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  2. Committees & Reports

Committees & Reports

Committees

The Substance Use Working Group is committed to fostering a campus community that supports the well-being of Queen’s students in their substance use choices. Embracing a harm-reduction approach, this group works to coordinate educational initiatives, promote equitable access to support, and implement effective training and policies that help enhance campus safety. The overall goal is to empower students to make informed decisions about substance use, and to provide the knowledge and resources necessary for safe consumption.  

Mandate:

  • To establish an inventory of policies, programs, services and informational resources available to Queen’s students.
  • To review current substance use-related policies, programs, services and relevant information available to students to ensure these reflect the best practices in mental health, are of high quality and are appropriate to students in the campus environment
  • To recommend enhancements to existing programs and services or the creation of new programs and services based on needs and best practices.
  • To develop an outline of future initiatives related to the promotion of responsible substance use on campus
  • To oversee implementation of responsible substance use initiatives on campus

The Substance Use Working Group shall meet at least once per term.

Queen's is a member of , a national collaborative of Canadian post-secondary institutions, the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction, and Universities Canada, that aims to reduce alcohol–related harms on campuses.

2025–2026 Membership:

  • Leah Wales (Chair): Assistant Dean, Student Affairs (Interim) 
  • Ali Al-Safadi: Campus Affairs Commissioner, Alma Mater Society  
  • Harmun Dhindsa: Public Health Promoter, Substance Use Health and Mental Wellbeing, South East Health Unit  
  • Mark Erdman: Manager, Community Relations and Issues, University Relations 
  • Emma Kathleen Ferguson: Manager, Residence Conduct and Support 
  • Kathryn Humphrys: Manager, Health Promotion, Student Wellness Services (Riley Walker as delegate)  
  • Joel Keenleyside: Manager, Security Operations, Campus Security and Emergency Services 
  • Michelle Lewis: Director, Issues and Media Relations, University Relations
  • Justine Mayhew: Communications and Marketing Specialist, Student Affairs 
  • Katharine Newstead: Manager of Operations, Event & Hospitality Services 
  • Jennifer Pete: Director, Business Development and Communications (Katharine Newstead as delegate) 
  • Megan Roth: VP Professional, Society of Graduate and Professional Students  
  • Christopher Scott: Director, Campus Security and Emergency Services 
  • Riley Walker: Peer Outreach Coordinator, Health Promotion, Student Wellness Services 
  • Vin Li (admin support): Student Affairs Project Coordinator

Reference document
³ÉÈË´óƬ Alcohol Policy, May 26, 2020

Related Links

Campus Observation Room 

The Deans and Designates Orientation Working Group was established in the summer of 2017 to connect representatives and stakeholders in each of the faculties who oversee the planning and implementation of the Queen’s direct-entry undergraduate orientation activities. It is one of many groups working to intentionally enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of orientation activities by establishing a sense of belonging and ease academic transition for all students. This group enhances the intentionality behind orientation and connects the faculties and other stakeholders involved in activities to prevent planning and implementation from taking place in silos.

Terms of Reference

The purpose of the Deans and Designates Orientation Working Group is to execute the shared goals and vision of orientation activities that include community building, inclusivity, accessibility, safety, and responsibility. The group will engage with student associations, student groups and the University in developing frameworks and processes for the implementation of orientation activities. Group accountability lies with the Vice Provost and Dean (Student Affairs) who has operational authority and responsibility for orientation activities as well as with each respective faculty Dean.

The Working Group shall:

  1. Ensure orientation activities are implemented that are consistent with the Goals of Orientation
  2. Regularly communicate expectations with faculty and group heads/chairs, the Alma Mater Society (AMS) and the Division of Student Affairs/Orientation Round Table (DSA-ORT) orientation planning group regarding the orientation planning process
  3. Ensure compliance with the expectations and procedures for safe event planning and risk mitigation, as outlined by Risk and Safety Services
  4. Implement practices that facilitate the sharing of resources including, but not limited to, enforcing major dates and deadlines for hiring and event planning, creating procedures and processes to consistently vet chants, cheers, logos and slogans from all faculty societies and orientation groups
  5. Maintain communication with other groups and stakeholders related to undergraduate orientation
  6. Ensure that the group maintains continuity from year to year and that issues related to the implementation of orientation week activities are addressed by faculty societies and groups
  7. Forward items and information to Senate Orientation Review Committee (SORC) for approval or reporting to the Senate, as appropriate

The Working Group shall keep in mind the following principles:

  • Orientation should focus on the academic and social transition of new students to Queen’s and programming should be inclusive and represent the values of the Queen’s community in order to meet the needs of a diverse student body;
  • Programming should be evaluated to ensure it is effective in meeting the goals of orientation, is safely and efficiently run, and is financially responsible and accessible;
  • Student involvement and student leadership is a valuable element of orientation; and
  • Safe, fun, inclusive, and accessible events are shared goals for all orientation stakeholders.

2024–2025 Membership

  • Cathy Keates (Chair), Assistant Dean, Division of Student Affairs
  • Jenn Stephenson, Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Science
  • Peter Chin, Associate Dean of Teacher Education, Faculty of Education
  • John McKay, Safety Engineer, Stephen J.R. Smith Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Peter Chin, Associate Dean of Teacher Education, Concurrent Education
  • Christian Muise, Assistant Professor, Computing
  • Erin Meger, Assistant Professor, Computing
  • Arcan Nalca, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs), and Associate Professor, Smith School of Business
  • Milana McNamee, Student Activities Officer, Smith School of Business
  • David Youssef, Smith School of Business
  • Nikki Philbrook, Assistant Professor (Adjunct), Undergraduate Chair, and Manager (Admissions Registration Advising) Health Sciences Undergraduate Program, Bachelor of Health Sciences
  • Kori Cembal, Student Experience Coordinator, Bachelor of Health Sciences
  • Marnie Chapman, Clinical Lead and Lecturer, School of Nursing
  • Linda Schmalz, Programs Manager, School of Nursing 

Reports

Student Affairs Annual Report

The Student Affairs Annual Report gives an overview of the breadth and impact of programs, services, and activities across the 20+ units comprising Student Affairs.

2024–25 Report (PDF 5.5 MB)