Getting Kraft-y

By Cort Egan, Director, External Relations and Communications

Stefany Kraft knows what it’s like to be a Renison and University of Waterloo student. She’s a proud graduate, having double majored in Peace and Conflict Studies and Social Development Studies before completing her Bachelor of Social Work at Renison. Today, Stefany is Renison’s Student Experience Coordinator, and our students couldn’t be in better hands.

Trying to improve the student experience while the College is in deficit means getting crafty – and Stefany knows how to get crafty. Two recent projects that Stefany spearheaded put all of her skills to the test – and, not unlike her academic career, she passed with flying colours.

Project 1: Addition of a Kitchenette in the Link Inclusion Lounge

For those unfamiliar with the Link Inclusion Lounge, it is an intentionally designed space that invites all students, but particularly those from equity-deserving communities, to be themselves and connect with others on campus. The room is large and comfortably furnished; the students themselves determined the layout and furnishings, and had input on the support services readily available to students.  Since it opened almost a year ago, The Lounge has been a constant hub of activity with programs and events designed to help all students feel welcome and appreciated.

While the Lounge has been a huge success, feedback from students, and in particular mature students, indicated that additional kitchen space, separate from the cafeteria and dorm rooms, was needed. That was the only impetus Stefany needed to get the Link Lounge kitchenette project started. 

Anyone who has undertaken a home renovation project knows that it’s never as simple as it sounds, and this project was no exception. The first obstacle to overcome was costs  since this was not a budgeted expense. Stefany would need to get creative. Working collaboratively with the Renison Academic Student Committee (or RASC, as it’s known on campus), Stefany applied to University of Waterloo’s Student Life Endowment Fund (SLEF). This fund is designed to support student-led initiatives that enhance students on campus experience. The proposal was successful. 

Beyond the budget issues, this renovation experienced all of the usual pitfalls: tricky plumbing, unforeseen expenses and negotiating with various contractors and tradesmen. None of this seemed to phase Stefany. Not only was the project a success, it came in under budget, allowing Stefany (with the approval of SLEF) to purchase some additional equipment for the new student space. The kitchenette had its official kick-off event on November 6. 

Project 2: Introducing Re-Usable Eco-Containers for Cafeteria Use

In addition to her official role on campus, Stefany is also a member of Renison’s Green Team, a committee of staff, faculty and students that works to develop and implement environmental and sustainability initiatives on and around campus. In that capacity, Stefany is always on the look-out for ways to reduce waste and improve sustainability efforts on campus.

Eco-Containers are heavy duty, reusable plastic food containers with a built-in lid that are dishwasher safe. The containers would solve a number of food waste problems and resolve the mystery of disappearing tableware, but again, costs were prohibitive. 

This time, Stefany turned to the University of Waterloo’s Sustainability Action Fund and, again, her submission was successful.

The primary environmental benefits of the eco-containers are obvious – they eliminate the need for disposable, one-time use take out containers, and they reduce food waste by providing an instant receptacle for any unfinished meals; simply close the lid and slip it into the fridge for later. It’s that easy. An additional benefit, though, which is not as apparent is the replacement cost of crockery. While students are asked not to bring plates and dishes to their rooms, for a variety of reasons, they inevitably do. And once they leave the cafeteria, they rarely find their way back. Eco-containers allow students to dine where they want and when they want; the handy carabiner keeps them from disappearing.

Stefany has found creative ways to improve life at Renison, and she has done so without adding at all to Renison’s budgetary concerns. Stefany knows from experience that it’s the little things that can make a big difference in the lives of students, and she’s doing her part in making positive change.