OTTAWA – The Ukrainian Canadian Students Union is entering a rebuilding phase in its fiftieth year. After a productive but poorly-attended national Congress in Ottawa, Ontario, last month, the union will be concentrating on re-establishing links with its members and narrowing down its focus.

Were an umbrella body for Ukrainian student clubs across Canada, says new vice-president internal Jenn Kehoe. Some of these clubs are faring extremely well, while others are faltering. All we can do as their national representatives is help them out if they need it.

Windsor, Calgary and Ottawa universities were represented at the three-day gathering, which is held annually. Lower-than expected turnout was the result of a number of factors, explains outgoing president Pavlo Horbal.

Since Congress this year was pushed to the summer instead of the usual February, many students couldnt get away because of summer job commitments, says Horbal. Being peak travel season, and understanding the rising costs of tuition here in Canada, we realized that many students probably couldnt afford to make the trip to Ottawa. We may have to look more towards fundraising in the future.

It is expected that Congress will return to February next year in Toronto, which is hosting the fiftieth anniversary Congress.

On a brighter note, the union is doing very well financially, says incoming treasurer Mykola Koshiw. We will spend this year rebuilding our strength by raising the awareness of SUSK with new undergraduates, and polling them on what they think SUSK should strive to achieve.

New Executive Members

• Jenn Kehoe, Ottawa, ON, Executive Vice President Internal

• Mykola Koshiw, Toronto, Treasurer

• Michael Ilnycky, Winnipeg, MB, Dir. External Relations - Ukrainian Organizations

• Roman Zakaluzny, Ottawa, ON, Director of Publications and Communications

• Daria Horbal, Windsor, ON, Secretary

• Pavlo Horbal, Calgary, AB, Past President

Some positions remain vacant and nominations are welcome. Please visit www.susk.ca for more information and for contact information.