Elections for the Graduate Student Society (GSS) are just around the corner. The positions up for election, which will take place online from March 22 to March 29, are the coordinating and elections officer (CERO), the academic and internal relations officer (AIRO), and the operations and finance officer (OFO). However, since there was only one candidate running for the AIRO, Logan Ansell has won by acclamation.
Julia Lane, Maryam Dehghani Estarki, and Ikechukwu Udevi-Aruevoru are the candiates for the position of CERO. In her platform, Lane shows her history of involvement in the GSS by emphasizing that she is the current AIRO and previously served on three of its committees: social, environmental, and social justice, as well as collective advocacy and campaigns. According to her, such experience has increased her awareness of current challenges, including the expansion of graduate student space at all SFU campuses, cooperation with the SFSS, and the proposed creation of a provincial scholarship for master’s students.
Franclin Verla, a candidate running for OFO, is currently pursuing his master’s degree in risk management. He emphasizes his previous work as a financial analyst, which he believes will serve him well when managing the budget of the Graduate Student Society. He pledges that, upon election to this position, a thorough spending review will be conducted and that any improvements to ensure the efficient use of financial resources will be made accordingly.
Zest Zhang is also running for the position of OFO. He believes that international students should have a greater say as the number of international students is increasing and pledges to represent their interests.
