The Students' Union has decided how to spend their portion of the $1 million offered by the universtiy for quality initiatives.

On Mon., Mar. 15, after three weeks of deliberative process and particularly long meetings, the Students' Academic Assembly came to a tentative agreement on how to appropriately spend the $800,000 offered to the SU. The Graduate Students' Association received the other $200,000.

The Students' Union's landlord is looking to raise the rent.

Campus Infrastructure wants to increase the occupancy fees in MacEwan Students' Centre to combat rising utilities costs. Since the SU acts as manager of MSC, they would be responsible for meeting the costs of this proposed increase.

"We've received a decrease in services but they're looking at maybe even doubling [occupancy] fees," said SU Vice-President Operations and Finance Gavin Preston. "This could break the SU."

Despite two discussions, the Students' Union has not determined whether to stay with their current federal lobby group or not. However, student councilors have indicated a decision may be reached at their next meeting, one in favour of continuing membership.

A question to council from former SU Vice-President External Oliver Bladek suggested a majority of members would support staying in the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, with four undecided.

Do you ever find yourself in class daydreaming about all the magnificent resources the University of Calgary has to offer? No? Perhaps you simply aren't aware of the various services that exist on campus.

This is where Academic Festivus comes into play. Previously known as Academic Awareness Week, the event brings assorted clubs and academic departments together.

The Students' Union is again debating whether or not to stay with a federal lobby group.

"I had a campaign promise to review our lobby groups, especially the federal one," said SU Vice-President External Lauren Batiuk.

During the Tue., Jan. 20 Student Legislative Council meeting, SU VP Operations and Finance Gavin Preston said he believed students do not benefit from the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations.

"We're wasting money," said Preston. "It's a poor return."

On Tue., Nov. 23, Students' Union Vice-President Operations and Finance Gavin Preston said there would not be space for a women's center in MacEwan Student Centre, but it would not mean the proposed resources could not be offered elsewhere.

The stage looked empty at the Mon., Oct. 20 Academic Commissioner by-election forum. Of the 12 chairs, only three were filled by candidates.

Officiated by Students' Union Vice-President Events Richard Bergen, the three hopefuls were mainly quizzed by SU members.

One question was how science research will help the University of Calgary's rankings.

The posters are going up and the electoral antics have already started for Students' Union by-election.

The SU by-election will fill eight positions unfilled by last year's general election and give non-voting appointed council members a chance to gain voting power by being elected.

The Students' Union is one step closer to finding their new general manager.

Through interviews done last week, the SU found six candidates, which are now a shortlist of three.

The SU enlisted Conroy Ross, a headhunting firm, to find suitable candidates. The firm gave an original list of 30 to 40 candidates. According to SU Vice-President Operations and Finance Gavin Preston, Conroy Ross is a good resource for the SU's GM search.

The Students' Union may be phoning you to ask what you think a quality education is.

An initiative from SU Vice-President Academic Demetrios Nicolaides will try to identify what a quality education is. The survey will be conducted by Claros Research. According to a resolution passed at the Tue., Aug. 12 Students' Legislative Council meeting, the survey will cost no more than $15,000, $8,000 of which will come from special motions. The remainder will come from the VP Academic and President's budget.