Lily PolenchukAt the Campus Saint-Jean (CSJ) forum on February 26, presidential candidates continued to make the case to students that they deserve to lead the University of Alberta Students’ Union (SU). Sophie Martel, currently the president of the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU), continued to display strength and leadership. Other candidates, while not all a lost cause, could use some readjusting.
Unsurprisingly, most candidates — Pedro Almeida, Ofure Eigbe, and Martel — talked a lot about the language barrier for CSJ. Eigbe specified introducing an international student service office at CSJ that provides service in both languages. How else she would address the language barrier is unclear. She also mentioned bringing a food pantry to CSJ, similar to the Rutherford community food pantry, run by the Campus Food Bank (CFB).
However, the CFB is facing major financial challenges as demand and costs rise. Additionally, CFB has had issues with keeping the Rutherford pantry stocked. Eigbe didn’t address how she would address the existing issues CFB is facing before pursuing another food pantry. More thought for the execution of her ideas would have gone a long way.
Almeida continued to emphasize continuing the strong communication he had in his term as the 2023–24 vice-president (academic) (VPA). He also mentioned some specific ideas on ways to help CSJ, including an InfoLink desk to provide bilingual services at CSJ.
However, Almeida leaned on his past experience as VPA a lot. Maybe too much. At times, it felt like he talked more about his days as VPA than what his current plans are. While his record as VPA is strong, I’m far more interested in his ideas for the future than what he did in the past. Focusing on fresh ideas, rather than just a continuation of his prior term, would be a better use of his time.
Like Almeida, Martel pointed to specific things that the SU could provide in French. Something Martel mentioned, which no other candidate did, was providing social media posts in French. As the SU uses social media for a lot of outreach to students, simply adding a French version to posts is a great idea.
Her emphasis on consultation as community building, not just “checking a box,” carried into this forum. She also made her intention to include CSJ in her advocacy clear. She specified having regular meetings with L’Association des Universitaires de la Faculte Saint-Jean (AUFSJ) to maintain that line of communication.
In response to a question about federal advocacy, Martel noted keeping CSJ in the forefront of conversations alongside the other campuses. The idea of not just including CSJ in advocacy on issues that specifically impact CSJ, but including them in all of it, was unique. Including U of A students in advocacy, and not just when it impacts specifically one demographic, is important.
Joseph Sesek continued on with emphasizing his plan to cut his salary and reduce SU fees. He did, however, mention a few other things. Unfortunately, he didn’t exactly get everything right. When asked about federal funding for CSJ, Sesek promised to use his seat on the Board of Governors (BoG) to fight for more federal funding. But BoG doesn’t decide how much the Government of Canada gives CSJ. So while well-intentioned, it made little sense.
At another point, he mentioned advocating for more online classes. One of the positives of online classes, according to Sesek, is that they save “millions in construction costs for new lecture rooms and theatre.” However, while that would theoretically save the U of A money, that’s not money the SU would be saving. And there’s no guarantee the university would use those savings to benefit students in any way. Additionally, the university gave a presentation to the SU council on January 21 and said the costs to deliver online classes remain the same as in-person classes. Altogether, this leaves me confused as to how this addressed students’ concerns, especially for CSJ students specifically.
Ultimately, Martel looked like the strongest candidate, with her passion for student issues being a clear anchor for her campaign. Almeida and Eigbe have some room for improvement. Meanwhile, Sesek continues to focus on the wrong things.
