Sarah-Mélina Parent – New Student Representative on the Faculty of Science Council

We interviewed Sarah Mélina-Parent, the new student representative on the Faculty of Sciences Council for a two-year term.

Third-year chemistry student / Biological Chemistry track

What made you want to join the board?

When I arrived at the Faculty, I knew people who had already been elected, which sparked my interest in the role of student representative. I was the founder and president of the Allchimie student association, as well as a cell biology tutor for first-year students.
I had already been a member of the UFR council as an alternate since 2021 and was appointed to the CFVU for the 2021–2023 term.

I was also a member of the BVE. I joined the student councils and got involved in campus life, and then Tiago Camacho Henriques told me about the position of Student Representative that he held. Since I was one of the few people with experience on the council, Tiago suggested I run for the position, and I decided to approach the dean to express my interest in the role.

What are your responsibilities?

My main responsibilities will be:

– Welcome students to the FdS as part of organizing events (Open House, Back-to-School Event, FdS Festival, etc.)

– Provide advisory opinions on the academic calendar, the exam policy, the curriculum, the MCCs, and student events; engage in dialogue with student representatives from the UFR and UM

– Communicate with class representatives; act as a liaison between students and the administration and faculty

– Provide support to students, particularly with applications for mobility grants, and answer their questions

Here is a description of my role at the FdS:

The student representative to the administration will serve as a key liaison between the students of the UFR Sciences and its political and administrative leadership. In particular, she will coordinate the network of class representatives to centralize and streamline communication.
She will be consulted first and foremost on academic matters (calendar, grades, program evaluations, exam organization, follow-ups, etc.). It will work to improve student life, particularly with regard to welcoming new students. In addition, it will support student organizations in their activities.
It will be invited to all management meetings within its area of responsibility and will be authorized to participate in departmental executive committee meetings.
Finally, it will serve as a liaison with student representatives on the central councils.

What else do you want to contribute?

=> 4 major projects:

==> Semi-institutional tutoring through a nonprofit organization: Create a tutoring nonprofit that centralizes tutoring services under a single point of contact, providing training and potential compensation for tutors, and recruiting through student organizations and academic departments.

==> Mental health, well-being, gender-based and sexual violence: Create a tab on Moodle so students can reach out if they need help, talk to qualified professionals, and participate in free activities to reduce isolation.

==> Environment and Biodiversity: Plant fruit trees in collaboration with student organizations focused on sustainable development (the fruit would be used to feed campus animals and could also be directly used by students, etc.)

==> Campus improvements (adding recycling bins, setting up available spaces for students, food and beverage vending machines, etc.)

I also hope to continue the initiatives that have already been put in place: food drives, clothing drives, events organized by the FdS, etc.