I believe it is the responsibility of all student groups on campus to work towards the vision of Western outlined in the university’s strategic plan, one where students can expect ‘an environment in which they can grow socially as well as intellectually by providing them with opportunities to assume responsibility and leadership.' I believe the USC must lead the way in this effort. We will use our resources to encourage leadership and involvement throughout the University; to encourage student leaders to come to Western; to welcome new students to a safer campus environment; and to make it as easy as possible for students to take advantage of the services and opportunities that student groups have to offer. I am speaking here of something bigger then just leadership and involvement in the University Students’ Council. Being involved on campus and with the USC is about much more then student politics. It is about being in a club, or in a choir. It is about volunteering your time, or playing sports. It is about the things we do outside of class that make our time at university invaluable. The goal of the USC will be to lead the way in fostering an environment across campus where students are encouraged to involve themselves in activity that will ultimately add to the value of their degree. Here is how the University Students’ Council will accomplish this. ENCOURAGE LEADERSHIP AND INVOLVEMENT We will begin by using the most diverse and under used resource the USC has at it’s disposal; it’s councillors For the first time, we will fully define their duties and responsibilities with a clear Terms of Reference for Residence, Faculty, and Affiliate representative. We will train our representatives with a comprehensive Councillor Training programme that will provide them with the knowledge to use the full resources of the USC at their disposal to serve their constituents and fulfil their duties. ENCOURAGING STUDENT LEADERS TO COME TO WESTERN By becoming active within the Ontario Secondary School Students Association and the Thames Valley District School Board Co-operative Education programme, we will work with Western and affiliate liaison services to bring students to the University of Western Ontario and the involvement opportunities we offer. A SAFER CAMPUS Safety is a growing concern, both for students attending Western and prospective students. To address this, it will be the Sucks goal to work with on-campus stake holder including the President's Advisory Committee on the Safety of Women on Campus, and the University Police Department to see that a Safety Audit of campus is conducted within four years. REMOVING BARRIERS TO BECOMING INVOLVED There are sometimes barriers to becoming involved on campus. Sometimes it is the time commitment required, or certain selection criteria required for a sought after position (whether it be as an executive of a club or the Orientation Officer). Sometimes, however, the barriers are caused by controllable factors that can be mitigated. An excellent example? The costs of becoming an Orientation Week Soph. The USC will examine the cost of involvement in Fall Orientation, through the VP Student Affairs and the Orientation Programming Committee and the Orientation Governance Board, along with residence, faculty, and affiliate councils with the hope of lowering the amount that Sophs must pay in Fees. This is what the USC will do to start this initiative, but it is only the beginning. This will be a continuing effort, one that may be advanced by student groups across campus.