Newman Theological College Student Association (NTCSA) has been an important part of the intellectual, spiritual and social life of Newman Theological College for over a quarter of a century.
The first Student Council election took place in March of 1986. One of the first tasks of the new Student Council was to choose a student delegate to attend the Canadian Theological Students Conference, an ecumenical event focused on various social justice issues. NTCSA has been sending a delegate to this event ever since.
Presidents:
Over the years there have been thirty student council presidents which have included thirteen Catholic seminarians, seven Catholic lay men, eight Catholic lay women, an Anglican lay woman and a lay man from the United Church.
Activities:
Since the beginning the Student Council has had representatives on all of the many boards and councils of the College. Student Councils have also participated in NTC Open Houses, Convocation, Orientation Day as well as speaking in churches as part of the Annual Parish Fundraising Campaign.
Over the years NTCSA’s social committees have hosted a variety of social events such as: Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday breakfasts, All Souls and All Saints’ day costume parties, an Advent Choir Festival, Hymn Sings, Caroling and parties for Christmas , St. Patrick’s day and St. Valentine’s day. They have also organized and hosted family dances, talent and karaoke nights, wine and cheese socials, pizza parties as well as more recently the orientation day themed socials.
For years the Student Council had a Sports Committee chair who organized shuffleboard tournaments, skating parties, volleyball games and badminton tournaments.
The NTCSA has also facilitated much of the spiritual life of students on campus organizing daily masses, special liturgies, facilitated Prayer for Christian Unity liturgies and prayer services.
In recent years the NTCSA has had a social justice committee which has hosted educational events on justice, initiated the use of fair trade products on campus, organized service events such as Justice in January, a Lenten solidarity lunch, a Hope Mission clothing drive and students serving lunch at the Mustard Seed Church.. The NTCSA also initiated a recycling program on campus in 2004 that is still in use.
Services:
In the 1990’s, the Council instituted a Student Emergency Fund to assist students who were experiencing a temporary financial crisis.
In 1996 the students (with the help of the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis) created the Sr. Anne Honig Service Award to recognize the efforts of those students who have shown exemplary dedication and service to NTC and who foster a sense of community at the College.
Today, the student body and the wider Newman community continues to be served by its student council which consists of its President, VP Academic, VP Finance, VP Spiritual Life, VP Student Life, VP Communications, Secretary, and its graduate and undergraduate representatives.