A number of positions still need to be filled
The students of the University of Guelph turn their attention this week from American politics to campus politics as the Central Student Association (CSA) fall by-elections are in full swing. Students have until Fri, Oct. 7 to vote for their candidates.
The student-run, non-profit organization acts as the student voice in advocating for things such as textbook costs, the student bus pass, and tuition increases.
The executive positions of external affairs commissioner and local affairs commissioner will be filled as a result of the by-election as well as a board of directors position for the College of Biological Science. The other nine available positions on the board of directors have not received any applicants. These roles will be filled by appointment following the by-election.
“Students have until Fri, Oct. 7 to vote for their candidates.”
The external affairs commissioner’s role on the CSA focuses on three things: campaigning for issues important to the student body, ensuring the campus is inclusive and accessible to all of its students, and lobbying to the federal and provincial governments on behalf of the student population at U of G.
The position of external affairs commissioner has two candidates: Amber Sherwood-Robinson, and Emily Vance.
During the Candidates Forum, Sherwood-Robinson and Vance outlined their platforms, with both candidates focusing on connecting with students, and giving a voice to those who currently feel underrepresented in student government.
Sherwood-Robinson highlighted her past experience and qualifications, including her work for Student Life and Student Accessibility Services, as well as her involvement in Fight the Fees, United for Equity, and the No Means No campaign.
Vance has worked for both the Psychology Society and the Student Support Network, organizing events for both groups and acting as a general member liaison for the Psychology Society.
“Issues being raised in this election include: increasing awareness of marginalized communities, fighting tuition increases, revising the sexual assault support guide, and getting students engaged in what the CSA is doing.”
The local affairs commissioner position entails connecting the campus to the community, raising awareness of sexual assault prevention, and overseeing the CSA Bike Centre and the Guelph Student Foodbank.
Jay Rojas, who has worked with Student Life, Residence Life, and Student Housing Services, is running unopposed for local affairs commissioner. Rojas aims to act at a voice for students on municipal issues at City Hall and hopes to engage with 8000 students and inspire them to vote in this election.
The candidate for the director of the College of Biological Sciences is Nick Kowaleski, who was unable to participate in the forum discussion due to class conflicts. The director of the College of Biological Sciences sits on the CSA board of directors, comprised of representatives from each of the colleges who aim to protect the rights and interests of students at the campus-level.
“The floor was not open for the audience to ask their own questions, with the forum’s moderator stating they didn’t want any “gotcha questions” from the students.”
Issues being raised in this election include: increasing awareness of marginalized communities, fighting tuition increases, revising the sexual assault support guide, and getting students engaged in what the CSA is doing.
The questions posed to the candidates during the forum were preapproved by the current CSA, with the candidates having the opportunity to prepare their responses prior to the discussion. The floor was not open for the audience to ask their own questions, with the forum’s moderator stating they didn’t want any “gotcha questions” from the students.
Online voting is open until 11:59 p.m. on Fri, Oct. 7. The online survey can be accessed through an email sent out to students by the CSA. Each candidate has their platform information available on their Facebook pages and those links will also be attached in the voting email. There will also be voting stations set up in the UC courtyard on Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Photo by Mariah Bridgeman/The Ontarion.