Who are we?
We are the students and we represent YOU. The Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Science is comprised of nearly 4000 students. The Faculty of Science Students’ Association is a group of science students that hope to provide a diverse and enlightening experience to the Laurier Science Community. How? We plan on enhancing the university experience for all students officially registered in the programs offered by the Faculty of Science, including you! FOSSA will provide activities, information and services to enhance the educational, cultural, environmental and social conditions of its members throughout the year. Check the website for updates. We also hope to serve as a liaison between the various affiliated student clubs in the Faculty of Science and the Students’ Union.
The Faculty of Science Students’ Association (FOSSA) has a long and rich history. In 1995, the student in the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Computing, and Psychology of Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) approved a voluntary student contribution program called Science and Technology Endowment Program (STEP) a precursor to the Association. The program was incoherent with the opening of the new Science Building on the corner of King Street and Bricker Avenue. This program was designed to enhance the educational experience and opportunities of undergraduate students in these areas. STEP’s primary purpose was to help increase awareness of the science programs offered at Laurier to prospective employers and to the community in general. By increasing the profile of Science at Laurier makes the degree of individual students more valuable when they graduate. STEP was a significant participant in making technologies available to the science programs which would not be provided through other means. STEP played a major role in increasing the technological resources in the science area of the University and in improving academic quality. For each academic year STEP existed, half of the contributions go into the endowment fund and the other half is used to enhance the Science programs at Wilfrid Laurier University. This second portion helps purchase equipment for general use and for instructional use in each of the four departments. It is also used for activities which are educational, but also designed to increase awareness of the Science programs at WLU. A primary example of where the money was spent was the STEP Lecture Series.
The program is administered by STEP Council which is a committee of undergraduate students and non-voting faculty advisors. STEP Council is responsible for deciding how the available funds will be used in any given year. The composition of the Council includes two undergraduate student representatives and one faculty advisor from each of the four participating departments. The Council is chaired by a student in a program which is not one of those offered in the participating departments. The remaining councillors, the Associate Dean (Science), serve non-voting advisory roles.
In 2008, the students of Wilfrid Laurier University on the Waterloo Campus approved the Faculty Based Fee. This fee replaced the voluntary student contribution program, STEP, in 2009 with a mandatory one. The Faculty of Science Students’ Association was created by the STEP Council to replace its place. The Association not only took up STEP’s previous mandate; it also now provide support for Science Clubs and place a more active representative role for the Faculty of Science students which had been enlarged with Department of Kinesiology, and Mathematics over the previous years.
The Faculty of Science Students’ Association provides financial resources for clubs, activities, events, research projects and equipment endowment pertaining to the Laurier Science Community.
The Clubs
Meet Your New Executive Team
Christie MacLeod
Previously the Executive VP, Christie is a fourth year Biology and Psychology student with a passion for health and wellness. When not in labs or classes, she can be found on the volleyball court, on shift for the ERT, or with her family and friends. Christie also loves yoga, travelling, music and being a Golden Hawk!
Ramy Boles
Ramy is a third year Health Sciences student who wants your ideas to be brought to the table! Outside classes, he is either running events with Laurier Cares raising awareness for health-related issues, shooting hoops with the boys, or giving tours to future hawks showing them what the Laurier community is all about!
Prem Nichani
Previously the President and Chair, Prem, a fourth year Health Sciences student, is committed to making your experience at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Faculty of Science a memorable 3, 4, or 5 years. In his spare time, he enjoys DJing, website design, reading John Grisham novels, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.
Dana Toameh
In pursuit to becoming a practitioner, Dana is currently a third year health science student. Her passion for people is no secret and her involvement spans the Laurier campus. She is the founder and president of Eye to Eye and loves to be active in her free time.
Katia McDougall
Previously a constituency representative, Katia is a fourth year Health Sciences student who is dedicated to the healthcare field and in enhancing the student experience at Laurier. She is involved with various clubs on campus and in her spare time she loves to hit the gym and spend time with her family and friends.
Chelsea Snow
Chelsea Snow is a fourth year Health Science student who has a love for all things health-related! When she is not in the Spine Biomechanics Research lab or drinking coffee you can find her at the gym, practicing yoga, or volunteering on campus.
Clubs and Affiliations
