strong, independent organization that provides good services, and that can fight for you. Without fees, we will need to rely on the UVSS.
I can make one promise to you: not one dollar will go to salaries. HUGS will be a volunteer organization.
Is HUGS supported by admin?
HUGS is supported by the Humanities Dean, Dr. Lepp. In fact, we were even offered some small funding to help get us going! The faculty needs an effective way of getting student feedback, and HUGS can provide that.
Who is organizing HUGS? Is it Humanities students?
The organizers of HUGS are all Humanities students! I (Samuel Holland) am a History student and student Senator, and I am organizing it with several Humanities Course Unions and the another student Senator from Humanities, Daniel Davenport. We care deeply about the student experience at UVic, and know how difficult it can be to feel unheard and unsupported.
The effort is motivated by the frustrations of Course Unions, the lack of support from the UVSS, and the consistent underfunding and lack of support for Humanities programs.
The Course Unions directly supporting HUGS:
PASS (Pacific and Asian Students Society)
FUn (French Undergrads)
Underlings (Linguistics Course Union)
HSIT (Hispanic and Italian Studies Course Union)
PSU (Philosophy Students' Union)
OK. So what's a Course Union?
A course union is usually a department-level organization that gets funding through the UVSS and their own fundraising. They exist to advocate for students in their department, as well as run events for those students. Course Unions are run by the amazing people who dedicate their spare time to advocacy and organization, to help students like you enjoy their time at UVic!
Unfortunately, especially in smaller Course Unions, the huge work of maintaining a Course Union can end up falling on just a few people, particularly since the start of the pandemic. These Course Unions need HUGS.
When did this begin?
The effort to start HUGS began after the last AGM in October 2021, when I learned what a PDU was and how one could be formed. Since then, I've been working to bring Humanities students together to form HUGS! I really think that HUGS could change how we do things in Humanities, for the better.
Will a PDU work in Humanities?
Why wouldn't it? A French major and a History major are just as similar as an Electrical Engineering major and a Computer Science major. If anything, the high number of cross-listed classes and double majors mean a PDU should work better.
In fact, Humanities is unique on campus for the number of minors and double majors, as well as programs where students are required to take classes outside of their area. This means that we are even more likely to work well together: we are already learning together, whether it be writing, languages, history, or cultural studies.
This diversity of learning does pose a problem for representation for all those students taking degrees in multiple departments: who represents them? The answer will be HUGS.
What is happening on January 18th?
I'm so glad you asked. HUGS' first General Meeting is scheduled for Jan 18th at 6pm on Zoom!
We need Humanities students, together, to decide whether or not we want this organization.
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An earlier version of this article said that the ESA officially supported HUGS. This was an error. Sorry!