Why you should elect Jacob Circo?
This question is answered in the following acronym E.A.R.S
Full Platform: E. A. R. S
Too see a full list of my experiences, click the button below:
Experience
Jacob has over 1,000 hours in community service. From his outstanding commitment to being involved in his community, Jacob was the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's Community Volunteer Award and the Ontario Principal's Award for Student Leadership. Jacob is all about helping others and working with others to bring change. For instance, at his former High School, Jacob advocated for mental health awareness and better mental health support for students. To address this, Jacob teamed up with Jack.org, an advocate for mental health in young people, and put together an Advisory Committee of 12 students to strategize ideas for improving mental wellness. Additionally, to improve recommendations in tackling mental health, the Committee reached out to York University's Nursing Program, Toronto Public Health and SHIP Davenport. Therefore, Jacob's work on the Advisory Committee shows that he listens to others and works with others to establish change. Furthermore, Jacob has experience and knows how to fight for your voice in the Senate. Currently, Jacob is volunteering his time with the Ryerson Association of Planners (RAPS) Course Union.
For a list of all Jacob's experiences, please visit: https://jacobcirco.weebly.com/experiences.html
For a list of all Jacob's experiences, please visit: https://jacobcirco.weebly.com/experiences.html
Action
If elected, Jacob would like to advocate for:
1. Improving security for students and improving communication with campus security:
Propose a Ryerson University Safe APP (RU Safe)
A safe work environment is needed for all students who commute to campus to gain knowledge and work with others. Feeling safe where you are working is important when it comes to academic performance. Additionally, we get security emails all the time, alerting us on various security issues across campus; most of them relating to theft or sexual assault. It's time we improve campus security for all by initiating a Safe App for students to report security threats. As a downtown campus, the potential for crime related incidents is high. Therefore, there needs to be better communication with campus security. Similar to TTC's Safe App for reporting security incidents, Ryerson University needs an app where students can send images and footage of what they've witnessed to campus security. Furthermore, there also needs to be an option for students to provide tips anonymously. Therefore, by creating this app, students can submit tips to campus security through an anonymous way. Currently, communication with campus security is either by calling or emailing a security incident. There needs to be a way of getting tips faster to campus security and that's why developing a security tips app will improve communication with campus security and provide an avenue for providing tips anonymously. If elected, it would be my highest priority to advocate for better security for all and propose a security app for the university.
Propose Better Lighting on Campus Facilities/Buildings At Night
Providing a safe environment for students on campus will be my highest priority if elected to the Senate. It is important that students feel safe as they commute around campus at night, especially with having to do assignments or having night classes. Ryerson University has made a commitment to improving lighting on campus facilities and streets. However, more is still needed to improve lighting in campus alleyways. If elected, I will work with the RSU, Senate and Board of Governors to address fixing lighting in campus alleyways.
For more information on this issue on campus, please read the following article:
https://theeyeopener.com/2018/01/ryersons-going-to-get-lit/
Supporting a Sexual Assault Policy for the University
Currently, there is a sexual assault policy being brought before the Senate. Jacob supports the idea of a Sexual Assault Policy for the university and will work with the Senate to finish crafting the policy.
What is currently being done to address sexual assault on campus:
Sexual Assault Survivor Support Line
In October 2017, with recommendations and approval of Ryerson's Board of Governors, there was a referendum vote opened to all full time students on a proposed levy for supporting the operations of a Sexual Assault Survivor Support Line. This was approved by a majority vote and the program will operate in September 2018. Jacob supports the program and will work with the Senate and the RSU to see this support line become a reality when it opens in September 2018. Furthermore, once in office, Jacob will reach out to all students, in their classes or through social media, to get their opinion on creating a safer environment for campus. Overall, if elected, Jacob will advocate on the Senate to develop policy's and by-laws that enhance safety for all students.
For more information on the support line, visit: https://www.ryerson.ca/governors/elections/Referenda/
2. Improving communication of campus resources for students
Knowing who to talk to for various things can be complicated. Therefore, to improve communication, Jacob is advocating for there to be a university wide resources contact page on the university's website. The resources contact page will answer FAQ's on who to contact for things such as courses. By having this one stop page on the university's website, students will have quicker answers to their questions on who to contact.
3. Advocating for a Campus Wide Volunteer Program
We have all been through High School and asked ourselves, what do I want to be when I grow up? We all had to make a decision on where we wanted to go to pursue our dreams and there are those of us who are still deciding. We also have younger family members and friends who are also thinking the same thing. If elected, Jacob will advocate for a volunteer program and greater volunteer opportunities that integrates High School students to volunteering with the various programs in Ryerson. We can make a High School student's decision a little more easier if we can offer greater volunteer opportunities that allow for students to volunteer in their field/program of interest at Ryerson. For instance, creating volunteer opportunities that allow High School students to shadow and experience professional networking events taking place in their program/field of interest at Ryerson. Also for Ryerson students, Jacob will advocate for their to be a section in the proposed resources contact page that provides easier access to volunteer opportunities across campus as well as job opportunities.
4. Making campus a more positive and utilized space through urban renewal projects
Ryerson University is a growing campus. We are located in the heart of downtown Toronto and are seeing the City change everyday. As a student in Ryerson's School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP), Jacob gains first hand knowledge on innovating students who have a vision to revitalize Ryerson. As a student and member of the SURP , Jacob will advocate on revitalization plans from various interest groups to the Senate. Furthermore, Jacob promises to use his position to support on going revitalization projects and encourage other students to present revitalization plans to the Senate and Board of Governors. Students in the SURP are learning about the planning process and putting together ideas all the time; why not start your professional journey with getting involved in changing Ryerson? As Ryerson begins to expand, Jacob will team up with various departments in the Faculty of Community Services to encourage students to get involved in the ongoing expansion projects across campus. Jacob is all about connecting innovation and students. As your representative, Jacob will advocate on your behalf to get your projects known and funded.
Ongoing revitalization projects:
Okeefe Lane Revitalization
Currently, proposals are still being brought forward. Jacob will work with the Faculty of Arts and advocate for the chosen proposal in the Senate.
http://www.ryerson.ca/arts/about-arts/okeefe-lane-revitalization/
5. Advocating on your behalf for new minors/courses/programs at Ryerson University
The Senate has the power to develop new minors/courses/programs at Ryerson. If you have a desire for a particular minor or course or program at Ryerson than bring your ideas to Jacob and he will advocate on your behalf in the Senate.
Advocating for a Introductory Course and Minor in Disaster Emergency Management (Emergency Planning)
Currently, the Chang School offers a certificate program in Disaster Emergency Management at Ryerson. However, there are no courses or minors in the undergraduate studies that allow for students to gain knowledge and experience the field of Disaster Emergency Management. Therefore, Jacob would like to advocate for their to be an introductory course and minor in Disaster Emergency Management that gives opportunities for students to learn more about Disaster Emergency Management. Also, Disaster Emergency Management is a growing field in Canada and is all about transitioning Canadian society to becoming more resilient to emergencies and natural disasters. A great example of a governmental organization that does this is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the United States. In Canada, emergency management is governed by the Department of Public Safety and all emergency plans are governed by the Emergency Management Act, 2007. Jacob would like to advocate on the Senate to develop an introductory course (Liberal Arts Elective) that can introduce Ryerson students to the field of Disaster Emergency Management. Also, advocate for a minor in Disaster Emergency Management that provides students with knowledge in emergency planning. Jacob would also like to advocate on developing or bringing in some of the courses that are offered in the Chang program and make them available to undergraduate students through the form of elective credits. Jacob would also advocate for some of the courses that are offered in the undergraduate program to count towards the courses that are needed for the Certificate Program in the Chang School.
To learn more about the Disaster Emergency Management Certificate offered at the Raymond G. Chang School, please visit:
https://ce-online.ryerson.ca/ce/default.aspx?id=3391
1. Improving security for students and improving communication with campus security:
Propose a Ryerson University Safe APP (RU Safe)
A safe work environment is needed for all students who commute to campus to gain knowledge and work with others. Feeling safe where you are working is important when it comes to academic performance. Additionally, we get security emails all the time, alerting us on various security issues across campus; most of them relating to theft or sexual assault. It's time we improve campus security for all by initiating a Safe App for students to report security threats. As a downtown campus, the potential for crime related incidents is high. Therefore, there needs to be better communication with campus security. Similar to TTC's Safe App for reporting security incidents, Ryerson University needs an app where students can send images and footage of what they've witnessed to campus security. Furthermore, there also needs to be an option for students to provide tips anonymously. Therefore, by creating this app, students can submit tips to campus security through an anonymous way. Currently, communication with campus security is either by calling or emailing a security incident. There needs to be a way of getting tips faster to campus security and that's why developing a security tips app will improve communication with campus security and provide an avenue for providing tips anonymously. If elected, it would be my highest priority to advocate for better security for all and propose a security app for the university.
Propose Better Lighting on Campus Facilities/Buildings At Night
Providing a safe environment for students on campus will be my highest priority if elected to the Senate. It is important that students feel safe as they commute around campus at night, especially with having to do assignments or having night classes. Ryerson University has made a commitment to improving lighting on campus facilities and streets. However, more is still needed to improve lighting in campus alleyways. If elected, I will work with the RSU, Senate and Board of Governors to address fixing lighting in campus alleyways.
For more information on this issue on campus, please read the following article:
https://theeyeopener.com/2018/01/ryersons-going-to-get-lit/
Supporting a Sexual Assault Policy for the University
Currently, there is a sexual assault policy being brought before the Senate. Jacob supports the idea of a Sexual Assault Policy for the university and will work with the Senate to finish crafting the policy.
What is currently being done to address sexual assault on campus:
Sexual Assault Survivor Support Line
In October 2017, with recommendations and approval of Ryerson's Board of Governors, there was a referendum vote opened to all full time students on a proposed levy for supporting the operations of a Sexual Assault Survivor Support Line. This was approved by a majority vote and the program will operate in September 2018. Jacob supports the program and will work with the Senate and the RSU to see this support line become a reality when it opens in September 2018. Furthermore, once in office, Jacob will reach out to all students, in their classes or through social media, to get their opinion on creating a safer environment for campus. Overall, if elected, Jacob will advocate on the Senate to develop policy's and by-laws that enhance safety for all students.
For more information on the support line, visit: https://www.ryerson.ca/governors/elections/Referenda/
2. Improving communication of campus resources for students
Knowing who to talk to for various things can be complicated. Therefore, to improve communication, Jacob is advocating for there to be a university wide resources contact page on the university's website. The resources contact page will answer FAQ's on who to contact for things such as courses. By having this one stop page on the university's website, students will have quicker answers to their questions on who to contact.
3. Advocating for a Campus Wide Volunteer Program
We have all been through High School and asked ourselves, what do I want to be when I grow up? We all had to make a decision on where we wanted to go to pursue our dreams and there are those of us who are still deciding. We also have younger family members and friends who are also thinking the same thing. If elected, Jacob will advocate for a volunteer program and greater volunteer opportunities that integrates High School students to volunteering with the various programs in Ryerson. We can make a High School student's decision a little more easier if we can offer greater volunteer opportunities that allow for students to volunteer in their field/program of interest at Ryerson. For instance, creating volunteer opportunities that allow High School students to shadow and experience professional networking events taking place in their program/field of interest at Ryerson. Also for Ryerson students, Jacob will advocate for their to be a section in the proposed resources contact page that provides easier access to volunteer opportunities across campus as well as job opportunities.
4. Making campus a more positive and utilized space through urban renewal projects
Ryerson University is a growing campus. We are located in the heart of downtown Toronto and are seeing the City change everyday. As a student in Ryerson's School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP), Jacob gains first hand knowledge on innovating students who have a vision to revitalize Ryerson. As a student and member of the SURP , Jacob will advocate on revitalization plans from various interest groups to the Senate. Furthermore, Jacob promises to use his position to support on going revitalization projects and encourage other students to present revitalization plans to the Senate and Board of Governors. Students in the SURP are learning about the planning process and putting together ideas all the time; why not start your professional journey with getting involved in changing Ryerson? As Ryerson begins to expand, Jacob will team up with various departments in the Faculty of Community Services to encourage students to get involved in the ongoing expansion projects across campus. Jacob is all about connecting innovation and students. As your representative, Jacob will advocate on your behalf to get your projects known and funded.
Ongoing revitalization projects:
Okeefe Lane Revitalization
Currently, proposals are still being brought forward. Jacob will work with the Faculty of Arts and advocate for the chosen proposal in the Senate.
http://www.ryerson.ca/arts/about-arts/okeefe-lane-revitalization/
5. Advocating on your behalf for new minors/courses/programs at Ryerson University
The Senate has the power to develop new minors/courses/programs at Ryerson. If you have a desire for a particular minor or course or program at Ryerson than bring your ideas to Jacob and he will advocate on your behalf in the Senate.
Advocating for a Introductory Course and Minor in Disaster Emergency Management (Emergency Planning)
Currently, the Chang School offers a certificate program in Disaster Emergency Management at Ryerson. However, there are no courses or minors in the undergraduate studies that allow for students to gain knowledge and experience the field of Disaster Emergency Management. Therefore, Jacob would like to advocate for their to be an introductory course and minor in Disaster Emergency Management that gives opportunities for students to learn more about Disaster Emergency Management. Also, Disaster Emergency Management is a growing field in Canada and is all about transitioning Canadian society to becoming more resilient to emergencies and natural disasters. A great example of a governmental organization that does this is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the United States. In Canada, emergency management is governed by the Department of Public Safety and all emergency plans are governed by the Emergency Management Act, 2007. Jacob would like to advocate on the Senate to develop an introductory course (Liberal Arts Elective) that can introduce Ryerson students to the field of Disaster Emergency Management. Also, advocate for a minor in Disaster Emergency Management that provides students with knowledge in emergency planning. Jacob would also like to advocate on developing or bringing in some of the courses that are offered in the Chang program and make them available to undergraduate students through the form of elective credits. Jacob would also advocate for some of the courses that are offered in the undergraduate program to count towards the courses that are needed for the Certificate Program in the Chang School.
To learn more about the Disaster Emergency Management Certificate offered at the Raymond G. Chang School, please visit:
https://ce-online.ryerson.ca/ce/default.aspx?id=3391
Represent
Jacob is here to represent you and advocate for your voice on the Senate. Whether it's needing funding for a project or advocating for social justice; Jacob is here to advocate for you.
Areas Jacob can help you with:
Appeals:
Sometimes we make mistakes or have valid reasons for the outcome of our school performance and academics. Jacob is here to help you through the process of applying for appeals and representing you throughout the whole process.
Social Justice:
If you see injustice on campus, Jacob is here to fight for you and advocate for your concerns in the Senate.
Funding:
Need funding for a project? There are many bursaries and financial opportunities across campus to fund your school project. Jacob will work with you to connect you to those financial opportunities.
Proposals, Includes ideas for new minors/courses/programs at Ryerson University:
Have an idea or something you want to see done on campus? Bring your proposals to Jacob and Jacob will advocate on your behalf in the Senate. The Senate also has the power to develop new courses, minors and programs at Ryerson. Therefore, if you desire for their to be a particular course/minor/program at Ryerson, especially for the Faculty of Community Services, than bring your idea to Jacob and he will advocate on your behalf in the Senate.
Service
In serving you, Jacob will establish office hours and a location on where you can find him each week. Jacob is here for you and willing to give up his time, during the week, to serve you.
Jacob Circo is a hard worker and will work to the best of his abilities to serve you! Jacob Circo currently has over 1,000 community service volunteer hours! Here are Honourary Rewards given to Jacob Circo for his contributions to his community!
