SU Elections 2023 Q&A: Students’ Council Candidates

In 2023-24, there are 19 seats for Students’ Council, a decrease from the current 35 seats. This reduction was approved by the current Students’ Council on March 21.

As the ultimate authority of the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU), Students’ Council is responsible for fulfilling the mandate of the UASU. Elected councillors represent their faculty in committees and at bi-weekly Students’ Council meetings, and are expected to consult with their constituents and advocate for students.

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.

While there are two seats for engineering, only one candidate is running. This means that after the election, there will be 12 councillors on Students’ Council and seven vacancies.

The following interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Arts (two seats)

The following candidates are running in this race:

• Nathan Perez
• Mason Pich
• Nathan Thiessen

The Gateway reached out to all candidates, but Nathan Perez was unable to provide comment before The Gateway‘s deadline.

Why are you running for this position?

Mason Pich: I’m running because I want to be a consistent voice for arts students. In the past, I’ve seen many arts students unfulfilled and unspoken for. I hope to represent the arts faculty as they wish, and my goal is that by the end of my term on council, arts students will be more involved with student government.

Nathan Thiessen: I am running for Students’ Council because I want to speak out for my peers. We spend our days on this campus we all share, and I believe we can make it better for everyone. Everyone should feel safe on campus. Everyone should have the necessary resources to succeed academically, and personally. Everyone should feel represented, and be able to participate in student governance. Everyone should feel seen, heard, and belonging on campus. We all share a campus, our lives are shared in a common way, and we should seek to find community in a place where we spend so much time together.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a UASU councillor?

Pich: In the past, I’ve participated in my high school Model United Nations Club, where I served as vice-president. This role taught me how disproportionate accessibility to student resources can drastically change the landscape of student involvement. If elected, I plan on using this knowledge to work with the Organization for Arts Students and Interdisciplinary Studies (OASIS), and build a centralized newsletter for arts students. Hopefully, this will allow everyone to stay up to date on campus activities and make campus as welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Thiessen: As a first-year student, I’ve tried to make use of the time I’ve had here on campus. I’ve served as a University of Alberta Debate Society executive, where I’ve had the honour of working on behalf of my peers. Some of my proudest work in that position includes organizing inter-varsity tournaments, dealing with budget allocation concerns, and planning social events, a constitutional amendment for creating an executive responsible for women and gender minority affairs to combat underrepresentation. I’ve recently received a role as an executive for the Alberta Youth Parliament, in which I hope to do good work. I wish to combine my communication and critical thinking skills with my experience and passion, to work on behalf of students as a UASU councillor.

Could you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Pich: My platform has three main pillars that I will advocate for: inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility. I have multiple plans for individual policies we can do as a faculty, to improve equity for all students. Past this, I will work to increase financial transparency. Cost of living has dramatically increased over the last few years — if students are paying fees for the UASU, they deserve to know where the money is going. The final substantial point of my platform is that I want to make the arts faculty a place for students to build their careers. I plan on working with OASIS, and hope to partner with Arts Work Experience (AWE), to build on the foundations of work experience. I would like to make the arts a faculty that people strive to be in and want to be involved with.

Thiessen: Your campus, your community. My platform revolves around bettering the experience and engagement on campus. Students deserve to have accessible and quality spaces on campus, and empowered faculty associations that provide localized support and resources. Students deserve a union that actively engages, and seeks to incorporate all voices in governance. In a senseless world full of exams, due dates, work, obligations, and all sorts of stresses, the UASU should seek to foster a community that students can find sense in, and feel supported.

What would your number one priority be as a UASU councillor?

Pich: My number one priority is to make the UASU work for the students. I want students from all faculties to have a say in what goes on on campus, where our money goes, and how we can make campus more equitable for everyone. To do this, I will begin by opening a form to give students a direct say in what I advocate for and work towards on council.

Thiessen: My priority as a UASU councillor would be student spaces. Students deserve accessible quality spaces, to conduct their life on campus. The ability to utilize spaces where students can undertake academic, social, and recreational activities, allows campus to be a place for community. Students should also feel safe on campus, and addressing safety and security concerns are necessary to foster a sense of shared community. The ability to access spaces that facilitate the aspects of daily life, ensures that students are enabled to succeed and thrive in their environment.

Augustana (one seat)

The following candidates are running in this race:

• Abdul Abbasi
• Adrian Lam

Why are you running for this position?

Abdul Abbasi: In the past, Augustana has not received the attention it deserves from the UASU. However, this year has brought some progress in reducing the distance between Augustana and the UASU. Despite these positive steps, there is still much to be done to ensure that Augustana students have access to student services offered by the UASU. As a passionate representative, my primary goal is to serve the students and my constituency. By doing so, I hope to make a positive impact on the university experience for current, and future students at Augustana. That’s why I’m thrilled to run again.

Adrian Lam: Augustana is home to approximately 1,000 students and it’s home to me, so I am running because Augustana is often overlooked, forgotten, and ignored by North Campus, and I want to change that. I believe we need a bigger, louder, and better voice to advocate for us and to ensure better representation of this highly unique and diverse community. I am that voice.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a UASU councillor?

Abbasi: The experience that will be most valuable stems from my previous role as the Augustana UASU councillor for the 2022-23 academic year. In this position, I was able to gain a comprehensive understanding of how everything operates, and I established numerous connections that I believe will prove to be highly advantageous in the future. One of my proudest accomplishments this year was successfully bringing Students’ Council to Augustana after a four-year hiatus, which allowed councillors to learn about our unique issues first-hand. Also, despite the cancellation of the 2023 UASU executive election forum, all of the candidates appeared in-person. Additionally, I have previously served as the off-campus representative for the Augustana Students’ Association (ASA) in 2021-22.

Lam: I am an active member and the current council member of the ASA as the Off-Campus Representative. I proudly advocate for the needs and interests of the student body here at Augustana, and ensure that their voices are heard, and that the necessary support and help can be provided for those issues.

Could you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Abbasi: My platform consists of four distinct points that are not only realistic, but also achievable through specific action plans. Firstly, I aim to enhance the UASU Cares website, to offer comprehensive resources for Augustana students. Secondly, I am committed to completing the establishment of the Augustana Residence Association, and collaborating closely with incoming UASU vice-president (student life) Michael Griffiths to complete this. Thirdly, I will prioritize advocacy for transportation issue, ensuring that this remains a top priority for both the UASU vice-president (external), and president. Finally, I am focused on strengthening the relationship between the UASU and the ASA, through regular visits from Students’ Council and executives to Augustana.

Lam: At Augustana, we do not have access to many of the services, supports, and resources that both North Campus and Campus Saint-Jean (CSJ) have, with no alternative options available for us. I want to change that by ensuring that Augustana has equal access to these services that we pay for.

What would your number one priority be as a UASU councillor?

Abbasi: My top priority will be to update the UASU Cares website, an interactive wellness resource that will showcase all available resources in Augustana and Camrose. This will provide the necessary support for students to succeed in their academic pursuits, and give them easy access to a centralized platform that offers information about a wide range of resources — from mental health support to food bank assistance.

Lam: My biggest priority as a UASU councillor would be to ensure that Augustana’s voice is heard and that we are not ignored and pushed to the side. I will advocate for the needs of the students here by working not only with Students’ Council, but the ASA council as well.

Education (one seat)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Muneeba Qadir

Why are you running for this position?

Muneeba Qadir: I am running for Students’ Council because ensuring that my peers’ concerns are heard is very important to me. I feel that I have the qualities needed to be able to represent my faculty, and make sure their voices are heard. This position would allow me to connect with my peers, and it would provide 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 UASU councillor?

Qadir: I have been volunteering in my community for close to a decade, which has allowed me to work and interact with many different people. I acknowledge that our faculty is very diverse, and I hope my previous work with my community will assist me in being able to listen to our diverse population of education students, and voice their concerns and issues. I want to use my determination and the passion I have for working with people to be a strong advocate for my faculty.

Could you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Qadir: My platform overall follows a theme of working to reduce students’ barriers to learning, helping them feel more prepared for their practicums, and working to make their university experience better overall. One of the things I aim to do is work on expanding the Zero Textbook Cost program, to include more education courses. I believe that the resources that students need to learn should be provided within the cost of the class, so that there are no additional barriers. Since this is also my first time running, I want to hear my peers’ concerns, and continue to build my platform with their insight. To do this, I want to work with the Education Students’ Association, to help me form connections with education students and hear what they have to say.

What would your number one priority be as a UASU councillor?

Qadir: As a UASU councillor, I want to consult with education students, so that they can communicate concerns that they may have to me. Our faculty is diverse, and my priority is to listen to what my peers have to say, and advocate for them. I aim to be accessible and approachable so that students feel comfortable talking to me about issues, and feel confident that I will be able to bring awareness to their concerns, and represent students justly.

Engineering (two seats)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Aiman Saif

Why are you running for this position?

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 Students’ Council. 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.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a UASU councillor?

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. I also led events that promoted mental health. As an exec, I observed student governance, 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.

Could you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

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).

What would your number one priority be as a UASU councillor?

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 at raising the issue and student concerns on this, and will try to push for a stable model instead of yearly tuition increases.

Faculté Saint-Jean (one seat)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Jillian Aisenstat

Why are you running for this position?

Jillian Aisenstat: I am running for this position so the students at Faculté Saint-Jean have a present voice at council meetings, and are included in decisions that concern them. CSJ students are often forgotten in discussions, so I want to change that. 

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a UASU councillor?

Aisenstat: I am currently vice-president (internal) of l’Association des Universitaires de la Faculté Saint-Jean (AUFSJ), and I was the AUFSJ vice-president (first-year) in 2021-22.

Could you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Aisenstat: I hope to use this platform to advocate for CSJ students. Primarily, I would like to support extending certain services offered at North Campus to students at CSJ, seeing as several of these services are not fully accessible to us. 

What would your number one priority be as a UASU councillor?

Aisenstat: My number one priority as a UASU councillor, if elected, would be to advocate for the extension of services, and potentially a UASU business at CSJ. 

Law (one seat)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Damon Atwood

Why are you running for this position?

Damon Atwood: I’m passionate about enacting positive change for the communities I’m part of.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a UASU councillor?

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. 

Could you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Atwood: Unwavering advocacy for students, transparency, and financial accountability.

What would your number one priority be as a UASU councillor?

Atwood: Ensuring the UASU exercises all available legal options in protecting the rights and interests of students.

Medicine and Dentistry (one seat)

The following candidate is running in this race:

• Maesha Elahi

The Gateway reached out to 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 because the role will enable me to advocate for students, and create a positive impact that influences students in a meaningful way. As a result of this position, I will be able to diligently represent the perspectives of students regarding issues concerning the university and student affairs. This position will provide an opportunity to contribute the perspective and experiences of nursing students, so that decisions are made holistically. I want to be a voice for students as we have experienced budget cuts, tuition increases, and changes to our mode of learning. 

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a UASU councillor?

Majekodunmi: The experience that I have acquired from serving on General Faculties Council this semester would significantly contribute to my ability to succeed in the role of UASU councillor. This is because I have gained experiences where I used my voice to advocate for students.

Could you briefly and concisely describe your platform?

Majekodunmi: My platform consists of increasing accessibility and affordability for students, promotion of increased support for CFB — especially after the tuition increases — advocating for a more inclusive student life, and being transparent about decisions made to ensure that students are informed. 

What would your number one priority be as a UASU councillor?

Majekodunmi: My primary priority as a UASU councillor would entail improving accessibility and affordability for students. It is essential that I advocate in favour of enhancing affordability for students in every aspect possible.

Science (three seats)

The following candidates are running in this race:

• Noor Abdelwahab
• Angelina Botros
• Jency Chhaiya
• Laurel Ford
• 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. Additionally, with an entirely male executive team, I feel that it’s important as a woman of colour to be one of the female councillors elected, to provide our unique experience. 

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: I am running to see growth on campus, and also in my skills. From the conversations I have with others in my classes, labs, and with new people I meet, it is clear to me that not everyone’s voices are heard. I want to be a voice for the students in science who need support, and for me to advocate for them. Another reason is the learning experience! Being a part of Students’ Council will provide me with the opportunity to grow my leadership skills. Overall, my goal is to make a positive impact on the points I feel passionate about!

Laurel Ford: I am running because I am passionate about helping others, and I feel that student governance is where I can do just that. I have grown tremendously in this past year from various leadership opportunities, and I am seeking an outlet to channel these skills and enthusiasm into what will also satisfy my passion to positively impact the lives of others.

Megan Garbutt: My decision to run came about because of two reasons. Firstly, this year there has been a decrease in the number of seats on Student’s Council, and although this may address some productivity concerns from previous years, as a result the faculty of science will become underrepresented, relative to our student population when compared to other faculties. Thus, as UASU councillor I will work to ensure that issues important to science students are still a priority for the UASU. Secondly, with the executive team being entirely composed of men in the upcoming academic year, I want to ensure different perspectives are being heard, and that issues important to those not represented on the executive team are held as a priority within the UASU.

What previous experience do you have that you can apply to serving as a UASU councillor?

Abdelwahab: I’ve been a part of numerous clubs over my three years as a student. These include the Interdepartmental Science Students’ Society (ISSS), 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 UASU councillor.

Botros: Most of my leadership positions have extended outside of the U of A. 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 experiences in working and volunteering have taught me inter-personal skills that I use daily. From working with authorities and peers such as teachers, managers, and even students, my experience has taught me teamwork and conflict resolution that can be utilized in this role. I believe experience and knowledge go hand-in-hand, and so my knowledge of university policies and resources (ie. academic support services and procedures for changing majors) will help me succeed in this position.

Ford: In my three years at the U of A, I have had the pleasure of helping other students improve their writing skills as an English tutor, and I’ve led a weekly volunteer shift at CFB. I’ve learned so much about the principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) on a CFB committee, and I’ve had the pleasure of getting involved in research while serving as a UASU science councillor for 2022-23. All of these experiences have introduced me to the challenges that many students face, and the many more that go unheard. I plan to apply and improve upon the leadership skills, tenacity, knowledge, and compassion that I have obtained from these experiences to my role as councillor. 

Garbutt: Having been at the university for two years, I have experienced many of the issues I hope to advocate for. As a student in the faculty of science, I have personally experienced the difficulties in finding research opportunities at the U of A. I have spoken with many instructors, and I understand how many of them find the current recruitment process challenging as well. Additionally, I have wanted more science events to meet more like-minded people, as well as opportunities to connect with colleagues from different programs. Overall, although I look forward to gaining more experience in student governance, I still understand what us science students go through, and I have the passion and work ethic to address these challenges.

Could 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 for student-led faculty groups through frequent meeting and communication, and a push for more faculty-wide events.

Chhaiya: I have four points I would like to focus on. Firstly, providing professors that are not currently using the hybridized model with the correct resources and reasoning’s to begin doing so. Secondly, advocating for the interests of women on Students’ Council by implementing accessibility to resources regarding women’s health. Thirdly, a simple application process that is easily accessible in which students looking to do research can utilize — which will also provide professors with efficiency. Finally, developing a standardized system in which changing majors can be universal for those in all faculties. To put all these points into action, I will work with the executive team.

Ford: I’m a person who values being organized, realistic, and honest. My time in council has allowed me to fully grasp my personal strengths and abilities, as well as what is feasible as a councillor. With this and my past experiences in mind, I have narrowed my focus to three main points: providing increased support to CFB in the form of funding and rent relief; advocating for increased student support and improved accessibility to such supports in the wake of tuition increases; and standing for fiscal transparency within the UASU. 

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 UASU councillor, I will work with the executive team to achieve these goals, while participating in the appropriate committees to do so.

What would your number one priority be as a UASU councillor?

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 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 — not only faculty-wise, but also in their representation to Students’ Council.

Chhaiya: My number one priority and the platform point that I feel personally passionate about, is the varied system throughout all faculties for changing majors. I can attest to this because being a first-year student in the faculty of science, my options for majors were diverse. When I decided to change my major, I realized it had to be done through Launchpad as a reapplication, whereas those in the faculty of arts just have to fill out a Google Form. This is inconvenient to those in the faculty of science, and others who are required to go through an extensive procedure.

Ford: My number one priority is increased support for CFB. However, I acknowledge that this is not a sustainable solution to the problem of food insecurity faced by so many students. The root of the issue involves tuition and inflation. This can only be solved if we strive for increased student supports, which still requires that we reassess our budget, hence fiscal transparency. However, the latter is a long term goal and I believe that students will benefit more from immediate relief from CFB, while these larger issues are worked on. 

Garbutt: My number one priority is connection. My platform itself focuses on connecting professors with students for research opportunities, connecting science student representative associations with one another, as well as connecting students through more events. But above all of this, I look to approach this role with a commitment to learn from and listen to students. I believe that it is through continued and open connection and communication, that I can best represent the diverse student population in the faculty of science.

UPDATE: This article was updated March 27 at 6:03 p.m. to clarify the number of vacancies council will have.

Every year, The Gateway publishes hundreds of articles like the one you just read that are free for everyone to access. But The Gateway needs your support to continue publishing its award-winning journalism. Please consider donating today, even a small amount can help the University of Alberta’s only newspaper continue serving the campus community. Thank you.