Noor ChaudhryThe 2024 Students’ Union (SU) election’s presidential race has a clear divide between new ideas and SU experience. This has led to two drastically different campaigns, led by candidates Lisa Glock and Michael Griffiths, making this race a really close call.
Lisa Glock
Originally, I found Glock’s ideas to be unsubstantial compared to the larger issues that the SU president will face throughout their term. Her ideas in the Augustana forum mostly revolved around holistic sustainability, an idea clearly very important to her. But, this can’t be what your campaign banks on when representing a campus of 44,000 diverse voices, with diverse needs. However, as the campaign went on, she found her footing, leading to her strongest performance at the Myer Horowitz forum.
Glock’s platform revolves around sustainability, accessibility, gender equality, and building community. However, her platform is relatively inaccessible to the student body, beyond her campaign Instagram account. This is disappointing, and to me shows Glock’s lack of experience.
That being said, Glock has shown considerable growth since her first forum. She eloquently addressed many issues, from food insecurity to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). She kept her answers centered on students, coming up with solutions to address issues students are facing. In the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU) and Myer Horowitz forums, she extended this student-focused approach to Palestinian students as well. Considering the SU’s non-partisan stance on the violence in Palestine and Israel, I commend and applaud Glock for standing steadfast by her beliefs.
Through regular consultation with student groups and her obvious passion, Glock has shown that she could be a strong advocate for the student body. As she hasn’t previously been on the SU, she brings a new perspective, which might be refreshing. I’m glad to have seen so much growth from Glock over the last week. However, while she is clearly a quick learner, I’m not sure she’s shown quite enough growth to be the next president.
Michael Griffiths
Griffiths’ biggest asset this election has been his experience on the SU, previously serving as the vice-president (student-life). However, I worry that he relied on his experience too much throughout the campaign. While Glock was forced to be creative and innovative, Griffiths continually cited initiatives he had previously worked on.
Griffiths’ experience is valuable, though. He has so many pre-existing relationships and a good sense of how student governance runs, making him a strong candidate. The pre-existing relationships mentioned have all been in the VPSL context, which will go a long way when working through a presidency.
Where I struggle with Griffiths is his lack of new ideas. In his platform, Griffiths has a clear vision of a university that has an accessible academic environment, making the SU more accountable and accessible for students, and advocating for the university externally. However, in the forums, he often fell back on his work as VPSL.
However, this experience has led him to be more in touch with the student body. Like Glock, Griffiths also denounced the violence in Gaza, reaching out to Palestinian students. From making BearTracks bilingual for Campus Saint-Jean (CSJ) students, to empowering The Landing to grow into an independent service, Griffiths has a deeper understanding of what students are asking for. Glock might be enthusiastic, but Griffiths is more seasoned.
Who should win, and who will win?
Griffiths is a familiar face with lots of experience behind him, and therefore, students will likely choose to support him. His deeper understanding of students’ needs and many pre-existing relationships is something Glock might have trouble competing with.
Based on a stronger understanding of the SU, and deep understanding of students’ needs, I think Griffiths should win. Despite Glock’s strengths being shown later in the forums, Griffiths’ experience is irreplaceable. Had they both been new to the SU, this might have been a harder choice. But, Griffiths consistently showed up for students with a solid plan and the background to support it.
