SU Elections 2023 Q&A: General Faculties Council Candidates

General Faculties Council (GFC) is the highest academic governing body at the University of Alberta, composed of 162 members, including all U of A vice-presidents, all faculty deans, professors, students, librarians, academic staff, and non-academic staff. GFC is responsible for decisions that relate to academic and student affairs.

The candidates hoping to represent their faculties were announced on March 22. Students will have the chance to vote on starting March 29 at 9:00 a.m., until March 30 at 5:00 p.m..

The following races have no candidates running: agricultural, life, and environmental sciences; business; Native studies; kinesiology, sports and recreation; open studies; and pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

The following interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Arts (eight seats)

The following candidates are running in this race:

• Hussain Alhussainy
• Haruun Ali
• Nathan Perez
• Bassem Raad
• Nathan Thiessen

The Gateway reached out to all candidates, but Hussain Alhussainy, Nathan Perez, and Bassem Raad were unable to provide comment before The Gateway’s deadline.

Why are you running for this position?

Haruun Ali: I have served students on Students’ Council for two terms, and on GFC for one term. In these terms, I have been incredibly successful in working with members of GFC to push back against senior administration. I would like to continue this work to fight for students. 

Nathan Thiessen: I am running because we deserve a quality education. GFC impacts the academic life of students, and students deserve an academic experience that is responsive to their needs, and prepares them for their future. Students should not be subject to hikes that make achieving that future more costly. Being a representative on behalf of students means advocating for a quality future, obtainable for all students.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a GFC representative?

Ali: I served on GFC and on Students’ Council. At GFC, I was successful in passing a motion that recommended that the Board of Governors (BoG) reject the tuition hikes. Unfortunately, it passed in-spite of GFC’s recommendation, only building further support for the student movement in GFC. 

Thiessen: My experience in student groups has given me experience in leadership and communication. However, my experience as a student is my premiere experience. All of us are experiencing higher tuition. All of us deserve quality educational programming. All of us are working towards a future. Being a student and being one of your peers has given me the experience to understand what we as students need.

Can you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Ali: Work alongside professors and student representatives to pushback and collaborate with senior administration. I mainly want to continue the work that I have been doing this past year representing students on GFC. 

Thiessen: GFC needs to be responsive to the needs of students. That means advocating against continued tuition hikes, and for quality education. Students shouldn’t be punished for seeking an education, and the education students receive should reflect the needs of their future. Greater credentialing and awareness efforts in certificates, and micro-credentialing programs, allow students to be more successful in their future.

What would your number one priority be as GFC representative?

Ali: Continuing to build momentum for the student movement is my key priority. 

Thiessen: Expanding educational opportunities. Students should be able to receive recognition for expanding their knowledge in certain areas through certification and micro-credentialing programs. It is my belief that exploring the feasibility of cross-faculty dual-majors is worthy of consideration. Students who wish to academically develop an understanding of subjects should receive the opportunity and recognition. As a GFC councillor, making sure that students receive a quality education and recognition would be my number one priority.

Augustana (one seat)

The following candidates are running in this race:

• Abdul Abbasi
• Adrian Lam

Why are you running for this position?

Abdul Abbasi: I am running to ensure that the issues affecting Augustana students are heard and properly represented. I strongly believe that effective representation is crucial for addressing these concerns.

Adrian Lam: I am running for this position because Augustana has been too often used to test many academic decisions by the university; this adversely affects the students and is often done without enough student consultation. I want to change that.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a GFC representative?

Abbasi: The most valuable experience is from my previous role as the Augustana student representative on GFC for 2022-23. GFC is a large and complex organization with 162 members, and it takes time to become familiar with how it works. However, I have acquired the necessary experience and knowledge to serve more effectively than in my previous term.

Lam: During my time on the Augustana Students’ Association (ASA), I have helped voice my constituents’ concerns and worries regarding their courses and degrees. Some of the issues that I have advocated for include the lab and lecture split which affected many of our students, and changes to the core courses that are unique to the Augustana experience.

Can you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Abbasi: I don’t have a specific platform because the actions taken by GFC student representatives are meant to benefit all U of A students, such as advocating against tuition increases. However, I am committed to effectively representing the interests and concerns of Augustana students, to ensure their voices are heard.

Lam: At Augustana, decisions regarding our academics are made without adequate consultation from students. This cannot continue.

What would your number one priority be as GFC representative?

Abbasi: My foremost objective is to represent the interests and concerns of Augustana students in a manner that ensures their voices are heard loud and clear.

Lam: My biggest priority is ensuring that any academic decisions affecting Augustana students do not occur without adequate consultation.

Education (four seats)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Muneeba Qadir

Why are you running for this position?

Muneeba Qadir: I am running because I believe that I possess qualities that will allow me to work for and represent my faculty conscientiously. This position would allow me to connect with my peers, and it provides a way for them to share their concerns with me, someone who they trust to advocate for them.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a GFC representative?

Qadir: I have many years of volunteer experience from my involvement in my community, which has helped me connect with many different people. As a representative, I need to be able to connect and interact with not just education students, but also other representatives. I believe my involvement in my community has given me the skills and qualities needed to connect with, and represent my peers.

Can you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Qadir: My platform consists of working to reduce students’ barriers to learning, advocating for all
students, and working to make their university experience better overall. But since this is my first time running for GFC, I want to hear from my peers and continue to build my platform. I need to make sure I am representing them and what they are concerned about. Communication is an important aspect of being a representative, and I strive to be an open-minded and hard-working representative for my peers.

What would your number one priority be as GFC representative?

Qadir: I aim to make sure I am effectively representing my faculty’s concerns. I am just one student, and my priorities likely differ from other education students’ priorities. This is why I want to be approachable, to be able to build connections with other education students, offering everyone an opportunity for their voices to be heard. Communicating and collaborating with education students is the only way I can ensure I am representing them honestly.

Engineering (six seats)

The following candidates are running in this race:

• Aamir Mohamed
• Aiman Saif
• Mikael Schmidtke

Why are you running for this position?

Aamir Mohamed: I am a first-year student, and I have heavily been involved in student advocacy and leadership this year. I understand that GFC is an integral part of student representation and a forum for student voices to be heard. I would like to bring an unique perspective to GFC where we usually do not see young students participating.

Aiman Saif: My passion to be involved in student governance and raise imperative issues faced by students has led me to run. My main goal would be to always look out for students, and hold the university responsible for upholding its standards of providing quality education, while also taking into account accessibility towards better mental health supports, and accommodation policies for students. I aim to amplify the voice of students, and raise their issues at GFC. Moreover, being an expat, I possess the mindfulness to consider the impact my decisions and opinion can have on international students, which equips me to think from more than one perspective, and help students on a greater level.

Mikael Schmidtke: I am running for GFC to make sure all members of the faculty of engineering get represented properly in the eyes of the university. No matter the discipline, no matter where someone is from, no matter who they are, they should all have their voices heard. Everyone deserves to go through university without being afraid of having drastic unforeseen changes affect their lives. That is why I am running.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a GFC representative?

Mohamed: I am currently serving as the president for the first-year engineering club, and thus serve on the board of directors of the Engineering Students’ Society (ESS) representing the interests of over a thousand first-years. I have also been recently elected to be the co-vice-president (external relations) for ESS. I hope to bring a fresh perspective in student representation, and voice the concerns of students to make sure we are heard and our voices are respected.

Saif: I’ve been a part of the International Students’ Association (ISA) for a long time. I was their co-vice-president (internal) for this year, and in my capacity I led the ISA app project to make the ISA and its ICard program more accessible to international students, and I also led events that promoted mental health. As an exec, I observed student governance over campus, which has equipped me to be a better student leader. I’ve also been elected as co-president of the ISA for the coming year.

Schmidtke: I have a great deal of experience in engineering student groups and leadership. I have served for two years in ESS, and I am currently serving as the director of first-year relations and director of institutional outreach, along with being co-vice-president (external relations) elect. I have also served two years in the Electrical Engineering Club, and I am currently serving as vice-president (student life). Outside of this I am a member of Diversity in Engineering, and a sitting member of the UASU Student Group Committee. These all gave me a great deal of experience in advocacy, decision making, and general leadership, that I will utilize if elected.

Can you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Mohamed: My platform is simple and to the point. I want to make sure as councillors we are able to understand what students expect from us, and that they see us working for their aspirations. I would also like to try to get more people interested and involved in student representation and involvement with the university management.

Saif: My platform focuses on amplifying the voices of students in imperative issues such as tuition hikes, upholding the quality of education provided by the university, increasing accessibility to mental health resources, and pushing to spread awareness about the facilities provided by the university such as the Campus Food Bank (CFB).

Schmidtke: My platform is student-centered and consists of advocating for all voices, handling matters that impact students in a fair and structured manner, and including all students in discussions. My primary means of doing this will be constantly updating the public on council affairs, where allowed, and getting general consensus from the student body before going to each council meeting. Alongside this, I plan on working strongly with my fellow councillors both within and beyond the faculty of engineering, to have a unified voice on matters brought forth to GFC.

What would your number one priority be as GFC representative?

Mohamed: Pushing for greater accountability and transparency from the university, along with greater focus on program enhancements. We have been experiencing large tuition increases over the past few years, the least students can expect is to see that the increased tuition money is going for the right projects, student funds, and avenues which have a positive impact on student life. 

Saif: My main goal would be to continue robust advocacy against the constant tuition hikes. Tuition hikes are an imperative issue faced by all students and it needs to be addressed. I aim to raise the issue and student concerns on this, and try to push for a stable model instead of yearly tuition increases.

Schmidtke: My number one priority on GFC is Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion based advocacy of all members of the faculty of engineering and, broader than that, of all university students.

Faculté Saint-Jean (one seat)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Taylor Good

Why are you running for this position?

Taylor Good: I am running to be the next GFC representative for Campus Saint-Jean (CSJ) students, because I believe there is a huge opportunity for CSJ to play an integral role in the future direction of the U of A. As a result, I want to do my part in helping to ensure that engaged student leaders are involved in ongoing discussions and in the decision-making processes that will take place over the next academic year.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a GFC representative?

Good: I am the current President of l’Association des Universitaires de la Faculté Saint-Jean (AUFSJ), the faculty association and student representative association for CSJ students. I strongly believe that my involvement with AUFSJ has allowed me to develop strong relationships with both the student body at CSJ, as well as with members of its staff. When serving as a GFC representative, I think it is important to listen to the stakeholders presenting to you, as well as to take what is presented to you and try and shape it into something that is positive for those that you represent. As a result, I think I will be able to take what is shared with me, present it in an accessible manner to students, and respond in the interest of our students. I am approachable, easy to work with, willing to listen, and ready to put in the work necessary to improve the overall quality of our university experience.

Can you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Good: The first point in my platform is being engaged at an open, honest, and respectful level, with as many stakeholders at GFC as possible. It is impossible for me to sit at every committee and in every discussion. It is not impossible, however, to use the resources at my disposal to be efficient in communicating the needs of CSJ with the appropriate people. The second, is being persistent. In order for CSJ students to be appropriately recognized, it is important to mention them whenever the opportunity is appropriately available. The third point is accommodation. Since CSJ is unique in many different facets, it is imperative to recognize the unique obstacles that need to be pre-emptively addressed when decisions are being made that impact our university experience. I believe that if these obstacles are appropriately addressed ahead of time, CSJ will be able to continue to grow with all faculties, and the U of A will win at large.

What would your number one priority be as GFC representative?

Good: Although it sounds very generic, my number one priority, if elected, would be to be the informative pillar needed to address change. I will elaborate here — this would look like outlining any existing disparities that exist between CSJ students, identifying tangible and realistic goals in addressing those disparities, and establishing performance indicators to help alleviate and minimize the overall idea that CSJ “is always behind” when compared to the rest of the U of A.

Law (one seat)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Damon Atwood

Why are you running for this position?

Damon Atwood: The past year on the Law Faculty Council has suggested to me that the university in general needs to be more accountable to its own policies. A position on GFC will let me contribute and ensure that accountability.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a GFC representative?

Atwood: I have over a decade of experience in the federal government, working in an area that required a lot of problem solving and effective communication. I’ve also spent the last year on the Law Students’ Association and Law Faculty Council advocating for students. 

Can you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Atwood: Ensure the university’s adherence to existing policy that benefits students.

What would your number one priority be as GFC representative?

Atwood: Enactment of policy prohibiting un-paid internships, and restricting the use of grade distributions (curves).

Medicine and Dentistry (one seat)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Maesha Elahi

The Gateway reached out to Maesha Elahi, but they were unable to provide comment before The Gateway’s deadline.

Nursing (one seat)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Precious Majekodunmi

Why are you running for this position?

Precious Majekodunmi: I am running for GFC because I would like to amplify student voices, and enrich their academic experiences. These past few months have been turbulent for students. Therefore, I am committed to advocating for student concerns, and working towards making their undergraduate experiences as fulfilling as possible. I intend to be in this position to empower students and advocate for policies that are favourable and beneficial for students. Being a student myself, I have realized that certain things need change, therefore by serving on GFC I can utilize my voice to actively create change.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a GFC representative?

Majekodunmi: My first introduction to student governance was through Stride Campaign School. The program provided me with a wide range of skills and knowledge that will enable me to effectively advocate for students. I have also acquired the skills of public speaking, leadership development, and campaign techniques that will contribute significantly to the role of a representative on GFC. Additionally, I have served as an emerging leader in the Social Changemakers program, which has also equipped me with leadership and advocacy experiences that I can apply to the role of GFC councillor. 

Can you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Majekodunmi: My platform focuses on four main points. Firstly, I want to work towards establishing a more connected and collaborative student body. Secondly, I want to promote more student engagement and increase accessibility for students. Additionally, increasing opportunities for networking, socializing, mental wellness, and volunteering. Lastly, I want to ensure that the university’s policies are favourable for students.

What would your number one priority be as GFC representative?

Majekodunmi: My primary priority while serving on GFC would be to advocate for and implement hybrid-learning opportunities within the faculty of nursing. Hybrid-learning opportunities provide students with options to receive optimal teaching that drives their learning forward. 

Science (eight seats)

The following candidates are running in this race:

• Noor Abdelwahab
• Angelina Botros
• Jency Chhaiya
• Megan Garbutt

Why are you running for this position?

Noor Abdelwahab: I’m running to be able to get the voices of students in the faculty of science heard, and I feel that now is as an important time as ever to do so, as the university continues to make things more difficult for students.

Angelina Botros: I am running because I feel that sometimes, students can view the science faculty as being a bit disembodied. Although independence is critical for furthering one’s career, the sciences are unique in that every bit of research is followed by massive amounts of peer review, seminars, and conventions to have others contribute to your efforts. Science, in and of itself, is a team effort and is very reliant on your network within the community. My goal is to help those who are pursuing sciences to get their foot in the door, and to push this view of “everyone for themselves” out of this narrative. 

Jency Chhaiya: Simply said, it is to bring a positive impact onto the campus! Although this can be done
in many different ways, I felt passionate about doing it directly through the GFC, in which we can join together to face everyday challenges faced by the students in the faculty of science.

Megan Garbutt: I have decided to run for the position because I want to ensure that I am keeping the U of A accountable for the students in the faculty of science, and the issues that are the most important to us.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a GFC representative?

Abdelwahab: I’ve been a part of numerous clubs over my three years as a student. These include the Interdepartmental Science Students’ Society, Let’s Talk T1D, the U of A’s International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition team, being a BIOLOGY 207 peer-assisted learning (PAL) teaching assistant, and most recently, co-founding a new students’ association: the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Students’ Association. Through my experiences, I’ve cultivated a variety of skills: public speaking, budgeting, and connecting with organizations, professors, and other student groups, as well as the ability to bring students together. I feel like these experiences have provided me with the skills needed to be a successful and effective GFC representative.

Botros: Most of my leadership positions have extended outside of university campus. Previously, I have held leadership roles in the Edmonton Heritage Festival for the Egyptian tent, fundraising initiatives for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy. These positions have given me the opportunity to interact with a diverse set of people, and the knowledge to reach out to those of whom I intend to represent.

Chhaiya: My experience working with a wide range of individuals such as peers and customers has taught me skills, especially problem-solving and cooperation. Additionally, my knowledge of university resources being provided at the time and its policies, also assists me in being a member of the committee.

Garbutt: My previous experience that applies to serving as a GFC councillor is my background as a student in the faculty of science. Having been at the university for two years, I have experienced many of the issues I hope to advocate for. I believe that the best way to approach this role is by listening to the issues of students in my faculty, in combination with having first-hand experience, so that I can share science student concerns with GFC. I look forward to gaining more experience in student governance, but in the meantime, I have a background in understanding the issues of students in the faculty of science.

Can you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Abdelwahab: While my number one goal would be to actually ensure that the voices of students in the faculty of science are heard and acknowledged, I do have some specific goals of my own. For example, I would love to have a complete, comprehensive syllabus bank. As a councillor, I would advocate for proper resources and have them presented in an organized fashion. I also want to promote communication between the different student associations in the faculty. Our interests align, and we should be able to effectively work together to reach them. Additionally, I would like to advocate for minorities in the faculty. What sparked this was the fact that I have a final exam on the day expected to be Eid, and I’m not the only student who’s been in this situation. Lastly, I would love to create more programs like the BIOLOGY 207 PAL program: something free and accessible, aimed to provide students with step-by-step problem solving skills to improve their knowledge and grades in the course.

Botros: My platform is primarily based on three main focuses: portals for internal and external opportunities in summer research, involvement and support to student-led faculty groups through frequent meetings and communication, and a push for more faculty-wide events.

Chhaiya: Firstly, I aim to provide professors who are not currently using the hybridized model with
the necessary resources and support to implement it. Secondly, I will advocate for women’s interests by promoting access to resources regarding women’s health. Thirdly, I would advocate simplifying the research application process to make it more accessible for students, and more efficient for professors. Lastly, I propose to work towards developing a universal system for changing majors across all faculties.

Garbutt: My platform has three main goals: centralized access to science research opportunities, promote collaboration between science associations, and organize more faculty of science events. As a GFC councillor, I will verbalize these goals to GFC, participate in the appropriate committees, and work directly with the vice-president (academic) and vice-president (student life), as well as the university’s administration.

What would your number one priority be as GFC representative?

Abdelwahab: All of my goals have one common theme: to make the lives of students in the faculty of science easier. Life is hectic enough, why add more stress from things that could be fixed? I want to advocate to make your lives easier and ensure your concerns are addressed.

Botros: My number one priority as GFC representative is to bring a sense of unity and trust to our science faculty. By bringing transparency and attentiveness to student concerns, I hope to foster engagement and a sense of confidence among students.

Chhaiya: The platform point that I feel most passionate about, and that is my top priority, is addressing the inconsistencies across faculties when it comes to changing majors, and providing resources to professors for hybridized learning.

Garbutt: My number one priority is to accurately represent the perspective of the faculty of science student population. I will achieve this by connecting and communicating with a multitude of students, student representative associations, and anyone with concerns in the faculty of science, and subsequently express their concerns to the committees I become a part of.

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