Styrofoam and Smoking. The two topics may not be related but they were the only issues to receive enthusiastic applause from class reps at the first student forum held Sept. 26.

The issues brought forward at the forum varied from the excessive use of Styrofoam on campus to college cleanliness and better enforcement of smoking rules on campus.

Veterinary technician student, Sabrina Dawson, spoke out about the “appalling” use of Styrofoam for almost all cafeteria items from pizza to coffee. Dawson and her classmates would like to see a discounted price for coffee drinkers if they bring their own mug.

The idea, which would help reduce the number of coffee cups being tossed, received support from all students at the forum. But Nelson wasn’t the only one with an opinion or suggestions, as soon as the floor was opened for the harvesting of issues hands immediately shot into the air to patiently wait their turn to speak out.

According to the SA, 170 of the 250 class representatives attended the first student forum, a pleasant surprise for the association since less than 100 had e-mailed their confirmation of attendance. Vice-president Genevieve Michaud was impressed at how vocal the crowd was considering the fact they are only one month into school.

“We got a lot of good feedback and a lot of people speaking their minds, but that’s how we invoke change,” said Michaud. Tourism and travel student Roxanne Barney hesitant at all to speak out about the lack of no smoking signs outside the H-building.

The topic brought out more complaints from other reps about having to walk through clouds of smoke to enter their buildings. “That’s a huge issue for a lot of people in our class,” said first-year early childhood education student Cheryl Henry. “I know there are signs on the wall about the early childcare learning center being there, but people are still smoking all around there and the smoke goes into the centre, the kids are there and it’s just not cool.” While most issues brought forward were program specific,

SA president Michael Barrett is glad students felt comfortable to bring them up. “It’s great that we’re hearing them because it gives us an unfiltered version of concerns,” Said Barrett.

All minutes from individual program council meetings are forwarded to Barrett to review so the SA can ensure appropriate measures are taken for concerns.