Leah Hennig The Augustana forum for the University of Alberta Students’ Union (SU) elections saw each vice-president (external) (VPX) candidate go in wildly different directions. Angel Raina and Arman Chauhan seemed to be charting a path to a clear platform, but Dustin Rodenbush couldn’t even find the path.
In his opening statement, Dustin Rodenbush promised a monthly visit to Augustana and consistent contact with the Augustana Students’ Association (ASA). But overall, he added nothing new to his campaign. He simply echoed the same promises that are made every year. Without anything specific to Augustana to add, he became background noise.
Angel Raina and Chauhan showed some actual care. They demonstrated that they did some research to figure out some of the unique issues facing the campus. But both went in some pretty different directions in terms of their plans to help the campus.
Chauhan presented researched and planned goals. She said she’s prepared to advocate to make sure the current renovations being done on campus are completed. And she noted the need to ensure that students at Augustana are considered and represented throughout decision-making processes. Not just at the end as an afterthought. She stayed within her portfolio, showed knowledge of some concerns Augustana students may have, and offered a very doable goal. However, this isn’t her only plan for the campus.
When asked about advocating for students dealing with the housing crisis in Camrose, Chauhan had a solid plan for external advocacy. This cannot be said for the other candidates. Chauhan said she plans to work with the ASA to advocate for a currently promised federal investments to reach Camrose. This is an actual goal within the VPX portfolio. It shows care to see what she can do to help the campus. Raina briefly said the same thing right after, emphasizing collaboration with Camrose and the ASA to get the work done.
Regarding renovations pushing Augustana students into the public rental market, Raina said she’d advocate for a tenants’ rights awareness campaign. The issue with this is it piggy-backs off the work current vice-president (student life) (VPSL), Logan West, has done. West focused some of her term on education and advocacy around sex-for-rent schemes. While West hasn’t rolled out the campaign for Augustana, it educational resources about renters rights steps on the toes of the VPSL portfolio.
Rodenbush simply reiterated his intention to get in touch, and keep in touch, with the ASA. As a basic part of the VPX’s job, this shouldn’t need to be said several times. Overall, he showed a wild lack of understanding of the Augustana campus or anything the campus is facing. The stark contrast between Rodenbush and the other candidates widened the gap in this race.
