The Brandon University Student's Union (BUSU), Local 37 of the Canadian Federation of Students, was incorporated in 1969 as the students' organization of Brandon University. Its predecessor was the Brandon College Students' Association, which was established in 1899. BUSU is a not-for-profit society that serves to represent the students of Brandon University; all regular full and part-time students at Brandon University are members of the Students’ Union.
BUSU has several broad functions: they are a service provider that offers programs and support services to students throughout the year; they act as lobbyists on behalf of the student body at the local, provincial and federal levels, working with the other member locals of the Canadian Federation of Students, Canada’s national and provincial student movement; they represent the student body within the important, decision-making bodies at BU, such as the Board of Governors and Senate; and they provide funding for student clubs and organizations. BUSU is bound legally to the Brandon University Sudents' Union Constitution and Bylaws and the Universities Act of Manitoba.
BUSU draws on collected student fees to operate. Its administrative structure consists of a board of directors consisting of 11 voting members. Students elect representatives to relay their issues and concerns to the University community, the community at large, and all levels of government. A democratically elected council, made up of members from various constituencies on campus, oversees the work of the Students’ Union. The council includes four executive officers (the President and three Vice Presidents – Academic, Finance, and Student Activities), numerous commissioners, and one liaison. The work of the Students’ Union is also powered by the efforts and dedication of countless campus and community volunteers and staff. BUSU also has a voting student representative on the Board of Governors and Senate.
BUSU holds annual and semi-annual general meetings, full council meetings, and council committee meetings throughout the year. All meetings are broadly advertised to the membership and are open to students. As BUSU members, students have full speaking rights at any meeting of the Union, as well as voting rights at general meetings.
Custodial History
The records in accession 25-2003 were stored by the Brandon University Students' Union until they were donated to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records of Executive meetings, correspondence and financial records of the Brandon University Students' Union, as well as club records and copies of "The Sickle," "The Quill," and Student Handbooks. It has been divided into five sub-series, including: (1) BUSU Executive and Council; (3) Correspondence; (4) Clubs; and (5) Publications.
Notes
BUSU is a separately incorporated organization from Brandon University's Board of Governors, but for administrative purposes it has been incorporated int RG 6 Brandon University fonds. Administrative information in the History/Bio field was taken from the BUSU website at http://www.busu.ca/aboutus.asp (December 2005).
Book stacks and study carrels. Library and Arts Building, Library Mezzanine floor looking north from south stairway as laid out when building was opened. Anne Lane (Student Library Assistant)
Portrait: J.E. Robbins; Library Reading Room, Library and Arts Building. Naming of the Library, etc. Dr. D.N. Wheeler, Chairman Faculty Library Committee, Georgia Lightbody Whitman, Dr. J.E. Robbins, Dr. A.L. Dulmage, President, Michael Angel, President, Manitoba Library Association
Portrait photo of J.E. Robbins with Robbins Library plaque. Library Reading Room (centre) looking east Dr. A. Lloyd Dulmage, President, Robert Campbell (student) - at lecturn, Eileen McFadden, Director of Library Services
Files consist of salary briefs, notices, correspondence, reports, briefs and minutes for the Brandon College Faculty Association. File 1b also contains minutes, correspondence and reports (particularly from the Library) for the General Faculty of Brandon College and Brandon University for the years 1959-1967.
This series contains three sub-series: Layouts & Furnishings, Receipt of Gifts, etc. and Archives. The first sub-series, Layouts and Furnishings, consists of photos of the Brandon College and University libraries from the 1940’s to the present time. These photos highlight interesting areas of the library and include past and present library staff members. The second sub-series contains photos taken in the library during presentations of gifts, and other important events, such as the naming of the Robbins Library. The third sub-series contains photos taken in the McKee Archives, at its former location in the Jeff Umphrey Building, and since 1997, in its new location on the mezzanine floor of the John E. Robbins Library.
The Main Library was located in the A.E. McKenzie Building. The reading room was on the second floor in what is now the North Stacks. The Main Library was renamed the John E. Robbins Library on October 4, 1974.
Scope and Content
Photograph is looking north into the reading room of the Main Library.
The sub-series contains the minutes from Library Committee meetings. There are also minutes from the meetings of various sub-committees such as the Open Shelf Sub-Committee and the Sub-Committee on Apportionment of Library Funds. Includes minute books and files.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 14: Brandon College Library
A series of five blueprints containing plans for the library addition c. 1991. Blueprints include main floor of addition including existing foyer, second floor including existing arts building and the mezzanine floor of the existing library and arts building.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 2: Board of Governors
2.1 Documents
Files consist of correspondence, reports, recommendations, proposals, financial information, minutes, memos, information on Erickson/Massey Architects and Planners, action outline, library statistics, drawings and reference materials.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 2: Board of Governors
2.6 Board Projects
Box 1
File consists of a copy of the proposal for the John E. Robbins Library, space requirements and a request for approval in principle for financial assistance for special capital project to the Universities Grants Commission.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 2: Board of Governors
2.6 Board Projects
Box 1
File consists of memos, correspondence, information on workshops, information on faculty and departmental library funds, a copy of the Brandon University Library general policy statement and guide to the resources and services of the library, regional and national averages from the Canadian Association of College and University Libraires salary and budget survey, and a copy of the Library's annual report.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 4: Office of the Vice-President
4.2 Office of the Vice-President (Administration & Finance)
Box 8