Interview with Guillaume Lecorps: Président/President, L’Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ)/The Quebec Student Union (QSU)
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2018/06/08
Abstract
An interview with Guillaume Lecorps. He discusses: the L’Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ) or the Quebec Student Union (QSU); becoming involved with the organization; positions held in them; Simon Telles legacy and the work for Guillaume now; the students and universities involved in QSU/UEQ; mission and mandate implementation; and the concerns of students now.
Keywords: Canada, Guillaume Lecorps, L’Union étudiante du Québec, Président, President, Québec, Quebec, Quebec Student Union, student unions.
Interview with Guillaume Lecorps: Président/President, L’Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ)/The Quebec Student Union (QSU) [1],[2],[3]
1. Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Full disclosure: I was an executive in a student union and on several committees in CASA and worked with you. In this real sense, we are friends and were colleagues.
For those without a background in the L’Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ) or the Quebec Student Union (QSU), how did the organization form in the first place?
Guillaume Lecorps: Another provincial organization, FEUQ, existed until 2014. Its member and non-member associations, over time, realized there were a few major problems in terms of structure and approach in the vehicle and decided to create something new that would better represent the aspirations of students nowadays.
Campus associations from across then gathered around the table to discuss the creation of the Quebec Student Union (QSU).
2. Jacobsen: How did you become involved in the organization?
Lecorps: I was the external affairs officer in a member association of the QSU two years ago. I really felt like the approach at the Quebec Student Union and the priorities chosen by the member associations reflected both my individual values and ambitious, innovative projects to improve the student condition.
I decided to take the leap and run for the vice president position last year, before getting elected as the president for the current mandate.
3. Jacobsen: What positions do or have you held in UEQ/QSU?
Lecorps: Vice president and president.
4. Jacobsen: With the current transition, what legacy is left behind by Simon? What goals and dreams do you bring into the position as he takes it?
Lecorps: Simon did a great job at developing the public credibility of the Quebec Student Union and improving our impact with stakeholders. I plan on continuing that work, as I believe it’s a crucial aspect of a provincial advocacy organization.
Also, I plan on connecting the QSU a bit more directly to its individual members and students of Quebec in general. A lot of the important projects we have this year, such as mental health and paid internships, will help students better grasp how the work done by the QSU directly impacts their lives on a daily basis.
5. Jacobsen: How many students are part of UEQ/QSU? What universities are part of the union?
Lecorps: 79,000 from 8 associations, 7 universities. The universities are: University of Montreal, Université du Québec à Montréal, University of Sherbrooke, National school for public administration, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Polytechnique (which, in a Quebec, is an engineering university), Bishop’s University.
6. Jacobsen: What is the mission and mandate of the organization? How has this been implemented over time, even altered through time to suit the changes in the need of the community of post-secondary students?
Lecorps: To defend the rights of students from all regions, all programs and all types of degrees. We have created specific working committees or permanent committee (such as for graduate studies and research issues) over time in order to address specific realities or empower certain mobilizations led by students.
To have a flexible structure and to be able to thrive on punctual mobilization while developing credible, evidence-based policy are key to have an organization that properly adapts to the needs expressed by students.
7. Jacobsen: What are the concerns of the students expressed and dealt with through UEQ/QSU?
Lecorps: Student mental health is a big problem right now. We are currently developing a national investigation that will help us collect data and potential solutions during the next 8-10 months.
Also, student services, specifically for those living with disabilities, must be improved. This is one of the things we will be advocating for in this fall’s provincial elections.
8. Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Guillaume.
Appendix I: Footnotes
[1] Président/President, L’Union étudiante du Québec (UEQ)/The Quebec Student Union (QSU).
[2] Individual Publication Date: June 8, 2018 at http://www.in-sightjournal.com/lecorps; Full Issue Publication Date: September 1, 2018 at https://in-sightjournal.com/insight-issues/.
[3] Image Credit: Guillaume Lecorps.
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