Lily PolenchukThe 2025 Students’ Union (SU) vice-president (student life) (VPSL) candidates had their last forum on March 3 at the Myer Horowitz forum. In their final attempts to secure the position, candidates presented strong ideas regarding affordability, safety, and mental health. However, Logan West seems to be the only candidate with realistic and manageable goals for a year-long term. While his plans weren’t as detailed, Ramish Raza might also prove to be a strong competitor with his connections to the International Students’ Association (ISA).
Logan West
West’s platform is centred around addressing student safety and period poverty. During this last forum, she revealed plans to expand Safewalk and provide volunteers with crisis intervention training (CIT) and emergency health-care kits. Additionally, she suggested getting more lighting across pathways, emergency call boxes, and including vehicular transport with Safewalk. While implementing all of these plans might be unrealistic, the expansions to Safewalk seem relatively straightforward. They also counteract sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) on campus which 64 per cent of students are facing — a focus for West at this forum. Most readers probably know or will know someone who has experienced SGBV during their time at the university.
Notably during the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU) forum, West also suggested redirecting some funding towards ISU initiatives. Other candidates seemed unsure about how to rebuild the connection between Indigenous students and the Land. In contrast, West brought up supporting field trips and other outdoor events that the ISU has already hosted.
West’s biggest weakness is her lack of focus on affordability, aside from the Period Equity Program. When asked about the most pressing issue facing international students, West said that it was period poverty. Clearly, this answer does not address general affordability concerns. At the same time, she has repeatedly advocated for increased funding towards the Campus Food Bank (CFB). So, she’s not completely unprepared to tackle this problem.
Ramish Raza
During the ISA forum, Ramish rightfully pointed out that the rising cost-of-living disproportionately affects international students. One of his plans is to advocate for lower residence costs. Remember that the VPSL is the chair and a voting member of the Council of Residence Associations (CORA). This means that he would be well-positioned to fight for his goal. And it wouldn’t only be international students who benefit. After all, a large portion of Augustana and first-year students also live in university-affiliated housing.
In terms of supporting the wellness of international students, he also mentioned spreading awareness about financial aid resources. More importantly, he’s aware of what resources exist. This knowledge could help him support existing groups, bursaries, and programs for international students.
Again, he could be more specific about his plans. Throughout his campaign week, he brought up expanding the Peer Support Centre. Besides including more bilingual speakers — which he mentioned during the Campus Saint-Jean forum — it’s unclear what he means.
Nikka Pakhomova
Pakhomova emphasized that SU-hosted social events shouldn’t be limited to the Week of Welcome (WoW). She also advocated for equal access, strengthening the community, and supporting a sense of belonging for students. In terms of community-building events, we should acknowledge that many faculties and other student groups already host their own. Is this really the highest priority for the VPSL? When other issues such as food insecurity and SGBV are brought up, these problems pale in comparison.
Her lack of experience and knowledge on the SU might also hinder her time in office. For students struggling with housing prices, she only suggests setting up a grant similar to the Community Life Fund. Clearly, this idea will involve large amounts of money. Having an unrealistic proposal to tackle such an important issue is pretty telling.
Pakhomova’s strongest idea was the one regarding informational workshops. She suggested implementing events to advise newly-arrived students about campus safety and the resources at their disposal. But should someone really be elected based on one good idea? I don’t think so.
Saim Khokhar
Khokhar has a good understanding of the issues, but I’m unsure about his proposed solutions. How realistic are they? For example, he suggests creating an anonymous sexual assault council within CORA. While this proposal could tackle SGBV in residences, it would require long-term campaigning and planning out an electoral/appointment process. What resources would this council need or have access to? These same problems might also be why the SU does not have an Indigenous representative student councillor. I question whether he can overcome these bureaucratic obstacles in a single year.
Many of his plans also fall under the purview of different vice-presidents. In the Myer Horowitz forum, he suggested “integrating … seminars into the classroom on how to navigate racism and discrimination microaggressions.” Although he plans to collaborate with the vice-president academic (VPA), there’s no reason for him to be involved. Even if it was realistic to ask professors to set aside time for these lectures.
Khokhar brought out his best ideas during the Augustana forum, such as improving the residence meal plan. His goal to establish a fund for students in residence to get their money back after infestations or renovations could also be very useful. However, these proposals mainly apply to students living on-campus, or the Augustana campus. That’s not enough for the broader student body.
Who will win?
Raza has a good chance of actually winning. With his position as the president of the ISA, it seems as though that portion of the student body favours him. Not to mention, voters may particularly gravitate towards promises of financial ease.
Who should win?
West presents the most well-rounded campaign promises regarding safety, inclusion of marginalized groups, and working laterally with other organizations. No other candidate advocated as much for accessible period products and increased awareness for SGBV. Despite some gaps in her platform, her experience in student governance seems promising. She definitely has my vote.
