The Strand: What made you decide to run for the position as the Scarlet and Gold Commissioner?
I’ve always wanted to get involved with VUSAC. At the start of the year I got involved as a Councillor found out about the different positions. As a councillor I worked under Communications, and Scarlet and Gold. I fell in love with the Scarlet and Gold portfolio. I feel like I could bring my ideas to the surface as the Commissioner. My sister recently got engaged and we’re planning the wedding. It made me realise how much I love what goes into event planning, I feel like I could bring something different to Scarlet and Gold.
What differences are you planning on bringing to Scarlet and Gold if you are elected?
Making events equitable, sustainable, accessible and affordable. For equity, I want the Highball and Winterfest committees to both have equity training under their belts, so everyone is respected and feels comfortable in their environment. For accessibility, having accessible venues for mobility devices and having a decompression zone. If anyone feels anxious, they can go and chill in a safe space to gather themselves. For affordability, many students cannot go to certain events because of financial barriers. I would try to apply for Student Projects funding, and if that didn’t work out, I would post a form online to ask what the VCU wants for Highball. I’d really listen to the VCU and see what I should cut down on budget-wise. For sustainability, I would work closely with the Sustainability Commissioner and the Co-Chair, trying to do everything in the most sustainable way.
You’ve mentioned on your Facebook page that you want to plan more low-key events for Vic’s introverted students, what exactly would that involve?
I was thinking of doing a few music listening parties. It kind of sounds a little weird, but music really helps people when they’re down, so I was thinking of doing maybe an 80’s throwback night, a 90’s night, pop, rap, whatever genre the VCU wants, and putting out a form asking what kinds of things people might want to get involved with.
You said just now that you started out as a Councillor—what experiences do you think you’ve had that make you suited to this position?
Starting off as a Councillor, I think that helped me grow as a person, I learnt so much about the Scarlet and Gold portfolio—what goes into Winterfest, Highball, the semi-formal, and the pub night. I also worked as a summer camp councillor, so I was in charge of a summer day camp for kids and had to work with staff. Managing people isn’t always the easiest thing but communicating with them and getting their ideas was kind of like having a committee. All of the skills I learned from the summer camp can go into that; communicating, letting people know that I’m always available to talk and hear their ideas.
You’ve also written about getting more feedback from students in Vic. What do you think about the role of Scarlet and Gold Commissioner within the Vic community?
I feel that the role of the Scarlet and Gold Commissioner is to throw events that really make people feel welcome. People will always remember a great Highball, or a great semi-formal—in ten years they won’t remember what was on their midterm, but they’ll remember a well-planned event. It’s very valuable to have these events to go into someone’s student life, events that make their Vic experience memorable, that make everyone feel comfortable and help to build a better community.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
