The President oversees the general operations of the Association, its relationship with the university administration, and CUSA’s large-scale projects.
Name: Kathleen Weary
Kathleen Weary is currently studying Global and International Studies with a Specialization in Global Law and Social Justice at Carleton University. Since arriving at Carleton from Sherbrooke, Quebec three years ago, Kathleen has been a member of the Ravens Rowing Team, a SEO Peer Mentor, and founded Climate Action Carleton. Kathleen’s passion for our planet does not go unnoticed. This year, she is committed to bringing the Carleton Green New Deal to campus as she believes climate change is the biggest challenge facing our generation. Kathleen is ready to advocate for students on the issues that matter most to them.
Follow her on Instagram: @kathleenweary
Check out Kathleen’s projects below.
Students Deserve Cleaner, Accessible & Inclusive Bathrooms.
Cleanliness, accessibility, and inclusivity are improvements that must be made in our campus washrooms. Kathleen will lobby for improvements to washroom cleaning and maintenance, while ensuring that accessibility is made a priority. Some wheelchair accessible stalls are not even functional – we must do better. Kathleen will also push for more inclusive spaces, through the designation of more gender neutral washrooms.
Our Future Matters. It’s Time for a “Green New Deal” at Carleton.
It’s time for CUSA to take serious climate action. Introducing a Green New Deal at Carleton means cleaner investments, student-led sustainability initiatives, and funding for climate action. Kathleen will lobby the University to divest our money from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energies. Kathleen will create a virtual Sustainability Impact Hub and hire a student coordinator to support student initiatives and create programming in partnership with the Sustainability Advisory Council. Lastly, the introduction of a Climate Action Fund will ensure that climate initiatives are accessible to all students, clubs and societies. For example, paying for an Indigenous guest speaker, a solar panel project, a student garden or urban agriculture initiatives.
Expand Support for Indigenous Students on Campus.
Kathleen will expand support for Indigenous Students by lobbying the University to adopt the recommendations by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC). We will work with the Centre for Indigenous Initiatives, to lobby for increased indigenous content in courses, and introduce an Indigenous Initiatives Fund.
Introduce Emergency Relief Funding.
Students experience unpredictable personal hardships. We believe that there’s more we can do to support them through these times. We will develop financial support for students who are in extenuating circumstances, such as medical, food, housing, and financial situations. We will also connect students with non-financial resources.
International Students Deserve Better. Let’s Create a Job Shadow Program.
International students make up a large and integral part of the Carleton community. However, only about 4% of international students get jobs in their fields after graduation. There’s more we can do to support our international students. We will develop services to assist International Students to acquire jobs in their field, while lobbying city partners for more opportunities for international student hiring.
