Leadership Education and Development Centre
Stride:
Gender Representation Matters: Stepping Forward Together
Stride: A Campaign School to Support Women and Non-Binary Students in Student Governance
The University of Alberta Students’ Union is pleased to offer Stride, a campaign school aimed at encouraging greater participation/involvement of non-binary individuals and women from all backgrounds – race, ethnicity, Indigeneity, sexuality, and ability - in student governance. The program equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and network to run for a variety of student government positions and make meaningful change on campus.
On September 16th from 5-7PM in Dinwoodie Lounge we will be hosting a Gender & Governance Panel and Networking Event where students will have the opportunity to engage with women and non-binary folks who have experience in governance. There will be a keynote presented by Estefania Cortes-Vargas followed by a 60 minute panel and networking event. This event is free of cost and there will be appetizers and coffee available for attendees.
If you would like to attend, please follow this link to register.
Stride will provide women and non-binary undergraduates with the knowledge and support they need to feel confident getting involved in governance at the University of Alberta and running for elected office on campus. The program will address challenges and opportunities that individuals from under-represented groups in student governance face, while giving participants the tools and resources necessary to overcome them.
Although 56% of undergraduate students at the University of Alberta are women, between 2005 and 2016 women have held only 30% of council seats and have made up only 25.5% of the 102 candidates running for executive elections. In contrast, non-binary folks are not represented in our statistics, showcasing just how crucial gender representation is in student governance. While there are many reasons for this imbalance, Identity Matters, a survey conducted by the Students’ Union, found that women were more likely to feel inadequate or ill-prepared for leadership positions on campus, compared to men.
Starting October 5th through March 9, Stride will engage students who are interested in getting involved in student governance. This cohort will receive preparation for running as or supporting candidates in future elections. Stride will also feature presentations from notable leaders on skill development and networking strategies. For the 2019/2020 Cohort, session dates will be:
- Saturday, October 5 (10:00AM-3:00PM)
- Thursday, October 17 (5:00PM-8:00PM)
- Thursday, November 7 (5:00PM-8:00PM)
- Thursday, November 28 (5:00PM-8:00PM)
- Thursday, January 9 (5:00PM-8:00PM)
- Thursday, January 30 (5:00PM-8:00PM)
- Wednesday, February 12 (5:00PM-8:00PM)
Applications for the 2019/2020 cohort are now open!
Stride aims to give the knowledge and the community necessary to empower more non-binary students and women to get involved in decision making at the University of Alberta.
Questions may be directed at stride@su.ualberta.ca
Phone
780-492-7165
Fax
780-492-4643
Email
leadership@su.ualberta.ca
Student Life Central
0-74
Students' Union Building
University of Alberta
8900 - 114 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
T6G 2J7
