Foley and Minichiello to lead the 2011-2012 StFX Students’ Union
February 10, 2026 3:25 PM
On Saturday, Olwyn Foley and Nathaniel Minichiello officially became the President and Vice President elect of the 2011-2012 StFX Students’ Union.
Foley, who is a third year developmental studies student, and Minichiello, who is a third year human kinetics student, are excited to make their mark on campus.
Particularly after the events that transpired on campus last week, Foley and Minichiello seem to understand the importance of communication, and encouraging the administration to address issues that are vital to student life.
“It’s really important that we continue to improve union services, but we need to remember that the union is also a lobbying body,” says Foley. “Like what we saw last week; I think it’s really important that we continue to push the university to address really important issues.”
“Along with that, we want to make sure that means of communication are open and positive all the time, both with the university and with the students,” adds Minichiello. “Students have to know what the university is thinking, and the university has to know what the students are thinking.”
As for communication between students and the students’ union, the president and vice president elect also see room for improvement.
“I think [communication] can always be improved upon,” says Foley. “The team this year has done a good job, and it keeps getting better, but I definitely think there’s room for us to continue improving it next year.”
The accessibility of the students’ union is what the organization revolves around, and Foley and Minichiello plan to maintain an open-door policy and ensure that they are always easy to contact.
“The rally really showed the need for communication,” reflects Foley. “And I think we’re really fortunate to have gone through that just before we start our term. It’s kind of like a wakeup call. There is so much we can learn from this year.”
“We sometimes forget that the university and [the union] are working towards the same goal: to get better resources for students and create a really good academic experience.” When it comes to the difficulties the union had with conducting this year’s elections, Foley and Minichiello have faith in the current system, but understand that outsourcing may need to occur to ensure an accurate reflection of student opinion.
“I can say with confidence, if we can’t do it so that it represents what the students want, then we should hire someone else,” says Foley. “Because it’s your voice that needs to be heard.”
The most important long-term goal that the pair is focusing on is the pursuit of co-curricular transcripts for StFX students. This means that, along with academic standings, a student’s transcript would reflect their extra-curricular achievements as well.
“I highly doubt we’ll have it within a year, because it’s such a large project, but we believe it’s necessary to get the ball rolling,” says Minichiello of the goal. “I know Isabelle Gosselin (current vice president of union services) has started on it, and we want to continue working on it and working with the university to develop a plan for it.”
Applications for the 2011-2012 Students’ Union Executive Team are due on Monday, and Foley and Minichiello hope to have two positions hired before reading week.
