Volunteering in BA2250

The CSSU proudly maintains a student lounge in BA 2250 in which students can hang out, network, play games and ask questions. We have a snack store, gaming centre, study spaces and more! Office operations volunteers manage the lounge, assist in answering questions, and directing students to appropriate resources.

Thanks for volunteering! It will be a great opportunity to network and engage with your fellow students. First and foremost, please join our Discord server. The following is a guide on managing the lounge for volunteers.

Room Access

As of January 2024, the following is in effect.

  • Volunteers will have 8AM-9PM access on weekdays.
  • Members of the Executive Council shall have access outside of these hours to the lounge (BA2250) and storage room (BA2285).

Snack Store

The CSSU maintains a snack store, the proceeds of which are put back into the CSSU treasury in compliance with charity regulations.

  • Most items are kept on the snack shelf (the white one) and the red fridge.
  • Ice-cream sandwiches are stored in freezer in the kitchenette.
  • Volunteers are expected to make sales on Square. Log-in to the iPad, open the app, and tap on the items they’re selling.
  • Please do not accept card payments for sales totalling less than $1.00; encourage customers to pay in cash or buy multiple items.
  • If the snack shelf or cooler are running low on items, restock from the black cabinet.
  • We also have a free shelf (the grey one) with stationery, culinary, and sex supplies. Please ensure that students take things in moderation.

Library

  • Books and loose dry-erase whiteboard markers are free for use in the lounge.
  • If a student wants to loan a book, ask them to deposit some form of ID (TCard, driver’s licence, Ontario Photo Card, or passport).
  • You may accept a health card if a student offers it, but we cannot request a health card by law.

Gaming Systems

  • Students may use the gaming consoles and display systems.
  • Please be vigilant about the controllers and equipment; instances of theft have been reported in the past.

Kitchenette

  • Students are free to use the microwave, kettle, and sink.
  • The silver refrigerator is open for use given that the users understand they can only pick up their items when there’s a volunteer on duty.
  • Please ensure students tag any items put into the fridge with a sticky note or marker. Sometimes there are freebies in here and we don’t want someone to accidentally take a student’s item because it wasn’t labeled. This also helps with cleaning the fridge out.
  • The freezer is often full with ice cream sandwiches, but students may store things in the door if they fit.

Lost Items

  • Lost items found in the building are often turned into the CSSU. Please try to locate the owner using any information on if it is possible.
  • If an item is very expensive and you cannot determine the owner, please ask the student to turn it into caretaking or Campus Safety.
  • With lost TCards, you can email the student by sending an email to <their_utorid>@mail.utoronto.ca, this will alias to their UofT inbox, but it will not show up in your outlook directory.
  • When emailing a student about a lost item, please CC utcssu@gmail.com. For higher value items also post in the #office-ops channel.

Other Things

  • Try to answer student questions to the best of your ability; if you don’t know the answer, you can ask in the #office-ops channel or direct them elsewhere.
  • Other people such as caretaking staff, instructors, student family, are also welcome.
  • Let the Executive Council know if you need anything from the storage room.
  • Ensure that everyone is comfortable and observing the code of conduct.
  • If you can’t make your shift for any reason, just let us know in #office-ops on Discord.
  • Students often come in looking for BA2270, that is the TA help centre next door. Please direct them their if they are asking where course office hours are.