WMCA – Spring Convocation. Leo Pattipas receives an Honorary Degree. L to R: Dr. Kevin Kavanagh (Chancellor), Leo Pettipas, Dr. Bev Nicholson (presenter), Dr. Dennis Anderson (President, BU)
W.M.C.A.Convocation '76 Spring. Outside the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium: Jean Chiaw Jin Heath (Arts General), children and friend pose for a photograph. Photograph is looking north.
The first organization involving the students of Brandon College was created in 1899 or 1900. It was entitled the Literary Society. This society was run by students and faculty to cultivate literary and musical gifts and to provide training in public speaking and in the transaction of business. In 1901, a College branch of the Y.W.C.A. was formed as well as a Students’ Missionary organization. A College branch of the Y.M.C.A. followed in 1902. The Brandon College Athletic Association was created in 1904 to direct the affairs of the various athletic games.
The first idea of a Student Council-type organization began in 1906 with the creation of the Students’ Committee. This committee was created in order to develop a worthy College spirit and to promote a worthy College life.
“A committee of five students shall be appointed annually early in the college session whose office it shall be to confer with the Resident Master on matters pertaining to residential life, and with the Faculty on matters pertaining to the general life of the College. This committee shall consist of five members, three resident and two non-resident. In matters relating to the residence the three resident students alone shall act. This committee shall represent the Student Body in any matters in which that body may wish to confer with the Faculty, or may of its own motion confer with the faculty on any subject thought to be of interest in promoting proper College life.”
In 1909 the Debating Society was created for training in public speaking. A Publications Committee was created in 1910 to publish the new student magazine, The Quill. The Students’ Committee became known as the Student Council in 1915. Also in 1915, a Committee on College Activities was formed. This consisted of the President, two faculty members and two students. It was appointed by arrangement of the College Council each year to regulate the various activities of College life. It became known as the Functions Committee in 1921.
The 1920-1921 College Calendar is the first calendar that mentions the Brandon College Students Association. It states under the heading of Student Organizations that:
“The Literary and Debating Societies , the Athletic Association, the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A. are integral parts of the Brandon College Students’ Association, and are managed by committees appointed by the Association.”
1921 saw the formation of the Students’ Christian Movement which replaced the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A. Under the Students’ Christian Movement group, students held weekly devotional and educational services, and conducted Bible and mission study classes.
The 1936-1937 College Calendar shows that a change took place that year in the student council. Instead of just five students of the College being elected to the Council, there are now two separate councils. The calendar states that:
“The students of the men’s and of the womens’ residences appoint annually a representative committee of five, whose function it is to consider the interests of College life from the point of view of the residence body, conferring with the Faculty when necessary.”
Although these groups of five were known as the student council, there was a Student Executive of the Brandon College Students Association that was a separate entity. It consisted of the Senior Stick, the Lady Stick (since 1923), the heads of various boards, and the class presidents. This governing student body continued until 1966 when it underwent an extensive reorganization. During that year, the positions of Senior and Lady Sticks were abolished so that the elected student president could be a man or a woman. This president would be assisted by elected ‘sticks’ from each faculty of Arts, Science, Education and Music. This form of government continued until 1967, when Brandon College became Brandon University.
Scope and Content
The Student Association files cover a wide variety of topics and consist mainly of minutes from various student groups and clubs on the Brandon College campus. The records are a first hand look at how student governments were run during the Brandon College era.
Series has been divided into twenty four sub-series, including: (1) Lady Stick's Notes; (2) Memorial Gymnasium Book; (3) Minutes (Literary Board); (4) Expansion Fund Committee; (5) Athletic Board Finance; (6) Finance Board; (7) Main Executive Committee; (8) Functions Committee; (9) Athletic Association/Athletic Board; (10) Contemporary Club; (11) Social Science Club; (12) BCSA Records; (13) Co-Ed Association; (14) English Club; (15) Sports Awards; (16) Record of Social Events; (17) Brandon College Ministerial Association; (18) Ledgers; (19) Freshie Week Committee; (20) Arts Banquet Committee; (21) French Club; (22) Intervarsity Night Report; (23) Publications Committee; and (24) Student Missionary Band.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 8: Brandon College Students Association
Related Material
RG 6 (Brandon University fonds), series 14 (BUSU - Brandon University Students Union).
In accordance with "The Brandon University Act (1998)" the Brandon University Senate consists of the following members: (a) the chancellor of the university; (b) the president of the university; (c) the vice-presidents of the university; (d) the deputy minister of the department whose minister is responsible for The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act, or his or her designate; (e) the deans of each faculty and school in the university; (f) the director of the Educational Technology Unit or, if there is none, the person exercising comparable functions (g) the chair of the Bachelor of General Studies degree program or, if there is none, the person exercising comparable functions; (h) the University Librarian or, if there is none, the person exercising comparable functions; (i) the Dean of Students or, if there is none, the person exercising comparable functions; (j) one member of the board appointed by the board; (k) one representative from each faculty or school who has been on the staff of the university for at least two years, elected by and from the staff of that faculty or school; (l) six professors or associate professors of the university, elected by the professors, associate professors, assistant professors and lecturers; (m) two assistant professors or lecturers of the university who have been on the staff of the university for at least two years, elected by the professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and lecturers; (n) one member of the rank of professional associate of the university elected by the members of that rank; (o) eight students elected or appointed as follows: (i) one appointed by the executive of the Brandon University Students’ Union who is a member of that executive. (ii) one elected from each faculty or school of the university, (iii) the remainder elected from the student body of the university at large.
Elected and appointed members of the senate, other than student members, are to hold
office for two years, beginning on July 1 of the year in which they are elected or appointed. Student members of the senate are to hold office for one year, beginning on the first day of July of the year in which they are elected. Ex officio members are to hold office until they cease to hold the position that qualify them for membership. An elected or appointed member of the senate is eligible for re-election or re-appointment, but the senate may set a maximum number of consecutive terms of office that any member may hold.
The president of the university shall be the chair of the senate. If the president of the university is absent or unable to act as chair, the vice-president (academic and research) or, in his or her absence, an academic dean appointed by the president, shall be the chair at meetings of the senate. The registrar of the university or, if there is none, the person exercising comparable functions shall be the secretary of the senate.
The senate shall meet at least four times a year and may meet more often if its rules so provide. The secretary of the senate shall call special meetings at the request of the chair or at the written request of at least four members of the senate.
The senate is responsible for the academic policy of the university. The senate may (a) establish rules and procedures for the conduct of its proceedings, including fixing a quorum; (b) elect the chancellor of the university; (c) appoint any standing and other committees that it considers necessary; (d) consider and determine all courses of student, including requirements for admission, examination and graduation; (e) recommend to the board the establishment of additional faculties, school, departments, chairs and courses of instruction; (f) determine the degrees, honorary degrees, diplomas and certificates of proficiency to be granted by the university, and the persons to whom they are to be granted; (g) award scholarships, medals and prizes; (h) make rules and regulations respecting the academic conduct and activities of students; (i) consider and make recommendations to the board about any other matters that the senate considers appropriate for achieving the objects and purposes of the university.
Scope and Content
Series has been divided into six sub-series, including: (1) Senate minutes; (2) Committees of Senate; (3) General Faculty Council; (4) Ad Hoc Committees of Senate; (5) Convocation services, Baccalaureate services, Banquets; and (6) Brandon College/University calendars.
Notes
Information in the History/Bio field was taken from "The Brandon University Act (1998)" at http://www.brandonu.ca/administration/governors/documents/BU_Act.pdf (December 2005).
