Website: voteomassi.com

This candidate is running for more than one position. Only their responses relevant to this position are posted here. Their other responses will be found in the relevant article for that position.

• Why are you running for your position?

I have been involved in many capacities in the AMS over the last two years, both as an AMS Councillor and Committee Chair, and as an Executive. Both sides have shown me how many opportunities the AMS has to positively impact the lives of students, as well as ability to forget about a number of marginalized and diverse populations of students. I am running for AMS President to ensure the AMS can work effectively internally, while ensuring that we are advocating for the student population in a strategic way, promoting community, wellbeing and governance throughout.

• What are the main goals you wish to accomplish during your term?

Community

1. Extending AMS support of athletics to ALL sports, promoting and attending all hype games and bringing #birdsforbirds to all students. We are all Thunderbirds after all.
2. Creating better support for student group connection, working with REC Engagement and the VP Students’ Office to have a university position designated to campus animation.
3. Reviewing the Nest to make sure that the programming is creating community for students.

Wellbeing

1. Creating a funding source for groups running wellbeing programming, and connecting groups that are running events and programming in this area.
2. Working as an advocate for large changes to academic policy, based on student needs and  practice, as well as to ensure that the university has wellbeing as a foundation for it’s strategic plan.
3. Ensuring that the more than 600 staff at the AMS, most of whom are students, are supported to be well.

Governance

1. Implementing important changes to the society based off of the governance review that we are currently conducting.
2. Bringing the businesses back to the students – making sure that you have a say in the way businesses are run and offerings.
3. Overhauling the funds that we have and the way they are distributed to make them better work for clubs and services.
4. Creating a strategic plan for advocacy, so that students know what to expect from their society when we are advocating on their behalf.

• How will you strive to consult with and represent the diversity of voices that make up the student body?

The past year, my office at the AMS worked on research on student engagement, as well as best practices surrounding consultation. Consultation is a process where stakeholders groups and individuals are brought into all levels of the decision-making process, which is what I aim to do in the coming  year surrounding all areas of the AMS and my role as President. I will ensure that there are many different ways of engaging with the AMS so that a diversity of voices and perspectives can be brought into major decisions.

• How will you strive in your position to improve the lives of UBC’s most marginalized students?

The most marginalized students at UBC are often forgotten in terms of all three realms of my platform – community, wellbeing, and governance. I will work to ensure that community and sense of belonging press beyond just those students already engaged, by working to engage commuter students, and diverse populations. Wellbeing will be a consideration made to ensure that more students are well and supported to be. The AMS’ governance, especially in terms of funds and businesses, should be more mindful of the diverse student population and marginalized students.

• How does your platform engage with anti-oppressive frameworks?

My platform and plan for the coming year are centred around considerations of the diversity of experiences of the student population, moving away from judgement and towards understanding difference. The focus on community, wellbeing, and better governance are framed in an understanding of the need to push against policies and practices that promote oppression both within and outside of the AMS.

• What is your position on the referendum question on referendums?

Though I recognize the problematic nature of allowing AMS Council to ultimately rule and change questions deemed illegal or leading, I will vote yes on this referendum question. The main issue that currently exists within the AMS in terms of dealing with referendum questions is that Student Court, the body that is supposed to edit and change referendum questions should Council defer them, has not been filled effectively for years. Ultimately, questions that are illegal cannot be carried out by the AMS and questions that are leading are very difficult to create policy for.

• How will you work with the on- and/or off- campus indigenous communities to make campus a better place?

As VP Academic & University Affairs this past year, I have worked extensively with the First Nations House of Learning, and with the Aboriginal Students’ Commissioner in my office, have worked to engage the Musqueam community in large AMS decisions. We have identified though that even with a Musqueam Communications Policy, the AMS has large steps to make still to build a strong relation with indigenous communities, and I will work as AMS President to create a stronger connection with indigenous student groups, the FNHL, the new Indian Residential School Dialogue Centre, and the Musqueam community.

• With what philosophy should the AMS run businesses?

AMS businesses act on a number of pillars set by the Advisory Board on Business Administration (ABBA), including environmental impact, student friendliness, financial contribution, and employee development. I believe that all four pillars should be applied and maintained equally. It is important for our businesses to provide financial contributions back to the society to ensure that services can continue to run effectively, but we should be ensuring that we are sustainable, student-facing, and good employers at the same time.

• How do you define accessible education? How will you strive to achieve this?

Accessible education is facilitated by a learning environment that is open to all, that is equitable, and for which barriers have been removed for marginalized populations. Accessible post-secondary education happens at an institution that actively works to ensure that curriculum does not create barriers for students and that socio-economic class does not affect an individual’s ability to access an educational institution. As AMS President, I will work with the Affordability & Accessibility policy to continue lobbying the government for needs-based grants, as well as against tuition increases at the university.

• How do you define accessibility to the AMS? How will you strive to achieve this?

Accessibility to the AMS involves barriers being removed for the diversity of the student population, ensuring that they can access services, programming, and opportunities offered by the AMS. I will work to ensure that businesses are more open to student feedback and needs, that AMS services are better promoted in the community and accessible, that programming offered by the AMS and auxiliary groups make equitable considerations, and that the AMS offers as many opportunities as possible for students at large to be involved and gain skills. I will also make myself personally available to all students through public office hours and an open door policy.

• Do you have anything else to add?

Having been involved in the AMS for the last two years, this is one of the most exciting years ahead with governance decisions and changes being made in the coming year. I am the most qualified to support these changes, and the most aware of my own biases and privilege to ensure that marginalized student populations and the diversity of the student body are considered in all large decisions going forward.

Website: http://www.voteava.com/

• Why are you running for your position?

I will bring students together by empowering communities. I have four and a half years worth of insight into the needs of students and student communities on campus from working directly alongside clubs, resource groups and constituencies informing my goals and ideas. The time I’ve spent getting to know the intricate details about the AMS and well as the experience I have as VP Admin means I speak the student language and am very approachable.

• What are the main goals you wish to accomplish during your term?

The main overarching goal I wish to accomplish is setting up a culture of direct consultation with students. I think that all students should be able to openly give feedback to and criticize the AMS so that we can keep improving the services we’re giving to our constituents. A number of other key areas of attention include the following:

o   Mental Health and Wellness advocating alongside student senators with the weight of the AMS for a Fall Reading break

o   Restructuring AMS events as a more supportive office and hiring an advocacy coordinator to support our Resource Groups

o   Bringing People Together by expanding Block Party to its former ACF glory days and donating the proceeds to charity

o   Long-term Sustainability for the AMS budget by focusing on engaging students through monthly updates and a robust fiscal plan

o   Bringing Back the Gallery and with it an AMS microbrewery so you can access everything you need, right in the heart of the Nest

• How will you strive to consult with and represent the diversity of voices that make up the student body?

Fixing our website and employing an in-person and online outreach campaign for student feedback, I hope that all students will be able to access means of communicating their complaints, issues and feedback to the AMS.

• How will you strive in your position to improve the lives of UBC’s most marginalized students?

There is never enough work to be done in this avenue of advocacy. By focusing on feedback from students and improving communications, I hope that the most marginalized students will have greater access to the support networks and resources available to them. In conjunction, I would work with the VP Administration to better support the AMS Resource Groups with the idea of hiring a resource group coordinator (only to help when needed and in complete respect of autonomy).

• How does your platform engage with anti-oppressive frameworks?

Hiring a Resource group’s coordinator who would work closely alongside our equity commissioner would allow the entirety of my platform to come to life with anti – oppressive frameworks in mind. A resource groups coordinator would bring to life any form of advocacy week that the resource groups may be interested in while also adding perspective to campaigns and projects throughout the year that the AMS as an informed perspective.

• How will you work with the on- and/or off- campus indigenous communities to make campus a better place?

I will work with the AMS Aboriginal commissioner as a first point of contact to research and identify the best ways to work with these communities on and off campus and take action through collaboration with the VP Admin for on campus and VP External for off campus communities to activate any identified projects.

• With what philosophy should the AMS run businesses?

For students by students. It’s as simple as that. Our businesses need to be operating at minimal overhead with the simple mission of providing affordable, healthy, and accessible meals to the student body while generating revenue to supplement the student fees that keep the AMS running.

• How do you define accessible education? How will you strive to achieve this?

Education that is inclusive of all those who would like to pursue it, breaking down barriers of socioeconomic class or individual restrictions. I will strive to achieve this by working closely with the VP Academic and External portfolios to set up a long-term advocacy plan accounting for the next federal and provincial elections.

• How do you define accessibility to the AMS? How will you strive to achieve this?

Accessibility can be defined in many ways. I will do my best to address my understanding of the different meanings of accessibility below.

• Access to AMS resources by the student body: One of the greatest barriers faced on UBC campus is the disconnect between the resources we have available and the lack of awareness amongst students that these resources are, in fact, available to them.
• Access to the AMS by students of a disadvantaged situation: It’s important for the AMS to consider barriers faced by students of minorities and victims of discrimination. No disability should be in the way of access to the AMS and empowering our resource groups would lead to better support for students facing systematic disadvantage.

• Do you have anything else to add?

I think it’s fantastic that over the past few years the Talon has come in with an independent voice to contrast traditional campus media. Good on ya folks!

• Why are you running for your position?

I am running for President of the AMS because I believe in the future. Some people feel helpless in what the future may bring but the future is ours to take and to mould. I believe detailed projections from all 41 departments with a 10, 20 and 50 year forecast can help us to be proactive in reaching this future. We can make these visions come true by what we do today.

• What are the main goals you wish to accomplish during your term?

We need a better fiscal policy. Two years ago we voted 77% to divest  $100 million in oil company shares but as of this moment nothing has been done about it. As the recent Paris Talks confirm, we are on the right track.  This money can be used in many more proactive ways than  in dirty oil shares. We could even invest in our own students with new and exciting ideas. With profit sharing arrangements we could build our endowment fund to a more substantial base. We could be helping to foster the next computer evolution, social evolution or cultural evolution.

I would ask each of the 41 department representatives on council to envision what their field will look like in 10, 20 and 50 years from now. This will give us a visionary framework to aid in the setting of policies and other important decisions. I would also like to create UBC TV.  This could broadcast all council meetings, sports events (like our recent, exciting Vanier Cup championship in men’s football) orchestra concerts at the Chan and shows from each department similar to Bill Nye The Science Guy. Additionally it would create a greater sense of community, allow students and faculty to keep up with various events, projects and people around the university.

• How will you strive in your position to improve the lives of UBC’s most marginalized students?

There should be no marginalized students at UBC. Professors are available for advice and one on one questions, teaching assistants as well.  Academic advisors and emotional support are also available.  There are over 370 clubs that you can join or volunteer at with others interested in the same subject. I think these are great suggestions for students who feel marginalised.

• How does your platform engage with anti-oppressive frameworks?

My whole campaign is anti-oppressive. I want to foster diversity in all of our endeavours. Also freedom is an important part of democracy. We need to believe in ourselves and work for a future we can be proud of.

• How do you define accessible education? How will you strive to achieve this?

Elementary and secondary education is not only free but also compulsory. I would like higher education to be available to all. How this is financed is up to all levels of government. The more educated a country’s population is the better it is for everyone.

• How do you define accessibility to the AMS? How will you strive to achieve this?

UBC TV would enable all students to view council meetings and post comments to all department representatives. The council would then be totally transparent. Hopefully interest in student politics would rise. The future is ours and this is how we plan to change it.

• Do you have anything else to add?

My business is different from the Harvard School of Business. I don’t think fiduciary duty is more important than moral duties.  The recent Paris Talks have acknowledged global warming and the need to curb our dependency on fossil fuels. I think we should be investing in our fellow students, not global oil companies.