1. Why are you running for this position?
I am running for the position of Vice-President Internal because I have always been passionate about leadership, and have learned a whole lot about being a leader through my experiences as an undergraduate student. I want to be able to share that with everyone and impact the internal relations of our Student Council in a positive manner, by helping them as much as I possibly can throughout the year. I am also passionate about student advocacy, and being able to take part in executive decisions that work to benefit the student body (e.g., voting on new policies and regulations) is an initiative I have sought for years. It is only now, in my very last undergraduate year, that I have gained the confidence to put myself out there, so I intend to make the absolute most out of my experience and foster valuable and progressive change in our community.
2. What sets you apart from other candidates (that being, if you were not running uncontested)
I believe that my resilience, compassion, humbleness and determination are what set me apart from other candidates. I know the ups and downs of being an undergraduate student as I have experienced them at-first-hand, and such experiences allow me to thoroughly relate to people, whether they are at their best or at their lowest. I know how to make someone laugh when they’re crying, and I know that even a five-minute conversation with someone can do wonders to change their perspective about something. I’m also an extremely hard worker, and I put my all into any project or initiative I have set my mind on. Overall, I am confident in my own abilities and skills to deliver an awesome Vice-Presidency in the 2021/2022 year.
3. Please summarize the main points of your platform.
Point 1: Guiding VUSAC members when creating in-person programming by using in-person event planning experiences
Point 2: Supporting Council thoroughly and incorporating “drop-in” check-ins to the VPI Portfolio
Point 3: Creating accessible forums to collect and implement feedback.
4. How do you plan to ensure that the well-being of council and yourself are maintained throughout the school year?
The ongoing pandemic has been a very big change to adjust to throughout the past several months, and I do not doubt that Council will experience times where they feel burnt out or stressed. I am also a human being, and I will not count myself out of this possibility by saying that I’ll be okay every day. I think that recognizing this very notion is important when taking into consideration the amount of work that our student leaders put into every initiative. In order to support Council, I want to be available to every single member as much as I humanly possibly can be, and I want to foster a sense of community and kindness among us all by vouching for their mental wellness. This means promoting the idea of taking breaks from the work they are doing at VUSAC when they feel they need it, and setting viable boundaries for themselves. It also means being available to them to explore solutions to any obstacles they may face throughout the year.
5. What potential challenges do you see with taking on this role and how would you address them?
Stemming from my previous answer, I think that being able to promote a safe transition from online to in-person/hybrid learning may be an obstacle that I may face, as we find ourselves in a very uncertain and confusing time. That being said, the best way to address this potential hurdle is to keep myself accountable to Council in terms of any information I receive and my communication with them regarding any programming that is to take place. This also means that I will not be afraid to ask for help when need be, and will consult with as many contacts and resources as I can to ensure a smooth transition for all.
6. What will you do if you do not win?
I believe that a little bit of heartbreak is natural in such a case. However, I have learned over my five years at Victoria College, and the University of Toronto at large, that whatever is meant for me will be mine 😊. Therefore, if I do not win, I will celebrate myself and my initiatives anyway. This is my very first election, and being too hard on myself would go against my motto!
