VP (OpsFi) contenders ready to take on big budget issues

The Vice-President (Operations & Finance) is responsible for managing the SU’s $10 million budget. The VP (OpsFi) also oversees departmental operations, and works closely with the general manager and the President to manage the daily operations of the SU.

1. Give us an overview of your platform and your goals for the coming year as VP (OpsFi).

Cody Bondarchuk: My idea, instead of running on a standard three buzz word platform, I’ve decided to focus on accessibility for students. I want to look at exploring what is possible for everyone to access.

I’ve looked at things such as strengthening things between SU and students. Making sure it’s a two way conversation and making sure it’s a two-way conversation so people feel involved in decision-making.

Looking at a safe and inclusive space for students. Looking at affordable food options, because not everybody can afford to buy a lunch everyday. Student jobs, because a lot of jobs on campus aren’t offered to students when they very well could be.

Samer Sleiman: My goal and platform overview for the campaign is basically to generate more revenue for the SU and to diversify our revenue stream. I feel like we’re a little too attached to SUB – we only have Dewey’s that comes from outside – so we need to figure out some sources to generate revenue from outside this building, especially now that we’re going to have some budget cuts coming in this fiscal year.

2. Why are you running for this position?

Bondarchuk: A lot of students have said they aren’t happy with the services at Dewey’s or at RATT. I think the SU made a push to resolve those issues, they could have spent more time talking to students asking what they want. I would have liked to see the SU say, “this is what we’re planning to change regarding Dewey’s, and here’s the responses,” instead of spending money to implement a new policy that student’s aren’t happy with.

Sleiman: First, I’d like to say that Cory Hodgson is a very competent executive. He is definitely an amazing VP, but one thing that I would have done differently is that I would have thought a little more clearly before doing the Undergrind. I feel like you’re splitting your market share among two coffee shops in the same place, and that may hurt our business in the end.

3. What do you plan on doing with the North Power Plant building?

Bondarchuk: Currently, there’s a lot of talk about revitalization or restarting. It would be reckless to invest in such a large capital project so soon after the SUB renovations. I know a lot of people are calling for change regarding the rest of Dewey’s and what we can do for the rest of that building. I feel that the SU keeping a hold on it and being able to save it and making sure we do have a good stockpile of money before looking at it.

Sleiman: I think it’s really important to understand that the power plant is not fully owned by the SU. The SU has a share, called Dewey’s; the rest of the plant is probably going to be transformed into an alumni centre, and this is owned by the university together with the GSA.

I feel like Dewey’s should be a mirror image of what the building will look like, so my opinion is that this building has to be a lot more modern, because it is at the heart of campus, it has got a history, it had the first power generator for the south side of Edmonton; it was also the place where the first extraction from oil sands was made, therefore we must preserve a place like this but I think that it should be more modernized in order for the SU to be able to increase its revenue and make it a more appealing place for the students.