SU Elections 2025: Campus Saint-Jean forum recap

The second forum of the University of Alberta Students’ Union (SU) 2025 elections was held at Campus Saint-Jean (CSJ) on February 26. The event was offered in-person and online.

Candidates were given two minutes each for opening statements. Each race was then asked three questions, one race-specific and two general questions, by Chisom Amah. Amah is one of the Deputy Returning Officers (DRO). CSJ students and audience members were then allowed to ask questions before candidates were given 30 seconds for closing statements. 

Here is the TL;DR version of this forum:

• President: increasing accessibility for CSJ students, decreasing language barrier between French and English
• Vice-president (external): securing external funding, promoting CSJ representation
• Vice-president (operations and finance): increased access to services, implementing a Campus Food Bank program at CSJ, and ensuring fees benefit CSJ students.
• Vice-president (academic): translating student services and educational resources into French
• Vice-president (student life): bilingual accessibility, consultation between CSJ and North Campus, student services
• Board of Governors Representative: collaboration with Campus Saint-Jean Dean and L’Association des Universitaires de la Faculté Saint-Jean, French resources
• Period Equity Initiative: menstrual products distributed in bulk to CSJ
• Single Source Cold Beverage Agreement: Canadian culture, Redbull and Pepsi cans bought at CSJ

Presidential candidates discuss increasing accessibility for CSJ students and decreasing the language barrier between French and English  

In his opening statement, presidential candidate Joseph Sesek stated that he believes that the SU is “doing a miserable job for the students it’s meant to serve.” 

Sesek said that the SU is hypocritical because they “have raised SU fees … while criticizing the university for increasing tuition fees.” Sesek said he promises to “take a $10,000 salary cut to help free SU fees next year.” 

He said that if all five SU executives agree to cut their salaries as well, “we can freeze and/or lower SU fees.” 

Following Sesek, presidential candidate Ofure Eigbe said that she plans to focus on two main issues for CSJ — accessibility and breaking language barriers. 

Eigbe stated that CSJ students have to travel to North Campus to access the Campus Food Bank (CFB) because CSJ does not have its own food bank. She said that Augustana has their own food bank and CSJ should have one as well. 

Eigbe also discussed breaking language barriers between French and English for CSJ students. “We should not be constricting them to certain resources that they can access because their first language wasn’t English,” she said. 

Presidential candidate Pedro Almeida said that CSJ is “a welcoming space where we come together in whatever language we can to share ideas and create community.” 

Almeida said that he hopes to “bring back some of that degree of communication that [he] had when he was [2023–24] vice-president (academic) [(VPA)].” 

“What I hope to bring forward to the presidential position is that standard of communication so we can tackle big priorities,” he said. 

Following Almeida, presidential candidate Sophie Martel said that she is from Onion Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory and is also the current president of the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU). 

Martel said that she wants to address the critical issues of accessibility and representation for CSJ students. 

“CSJ is an integral part of the U of A, yet its students, and particularly international students, face unnecessary barriers due to language accessibility and lack of direct consultation,” she said. 

Martel said that she is “committed to ensuring that CSJ students are not only included in conversations, but are actively heard and supported.” 

Amah asked the presidential candidates what efforts they will take to make international student services more accessible to students in CSJ. 

Sesek said that, if elected, he will be a member of the U of A Board of Governors (BoG). He said that he will “persist in having international student service set up, at the minimum, weekly office hours at CSJ.” 

“Considering how much international students pay in tuition, it’s the least the university can do,” Sesek said. 

Eigbe said that she previously served as the International Students’ Representative for the Augustana Students’ Association (ASA). She stated that she plans to address the language barrier that CSJ students face. 

“I’m going to push for more services directed at international students here to be in French to close that accessibility gap,” she said. 

Following Eigbe, Almeida said that international students at CSJ “face double the amount of barriers.” He said that international students are not only in a “new place … but a lot of the services that are offered are not available in French.” 

Almeida said that one solution is to “work with the International Students’ Association [(ISA)] to ensure that some of the advising, housing support, and general information that they offer can be translated [to CSJ].” 

He also discussed bringing a ONEcard printer to CSJ so that students don’t have to travel to North Campus “to access the most basic U of A student resource.” 

Martel said that U of A and SU resources being “primarily in English makes it difficult for French speaking students to access services, register events, and opt-out of unnecessary fees.” She stated that “these barriers place an unfair burden on international students who are already navigating a new country, academic systems, and cultural environments.” 

Martel said that she “will ensure that CSJ is explicitly named and included in all advocacy efforts and will establish regular meetings with SU executives and CSJ counterparts to strengthen collaboration and consultation.” 

Amah asked the presidential candidates what each candidate would do that would be unique to the CSJ campus. 

Sesek stated that, if elected, he will “work very hard for the … need that is more courses being available online.” 

“More online courses will save many CSJ students and all U of A students valuable time,” he said. 

Eigbe stated that she would introduce a food pantry to CSJ. CSJ students “have to travel 15 minutes to go to North Campus to even get access to the CFB,” she said. 

“It can just be something [small] that has enough healthy food for people that can’t afford it, because these are hard times and I’ve seen a 600 per cent increase [in the] demand for food around campus,” Eigbe said. 

Additionally, Eigbe stated that she is going to push to get an international student representative that is bilingual to work with both the ISA and CSJ. She said that this will allow the SU to “breach the language barrier that international students at CSJ … and North Campus face.” 

Almeida said he will focus on achieving the promises made by the SU executive team. He also said that he will implement language packs to allow BearTracks and My Schedule Builder to be delivered in French. 

He also discussed the transition from BearsDen to Rubric — a software that the SU would pay for to replace BearsDen, which is the current software used to organize student clubs. 

The transition to Rubric “should allow [the SU] to potentially use that new technology to push forward for language packs that can make [those resources] offered in French,” he said.  

Following Almeida, Martel said that her “unique approach to CSJ is [a] community-based approach.” 

She stated that she wants to make “sure that CSJ feels that they … get the same respect as the SU does with their advocacy.” 

Amah asked the presidential candidates what efforts they will make to increase consultation between CSJ and North Campus students. 

Sesek began by stating that “CSJ is important to the U of A. The Students’ Union Building [(SUB)] … is not the only place that students should have access to their SU executives.” 

He said that “at least one SU executive will be present during regularly scheduled office hours at CSJ.” Sesek also discussed having “a large SU sponsored event … organized at CSJ every year.” 

“It would be a great way to drive students from North Campus to CSJ,” he said. 

Eigbe said that she believes in having “effective communication and consultations between different representatives and different faculties and associations.” 

She stated that, if elected, she plans to send “forms and surveys to students around campus so [she] can get their … input on what they think can be better at CSJ, because although this is a small campus, that doesn’t mean it should be ignored.” 

Following Eigbe, Almeida said that he hopes to draw from his experience as VPA. He stated that he used to have bi-weekly meetings with his VPA counterpart at AUFSJ, and he plans to bring that back. 

“AUFSJ has one of the best connections with their constituents that you see across campus. I believe that we can foster those relationships to ensure that we are representing students appropriately when we are on North Campus,” he said. 

Martel said that the SU executive team “[should] work closely with the council representative for CSJ students, ensuring that their perspectives are consistently represented in all major SU decisions.” 

“CSJ students shouldn’t have to fight to be heard,” she said. 

Martel discussed ensuring that the SU executive team is having regular meetings with their AUFSJ counterparts and “figuring out how [the SU] can bring CSJ’s advocacy points into [the SU’s].” 

Lavanya Jain, a current SU science councillor, asked all candidates that are advocating for an immediate pause of SU fees, what will happen to SUB, the services it provides, the events, and other funding that the SU fees give. 

Sesek responded, saying that when he is “talking about freezing SU fees, [he is] talking about freezing the increase that’s been happening at a really ridiculous rate.” 

“We’re going to move away from student revenue sources and start utilizing the businesses we have,” he said. 

The other presidential candidates did not answer the question. 

An audience member asked all candidates that have mentioned bringing services or hosting office hours at CSJ, where they expect these things to happen. 

Eigbe said that she plans on introducing a “small food pantry” to CSJ and putting non-perishable food items “in a small room.” She stated that she also wants to have grocery store gift cards that students can use to shop at “any grocery store of their choice.” 

Almeida said that the main thing he wants to do, if elected, is getting a ONEcard printer service for CSJ. He discussed bringing an InfoLink office to CSJ that will hire a bilingual student and be able to “offer a lot of the services that InfoLink offers.” 

Sesek, in his closing statement, said that he “firmly believe[s] that the students of the U of A are worth fighting for.” 

He stated that he “is not a hypocrite and [he] want[s] to take the hypocrisy out of [the] SU.” 

Eigbe said that “having a small campus is a very big advantage itself, and being a bilingual campus is something more.” 

“The French language is not supposed to be a barrier. It’s supposed to be something celebrated,” she said. 

Almeida said that he is hoping to bring his experience as VPA to the presidential position “in order to actually achieve these goals so that these promises aren’t just promises and instead are achievements that we can have together.” 

Martel said that “CSJ students deserve more than empty promises. [They] deserve real action by improving language accessibility for international students, ensuring CSJ is prioritized in funding advocacy, and pushing for proper recognition of bilingualism.” 

“We can build a stronger, more inclusive SU that truly represents all students, despite any fumbles we may have,” she said. 

-Peris Jones 

VPX candidates discuss securing government funding and promoting CSJ representation 

In his opening statement, vice-president (external) (VPX) candidate Abdul Abbasi mentioned that collaboration between the SU and AUFSJ was “missing” in previous years.

He stated his intention to sustain the current collaboration between the two organizations, including on federal advocacy. Abbasi is running for re-election.

VPX candidate Nate Goetz also discussed a plan to “work alongside the AUFSJ” to advocate for government funding and “get the francophone student voice out there in the best way possible.”

VPX candidate Juan Munoz stated his intention to ensure CSJ student voices “are heard loud and clear on North Campus.” He also emphasized his focus on addressing current student needs, not increasing enrolment. 

Amah asked the VPX candidates what effort they will take to advocate for minority language education at the provincial and federal level. 

Abbasi said he will prioritize collaboration with AUFSJ and continuing his conversation with “the Minister of Official Languages, other critics, and other elected officials.” 

Goetz emphasized CSJ’s “lack of funding” and the need to promote “the uniqueness of CSJ” in external advocacy. 

Munoz stated his intention to collaborate with the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS), the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), and Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA) in external advocacy. 

Amah then asked the VPX candidates general candidate questions. First, Amah asked what the candidates will do that will be unique to CSJ.

Abbasi said he would continue to consult AUFSJ to properly address the uniqueness of the campus. 

Goetz said he would support CSJ’s continued participation with the Jeux de la Science Politique, an international political science conference, by “[continuing] fundraising efforts in future years.”

Munoz discussed his plan to work “alongside the ACFA” to “ensure the protection and advancement of francophone rights across the province.”

Additionally, Amah asked the candidates what efforts they will make to increase consultation between CSJ and North Campus students.

Abbasi stated that “what is important is that we’re all U of A.” He reiterated his plan to work closely with AUFSJ and “keep those lines of communication open.”

Goetz emphasized the importance of ongoing fundraising efforts for CSJ and restated his commitment to engage with AUFSJ. 

“I want to make sure that every single thing I do in my advocacy is coming from AUFSJ because you guys are my boss,” Goetz said.

Munoz said he is committed to “keeping the lines of communication between [CSJ] students and [himself] strong as possible.”

In his closing statement, Abbasi promised that, if elected, “CSJ advocacy will be in the forefront.”

Goetz said that he hopes CSJ students “choose a person from a small, underfunded, often forgotten about campus to represent you — a small, often forgotten about, underfunded campus.”

Munoz reiterated his plan to fight for student financial relief and “the opportunities and the support that you all deserve.”

— Kathryn Johnson

VPOF candidates discuss increased access to student services

In his opening statement, Levi Flaman, who is running to be re-elected for a third term as vice-president (operations and finance) (VPOF), highlighted the work he’s done in his current term.

Delivering his speech in French, he emphasized how he wants to “simplify the lives of students, get rid of inefficient expenses, and make financial aspects more streamlined for students.”

Nathan Thiessen, a VPOF candidate and SU arts councillor, highlighted working with AUFSJ to “identify roles that the SU can play in the VPOF portfolio.” He also discussed wanting to have services such as the UASU Perks app and BearsDen accessible in French. 

In his opening statement, Ryley Bazinet, VPOF candidate, advocated for more SU funding “that directly benefits CSJ events, services, and student life.” He re-iterated his platform point about prioritizing affordability. 

Amah asked the VPOF candidates how they planned on extending services and businesses to CSJ. 

Speaking in French, Flaman explained how he wants to replace BearsDen with Rubric. He indicated that he wants to make the platform available in English and French to “facilitate better accessibility for campus groups.” Flaman also expressed wanting to work with the AUFSJ to use existing infrastructure at CSJ to introduce services. 

Thiessen described wanting to work with CSJ students and the AUFSJ to “ensure [that] blind spots can be identified and services [are] delivered.” 

“When it comes to the question about businesses and services at the CSJ, it’s about ensuring accessibility with existing student services that we provide,” Thiessen said. 

Bazinet stated his intentions to secure more funding for CSJ initiatives such as “expanding food security programs like the grocery bus [to CSJ].”

“As VPOF, my priority is ensuring that CSJ and its students get the same access to services and opportunities as those on North Campus,” Bazinet said.

Amah asked VPOF candidates what they will do that will be unique to CSJ. 

Flaman, in French, detailed his intention to make services more accessible in French. Additionally, he emphasized his plan to “make sure that the resources, services, and financial decisions of the SU are accessible to all students.”

Thiessen stated that he wants to ensure that services are accessible in French. He said that he wants to collaborate with AUFSJ to “offer a merch store,” so that “students can feel pride in wearing [merch] and [is] something that the SU should be involved in supporting.”

Bazinet said he wants to ensure CSJ students see a “fair return on their fees,” through a “push for more SU services to operate at CSJ so students don’t always have to go to North Campus.”

The Gateway asked VPOF candidates how they plan to expand existing student services such as the CFB to CSJ.

Flaman noted the barrier that exists with expanding the CFB due to “a lack of capital funding.” He also explained that without an existing program in place, it could be difficult to expand on such an initiative. 

Noting the “affordability crisis,” Thiessen emphasized that this is something that needs to be worked on. He explained that if the AUFSJ were to start their own CFB program, he would “ensure that they have their funding on time … [and that] they can deliver on those products.”

Bazinet said that it would be difficult to expand the CFB. He explained that starting a CFB program at CSJ would be a “slow start” but with “easier accessibility more students will come.”

A CSJ student asked all candidates where they plan on physically putting the services they mentioned, and where they would hold office hours. All three VPOF candidates answered.

Flaman emphasized the smaller size of CSJ, and said the introduction of any new services to the space is “probably unlikely to happen.” However, he suggested looking into “off-campus” options and “vacant lots.”

Thiessen also cited the limited space at CSJ, but said that there should be a focus on “delivering meaningful services and making sure that students know where to ask [for] them on North Campus to increase high availability.”

Bazinet expressed how student services should be available at CSJ, suggesting that “a small booth [at CSJ] would be better than having to travel all the way to North Campus.” 

In his closing statement, Flaman thanked the AUFSJ and told students to reach out to him if they had questions about his platform.

Thiessen re-iterated his “focus on stability, engagement, and vision,” and said that services at CSJ are “sustainable for long-term growth.”

Bazinet emphasized wanting to bring more “SU resources directly to CSJ” and ensuring that the fees are put towards initiatives that “create a more inclusive … environment for all CSJ students.”

— Brooklyn Hollinger

VPA candidates aim to translate resources into French to increase accessibility

In their opening statements, vice-president (academic) (VPA) candidates Aamir Mohamed and Katie Tamsett said they are looking to collaborate with CSJ students to ensure they have classes, resources, and research opportunities available to them in French. Mohamed and Tamsett also noted that there should be equal resources and opportunities for CSJ. 

VPA candidate Manyu Rathour detailed his proposal for French-speaking students to be given a French/English dictionary, “so that when they are exposed to learning in English, they can directly translate into what they must understand of the language.” 

Amah asked VPA candidates what additional resources they would provide students who want to transition to graduate studies at CSJ.

Mohamed said he’d seek to provide “skill developments and academic learning” resources. Alongside this, he would look into CSJ course selections to make sure there is equal opportunity in classes and resources between CSJ and North Campus. 

Tamsett detailed wanting to create more research opportunities for students, and mentioned some concerns about “how students are treated as research students.” 

Rathour said that he thinks “that the university is hoarding [funds] for their own expenses.” If elected, dependent on available resources, he will subsidize graduate studies at CSJ.

Amah asked all candidates what they would do that would be unique to CSJ.

Mohamed said that he aims to get BearTracks translated into French and create more resources for CSJ, like career testing.

Tamsett said that she will increase communication with CSJ so that she is able to know what issues students have and “work together to ensure that there’s transparency so students can graduate on time.”

Rathour noted how he would want to extend the ISU and ISA to CSJ. He then detailed the importance of creating access to a pharmacy at CSJ so that CSJ students have access to the same benefits as North Campus students.

Amah then asked what efforts the candidates will make to increase consultations between CSJ and North Campus students.

Mohamed noted that the AUFSJ “already works with different student representative associations (SRA),” but that they could be developed and expanded to collaborate with students to create more learning initiatives and research opportunities. He also detailed how the AUFSJ could host events to bring in speakers. 

Tamsett said consultation is about “forming the relationship and ensuring that you are available as much as possible.” She promised to be at CSJ “a minimum of once per trimester to form an in-person relationship” with students. 

In response, Rathour said he wants to translate BearTracks and eClass using French-speaking university staff and artificial intelligence (AI). According to Rathour, this will “create much more transparency, much more communication, and [a] much more sense of belonging between the francophones and the North Campus.”

An audience member asked all candidates where they expect proposed student services to physically be, referencing CSJ’s limited space.

Rathour said that new grants would allow for more campus space, noting that they “have not been fully utilized to their potential.” He also said that with a new executive team, if elected, they can work together to achieve more space. 

In his closing statement, Mohamed reinforced the importance of making student services more accessible for CSJ students. 

Tamsett finished by saying she is running in response to student feedback not being addressed. She is seeking to identify student concerns and “make some positive changes.”

Rathour reiterated his promise to give English/French dictionaries to CSJ students, and his promise for French classes, mental health supports in French, and French translations for student service websites.

— Liam Hodder

VPSL candidates discuss accessibility and advocacy for CSJ in student services

In his opening statements, vice-president (student life) (VPSL) candidate Saim Khokhar discussed expanding the “purpose of the Council of Residence Associations [(CORA)].” He also mentioned potentially introducing a “council of anonymous sexual assault survivors.” 

VPSL candidate Ramish Raza emphasized the “big influence and big political impact” of the SU, saying he wanted to utilize that to serve students across all campuses. Raza spoke on improving life in residence through the “residence improvement fund and more community outreach.”

Nikka Pakhomova, a VPSL candidate, gave the majority of her statements in French, and emphasized the importance of “integrating international students with Canadian students.” Pakhomova said she wants “students at North Campus to interact more with students at CSJ.”

VPSL candidate Logan West noted her priorities were in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the period equity initiative, and safety and accessibility. 

“I promise to be dedicated and considerate in my approach to advocating for the CSJ student body and working with the AUSFJ and the Association des Résidents de la Faculté Saint-Jean (ARFSJ) to create positive change for all of us,” West said. 

Amah asked the VPSL candidates what resources they could offer international students in CSJ who are part of the Francophone minority community student pilot.

Raza spoke on the idea of creating workshops to aid international students with tasks like, “how to get a SIN number? How does your health insurance work?” He also emphasized the importance of consultation on those issues. 

West commented that due to the “uncertainty with the incoming federal government, ensuring this program remains supported” is important. She said that advocating alongside the future VPX would be important as well. 

Pakhomova commented on the “lack of education personnel” at CSJ and spoke about her personal experience, saying she had initially planned to attend CSJ but did not due to their lack of course availability past the 200-level. 

“We must make sure that francophone students have all of the necessary resources as those at North Campus have,” Pakhomova said. 

Khokhar said that he feels the “question falls more into the portfolio of the VPX,” but that the question warrants a “student-centric approach.” 

Amah asked the candidates what each one would do that would be unique to CSJ. 

Raza responded by saying that he would work to raise awareness about the available virtual services and expand on them.

Noting the SU bylaws referencing accessible resources, West commented that “there’s always room for improvement,” and said the bilingual resources offered “have a bit of a gap right now.”

Pakhomova again said she would increase the number of professors and courses available, in collaboration with the VPA. She also has “the objective of making sure [CSJ] is more well-known.”

Khokhar referenced a past deal he made when he was VP (finance) of the ASA with Cardinal Care, stating “we would receive $40,000 over a battery period to distribute more in food to students who are facing food insecurity.” He believes with his “past associations and connections,” he can “broker a deal similar to that.”

Amah then asked the candidates what they would do to increase consultation between CSJ and North Campus students.

Referencing his idea for “coffee chats,” Raza noted he would intend to have consultations with students and Faculty Associations (FA) regularly. 

“I think coming down to this campus – probably once a month – and hearing your concerns directly is another thing that will ensure that I am hearing from you folks,” Raza said. 

West said that “in terms of consultations and advocacy, my unique approach is what I’ve called the people-first approach.” She added that the AUSFJ “knows what their student body wants,” and that she would “prefer to work together.”

Pakhomova stated that she’d like to organize office hours to hear from students and take their problems into account. She recognized, however, that “the vast majority of the time, students will not participate in office hours,” and proposed the idea of “regular online surveys to facilitate communication with students.”

Noting a difference in services across the campuses, Khokhar commented that “some have more services and some lack services.” He believes that an issue is a lack of interconnectedness, and “that’s something that students could address by working as part of a committee.”

Jillian Aisenstat, AUFSJ president, asked the VPSL candidates what initiatives they would take to better adjust both accessibility and language barriers that exist for CSJ students looking to access student services that already exist. 

Raza responded, saying that he would work with his executives, if elected, to ensure that “those resources are accessible.” He also commented that “Rubric should be accessible to you folks in both languages.”

West stated that “we need to be looking internally and addressing problems as they arise,” and emphasized the importance of the Peer Support Center (PSC) “having French-speaking students available.”

Pakhomova said that the career fairs are “only available to North Campus” and said it “could also be for CSJ.” 

Khokhar commented that the CSJ does not have a student newspaper and said that “it would be awesome if The Gateway had a French segment specifically for CSJ, which could connect both campuses.” 

An audience member asked all candidates that had mentioned bringing services and having office hours at CSJ where they planned to have those initiatives, as CSJ is a “small campus.”

Pakhomova chose to answer the question in English, saying that “office hours are [the] primary source of getting to know what students need here, and that’s one of my proposals.”

In closing statements, Raza thanked the audience for their attendance and said he believes that he “will be able to take care of your needs.” 

Khokhar said that his “approach will not be people-first but rather student-centric,” and that he plans to advocate for many topics and “support student engagement.”

West emphasized that “a vote for me is a vote for you” and said she is “not here to promise you the moon and stars,” but is “here to build us a way to get there.”

Pakhomova noted that CSJ is a minority community and emphasized the importance of listening to them. She also commented that “the SU can and has to do a better job of including CSJ.”

— Gabriella Menezes

BoG representative candidates aim for collaboration with CSJ Dean and AUFSJ, and improving accessibility to resources

In her opening statement, BoG representative candidate and current SU arts councillor, Angelina Raina, said she would advocate for CSJ students to have increased control over their academic options. Additionally, she’d work to “facilitate a better working relationship” between CSJ and North Campus, and address the “need” for renovated spaces.

Raina said the current BoG representative, Adrien Lam, has started working on meeting these needs, but the “work is not complete and more consultation needs to be done”. 

BoG representative candidate Karina Banerji highlighted the three points of her platform: accessibility, affordability and advocacy. She also said that CSJ students can voice their concerns in French to her.

She said that through her consultation efforts, concerns came up regarding accessibility of resources for CSJ, including 2SLGBTQ+ supports. She will aim to get resources in French for CSJ students.

“Getting resources automatically translated by built-in integrated resources isn’t sufficient. There’s going to be miscommunication, which is not an effective way of addressing our students.” 

Amah asked the candidates how their platforms will be beneficial to students at CSJ. 

Raina focused her points around collaboration with the AUFSJ and CSJ Dean Jason Carey. This collaboration would take place to ensure funding for renovating spaces and ensuring diversity and variety in CSJ programs. 

She also added that, if elected, she will be the connection between CSJ students and the BoG to create opportunities like “unique CSJ career fairs” and “job shadowing opportunities facilitated by AUFSJ.”

Banerji focused on the accessibility of resources for CSJ. She said she will go through current available resources and “make sure” to maintain and grow the opportunities available to CSJ students.

In their closing statements, Raina said she will hold the university accountable by “being more innovative in the relationship, building strategies and repair[ing] trust.” Banerji said she will make sure CSJ is not neglected by North Campus.

— Lale Fassone

Period Equity Initiative wants to expand on current supply of menstrual products

Aidan Ly, Club Periodically’s current vice-president, presented the Period Equity Initiative Referendum. The referendum is a $1 opt-outable fee for all undergraduate students across all three campuses. 

Ly said that the referendum will be used to expand their current baskets and dispensers which have free menstrual products like pads, tampons, and liners. 

According to Ly, last year, North Campus had around 20 baskets while CSJ distributed menstrual products in bulk . 

By passing the referendum, Ly hopes to expand their current supply of baskets and dispensers.

— Lale Fassone

SSCBA presents Redbull and Pepsi cans bought on CSJ campus

Bassam Dakhel presented the no-side Single Source Cold Beverage Agreement (SSCBA) plebiscite at the CSJ forum, holding a Redbull and a Pepsi can. 

Dakhel stated in his opening remarks that because of the SSCBA, Coca-Cola is granted a “monopoly” on all cold beverage options on U of A campuses.

Dakhel, who was holding a Redbull and a Pepsi, said he purchased the cans at CSJ. 

“I believe [purchasing these cans] demonstrates that it is not in the interest of the student groups and student businesses on campus to only be allowed to serve Coca-Cola products.” 

He then said that CSJ reflects Canadian culture through their French language and that students “should have the freedom to support other things Canadian.”

— Lale Fassone