SU Elections 2025: International Students’ Association forum

The third forum of the University of Alberta Students’ Union (SU) 2025 elections was hosted by the International Students’ Association (ISA) on February 27. The event was offered in-person and online.

Candidates were given 90 seconds each for opening statements. Each race was then asked a question by the vice-president (VP) (internal) of the ISA, Gurkeerat Kakar. Audience members were then given the chance to ask questions during open forum. The presidential candidates were given 90 seconds to respond to audience questions, while candidates from other races were given 60 seconds to respond.

Here is the TL;DR version of this forum:

• President: addressing safety concerns and student supports for international students
• Vice-president (external): promoting representation of international students, working with CASA
• Vice-president (operations and finance): affordability for international students, assist ISA funding, and evaluating the SUB Master Plan
• Vice-president (academic): candidates advocate for more research opportunities for international students, more international student resources, and more funding.
• Vice-president (student life): mental health supports, safety concerns
• Board of Governors Representative: accountability, community, culture, BoG representation
• Period Equity Initiative: opt-outable, workshops and informational packages in Telus
• Single Source Cold Beverage Agreement: culture on campus, consultation with international students

Presidential candidates discuss mental health supports, safety concerns, and community engagement for international students  

In presidential candidate Pedro Almeida’s opening statement, he said that SU executive candidates make a lot of big promises every year, and he has been “very disappointed with the lack of follow-through on those” promises. 

“Not seeing [those promises being made] and instead seeing a 10 per cent increase in tuition for international students this year is really disappointing,” Almeida said. 

He stated that the ISA has “always been a very welcoming space” where the SU has been “able to talk about [their] priorities and issues.” 

“I want to use that same level of communication to tackle real priorities for [the ISA],” Almeida said. 

Presidential candidate Ofure Eigbe began her opening statement by saying that she was the International Students’ Representative for the Augustana Students’ Association (ASA). She also said that she was part of the ISA as their Augustana representative. 

Eigbe said that she has seen what the ISA has done for their students in terms of assessing mental health issues, addressing cultural barriers, and discussing the increase in tuition fees. 

“I’m ready to look at [these issues] and collaborate with different faculties and associations to make sure that each student body is met,” she stated. 

Following Eigbe, presidential candidate Joseph Sesek said that he will freeze and lower SU fees this and next year. 

He stated that “in the past, international students have not been represented by the SU executives, even when they were international students themselves.” He added that past SU candidates “have not provided much more than token representation to international students.” 

Sesek stated that he will “aggressively bring international students to the table and advocate that one new voting counselor position be added on the student council.” 

Presidential candidate and Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU) President Sophie Martel stated that she is from Onion Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory, which is the same territorial land that the U of A is situated on. 

Martel said that “for many international students, campus is more than just a place to study, it’s home.” She stated that growing safety concerns makes adjusting to a new country, a new culture, and an entirely new academic system even harder. 

“International students contribute so much to this university, and yet, time and time again, you’re left out of the conversations that are let down by broken promises. It’s time for real action, because no student should feel unsafe or unheard in their own communities,” Martel said. 

Kakar asked the presidential candidates what one challenge that international students at the U of A face is, and how they plan to address it. 

Almeida began by stating that “safety has been such a huge priority for students across our campus.” He said that expanding ONEcard access, advocating for LRT safety, and implementing safety training for student leaders are all strategies that can be used to improve safety on campus. 

Eigbe followed Almeida, saying that, if elected, her main focus will be food insecurity. She noted that “international students are the major demographic of people that actually use the Campus Food Bank [(CFB)].” 

She also discussed getting donations for the CFB amidst the U of A’s plan to increase enrolment by 16,000 students by 2033. 

Sesek discussed the challenges that international students face living away from friends and family members. 

He said that “by the end of March, [he] will create a round table meeting/Zoom call for all international students to voice their concerns concerning orientation, mental health, safety, and all other issues they have.” 

He said that he would address these issues at a roundtable meeting in May and that he hopes that the SU can fix all of these issues for international students. 

Following Sesek, Martel stated that international students face many issues on campus, but one of those big issues is “outreach and engagement.” 

Martel said that the ISU faces similar issues, and that she empathizes with the ISA when they need to communicate events, advocacy, and safety concerns to students. 

“As elected representatives, it’s our responsibility to be able to connect all of you with your student groups, and it’s the SU’s responsibility to advocate with you to get there,” she said. 

Kakar asked presidential candidates how they will ensure that international students receive proper mental health support. 

Eigbe said that decolonizing is “important for international students.” She discussed a personal experience where she visited a school counselor and felt that the counselor did not know a lot about her or her culture. 

She said that, if elected, she will “work with [the] ISA to support events and workshops that decolonize mental health and well-being in its events.” 

Almeida followed Eigbe, stating that there are two ways to approach mental health — response and prevention. In terms of response, he said that executives receive training on how to respond to incidents in a “trauma-informed way.” He would look to make that training available to student group leaders.

In terms of prevention, Almeida mentioned that by “tackling the event approval process” or “looking at event grants approval … there’s a lot of ways that [executives] can make the SU less of a barrier to building community on campus.” 

Sesek said that he will focus on looking “at having many more mental health resources available through the Student Health Plan.” 

He stated that he wants “a diverse range of counselors to support this diverse group of individuals and their many stresses.” 

Martel began by saying that “mental health resources must be accessible, trauma-informed, and available in multiple languages to properly support international students.” 

She stated that she will “continue to push for increased funding for mental health services, ensuring that international students receive timely support.” 

“I will advocate for multilingual counseling options and strengthen the Peer Support Centre [(PSC)] programs that access unique challenges to international students that they face. Mental health care cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution, it must be tailored to the diverse needs of our international students community,” Martel said. 

Kakar asked presidential candidates how, with increasing incidents of theft and violence near campus and university transit, they plan to collaborate with university security and the provincial authorities to enhance student safety. 

Eigbe stated that student safety “wasn’t really an issue at Augustana,” but because North Campus is “big and open-ended,” she understands why safety is a concern. She said that “international students do not want to feel like they are being targeted for all of these crimes.” 

“That’s why I believe in not racially-profiling students based on who commits the crime,” she said. “I believe in working with the security and other faculties to always find out when it happens and in what kind of situations.” 

Almeida said that “when it comes to working towards safety on a provincial level and municipal level, [he thinks] that there is a big opportunity for students to collaborate with both university partners and community partners in moving forward together.” 

He mentioned gathering a coalition of campus partners to “discuss ways through which we can advocate together for policies that will make a difference to LRT safety across the U of A.” 

“I believe that there’s a large opportunity for the SU and other post-secondary institutions (PSI) in Edmonton to push for appropriate funding towards addressing safety as students travel on and off campus,” he said. 

Following Almeida, Sesek discussed implementing “running CCTV cameras on a 24-hour cycle with nearby security posts in crucial spots.” 

He said that he wants security “ready to respond at a moment’s notice because we want security to intervene as issues are arising.” 

Martel said that “the ISU has experience in collaboration with [the U of A Protective Services] (UAPS) through the implementation of the liaison” that the ISU has.

“This liaison has been really helpful in connecting us with updates and services without being retraumatizing to our experiences,” she said. 

“I think the SU can help bridge a relationship with the ISA and UAPS liaisons to further strengthen communication and awareness, and also to ensure that international student safety concerns are taken seriously and solved in ways that are effective and appropriate,” Martel stated. 

An audience member asked the presidential candidates how they plan to collaborate with International Student Services (ISS) and the ISA to enhance accessibility to their services, ensuring that international students are well informed about their rights and available campus resources. 

Almeida began by stating that the SU president “has a lot of opportunity within the BoG to have conversations around the management of different assets that the university has.” 

He also said that “there’s more that the SU can do within its operations and resources around social media, to platform the services and opportunities provided to international students.” 

Eigbe discussed how to target orientation towards international students. 

She said that she believes in “having a model on BearTracks or Canvas where students can access it on their phones or tablets so they don’t have to come up in person and learn more about resources that are available for international students.” 

Sesek emphasized that he does not have a lot of experience in student governance, but that he would “figure out all the concerns that [he] need[s] to know so that [he] could actually properly address problems.” 

Martel said that she recognizes that space “has become a really big issue,” especially with the expected enrolment increase in the coming years. 

“I think that when we take our campus solidarity approach and we work together with SRAs and the SU to be able to advocate for these better, bigger spaces that we all desperately need, I think that’s going to be really important,” she said. 

Martel also emphasized the importance of “making sure that … when [students] first get here, even if [they] do come in late, that these services are made prominent and aware and accessible to [students].”

— Peris Jones

VPX candidates discuss amplifying international students’ voices and working with CASA

In his opening statement, vice-president (external) (VPX) candidate Abdul Abbasi discussed his former role as an ISA council member and his intention to continue working with the ISA if re-elected. He also mentioned that the provincial government “[needs] to do more in terms of retention for international students.” 

VPX candidate Juan Munoz said that as an international student, he understands the struggles of international students. Munoz mentioned his goal to “advocate to the federal and the provincial government to give international students more opportunities to remain within the province.”

VPX candidate Nate Goetz mentioned that international students pay the highest tuition, often feel unsafe on transit, and are unheard by governments. He said that the SU needs to work with the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) and other Alberta university student associations to ensure international students have “proper representation.” 

Kakar asked the candidates to identify one challenge international students face at the U of A and state how they plan to address it.  

Abbasi discussed “the environment around international students.” He added that he plans to work with the media to amplify “what international students contribute to Canada and Alberta.” 

Munoz said that the biggest concern to him is a lack of opportunities for international students to stay in Alberta after they graduate. He said he aims to work with the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) to revisit the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). 

Goetz said that the biggest concern facing international students is safety, particularly on public transit. He discussed an incident in 2021 in which an international student was stabbed in an Edmonton LRT, and another in which an international student was harassed in a mall. He added that the SU needs to build a coalition with non-profits, businesses, and student alliances “that can advocate for more funding and security on the LRT in Edmonton.” 

Referring to increasing international student tuition fees, Kakar asked the candidates how they plan to address these concerns at the provincial and federal level. 

Abbasi said that over 70 per cent of Campus Food Bank (CFB) users are international students. He said that he wants to advocate for the renewal of the food security grant from the provincial Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services. 

Munoz said that, if elected, he would work with other student organizations to advocate for greater access to financial aid programs for international students. 

Goetz mentioned that there are restraints on advocacy in this regard, as international tuition is not regulated by the provincial government. He said that the SU needs to create a “broad coalition of support for international students” with U of A students and other Alberta universities. 

Kakar asked the candidates how they will convince the federal and provincial governments to retain international students in Alberta through immigration opportunities.

Abbasi said that he will focus on the renewal of the Student Work Placement Program and expanding work-integrated learning programs for international students. 

Goetz said that he intends to work with CASA “to prioritize international students in their journey to becoming Canadian citizens.” He added that international students need to “know about — and have easy access to — campusBRIDGE.” 

A student asked the candidates what other forms of support they are prepared to provide

“knowing that the government will never be able to support international students.”

Abbasi said that the promises being made to international students about grants and scholarships “are not realistic.” He reiterated his plans to advocate for a food security grant and a student housing strategy.

Goetz mentioned that the SU should focus on increasing the university’s operating grant and generating more funding for the ISA.

Munoz emphasized his focus on “fighting for indexing the provincial support” and advocating for the expansion of international student job opportunities. 

Christian Fotang, 2023–24 UASU president, asked the candidates what “actionable” steps they intend to pursue when advocating to policymakers about international student financial aid.  

Abbasi said he will continue his work with elected officials and CASA, “making sure we’re putting our energy into realistic stuff.”

Goetz emphasized that he would utilize the media to amplify international student perspectives. 

Munoz said that he is committed to fighting against “the lack of financial support the government is giving” to international students.

— Kathryn Johnson

VPOF candidates aim to address affordability for international students

In his opening statement, Levi Flaman, who is the current vice-president (operations and finance) (VPOF), recognized the “financial and logistical barriers [that] international students face.” He detailed how in his current term, he’s worked to provide discounts and services such as microwaves in the Students’ Union Building (SUB) and he wants to continue this work. 

Following Flaman, VPOF candidate and current SU arts councillor, Nathan Thiessen, discussed wanting to “[incorporate] all voices into the operations of the SU.” He noted the SU should have consultations with the ISA. Additionally, he mentioned getting the ISA an association membership fee to “[ensure] that international students have reliable and accessible ISA elections.”

In his opening statement, VPOF candidate Ryley Bazinet emphasized prioritizing affordability for students. 

“I’ll assure every dollar you pay to the SU actually benefits students, whether it’s through expanding campus resources, improving transparency, or making SU businesses work for you, not against you,” Bazinet said. 

Kakar asked all candidates how they plan to address challenges that international students face.

Flaman noted affordability for international students is a concern. He detailed how he “will continue pushing for more deals and discounts, both within SU businesses and off-campus.” Secondly, he explained how he “will explore new initiatives to improve food affordability on campus.”

Thiessen noted working with the ISA to get an association membership fee as a way to have a “stable source of income.” Additionally, he said that he would examine how SU businesses “can remain relevant, resilient, and accessible to students through affordability … [for] the needs of the growing student population [that’s] growing in size and diversity.”

Bazinet acknowledged the barriers that international students face. He said that he would implement an “SU mentorship program, connecting new international students with experienced peers.” As well, he emphasized collaboration with the ISA “to fund and expand networking events, cultural clubs, and inclusive campus activities.”

Kakar asked the VPOF candidates how they would streamline the logistical challenges that the ISA faces when organizing events and acquiring equipment.

Flaman proposed a “SU cargo van” that the ISA and other student groups could use, along with “SU-owned equipment and meeting spaces.” Secondly, he mentioned implementing an “online booking system” where student groups could see what equipment and spaces are available. 

Thiessen suggested a SU resource bank that can lend out equipment for student groups and Student Representative Associations (SRA). He also emphasized ensuring spaces are accessible such as conference rooms, the Dinwoodie Lounge, and the Myer Horowitz Theatre. Thiessen reinforced the concept of the ISA getting an association membership fee to fund their initiatives. 

Following Thiessen, Bazinet said he will “[create] a centralized SU equipment rental system” that will allow student groups to check availability for equipment. Additionally he said he will “push to reduce or waive rental fees” so that the ISA does not have to pay for events. 

The Gateway asked VPOF candidates how they would ensure affordability is a priority for international students. 

Flaman detailed how the VPOF has “limited influence on tuition and budget decisions.” He also said that his focus would be on non-student revenue and ensuring affordability in regards to SU businesses. 

In his response, Thiessen commented on ensuring SU businesses and services are affordable for students. He specified looking at “long-term [and] strategic planning” to ensure affordability. 

Bazinet said he would look at “expanding financial aid options and … making textbooks and course materials more affordable.”

Current UASU president Lisa Glock asked VPOF candidates what they would do with the SUB Master Plan to fit the growing diversities of the student population.

Flaman stated how he wants to split the plan into different phases in order to achieve a “long-term strategic vision” for more renovation projects. He cited the Sustainability & Capital Fund as a source of funding for these projects. 

Thiessen also spoke on requiring long-term vision, and that the services and spaces in SUB should “remain relevant to students.” He used the example of incorporating both larger spaces and “child-minding spaces.”

In his response, Bazinet suggested offering “more cultural options in the SUB food court.” Additionally he said how he wants to expand spiritual spaces “to make sure we keep up with the vast, diverse cultural identity.”

— Brooklyn Hollinger

UPDATE: This article was updated at 11:27 a.m. on February 27, to clarify Thiessen’s response to streamlining logistical challenges.

VPA candidates advocate for research opportunities and resources for international students

In his opening statement, VPA candidate Manyu Rathour said the ISA forum was long needed for representation. He then advocated for a reallocation of funds towards the ISA because “it makes no sense for international students to not be able to appreciate bigger orientations and better activities.” 

 Note: An ISA forum was held in the 2024 election.

VPA candidate Katie Tamsett said she wants to “strengthen academic orientation and to increase research opportunities.” Additionally, she mentioned restricting core class enrolment so students can enroll into classes they need for their degrees.

VPA candidate Aamir Mohamed said he wants to ensure international student orientation informs students  of resources like the tuition calculator. He wants to expand resources “to include course visualizers.”

Kakar asked the VPA candidates, “what is the one challenge international students face at the U of A, and how do you plan to address it?”

Rathour said one of the main issues international students face is the “advising that they face during the course selection of their first term.” To combat this, he said he will use  current VPA Layla Alhussainy’s initiative on advising. 

“The plan that was devised by [Alhussainy] is something that has faculty-led advising for each faculty being joined into one. I would take up the same process, but with international students.”

Tamsett said she would help create awareness of U of A academic systems that teach skills like “navigating policies, understanding how to go about an exam deferral,” and how deferrals impact grades.

According to Mohamed, he intends to ease the transition for international students by collaborating with student representative associations (SRA) to create mentorship programs so international students can advise each other. 

Kakar asked how the VPA candidates plan to help international students engage in research opportunities on campus.

Rathour acknowledged that “most students don’t look into research because they have to work part time to keep up with the growing fees and the increased cost-of-living in Canada.” His solution is for research opportunities to be viewed as “ a paid internship, at least for minimum wage.” He said this will help students by giving them experience for when their student visas expire. 

Tamsett said she had two promises to create further engagement. Firstly, “to collaborate with the Undergraduate Research Initiative [(URI)] to increase the number of opportunities that instructors put on campusBRIDGE.” Secondly, in collaboration with the URI and the ISA, Tamsett aims to create “an international research day specifically for international students, both to celebrate the work of international students that are currently doing research, and also to act as a connection between potential research students and supervisors.” 

Mohamed explained that he plans to make “low intensity research opportunities.” He also wants to enable “SRAs to collaborate and expand on those opportunities within their own faculties.” He then said that students will create these opportunities.  

Kakar asked the VPA candidates how they would ensure international students receive merit-based financial support through scholarships, bursaries, or other mechanisms.

Rathour said that entry level merit-based scholarships and financial supports do exist, but that it can often be “a trick or an illusion to get enrolment.” In response to this, Rathour said he would  combat this in two ways — working with executives to demand money from the federal government, and working with the Board of Governors (BoG) representative and BoG to advocate for more merit-based funding.

Tamsett said that she will advocate for transparency in criteria for scholarships. She will look to add leadership qualities and community involvement into criteria as well. 

Mohamed said he wants to create more student resources and promote resources students already have. To create more, he feels that working with SU and VPs can allow this. To attract scholars, Mohamed said he will create opportunities. 

An audience member asked how VPA candidates plan on “tackling the uncertainty international students face during registration” and enrollment when facing expiring student permits. 

Rathour said he wants to provide special advising to international students to teach them about course planning.  

Tamsett said since “not everyone makes it to orientation,” she would aim to have workshops available for students to schedule classes and plan for the future.

Mohamed said that he wants to make information accessible so that students can make their schedules without forgetting what their electives or cores are. He also wants to promote resources that already exist. 

— Liam Hodder

VPSL candidates discuss mental health supports and safety concerns

In his opening statement, vice-president (student life) (VPSL) candidate Saim Khokhar acknowledged rising tuition for international students. Khokhar said that his “portfolio will deal with mental health supports” as well as “de-stigmatizing the hate to certain individuals.” 

Following Khokhar, VPSL candidate Ramish Raza spoke on affordability and safety. Raza is also the current co-president of the International Students’ Association (ISA). 

“Affordability is such a big issue, so that’s the key point of my platform. Then, enhancing wellness support for you folks. Let that be mental health or sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)  resources,” Raza said. 

VPSL candidate Nikka Pakhomova reiterated that she believes that “Week of Welcome [(WoW] should not be the sole social highlight of one’s university experience.” She also commented on international tuition costs, saying that as an international student herself she understands “having to pay five or more times the amount that domestic students pay.”

Following Pakhomova, VPSL candidate Logan West spoke about her experiences as an international student in California. She commented that while abroad, she “did deal with food insecurity,” and “had to use the campus food bank,” as well as deal with issues of SGBV

“I’m not here to pretend I know exactly what the international students’ experience is like, but I’m here to say that I empathize and I stand with you,” West said. 

Kakar asked all candidates what they believe is an issue international students face and how they plan to address it. 

Khokhar responded by saying he feels that “international students face more than just one issue.” He stated that he wants to support the Peer Support Center (PSC) and provide mental health support through the center. 

Following Khokhar, Raza stated that his top priority was affordability and that he plans to work with the CFB to help alleviate food insecurity. He added that he would also plan to ensure that the CFB had the resources necessary to meet the needs of students. 

Pakhomova expressed her aim to create “workshops about safety, to actually raise awareness about safe places to go.” She added that she’d like to address mental health support and academic stress as well. 

In West’s response, she emphasized SGBV and the importance of taking a “trauma-informed approach.”

“I would also like to ensure that we have affordable sexual health products available to students to address the affordability crisis,” West said. 

Kakar asked the VPSL candidates what initiatives they would take to improve safety and security for international students, as international students often face safety concerns on and off campus, including discrimination, crime, and harassment.

Khokhar stated that having “emergency call boxes, and ONEcard access points is great,” but feels that in order to “deal with the situation, you need to find the root of the cause as to why [there is] an increase in hatred and criminal hatred and such related crimes towards international students.”

Raza responded by saying “my priority would definitely be to give ONEcard access to more buildings.” Additionally, he stated that he would want to do consultations with the ISA, and the Campus Safety and Security Committee. 

“I’ll also advocate for improvement in response time, and also push for culture-sensitive training for our campus protective services workers in order to make sure that they are able to communicate with students who come from [different] cultures,” Raza said. 

Following Raza, Pakhomova said that “safety concerns have always been really important,” and that she wants to “implement CCTV cameras all across campus.” She also said that “allowing ONEcard access, since a lot of students constantly are on campus, leave here, and study until late hours,” is important. 

West said that she was focused on “advocacy for better lighting on dark pathways, emergency call boxes in key areas, as well as improving our ONEcard access program.” She also stated that “collaborating with the ISA to ensure that we have comprehensive resource lists distributed to students.”

Kakar asked the candidates how they plan to advocate for more affordable housing options on and off campus, considering that housing insecurity is a significant issue due to increasing rent, especially in university residences. 

Khokhar stated that the matter of the “housing crisis” would fall more under the portfolio of VPX but stated that he believed VPSL would have “jurisdiction regarding all campus housing.” He stated that he believes in a program for students in residence to allow them to get money back if they face issues in their residence. 

“I believe that if you have some issues of infestation or poor renovation, you should get your money back because it would force the institution to take more of an action towards improvement,” Khokhar said. 

Raza responded by saying that VPSL “has more of a role to play on-campus housing,” and that the recent adoption of the “rent regulation policy” has “made our on-campus residences unaffordable.” He stated that his priority would be to “collaborate with our Council of Residence Associations and the SRA like ISA to fight against that.”

Pakhomova replied, “I believe as VPSL, we could give students more information on where to go for housing to be more accessible.” She also noted that she would like to implement more programs like the Community Life Fund, which she describes as “a grant for students living in residence who are interested in organizing programming for the greater residence community.”

Following Pakhomova, West replied by saying that she “cannot promise you lower housing, but I can promise you to advocate for it.” She stated that she would work to advocate with the VPX on the issue and to “advocate to increase funding and fundraising for programs like the campus food bank.”

— Gabriella Menezes

BoG representative candidates highlight the need for accountability and community with international students

BoG Representative candidate Angelina Raina said she will advocate for regulation around multiple points in her opening statement. This included tuition increases, increasing installments for international students to pay their fees, maintaining momentum of conversations with President and Vice-chancellor Bill Flanagan and university administration, and developing a sustainable CFB policy. 

Following Raina, Karina Banerji opened with how international students can’t financially plan for tuition increases and how she will advocate for a clear route towards expectations with fees. She also mentioned how mental health supports and peer supports are “not always culturally relevant or sensitive to international students.”

Kakar asked what one challenge international students face at the U of A is and how candidates plan to address it. 

Raina said she will hold the university and BoG accountable, specifically to make life more affordable and safe for international students. She said she will install clear channels of communication between the SU, students, and the university.

“There’s no culture on campus if students don’t feel safe. Racism and discrimination is at the heart of many of the safety issues international students face on campus.”

Banerji focused on the community aspect and the cultural representation for international students. She said she would integrate, create, and consolidate resources for international students to access. 

The Gateway asked the candidates how they will continue conversations about the work visa caps and advocate for assistance for international students to afford their living costs.

Raina said she would work as the policy liaison between SU, administration, and BoG to see how to work with the federal government and the elected VPX.

Banerji said she will elevate social media to engage with the community and have students be able to voice concerns, while also making sure to “bring back everything that’s happening” to the students.

“[I will] be really open and transparent about everything that is going on, regarding the policies, [and] the work visas,” she said. 

An audience member asked the candidates how they will push undergraduate student initiatives considering the minimal undergraduate representation on BoG.

Raina reframed the question and said that the BoG representative is supported by the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) representation which “tends to” support the undergraduates. She said BoG is about “high level decision making” which ensures the university continues as an institution.

Banerji highlighted the multiple boards and committees that the BoG representative sits on where they can “amplify and work on smaller settings before bringing that up to a larger scale.”

— Lale Fassone

Period Equity Initiative highlights referendum being opt-outable

Tracy Cui, president of Club Periodically, presented the Period Equity Initiative referendum at the ISA forum. She placed a focus on the $1 fee being opt-outable to all undergraduate students.

The fee would go toward purchasing pads, tampons, and liners to fill baskets and dispensers across campus. She acknowledged that an additional fee is not something international students want. 

“It was really important to us that we make this an opt-outable fee, and to ensure that only students who wish to pay the fee and are able to, [are] the ones that do so,” Cui said. 

Cui said the Club Periodically is willing to provide informational packages or workshops in the Telus Centre to make the opt-out mechanisms “extremely” clear.

— Lale Fassone

SSCBA no-side has consulted with international students  

Bassam Dakhel presented the Single Source Cold Beverage Agreement (SSCBA) at the ISA forum. He said that he has consulted with international students and culture groups on campus to identify how international students are affected by the agreement. 

The SSCBA, according to Dakhel “mandates that only Coca-Cola can [be] serve[d] and sponsor as a cold beverage company on campus.” 

Dakhel explained that international students, like those from the Gulf region and India, have specific drinks from their home country but can’t access them on campus.

“Cultural clubs have told me that they feel super restricted in being able to serve their cultures on campus, [and] their primary existence on campus is to make students feel at home,” he added.

— Lale Fassone