It’s time again to kick-start another amazing year at SAIT. For those who are coming back to finish off another year, or to upgrade courses, welcome back! For all of you who are picking up this handy Survival Guide for the very first time, I can’t wait to get to know you. We’ve been working hard all summer to get ready for another great year. Now before we get too far, you are probably asking, who is SAITSA and what do they do? We are here to provide you with a campus experience like no other. We like to say SAIT provides the college experience in the classroom and SAITSA takes care of it outside the classroom!

Some examples of SAITSA services include The Weal (our weekly campus paper), SAITSA Seconds (our used book store), SenSAtions retail outlets (in both the Heart and Burns buildings), Campus Safewalk (run out of the Student Services Centre in the Heart Atrium), The Gateway Restaurant and Bar, The Odyssey Coffee House in the Campus Centre and the list goes on. We even produce the Survival Guide you’re reading.

My job as president is to be your voice so that the Students’ Association is meeting your needs. I sit on the SAIT Board of Governors, and work directly with our provincial and federal lobby groups and other committees and boards so you’re represented from all angles. Our main focus is your success, but we’ll need your input along the way. Have some fun while earning those A’s. Make sure you spend some time on the patio at The Gateway, our campus pub. The menu has been expanded and it’s the best-tasting food on campus (at least I think so)! Join a club: with over 20 clubs on campus, there’s bound to be one to fit your tastes and if there isn’t, start your own (don’t worry, we’ll help you). If you need a morning rush, grad a coffee from the Odyssey Coffee House in the Campus Centre, steps away from the C-Train station!

Elections for the 2008-2009 Students’ Legislative Council are at the end of September, so get geared up to run for a seat in your department. There are a ton of perks, including getting paid to have your voice heard. Keep an eye out for more information or visit one of our offices, V204 in the Campus Centre or MC107 in the Heart building!

There are many other ways to be a big part of the Students’ Association, so stop by V204 in the Campus Centre anytime and we’ll hook you up! You’ll never get the most of your SAIT experience unless you get involved.

From all of us at SAITSA, welcome!

David Jones,
SAITSA President