The Insiders
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Jan
19
Student E-Mail Lists
Posted by: Neal Yonson | January 19, 2007 | 32 Comments
Ah, AMS Elections Season. The time of year when the Ubyssey and navel-gazing candidates fawn over “refreshingly nihilistic” candidates who scream from the rooftops that the AMS does a poor job of communicating with, and relating to, students.
It’s true. There’s no way to gloss over it – the AMS does a relatively poor job of communicating with students. But rarely to we get a suggestion of how to fix that, short of free/cheap beer. (I can’t think of anywhere in the city, besides the SUB, where you can get a pitcher for $8. But I digress.)
However, I can think of one. And it’s not the AMS’ fault that it hasn’t happened yet. It’s that of the university. And that’s using student e-mail addresses. In short, the University has them, and the AMS has no way to get them. Every time the AMS wants to e-mail students, they need to negotiate through the VP Students’ Office Executive Co-Ordinator to get so.
The AMS needs to be able to communicate with its members. And in an age where people expect electronic communication, to be unable to do so has hamstrung the operation. Similarly, the University is being unreasonable by not giving e-mail addresses to the AMS.
They have two main arguments. The first is privacy, arguing that the University can’t disclose the e-mail addresses. Bull. The Alumni Association is a third party, an independent society ,and they have an agreement that allows access to e-mail addresses. Certainly the AMS, with its special relationship, can get so as well. Moreover, just create a way to send the e-mails without ever seeing the e-mail addresses. Or have an opt-in with registration. Easy to fix. The second such argument is spam; the University fears that the AMS would over-use its e-mail privileges. This, while more sensible, is still insufficient. Surely the AMS doesn’t want to risk alienating its members any more than the University wants to do so.
The AMS has a special relationship with the University. It’s specifically authorized by the University Act to exist, student reps on the BoG must be members, and it’s the official voice of students for terms of protocol. Yet the University is selfishly refusing to hand over this valuable bargaining chip. And that’s reprehensible.
Let the AMS have student e-mail lists. There’s no reason not to.
Comments
32 Comments so far
Well said, Tim. At the moment, the VP Admin, SAC and FinCom do have access to the Clubs Database – but that would only allow communication with the small fraction of students who are actually executives of clubs. Also, when clubs are constituted, they are notified that their contact information will only be used for important news pertinent to clubs.
The AMS could go through the process of collecting emails on its own, with students voluntarily signing up for say, an AMS e-newsletter. It’d be quite the undertaking, though.
As for other suggestions, why not have some committees that are mainly composed of interested students instead of AMSers? I know Sam (SAC Vice Chair) is trying to put together a Clubs Days Committee so that feedback isn’t just in the form of little surveys. The planning of events would also go a lot smoother, as the committees could span the transition period and keep a good degree of continuity.
(The above comment was mine. Somehow I can’t get my email to associate with me, instead of a google group I own.)
Well said, Tim. At the moment, the VP Admin, SAC and FinCom do have access to the Clubs Database – but that would only allow communication with the small fraction of students who are actually executives of clubs. Also, when clubs are constituted, they are notified that their contact information will only be used for important news pertinent to clubs.
The AMS could go through the process of collecting emails on its own, with students voluntarily signing up for say, an AMS e-newsletter. It’d be quite the undertaking, though.
As for other suggestions, why not have some committees that are mainly composed of interested students instead of AMSers? I know Sam (SAC Vice Chair) is trying to put together a Clubs Days Committee so that feedback isn’t just in the form of little surveys. The planning of events would also go a lot smoother, as the committees could span the transition period and keep a good degree of continuity.
(The above comment was mine. Somehow I can’t get my email to associate with me, instead of a google group I own.)
Frankly, its sad that this hasn’t been done before.
I know for one that my own undergrad society, the CUS, has an e-mail list of all its students and sends weekly updates to them. As far as I know, this is enjoyed and welcomed by all Sauder students.
The AMS could easily have a monthly newsletter that neatly summarizes the month’s activities and events, gives a heads up on whats coming up and maybe offers a personal statement from the executives.
Such a thing can’t be too long as no one will read it and it shouldn’t be graphically fancy as that’s not the point.
Short and sweet. Who knows, maybe if they get an email once in a while, students might figure out what is on the 2nd floor of the SUB.
Frankly, its sad that this hasn’t been done before.
I know for one that my own undergrad society, the CUS, has an e-mail list of all its students and sends weekly updates to them. As far as I know, this is enjoyed and welcomed by all Sauder students.
The AMS could easily have a monthly newsletter that neatly summarizes the month’s activities and events, gives a heads up on whats coming up and maybe offers a personal statement from the executives.
Such a thing can’t be too long as no one will read it and it shouldn’t be graphically fancy as that’s not the point.
Short and sweet. Who knows, maybe if they get an email once in a while, students might figure out what is on the 2nd floor of the SUB.
How about addressing the myth that the AMS hates the Ubyssey for not covering Spencer Keystone flying to UBC-O for the nineteenth time?
How about addressing the myth that the AMS hates the Ubyssey for not covering Spencer Keystone flying to UBC-O for the nineteenth time?
get the email addresses already. seriously. you don’t have them?
what’s the case at other student societies across canada? do they have the email addresses.
another question:
1) lots of you know everything about student politics at ubc. but what about at other schools. is there a model for ubc? what’s the difference between the AMS and the SFSS in voter turnout? how about across canada. be honest guys.
and tim, props for mentioning the commuter malaise. it’s in the top 3 for explaining voter apathy and i don’t know how that’s going to change no matter how many b-lines they run there. i guess they could build lots of cheap student housing there to handle the rez crisis. in a dream world. but really, who wants to live in a “University Town” anyway. i don’t. what percentage of students actually use the Pit? and how many are the same people every week? and how many actually just want a whole bunch of giant tables put in and some fucking lightbulbs so they students could just drink beer or god forbid smoke a joint while having a practical discussion with a few colleagues? 24 hours a day? yes, i know that’s breaking the law. but what about unjust laws?
get the email addresses already. seriously. you don’t have them?
what’s the case at other student societies across canada? do they have the email addresses.
another question:
1) lots of you know everything about student politics at ubc. but what about at other schools. is there a model for ubc? what’s the difference between the AMS and the SFSS in voter turnout? how about across canada. be honest guys.
and tim, props for mentioning the commuter malaise. it’s in the top 3 for explaining voter apathy and i don’t know how that’s going to change no matter how many b-lines they run there. i guess they could build lots of cheap student housing there to handle the rez crisis. in a dream world. but really, who wants to live in a “University Town” anyway. i don’t. what percentage of students actually use the Pit? and how many are the same people every week? and how many actually just want a whole bunch of giant tables put in and some fucking lightbulbs so they students could just drink beer or god forbid smoke a joint while having a practical discussion with a few colleagues? 24 hours a day? yes, i know that’s breaking the law. but what about unjust laws?
But wait… doesn’t the registrar’s office release the full list of student numbers in order to facilitate the paper ballot day? Or are there no names associated with them so it’s not a breach of privacy?
We have the same problem on a smaller scale in SUS. Any e-mail we want to send to all Science students has to go through the Dean’s office. SUS used to have an online newsletter that students could sign up for (like Suvina mentions) but it petered out a few years ago.
Frankly though, I doubt students would actually read any kind of AMS newsletter. Anything in my inbox from “UBC” just gets skimmed over (like the one I just got from Science Advising reminding me of the add/drop deadline and an upcoming career fair… woohoo)
But wait… doesn’t the registrar’s office release the full list of student numbers in order to facilitate the paper ballot day? Or are there no names associated with them so it’s not a breach of privacy?
We have the same problem on a smaller scale in SUS. Any e-mail we want to send to all Science students has to go through the Dean’s office. SUS used to have an online newsletter that students could sign up for (like Suvina mentions) but it petered out a few years ago.
Frankly though, I doubt students would actually read any kind of AMS newsletter. Anything in my inbox from “UBC” just gets skimmed over (like the one I just got from Science Advising reminding me of the add/drop deadline and an upcoming career fair… woohoo)
Dear anon:
In the most recent SFU election (not counting the by-election, which had a shit turnout), they had 1720 votes cast for President, out of 28,000 students.
That’s 6% turnout.
So you know I’m being honest, my source is The Peak (http://www.peak.sfu.ca/the-peak/2005-1/issue13/ne-electr.html)
Dear anon:
In the most recent SFU election (not counting the by-election, which had a shit turnout), they had 1720 votes cast for President, out of 28,000 students.
That’s 6% turnout.
So you know I’m being honest, my source is The Peak (http://www.peak.sfu.ca/the-peak/2005-1/issue13/ne-electr.html)
Getting access to the emails doesn’t require AMS receiving the addresses themselves. UBC could easily create a mailing list which automatically forwards to all students–it can be password-protected to prevent abuse.
All AMS would have to do is send an email to a single address. Of course, getting UBC to set this up is about as likely as UBC not charging AMS to use the WebVote system.
Getting access to the emails doesn’t require AMS receiving the addresses themselves. UBC could easily create a mailing list which automatically forwards to all students–it can be password-protected to prevent abuse.
All AMS would have to do is send an email to a single address. Of course, getting UBC to set this up is about as likely as UBC not charging AMS to use the WebVote system.
But then UBC Admin still holds all the cards. And the e-mail will still say that its from UBC, and those get deleted real fast.
If the Admin won’t fork over the e-mails, the AMS will have to look into getting them themselves.
One idea: create an AMS-card. This card will give you some discount or frequent user points (subway club anyone?) at the SUB. It can also be used to keep track of club membership, event tickets and the like. Ideally, this card should have been the fan-dangled and hi-tech student card, but that seems to be used for all of about nothing interesting.
A card initiative would also be great for setting up an AMS-run voting system independent of WebVote (which is a pretty archaic system).
This thing would cost a bundle of money, of course. It would also require a lot of coercing of students to get the bloody cards, but if it is integrated with FirstWeek, Imagine and other 1st year events, it shouldn’t be impossible to do.
In the long run, this card would be a great step toward digitizing the AMS and moving away from tree-eating paper tickets, forms, ballots, envelopes and other bureaucratic barriers.
Its just an idea. I’m interested in your thoughts.
But then UBC Admin still holds all the cards. And the e-mail will still say that its from UBC, and those get deleted real fast.
If the Admin won’t fork over the e-mails, the AMS will have to look into getting them themselves.
One idea: create an AMS-card. This card will give you some discount or frequent user points (subway club anyone?) at the SUB. It can also be used to keep track of club membership, event tickets and the like. Ideally, this card should have been the fan-dangled and hi-tech student card, but that seems to be used for all of about nothing interesting.
A card initiative would also be great for setting up an AMS-run voting system independent of WebVote (which is a pretty archaic system).
This thing would cost a bundle of money, of course. It would also require a lot of coercing of students to get the bloody cards, but if it is integrated with FirstWeek, Imagine and other 1st year events, it shouldn’t be impossible to do.
In the long run, this card would be a great step toward digitizing the AMS and moving away from tree-eating paper tickets, forms, ballots, envelopes and other bureaucratic barriers.
Its just an idea. I’m interested in your thoughts.
Peter:
Interesting idea, to be sure. The positives are relatively clear, but I see two issues.
1) Cost/benefit. It, as you point out, would be HUGELY expensive, and difficult to administer. Not just the start-up costs, never mind getting students to buy in, and keeping the cards going.
2) Right now the trend is towards making one super-card with UBC… using the UBC Card for all purposes, including food. Moving towards fewer cards rather than many is a more likely situation.
Peter:
Interesting idea, to be sure. The positives are relatively clear, but I see two issues.
1) Cost/benefit. It, as you point out, would be HUGELY expensive, and difficult to administer. Not just the start-up costs, never mind getting students to buy in, and keeping the cards going.
2) Right now the trend is towards making one super-card with UBC… using the UBC Card for all purposes, including food. Moving towards fewer cards rather than many is a more likely situation.
god, why can’t jeff just run on the platform of getting email addresses. people can understand that, i think. at least it’s something tangible that regular folk like me can identify without trying to wade throught AMS committee minutes – that would be better prepared by a “professional” than a student without a business language course, i’m sorry to say
god, why can’t jeff just run on the platform of getting email addresses. people can understand that, i think. at least it’s something tangible that regular folk like me can identify without trying to wade throught AMS committee minutes – that would be better prepared by a “professional” than a student without a business language course, i’m sorry to say
cheap beer is not enough, tim. i want atmosphere. there’s little to none at ubc. start by offering AMS redesigns to architecture students at UBC instead of house designers that have been with you guys for years
cheap beer is not enough, tim. i want atmosphere. there’s little to none at ubc. start by offering AMS redesigns to architecture students at UBC instead of house designers that have been with you guys for years
Well, the ideal solution would be to piggy-back onto the existing student card and go from there. Everyone already has one and they are all digital and unique.
The cost would be mainly an administrative cost if we use the same cards. That’s always expensive :)
Well, the ideal solution would be to piggy-back onto the existing student card and go from there. Everyone already has one and they are all digital and unique.
The cost would be mainly an administrative cost if we use the same cards. That’s always expensive :)
isn’t a super card kind of like Big Brother.
i don’t like that idea. is there an AMS Privacy Commissioner?
isn’t a super card kind of like Big Brother.
i don’t like that idea. is there an AMS Privacy Commissioner?
Couldn’t the AMS just rig up some ghetto cards with a barcode and black and white picture. I could plan an enterprise like that in about 48 hours for a total cost of under two to three grand. Pay a computer science student to make a database with emails. get people to fill out basic html surveys. why does the ams website have to be so pretty? why not go ape craigslist. the ams site should be that good a resource to really be effective. there isn’t even a visible vfm link on the site. or maybe there is, but doofuses like me can’t find it.
Couldn’t the AMS just rig up some ghetto cards with a barcode and black and white picture. I could plan an enterprise like that in about 48 hours for a total cost of under two to three grand. Pay a computer science student to make a database with emails. get people to fill out basic html surveys. why does the ams website have to be so pretty? why not go ape craigslist. the ams site should be that good a resource to really be effective. there isn’t even a visible vfm link on the site. or maybe there is, but doofuses like me can’t find it.
The AMS Privacy Officer is Sheldon Goldfarb, a permanent staff person who also holds the position of Archivist-Researcher.
The AMS Privacy Officer is Sheldon Goldfarb, a permanent staff person who also holds the position of Archivist-Researcher.
is the AMS concerned about the direction towards a Super Card?
is UBC headed toward a Super Card?
Does that not seem totally out of Total Recall?
I wish keifer24 ran for the AMS.
is the AMS concerned about the direction towards a Super Card?
is UBC headed toward a Super Card?
Does that not seem totally out of Total Recall?
I wish keifer24 ran for the AMS.