OP/ED: Selkirk Students' Union launches manual for student activism
By Contributor
The Selkirk College Students’ Union has launched a manual for students’ union organisers. The Fundamentals of Students’ Unionism provides student activists and organisers a framework to understand students’ unionism and the student movement.
“Students are more in debt now than ever in the history of British Columbia and Canada,” said Santanna Hernandez, Chairperson of the Selkirk College Students’ Union. “This book is part of our effort to inspire student organising for lower tuition fees and increased education funding.”
Tuition fees are at an all-time high in British Columbia. The Selkirk College Students’ Union advocates for affordable and accessible post-secondary education. As a relatively small students’ union in a rural area, the Selkirk College Students’ Union relies on the solidarity of other students’ unions and umbrella student organisations to have an impact on government policy. Releasing The Fundamentals of Students’ Unionism is part of the Students’ Union’s contribution to this community of solidarity.
The book was authored by Zachary Crispin, Executive Director of the Selkirk College Students’ Union. Crispin is a long-time student organiser who has served as an elected student leader and students’ union staff person. Crispin shares his knowledge and experience with successful campaign planning, student-worker solidarity, and students’ union administration.
“The Fundamentals of Students’ Unionismprovides tools for everyone from new student activists to long-time students’ union staff,” said Hernandez. “Everyone fighting for better post-secondary education can get something out of this book.”
The Selkirk College Students’ Union represents over 2,000 students at Selkirk College.
