Alastair Mackinnon, VP External–elect
Third-year student in honours political science, concentrating on Canadian politics with a minor in Canadian history
What are your top three priorities?
My top three priorities will be: responding to the provincial (and perhaps federal) election; continuing to work on the affordable housing lobbying front; and empowering the external commissioners to realize their initiatives.
What was the best/funniest/craziest memory of your election run?
The best memory that comes to mind was camping out on the stairs in Mac Hall (by the Den) for four hours along with the Gauntlet, NUTV and a couple of friends of the other candidates to stake out a prime banner-hanging location.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming provincial election?
Students need to recognize that voting once every four years is not enough on their part to ensure that student issues are addressed. Voting is not a licence to complain but the first step to holding the government accountable to student needs.
Pam Weatherbee, VP Academic–elect
Fifth-year zoology major with an honours in genetics
What are your top three priorities?
1. Making the Students Academic Assembly (SAA) more united and effective through increased training and more faculty focused goals.
2. Using the academic commissioners, SAA and our bookstore in lobbying efforts along with CRAM (Canadian Roundtable on Academic Materials) to reduce the cost of textbooks to students by dealing directly with publishing companies.
3. Improving communication with undergraduate students in regards to their academic rights and resources.
What was the best/funniest/craziest memory of your election run?
I was acclaimed, so I did not have to run in the election! So I would have to say my favourite moment was sleeping while everyone else was making late-night stops at Kinko’s.
Dalmy Baez, President-elect
Majoring in political science, with a minor in communications
What are your top three priorities?
1. Communication: I feel that the SU has initiated so many projects that greatly benefit students and yet so few students know about what the SU does, or even who the SU is.
2. Diversity: Our campus is composed of more than 20,000 undergraduate students with unique backgrounds, ideas, values and experiences, and therefore I believe the SU should be actively promoting student body diversity. I feel that this can be accomplished by developing a stronger relationship with clubs and other campus organizations.
3. Representation on all levels: I would like the SU to lobby on behalf of students at all levels, from the administration to the municipal, provincial and federal governments. I feel that we have demonstrated progress in our lobby efforts such as the creation of the affordable housing document this year, and I believe it will be up to the 66th SU to ensure that the governments follow through with the recommendations provided in this document.
Alex Judd, VP Operations and Finance–elect
Working on a BA in international relations with a minor in women’s studies
What are your top three priorities?
1. Student Space/Infrastructure: In the SU’s Student Survey, building maintenance and a lack of space (classrooms, study space and housing) were identified as major concerns. I plan to work with the external portfolio and the university to address short- and long-term solutions to the student space crisis.
2. Clubs: I want to take on a more active role with clubs including updating and streamlining club policies and procedures, and increasing communication with clubs.
3. Diversity: I plan to implement a diversity policy. The SU currently has no such document, which I consider essential for upholding the equality of student rights.
What was the best/funniest/craziest memory of your election run?
My favourite part of the campaign was joining in a Beatles sing-along at the Operations and Finance election forum with my fellow candidate.
Luke Valentine, VP Events–elect
Studying applied mathematics
What are your top three priorities?
My top three priorities are promotion, outreach and innovation. Promoting events through the E-Team, the V-Squad and e-mail lists, I’ll promote events creatively. Working with a diverse range of people on campus will help with outreach. And for innovation, making UofC10, Dino Days, Arts Fest and Sexual Awareness Week awesome are huge in my platform.
What was the best/funniest/craziest memory of your election run?
The best moment of my election run was the moment after the winner for my race was announced. I had to phone my Mum and let her know what had happened. I ended up crying with happiness, which made her cry, too. It was the most relieving moment ever!
What are your thoughts on the upcoming provincial election?
I think it’s imperative for all students across the province to show their voice and vote in this election because the results will definitely influence the future of post-secondary education.
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