Voting for runs from March 17 to 19
Photo via UVSS.
This year, 20 students are running in the UVSS election, with ten seeking election to Lead Director positions. With the exception of the Director of Finance and Operations, all Lead Director positions are opposed in this election. Candidate platforms are available on the UVSS Voter Guide.
Also on the ballot are three referendum questions relating to fee increases.
The Martlet spoke with the Lead Director and Director of International Student Relations candidates, as well as proponents of the referendum questions, to learn what changes they’d like to see in the UVSS.
Director of Outreach & University Relations
Griffin Foster (he/him)
Griffin Foster is a first year student within the Faculty of Social Sciences. He intends to pursue an education in political science.
Foster’s focus in this role would be to further the student voice.
“I do not come … to make any bold sweeping statements about what this school needs,” he told the Martlet. “There are a lot of very bright minds here. There are a lot of very opinionated people. I want to take input from them and use my experience.”
While his experience on UVic’s campus is limited, Foster was student council president at his high school.
“I am running in this election because I have a longstanding, very thorough belief in the importance of the democratic process, democratic representation, and student government,” Foster said.
He also mentioned that he has “nothing but celebration” for the other candidates running for Lead Director positions, as there are not many students running for the positions in the first place. “I think this is a sign that there is a lot of room to grow in democratic institutions here,” Foster said. “I have seen from my experience in high school that if we do not take care of these institutions, if we do not protect them, we will lose them.”
In terms of the three referendum questions, Foster wants to hear what the student body thinks on the matter and then act accordingly.
Artem Kuklev (he/him)
Artem Kuklev is a fourth year psychology major. He is running for Lead Director because he believes that the UVic student body needs someone to support their ideas, plans, and projects. “I am committed to being that advocate and facilitator,” he told the Martlet in an emailed statement.
Kuklev has a list of policy initiatives he would like to see implemented within the UVSS. Some of these include lower parking fees, expanded mental health support, student voices in decision-making, better food options on campus, accountability, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
It is important for Kuklev to foster an open-door policy with the students of UVic.
“Collaboration and transparency will be the foundation of my leadership approach,” he said.
Kuklev has served as a two-term Student Senator at UVic. He has also been a member of the Senate Subcommittee for Academic Standards and the Senate Subcommittee for Appeals.
Kuklev is in support of all three of the referendum questions. He said that increased funding will help all three advocacy groups to continue to provide essential services and support to students.
“Let’s build a stronger, more inclusive, and student-focused UVic community,” said Kuklev.
Director of Student Affairs
Katie King (she/her)
Katie King is a first year history major. She has three years of prior experience as Head of Student Affairs at her high school in Calgary, Alberta.
If elected, King will focus on promoting accessibility, as well as expanding the sexual violence prevention program. She believes there are serious issues with inaccessibility on campus, in particular at Clubs and Course Unions (CCU) events.
“I would like to see more accessibility within clubs — personal needs, and specifically CCU days,” King told the Martlet. “I’m unable to go to CCU Days because it’s so inaccessible.”
Some concrete changes King would like to implement include reorganizing the layout of the event to create more space and easier mobility, as well as introducing an “accessibility hour” for neurodivergent students and students with a physical disability.
King also wants to ensure more people in clubs and course unions are trained in sexualized violence prevention, and plans to “create more accountability” between clubs and the UVSS by introducing a system where clubs “have to put in what they’re planning and how much they think it’s going to cost.”
King supports the referendum proposals.
Felipe Semedo (he/him)
Felipe Semedo is a first year political science student from Italy. His family is involved in politics in Italy, which he believes “[brings] a unique perspective shaped by [his] experiences with electoral systems and political engagement.”
His platform on the UVSS Elections website emphasizes how his past experience in politics has shaped his commitment to transparency and responsibility. “These experiences have reaffirmed my belief in the need of upholding democratic values in decision-making processes.”
Semedo told the Martlet he did not have concrete changes he would like to implement in this role yet, but said he wants to get “a lot of feedback from students” which will influence what he focuses on.
His platform emphasizes his “deep commitment to the democratic process” and to student representation. “I will do the best I can to serve the position. I will be well educated in every issue and matter. I will read anything possible to give me an advantage … and try to do my best,” he said.
Semedo said he is in favour of the referendum proposals.
Director of Events
Lindsey Andrew
The Martlet reached out to Lindsey Andrew to learn more about their campaign, but did not hear back in time for publication.
According to Andrew’s platform on the UVSS Elections website, Andrew believes the Director of Events’ role is to “[create] an environment that supports your physical, mental, emotional, and community needs” and “[build] a student body that thrives together and empowers one another.”
Andrew wants events on campus to be not only fun, but to provide “useful life skills, and support … personal and academic success.” They want to implement a series of skills-based workshops on topics such as first aid and CPR, nutrition, clothes mending, and financial literacy.
They also want to continue existing events, including food bank fundraisers, free hot lunches, clothing swaps, and collaborative events with UVSS advocacy groups like FEM-EXPO and the Global Village.
According to their platform, Andrew is committed to a campus culture that reflects the “diversity, creativity, and drive” of the UVic student body, and wants to make all students feel welcome on campus.
Andrew’s position on the referendum proposals is unclear.
Ezekiel Gregory (he/him)
Ezekiel Gregory is a second year mechanical engineering student at UVic. He is running for this position to host well-planned events that would encourage fun.
“I have seen a lot of my friends and acquaintances consistently getting burnt out throughout their time at UVic,” he told the Martlet. “A lot of the events that are hosted are not supporting healthy ways for them to … have fun.”
Gregory’s focus while in this role would be to combine all information distributed to students by the UVSS into one email that goes out once a week, or once every two weeks.
“That would be able to let students not be overwhelmed by communication, which would actually lead to more participation in events,” he said.
His prior experience in community leadership comes from his position as the Director of Outreach for UVic Rocketry and from event organization at his high school.
Gregory agrees with all the referendum questions.
Mickey McDonald (they/them)
Mickey McDonald is a third-year geography major. They are running for this election because they care about the community and want to focus on events that would bring the UVic community together.
For the past year-and-a-half, McDonald was a director-at-large for a local non-profit organization in Victoria. They have also volunteered for FEM-EXPO and SEXPO.
As a Director of Events for the UVSS, McDonald wants to focus on encouraging decolonial thought.
“I think there needs to be an acknowledgement that no matter how much work is put in, all structures that are built out of this Western structure are formed in the shape of colonialism,” McDonald told the Martlet.
McDonald acknowledges the work of their predecessors and said that they want to keep running the fun events that the UVSS already runs, while also implementing decolonial perspective into events.
They are also in support of all the referendum questions, especially to increase funding for the Native Students’ Union. “I think it’s one of the small things we can do to help support Indigenous students,” said McDonald.
McDonald’s main focus is to build community and foster open communication.
Director of Finance and Operations
Lachlan Van Egmond (he/him)
Lachlan Van Egmond is a second year electrical engineering student running for UVSS Director of Finance and Operations with a focus on financial efficiency and reducing unnecessary spending.
He aims to reallocate savings toward essential student services, such as the food bank, while streamlining UVSS operations to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies.
With experience advising politicians through Alberta’s Minister’s Youth Council and Calgary’s Mayor’s Youth Council, Van Egmond believes his background prepares him to implement meaningful financial decisions at UVSS.
Despite having faced some criticism during his campaign, he maintains that his platform prioritizes transparency and responsible spending, telling the Martlet “I would like to remove red tape … and reform as much as I can.”
Regarding the referendum questions, Van Egmond said, “I am a great supporter of all these initiatives, but at this stage I think the increases are unreasonable and way too high.”
Van Egmond opposes the proposed fee increases “strictly on the principle of funding,” arguing that they exceed inflation-adjusted needs. “I do want to increase their funding, but I don’t necessarily agree on the exact amount,” he said.
He urges voters to consider fiscal responsibility while ensuring student services remain effective.
Director of Campaigns & Community Relations
Eva Thompson (She/They)
Eva Thompson, a first year Fine Arts student planning a dual major in Environmental Sciences, aims to become a stronger advocate for bringing change through student government. Thompson has experience in community outreach and advocacy through their work with two MLAs, and is committed to driving change at UVic.
Thompson’s primary focus is affordability — addressing housing and food costs while advocating for financial transparency, particularly in tuition and athletic fees.
“I want to see a little bit more promotional material for resources that students can use and tap into for affordability,” they told the Martlet.
As a constituency advisor for MLA Grace Lore, they witnessed the financial struggles many constituents face, and hope to apply their experience to support students.
Thompson supports the referendum proposals, emphasizing the need for greater representation of queer and underrepresented communities.
“It is important for unrepresented [sic] communities to be able to see themselves and the UVic pride community to be welcomed into the advocacy space,” Thompson said. They advocate for increased funding for the Campus Community Garden, seeing them as valuable yet untapped resources that need more promotion. Similarly, they want to support the Native Students Union by helping them promote their material and advocate for their group.
Acorn Wasserman (they/them)
Acorn Wasserman is a third year student studying public health. Wasserman has prior experience with the UVSS, currently serving as the Representative for the Society for Students with a Disability (SSD) on the Board of Directors and volunteering at events like Campus Kickoff.
“I have been here since 2019. I’ve seen a lot of the work that the UVSS does. I’m a big fan of most of the work, and I think there’s a lot that can still be done,” Wasserman told the Martlet.
“Seeing how I’ve been here for a while, and I still have a ways to go in my degree, I think I have what it takes to be that change,” they said.
If elected, Wasserman will focus on six main campaigns — ReThink Mental Health, Housing Now!, Fed Up, Shift Our Campus, Access4All, and transparency surrounding Athletics and Recreation fees.
“The closure of the McKinnon pool and fitness centre has students wondering what we’re paying for, and struggling to find accessible and affordable exercise options. I will advocate for financial transparency from UVic and accessible fitness options,” reads their platform on the UVSS Voter Guide.
Wasserman supports the three referendum proposals.
Director of International Student Relations
Abhee Senthilkumaran (She/Her)
Abhee Senthilkumaran is a third year economics major from Dubai. She is running for Director of International Student Relations because she wants to make a difference for international students. She plans to advocate for tuition reduction and transparency in fee structure.
“A lot of time international students pay the highest amount of tuition, but don’t know where our fees are going,” she told the Martlet.
If elected, Senthilkumaran plans to connect students with resources for mental health support, post-graduation employment, and financial aid. With over a year of volunteer experience with the UVic Global Community, she is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive student environment.
She supports the referendum proposals, recognizing the need for increased funding for the Pride Collective, UVic Campus Community Garden, and the Native Students Union.
Muskan Singh (She/Her)
Muskan Singh is an international student from Delhi, India. She is in her fourth year studying health information science at UVic. Since arriving in Victoria in 2022, she has held multiple roles on campus, advocating for international student support and accessibility.
Singh aims to establish an international student resource hub to help students develop job-related skills and secure employment opportunities. She is particularly committed to supporting disabled international students by ensuring access to peer support, campus accessibility, and healthcare resources.
Currently working at the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Singh understands the challenges of food security, affordability, and accessibility on campus. She advocates for residence kitchen access, affordable living solutions, and functional accessible spaces.
A passionate community builder, Singh values forming lasting friendships among international students. “Something that really helped me get through my first year was attending these events and meeting new people … I want every international student to be able to experience [that],” she said.
Through her work-study with the Global Community, she has organized multiple cultural events. She also advocates for gender-fluid international students, helping them find supportive communities.
Singh supports the three referendum proposals.
Referendum Questions
Also on the ballot this election are three referendum questions, asking students to vote “Yes” or “No” on fee increases for the following advocacy and affiliate groups.
Campus Community Garden
The UVic Campus Community Garden (CCG) is proposing a funding increase of $1.50 per semester for full-time students and $0.75 for part-time students.
“The reasoning for our requested increase is to keep up with staff wages,” said Juls Macdonell, Assistant Coordinator for the CCG. “If the referendum passes, we’ll be the most funded advocacy affiliate group in the SUB. However, we do have a physical space on McKenzie Avenue of an acre and a half, which needs to be maintained. The infrastructure there is also subject to needing emergency repairs — if there’s a windstorm, or a pipe bursts,” he said. “We want to keep on top of our budget correctly, so that we don’t have to cut services to students in the event of some sort of emergency,” added Macdonell.
Macdonell told the Martlet that the last time CCG asked for a fee increase, they were donating around 260 pounds of food to the UVic Food Bank and Free Store. Since then, that number has reached nearly 1 000 pounds of food donated.
Native Student’s Union
The UVic Native Student’s Union (NSU) is proposing a funding increase of $1.50 per semester for full-time students and $0.75 for part-time students. This would be the first fee increase for the NSU in over 20 years. In their statement on the referendum question, the NSU states that they receive “almost the least amount of funding” of the many UVSS advocacy groups.
“It’s simply adjusting for inflation and the rising cost of everything, and it will allow us to continue providing the critical support that [we] give our Indigenous students here at the University of Victoria,” said Lauren Aimoe, Firekeeper for the NSU and the proponent of this referendum question.
Aimoe said the fee increase would go towards the NSU budget as a whole, but would be integral in supporting food security programming — one of the services they offer to Indigenous students.
“We also do monthly community feasts where we cook up a whole bunch of food … and provide them to Indigenous students and their friends, families, and other allies. We also provide cultural activities and cultural workshops for Indigenous students to engage with our ways of knowing”
“It is really important for UVic students as a whole to support the sovereignty of Indigenous students on Indigenous lands, which are, of course, everywhere,” Aimoe told the Martlet.
Pride Collective
The Pride Collective is proposing a funding increase to $2.00 per full time student and $1.00 per part time student. The advocacy group is the lowest funded group on UVic’s campus. The increase in funding will allow the Collective to continue their programs.
“We’re actually at a time where, without that increase in funding, we’re going to actually have to start cutting things,” said Trinity Blacklock, a member of the Pride Collective. This means that the group would have to let go of one of their staff members and would not be able to run their programming as they currently do.
The Pride Collective is currently at $0.95 fees for full time students. If full time students paid $2.00, the Pride Collective would be able to do more direct advocacy, have a communal kitchen, and continue to offer gender-affirming supplies.
“I think students voting ‘Yes’ for this is a great way for them to show support for the queer and trans community,” said Blacklock. “Especially as we enter a political time where it is more stressful for queer and trans students on campus.”
As one of the few resources available for the queer and transgender community on campus, agreeing to the funding increase for the Pride Collective is one way students at UVic can support them, said Blacklock.
The election opens at 9 a.m. on March 17 and runs until 3 p.m. on March 19. Eligible voters will receive a link to the online ballot at the start of the voting period. Voter Information Stations can also be found in the Student Union Building (SUB), as well as in the Clearihue and Fine Arts Buildings, McPherson Library, and the Engineering Lab Wing.
