There are 11 director-at-large positions available on the UVSS Board of Directors. They are volunteer positions. Directors-at-large are responsible for aiding executive directors, scrutinizing executive director activities, as well as coordinating and implementing all levels of campaigns concerning education defense. In addition, they must participate in at least two committees of the student society. Below are questionnaires filled out by each of the 15 director-at-large candidates.
Eric Cameron—Link UVic (not submitted)
Brigitte Cheong—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
Political Science
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
I am currently a member of the UVic Young Liberals of Canada serving as a Director-at-Large.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I want to represent my fellow undergraduates, who want the sense of community across the campus.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
I want to further support lobbying the B.C. Government and create a grants program, and as well work with B.C. Transit and the Victoria Regional Transit System to come up with a solution that will end transit pass-ups.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
I want to run for director-at-large because I believe that students should get involved with the campus community. Whether it is joining a campus club or joining a sports team, I want to do my part by representing the UVic undergraduate student body and lead the change.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I believe that I am the best candidate with my hard work, dedication, and the great ideas I have that I can bring to the UVSS board.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
If I could change one thing on campus, I would start lobbying the B.C. provincial government to have a grants program for students who cannot afford their post secondary education. After all, education is the foundation that will help us succeed in the future.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
I will make sure that the undergraduate body feel well informed about the issues that goes around campus because after all, it will have an affect on the student body.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
To me, I can’t put a number of hours per week I will work if I was elected for this position because I want to do as much as I can to make students feel confident about the UVSS. However, I am committed to serve my fellow students as much as possible.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
If I could be any animal, I would be a parrot because I am very outgoing and social butterfly.
Jamie Cook—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
I’m a third-year Honours Political Science, and Economics student.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
Currently, I’m an executive with the Undergraduates of Political Science and the Editor-in-Chief of its official journal, On Politics. I’m also an executive of the UVic Young Liberals of Canada. Other clubs I’ve been a member of include the Triathlon, Cycling, and Model United Nations Club as well as the UVic Debate Society.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I want to ensure the UVSS works on behalf of students. This means a number of things: that the Society’s resources are used in a sensible manner toward efforts that positively impact students, and that the UVSS remains committed to transparency, and listening to the concerns and demands of all students. Myself, and other members of the Vision UVic team, have pledged to reduce the salaries of executives and put on-going legal cases to rest in order to free up resources for things that benefit students, like events, grants, and advocacy. Students should be proud of UVic and the UVSS, and I feel this will be a step in the right direction.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
The Make Transit Work campaign is an important one that must be continued by the UVSS. It’s common knowledge that students are extremely dependent on public transit here at UVic. It’s up to the UVSS to maintain a constructive dialogue with relevant stakeholders about how to improve transit services to the betterment of all, students especially. I also think the recently approved divestment campaign is a worthy cause, though I would have rather seen it put to a referendum than decided upon entirely by the board of directors. I’m also open to furthering and supporting all campaigns that students find important and which directly affect us.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
Having been at UVic for the past three years, I’ve become increasingly fond of the community here and feel that I can best serve the student population as a member of the UVSS executive. I was also disappointed in a number of decisions this year’s Board of Directors made and vowed that I would try and do better. I feel the Vision team and I have the passion, and energy.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I’ve been at UVic for a number of years so I know how the UVSS operates very well. I’ve also been very active in the student community and understand the views and concerns many students have on a number of issues. The other members of Vision UVic and I bring a fresh perspective to the UVSS, and have a number of exciting ideas that will change the UVSS for the better.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
Make the line-ups at Biblio after classes much shorter.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
One of the main complaints I’ve heard from students is a sense of isolation from the UVSS. A series of unkept promises and poor choices from the current board has left students frustrated, and has resulted in them losing faith in the UVSS. Over-budget SUB renovations, resources being spent on unnecessary and preventable legal cases, poor events, and a lack of transparency are all issues that I feel need to be addressed and that I pledge to change.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
As many as are necessary. Director-at-large may be an unpaid, volunteer position but I would devote as much time and effort to it as possible because that’s what students expect from their board.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
Chuck Norris.
Jordan Crocker—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
I study History, and Political Science at UVic.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
I’m the first-year representative with the Undergraduates of Political Science board, a director-at-large on the History Undergraduate Society board, the Ring Road Neighbourhood Representative on the Global Citizenship Leadership Council, a member of the Residence Dining Council, a member of the Model United Nations Club, and a member of the Pre-Law Club.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I want to repair the UVSS relations with the academic boards at the university, lower executive pay, expand the food bank, and establish a soup kitchen on campus, stop transit pass-ups, lower the amount of legal cases brought to the UVSS, and to allow for REScards to be able to be used in the Student Union Building.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
I want to continue to support the University of Victoria’s environmental societies, and ensure that UVic remains a green campus. Also, I want to further the campaign against transit pass-ups and to further support the food bank’s initiatives.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
I wanted to run in order to heal the relations between the UVSS and the course unions. As a board member on two of these unions, there has been hostility toward the UVSS and their policies and I wanted to change that. Also, I wanted to run so that I may have a say in how much I pay to the university and to argue against the raising of tuition or cutting of scholarships, as that is how I remain a student of UVic.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
My previous experience in the administration of other boards at UVic is one way in which I am the best candidate for the position of director-at-large on the UVSS Board of Directors. I also help coordinate events with the Global Citizenship Leadership Council to increase awareness of societal issues; I think that will also help me in my vision to expand our food bank on campus. Finally, I also understand various points of view and would be willing to listen to suggestions that are made about ways to improve the UVSS; my experience here mainly comes from the Model United Nations Club, which forces students to consider what others believe.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
The relationship between the course unions and the UVSS. UVic is a fantastic school, but building more trust between these organizations would make UVic even better.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
I would ensure that the UVSS is more willing to listen to the concerns of individuals and course unions, and try to make the UVSS more proactive in their approach to students’ needs and concerns.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
As many hours that is required in order for me to achieve my goals that I am campaigning on.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
A Great Horned Owl. It is a wise and fascinating bird that I think best represents my academic nature.
Annie Do—Link UVic
What are your areas of study?
I am majoring in combined biology-psychology with a minor in Philosophy.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
I was deeply involved with Free the Children and Rotaract when I was in high school. Currently I am Vice President for UVic’s Circle Kiwanis International club, one of the largest service organizations in the world, and most recently I was elected as the Lt. Governor for the Division of Peace Arch.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I want to pass a bylaw that makes all UVSS organized events zero waste, lower student parking fees, and create networking opportunities that provide students with resources to help further their academic careers.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
I firmly believe that higher education should be accessible to everyone. Lobbying the government for affordable education is something that I am ready to commit to. I wholeheartedly support the campaign for needs-based grants.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
My first year at UVic made me realize that this university has a lot to offer to its students. However, the tools don’t always get to the recipients. I want to change that by maximizing the efficiency of the student society. I want to bring what you deserve and need directly to you, because as a student with passion and an accumulating debt, I understand you.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I’ve always been an activist with a firm sense of justice. I’ve experience dealing with politics at the municipal level, and have run several humanitarian clubs through the years. I have the experience necessary to deal with people, social structure, and delegation.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
If I could change one thing, it would be the amount of awareness that our students have in regards to university-related issues. This campus would be throbbing with livelihood if people knew what was going on. I want to publicly announce what UVSS stands for and make it clear to students about the different jobs we do. Clear communication and transparency between the student society and our students is of the utmost importance to me.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
I would create an open dialogue and discussion opportunity to encourage the thoughts and voices from our students, boards, and advocacy groups.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
I would put in a total of 20 hours a week if elected, like any part-time job or volunteer position.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
I would be a cat. Not only are they adorable, they can sleep and eat all they want and still look cute.
Karthik Gopalakrishnan—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
I am currently in my third year of Biochemistry at the University of Victoria. But I want to specialize in human sciences and work toward the welfare of people around the world.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
I am a EPHE 141 (Human anatomy) teaching assistant, a renal dialysis volunteer at Royal Jubilee Hospital, a patient support volunteer at Brain injury services, a first aid medic at St. John Ambulance, and I am a biochemist for a biomedical engineering team that is looking to provide paramedics with devices that can take vital data from a patient as fast as possible.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I would want to reduce transit pass-ups, create more awareness for the mental health program at UVic, expand the food bank, and perhaps even lobby for a place to eat in the library. I would also like to increase funding on student-based projects by lowering executive pay.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
Mental health program awareness and food bank awareness are some of the campaigns I would love to support.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
Four words. The want for change.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I have good interpersonal skills and I am able to efficiently, and effectively plan and execute programs that will be beneficial to the students of UVic. I am passionate and am able to understand the needs of students and thereby implement plans to improve those needs.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
I will definitely try to avoid smokers in front of the library.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
Spend money where it is really supposed to be spent and reduce wasteful spending. I would also like to make smarter decisions financially.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
I would work as much as I am required to.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
I would be an elephant because they are humble, strong, and can provide shelter to other animals if needed, haha.
Valery Heckel—Link UVic
What are your areas of study?
I’m in the Financial Math and Economics program, and am also pursuing a minor in Computer Science. However, when elective credits permit, I also dabble in History and Language courses!
What clubs and organizations do you affiliate with?
I’m currently involved with the Co-op and Career Department as an Ambassador, the International Commons as a Mentor, and on Monday nights I play soccer with the best intramural team at UVic (or so we like to say)!
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I have three overarching missions which encompass all of my smaller and more specific goals. First, I strongly believe that university is a place for students to, first, develop on multiple levels (academic, emotional, inter-personal) and second, realize their potential. I want to ensure each student has the awareness and necessary resources to create a successful academic career for themselves while at UVic. Second, I believe there is room for improvement in the amount of school spirit. Working closely with the events committee, I would ensure an increase in the affordability and the number of events, so that we all have good memories to look back on once we leave UVic. Finally, one of UVic’s strengths is the community’s commitment to sustainability. I would lobby to continue this reputation, and further it by pursuing more local menu and operational items in on-campus businesses.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
My goals with the UVSS definitely align with both the UVSS’s sustainability campaign and its post-secondary affordability campaign.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
I’ve had an amazing time so far at UVic, and my hope is to return the favour by fighting for the student community’s best interests.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I have organizational, fundraising and leadership experiences from various past groups, which makes me an excellent and proactive candidate for the tasks demanded of a director-at-large. I also am passionate about issues related to student welfare, and student life, which makes me an excellent contender to fight for student interests.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
Without a doubt, I would bring back the bunnies. Since that is not an option unfortunately, I’d have to say increasing school spirit by creating more frequent, affordable, and promoted events.
What would you do differently from this year”s board of directors?
Although I think last year’s board has done an admirable job, there are two main things I would change. First, I would focus on promoting resources offered by the UVSS more staunchly, so that students are more aware of the services it provides and can use it to enhance their university life. Secondly, I would also pursue an increase in director and executive accountability, which would allow students and clubs alike to have a more direct and effective connection to vital information and resources.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
I’m more than prepared to commit between five and 10 hours per week in this position.
If you could be any animal, what would it be?
I would definitely be some type of marine animal, because the ocean is undeniably cool (no pun intended). With that said, I would most likely be a whale, since they have the added characteristic of spending their time between Hawaii and the North American west coast.
Jade Hoang—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
As of now, General Sciences, but in second year I plan on going into Biochemistry and Microbiology.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
I am in the Pre-Medical Club and just beginning with UVSS.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
If elected, I would like to work with other universities, UVic, groups on campus, and B.C. Hydro to start a Lights Out campaign to talk with experts about environmental long-term strategies for the campus to run on renewable resources. I would also like to make REScards usable at the SUB and increase funding through lowering executive pay to have more funds for multicultural events.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
I wish to further the food bank here at UVic for students who run out of food on their REScard and continue the campaign against transit pass-ups.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
I originally wanted to run for director-at-large to get involved in the UVic community. Since that short time, I have realized I now want to run for director-at-large to unify the university as a whole, change the lives for future first-year students at UVic, publicize events more, and make the student life an even more enjoyable experience.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I am currently a first year and have a lot of input on how my first year has been due to the current UVSS board. I want to see and make changes to what is not working and better advance what has been working. I work hard at what I want to see changed, and I want to see future first-year students have a better first year than I did. I want change for the better of the student society.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
I would want to the see the students of UVic act more as a whole.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
Some things I would do differently are publicize events more, try to make a various amount of events for a variety of people, and make more of an impact on the first-year student life.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
I will work at least 15 hours a week to see change, put insight, and improve student life.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
If I were an animal I would be a lion, because I am a natural leader and like to take charge of my life.
Moiz Karim—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
Political Science
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
– Undergrads of political science
– Cineplex
– Mosaic sales solutions
– I am not in a club for film making, but it is an avid passion of mine
– Free the children and WE Day
– The B.C. cancer society and the Undie run
– Blue Lotus Events
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
– Create innovation grants for students with innovative ideas to improve campus by lowering UVic student exec fees
– Making the UVSS more transparent so UVic students know where their money is going
– Lobbying the government to create more student grants for B.C. students
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
– Transit pass-ups are a huge issue, and finding new and innovative ways to avoid people getting passed up by busses during rush hours is a campaign that will have my support going forward.
– The campaign to increase grants and subsidize post-secondary fees will also have my ongoing support.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
Looking back at the last year, the UVSS was filled with disappointments and promises that never surfaced. This motivated me to take an active leadership role in student politics and be a driving force in creating much-needed change in the UVSS.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I am hardworking, dedicated, and driven when it comes to things that I’m passionate about. The ability to change and rejuvenate the lost relationship between students and their representatives is something I’m very passionate about and am willing to spend countless hours in making happen. My ability to connect with people allows me to be approachable to other UVic students and address their concerns, thereby re-establishing that lost bond between student government representatives and students. It gives me and the UVSS the ability to concentrate on issues that UVic students are most passionate about.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
To me, the UVSS comes off as carrying a bias toward many controversial issues. If I could change one thing, it would be to establish the UVSS as a mediator and come up with solutions that would benefit all people and groups instead of one, because, as a Canadian who is also a minority, I hold the ability to carry the freedom of speech very near to me.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
I would plan better events where times and dates don’t conflict with student academics. I would create an online forum where students can tell us ideas they have to better the UVSS. I would focus on campaigns and issues that concern students. I would create an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance on campus. I would draft guidelines all advocacy groups would have to follow to avoid harassment and freedom of speech issues. I would make student government more responsible and create an atmosphere where rational decisions can take place, instead of ones made abruptly and rashly.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
As many hours as needed to get the job done.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
I would be a lion.
Dakota Mellin—Link UVic
What are your areas of study?
Elementary Education, and Teaching, with the intention of furthering my studies to become a Student Counsellor.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
I am a director of the Education Student Association, the Secretary – Treasurer for the University of Victoria Unicycle Club, an active volunteer with the Vancouver Island Health Authority, and an active volunteer for Victoria SPCA.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I would like to get more students involved in the UVSS by making our society better known to our students as well as create more opportunities to volunteer and get involved around campus. I also want our students to know and have better access to the resources the UVSS provides. Working alongside the executives would be great to create more affordable post-secondary, housing, and transportation. I also have volunteered a lot with events in the past, and I want to help out with those and work on a more effective way of marketing these events by doing smaller events with different clubs and advocacy groups that lead up to and build up hype for the bigger events the UVSS holds.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
I’m really passionate about working toward more affordable housing, transit, and education for our students. I also want to help continue the campaign against sexualized violence.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
I volunteered a lot with the UVSS with the food bank and various events. I really liked being involved with the campus and I want the chance to make changes to better the campus and connect students with people and opportunities they are passionate about, as well. I believe that university is not just limited to the academic aspect of it, but the whole university experience, and I want to be a part of as many experiences as I can.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I’m passionate and really involved with our campus already. I also have lots of experience through the different clubs and organizations that I am part of. I think I can help make a great contribution to improve the university experience for all students, and I am willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
I want to create more opportunities for students to volunteer and get involved with the campus through the UVSS. So, I want to make sure that students know and understand who the UVSS is, because I feel like a great amount of our population doesn’t.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
I would be more involved and make sure the DaL’s have more responsibility within the UVSS. I also want to help the director of events ensure that our events reach full potential by using different marketing strategies.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
As many as possible. I want to be as actively engaged in as many aspects of the UVSS as possible.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
Dolphin. I am a huge water baby, and the idea of being able to swim for endless hours in the sun sounds like a dream day to me.
Katerina Perlova—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
Political Science, and Psychology.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
I volunteer in the community with the organization Need2, a local non-profit whose mission is to create a community without suicide or stigma against mental health issues. I am also a Community Leader in Residence Services.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I want to continue to create a welcoming and supportive campus community, redirect funding from executive pay and legal fees to better services and events for the students, and make sure everyone’s vision for UVic is being incorporated by the UVSS.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
Let’s Get Consensual and Alliance of B.C. Students.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
It would be a great opportunity to give back to the school and community that has made my last two years so incredible, as well as bridge the gap between the student union and the student body.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Mostly, the fact that I have a very diverse range of experience and background that ranges from peer helping and conflict mediation to event planning.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
The reputation of the UVSS.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
I would be proactive in conflict resolution, in order to avoid the astronomical legal fees that the UVSS has spent in lawsuits. Moreover, I would have made the process of Felicita’s renovations much more open to public input, and been more responsive to the discontentment with the renovations.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
As many as required.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
A cat… with a K.
Kenya Rogers—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
Political Science, and Latin American Studies.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
I am a former Rotary Youth Ambassador.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I want to build a campus community that represents students across the board. I also want to create innovation grants that will allow students to have a venue for funding the projects they want to make happen on campus. I would also like to create a UVic Free Store where students can recycle and reuse everyday items. Finally, I want to work with international students and have more multicultural events at UVic.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
I want to continue to lobby the provincial government to create a student grant program for B.C. students. I also want to continue dialogue with B.C. Transit to end transit pass-ups.
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
Being involved in my community has always been an integral part of who I am. As a first-year student, I’ve adopted UVic as my new community, along with my peers. That is why I decided to run for director-at-large, to represent my community.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I think that I am the best candidate for this position because I have extensive experience in group organization and community work. I also have experience as an international student, and I think I bring a strong energy to everything I work at.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
I would like to see a campus where multicultural events flourish.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
I would re-evaluate certain policies so that wasteful legal fees do not become a detriment to the student body.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
As many hours as necessary to feel as though the efforts I am putting into the position will benefit UVic students.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
A liger. It’s pretty much my favourite animal.
Nick Tang—Link UVic
What are your areas of study?
My area of study is in the Department of Microbiology, in the Faculty of Science.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
I am a current UVSS director-at-large, student senator, and Vikes Nation student ambassador.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
My goals include creating a better structured student society, in order to better allocate responsibilities within the board of directors by implementing office hours for directors-at-large to efficiently connect with students.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
I hope to further support our Make Transit Work and Let’s Get Consensual campaigns, as well as the fossil fuel divestment movement.
What made you want to run for Director at Large?
After serving a year as a director-at-large and learning about the UVSS, I am running again because I believe I can continue to learn about our student society and use my experience in creating a more efficient board in order to better provide for our students here at UVic.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I believe I am the best candidate for a director-at-large position because of my passion for learning and my commitment to building a better campus. My experience from my time on the board of directors will allow me to assist new board members and help them contribute in continuing to enhance our student society.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
If I could change one thing on campus, it would be to not charge for coffee and give it out free to our students!
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
From this year’s board of directors, I would not necessarily do much different, because I believe that as a collective group, we did our best to improve from past boards and did our best in providing for our students.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
I will work 10–15 hours a week if I am elected as a director-at-large.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
I would be a honey badger!
Lindsey Willis—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
Planning on majoring in History, and Slavic Studies
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
None
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
To create a campus community and fully represent the students of UVic by creating a connection with them
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
The transit and consent campaign by the UVSS
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
I am a transfer student from the University of New Brunswick, because I wanted to go into a different program, and I was so disappointed about the community on campus that I almost transferred back. Instead, I decided that I should stay and make a difference.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Since I am a transfer student and I have been all across Canada, I can bring ideas from other universities and apply them to UVic in order to create a better campus.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
Create a campus community and a connection between the UVSS and the students of UVic, as it is clearly something that the previous board lacked
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
Connect with the students of UVic. Upon arriving on campus, there was no outreach or welcoming by the UVSS on orientation week (or whatever that was) or throughout the school year. I would like to know who is representing me.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
Ten hours per week.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
A bear.
Makenzie Zouboules—Vision UVic
What are your areas of study?
I’m second-year Political Science, and Professional Writing Co-op student.
What clubs and organizations are you affiliated with?
Currently, I volunteer as an arts reporter for CFUV Radio, am a co-op representative for the Professional Writing program, and my work has appeared in the Warren Undergraduate Review. I also work with a project called F.O.X.Y. (Fostering Open eXpression among Youth), which is a series of arts-based sexual health workshops that travels across the Northwest Territories.
What goals do you want to achieve if elected?
I want to rebuild relationships with students and student groups, create safe spaces to foster a healthy dialogue on campus, revitalize campus community and work with Ian Lackie to host inclusive events.
What student campaigns do you wish to further and support?
As someone who has worked with sexual health promotion and peer leadership, I’d love to continue the consent campaign!
What made you want to run for director-at-large?
The University of Victoria was my first love in high school, and I was really disappointed to hear that so many people distrusted the students’ society when I was finally able to enrol. With the experiences I’ve gained over the past two years, I wanted to restore faith in the UVSS and make it accessible for students who are not necessarily familiar with the society’s structure and role.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Mediation and communication are my forté, and in the past, one of the major issues students have had with the UVSS is lack of meaningful contact with the greater campus community. Most people are not clear on what the UVSS does or how it can enhance their university experience, and I think I’d be the best candidate to really connect with and listen to students and ensure their voices were heard at the board level.
If you could change one thing on campus, what would it be?
More communication between different university bodies, including the UVSS. The students’ society has a lot to offer, and there are also a lot of students who are incredibly talented and knowledgeable, which is why I think it’s essential to work with one another on issues concerning UVic students.
What would you do differently from this year’s board of directors?
The intentions of the previous BoD were good, however, I would include more student voices and wouldn’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.
How many hours will you work each week if you’re elected for this position?
A minimum of five to eight hours, and however many extra hours it takes after that to ensure each project I take on is done well and that my responsibilities to the student body are fulfilled.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
Dire Wolf. Dragon. Both. That could be a thing right?
