1. Why are you running for councillor?
I am running for councillor because I want to help organize and clean up the resources provided by Victoria College. Being a student in the largest university in Canada is overwhelming enough. So, I am here to ensure that we are not overlooking the small issues that prevent our Vic students from efficiently utilizing their time here. Although long term goals are super important, I feel that short term goals and immediate action on issues, like combating loneliness during the start of the school term, is just as important. I want Victoria students to see Victoria College as a service specifically designed and catered for them. No more confusion, no more intimidation, no more shuffling around prior engagements to attend meetings that only happen once, no more stress. What are Victoria College’s blind spots? How can we make sure our students do not feel intimidated by our services? What events should we provide more of, and which events should be marketed less? I want to find answers to these questions.
2. What sets you apart from other candidates?
Although most second-year students are technically stepping foot on campus for the first time just like our first-years are, I believe as a transfer student I can understand the perspectives of both upper-years and first years at Vic with greater clarity. I do believe upper years and first years struggle with different things in terms of academics and community involvement. Therefore, it is my duty to ensure that our services are catered to their specific needs, as well as those they share in common.
3. What commissions would you like to work on and why?
I would be delighted to work in all commission areas, but the ones I have my eye on are Commuter Commission, Mental Wellness Commission, Scarlet & Gold Commission, and Academic Commission. As a commuter, I would love to provide some ideas on how we can create a tight-knit community for commuters, and also how we can provide specific services for them on campus so that they don’t need to commute all the way back home to accomplish something. And, as a student myself I would love to see VUSAC provide more intimate resources for students who are struggling with mental health issues, such as greater access to mental health specialists, counsellors, and therapeutic activities. As for academics, it is crucial that we organize a system where we can provide the right opportunities for students right when they need it the most. One thing about me is that I am very passionate about cleaning and organizing resources, so that students are not overwhelmed with all the services Victoria College provides. They don’t need another thing to stress about. And of course, we all deserve to have fun at university, right? One of my goals is to organize events, so naturally I would be very excited to work on social events for our students to ensure they only remember the good times they had at Vic!
4. Do you have any personal ideas or projects that you would like to take up as a part of the VUSAC Council?
Yes, I have tons! One of them being the “campus handbook”, which will be a navigational tool for students around campus. I’m hoping this handbook will become a primary resource for students when they run into scenarios where they just don’t know where to go. Some specific suggestions I plan on including in the handbook are:
a. Places you can go in between your in-person classes and online class
b. Places you can go to attend your online class (specifying whether or not you can/cannot use your mic)
c. Places you can go to take a nap
d. Places you can go to eat and study
e. Etc.
This is just one idea out of the many I have!
5. What will you do if you do not win?
I’m going to keep chasing opportunity after opportunity after opportunity! Victoria College ALWAYS has something going on! There’s just so much potential at this school, and in this city in general, to chase after my goals and to create a better community for others. If I don’t win, I’ll just pick up my stuff and continue where I left off. And I’d be happy knowing that our Vic students chose the councillors they thought best addressed their issues! So if me not winning causes student life here at Vic to get better, how can I complain? I’m a student here too! There are no losers or winners, because everything works out in the end.
6. Give your personal review of the Northrop Frye McDonald’s.
Sorry if this makes me unrelatable, but I have not tried the Northrop Frye McDonald’s yet… please don’t let this affect my campaign image. I’m very sorry. All I can say is… review coming soon.
