Voting for the 2016-2017 Fall VUSAC elections opened last Wednesday, with candidates running for various positions on the council including Commuter Commissioner, Equity Commissioner, and eight Councillor positions. Voting concluded on September 28th, with the official results yet to be released. Each year, the council reserves two places among the Councillor positions for first-year students in the running.
Running for a position is public and upheld, as the Councillor position is daunting. The reservation of two seats for two first year students within the council is to encourage first year students to become involved with their student government from the beginning of their studies.
Fall elections occur instantly once the school year begins in order to keep the council in order. This immediateness does not allow for much time to campaign nor to familiarize oneself with the student body. First-year Victoria College student who’s also running for Councillor and VUSAC Councillor candidate Tyler Biswurm, spoke to The Strand on his perception of VUSAC and student government:
“Fall elections are two weeks after you get here, you don’t have a lot of chances to get to know everyone.” He further went on to describe the elections as a “learning experience no matter what,” due to first-year students “not knowing the community as well as we want to”.
Some of the responsibilities as a part of VUSAC, such as maintaining communication and balancing responsibilities, could be potentially more challenging for a first year student who has less experience at University. Biswurm cited his experience doing the rigorous IB program, and managing extra-curriculars and academics, as reasons why he felt capable of the position. This is echoed in the other first year’s running for positions on VUSAC. All candidates had encouraging things to say on expanding communication outside of the immediate VUSAC community.
Opportunities to engage in student politics in all years is important in fostering a diverse representation in student government. Though there are certain issues specific to first year students, the clear involvement of many first-year Vic students in VUSAC, levies, and clubs is a clear indication of the welcoming environment at Vic.
At the conclusion of the voting period, Alexa Breininger, Tyler Biswurm, Melinda Hector, Peter Huycke, Twincy Vyas and Miliene Xu were elected as Councillors on VUSAC. Yasmine Hassen was elected as Equity Commissioner, Isaac Khouzam as Commuter Commissioner and George Wilson to the Board of Regents. Alexa Breininger, Melinda Hector and George Wilson were, additionally, elected to the Victoria College Council. Notably, only seven of the eight Councillor positions were elected, along with three of ten positions open on the Victoria College Council (VCC).
