The Strand: What has inspired you to run for the position of VP Internal for VUSAC?
I have always wanted to help people, especially students. I really like the Vic environment and I feel like the VPI position is really good for that. Everyone in VUSAC is so dedicated and passionate about what they do, and they’ll do it with such a good heart. It’s inspiring when you see them doing such great things, and you’re like, “I want to be a part of that!” I want to do even greater things.
You’ve mentioned the Vic community; what do you think is something that you want to do to improve that good feeling you have about our community?
Something that is a bit of a problem in the community is this Vic bubble, and I think that we can sometimes seem a bit unattainable. I have a lot of friends who are outside of this Vic bubble who feel like it’s harder for them to reach out to the VUSAC community. I would like to make sure that it is a well-known fact that there is no such thing as a Vic bubble, and everyone is welcome in Vic, whether it is VCU members or others from outside who have more friends around Vic. It’s just really important that we pop this bubble and make sure that everyone feels included.
Would you say that you’ve had any experiences in the past that you think have led you to this position, or that make you suited to becoming the VPI?
Definitely. I mentioned that I was a Transition Mentor this year, and I think that this position really helped me discover other people who are passionate about equity and inclusivity. This whole team-building experience helped me when I was picking what I should run for on VUSAC; I thought that VPI was something that would be amazing. I’ve also applied to be a don, which is something that I’ve been really involved in. I think that there are some similarities in both positions, and I’ve tried to gain more and more skills related to don-ship that could also be really useful as the VPI.
Regarding the position of VPI, what are your aims and your platform if you do take up the role?
Regarding Ford’s Student Choice Initiative, I think that it’s going to impact VUSAC quite a bit. I’d like to work with the other executive positions—VPE, VPSO, and President—to make sure that VUSAC is as transparent as possible to VCU members, so that everyone knows where our fees go, and make that information easily available. I would also provide a platform for VCU members to contact the VPI anonymously; it’s their money and they should have a say in what we do.
It’s easy to have an unpleasant experience when in VUSAC or to feel excluded, and I think that having a way to communicate that really helps, or to help prevent it in the future. I would also want an [internal method] for elected members and staff members to contact the VPI anonymously. I want to ensure during the retreat that there’s a focus on team building which is kinder and more open-minded.
We’re here to provide services and help students. It would be a cruel irony for those people to feel like they’re not welcome in the first place. Having better communication, office openness, and training to open up to students is important. We need to insert the idea of more welcoming attitudes into our training.
I’d also like smoother printing for everyone. I would like to ensure that everyone during the retreat and elected members know how to use the printer correctly, and also the laptops, so that everyone has that training and that knowledge, and building an FAQ list by the desk so that students have some kind of answer to any questions that they might have.
This interview has been edited for clarity
