The Strand: What drew you to run for Scarlet and Gold Commissioner?
I have been on Highball committee for two years now, where I saw the behind-the scenes situation and what goes into making such a successful event. I’ve loved every moment, but I had some things I wanted to see implemented and changed. For example, committee members currently do not have alcohol training, and equity training was only introduced this year. I’ve been floor president at Margaret Addision, I’ve helped organize a benefit concert, I was in charge of yearbook back in high school, and I’ve helped organize a big fundraiser for kids for Christmas. I really wanted to get more involved as a commissioner. I love Scarlet and Gold events and Vic so much.
What event, initiative or new ideas are you most excited to implement if you were to be elected?
Aside from alcohol training, I want to create events that bring people together. More so events because of the budget. I want to put on more affordable but fun activities such as karaoke or ice skating don’t cost much. With the back to school pub night, I want to implement more activities that would get students to meet other students and mingle. I want to create a comfortable environment for making new ones.
How do you view the portfolio contributing to the Victoria College community?
I want to make sure our events are welcoming and comfortable to all Vic students. Everybody should feel like they are able to come and there are no barriers. Especially with the funding cuts coming up, I want to ensure we are still putting out amazing experiences. From personal experience, I know these are some of the best memories’ students make during their time at Vic. I want to make sure I make someone’s day better.
What are some current gaps or challenges faced by the commission that you would like to address?
I would work on improving equity training and awareness. You don’t know how you could be unintentionally hurting someone, and I was made so much more mindful of that. I also want to address sustainability a bit more, especially by working with the sustainability commission on how to plan more sustainable events. There is value in working with other commissions in terms of building events that incorporate so many other voices and opinions. I want to do more than just the typical Scarlet and Gold events, such as doing more volunteering initiatives during Winterfest.
You mentioned alcohol training earlier. What do you envision this training to look like?
Training would be led by a qualified instructor. Alcohol training entails making sure that student committee members know how to directly safely and comfortably handle a situation when somebody is intoxicated, including If an intoxicated person needs medical attention or is doing something out of place. I want to make events safer.
In your platform, you also mentioned reducing barriers to event participation. What are some major barriers, and how do you plan on reducing them?
The first barrier is financial. Highball tickets aren’t cheap, but I want to make sure the ticket price isn’t in the way of people coming. Formal wear is also expensive. I want to continue and build upon initiative of the affordable formal wear sale, so students don’t have to break their bank accounts just to come to an event.
Commuter accessibility is also something I want to address. I would ensure all Scarlet and Gold events start at reasonable time and are TTC accessible. It is much safer if commuters don’t have to commute home so late at night.
I would make sure there is enough space at event venues and that anybody with physical barriers can navigate the space fluidly. I don’t want anybody to feel like they don’t belong. Everybody should feel like they can have a fantastic time at an event.
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