It’s that time of year again, when student politicos vie for your vote to represent you on two of SFU’s highest governing bodies: the Senate and the Board of Governors.
Senate
Students elected to Senate are responsible for making decisions related to SFU’s academic governance. These include issues related to teaching and research, the development of new initiatives, the formation of priorities, and the consideration and approval of policies. Here are the Senate candidates who submitted a response to The Peak by our deadline:
Iman Baharmand
First Year, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
When I ask students: “Do you know what the Senate does?” I typically get the same response and confused look. Most people just don’t know!
I am shocked by the fact that some people think they have the power to lower tuition or make commuting to school easier, when the senate only deals with Academic and Research governance! I believe this is because of the lack of exposure!
If elected I plan on creating summaries of each meetings 270 word Open Senate Agenda Minutes, to be sent to the different Departmental Student Unions within the faculty. In hopes that the DSU’s will pass on the information to undergraduate students. This along with opening a blog where students can submit questions to be brought up through me and more! Please check out my full platform or Facebook event for more details!
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Dion Chong
Third Year, International Studies
Over the last three years of my SFU career, I’ve had the pleasure of helping build up the Society of Arts and Social Sciences, which has become a platform for the advocacy of student issues within the FASS. As its current President, an incumbent Senator for the Arts and Social Sciences, and a member of the Senate Committees for University Priorities and Undergraduate Studies, I’ve had the opportunity to be a resource to students seeking to enhance the state of university academia, whether it be through enhancing course availability, reconsideration of the university grading policy, or actively advocating for the university to take a holistic approach to academics through integration of experiential learning. Through your vote, I will continue to work towards promoting integration of student consultation into the university’s decision making processes, alongside the incredible work our DSUs and student groups already do.
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Arjan Mundy
Third Year, Communications Major, Philosophy Minor
My major is communication and my minor is philosophy; an absolutely horrible mix of subjects to devote yourself to. You see – I have this insatiable need to attempt to communicate everything in the best possible way imaginable, and I have the undesirable urge for everything to make logical sense once it has been communicated. These skill could stand some improvement at Senate, and I hope to help with that.
My three main focuses are:
- Engaging Community
- Improving Communication
- Supporting Innovation
These three work in conjuncture on many levels. If we support innovation at the Senate level (innovative teaching and learning alternatives, for example) then we stand a much better chance at engaging the community involved. Furthermore, by improving communication we can spread these innovative passions to the rest of the student body; I truly believe this will go a long way to mitigate miscommunication, and optimizing
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Ali Najaf
Third Year, Business Administration
Dear SFU Students,
I have been an extremely active student on campus within the faculty, residence, and the greater campus community.
Selected Experience at SFU:
-Elected as a McTaggart Cowan Hall Representative.
-Community Advisor at SFU Residence.
-Member Senate Committee on Disciplinary Appeals.
-Commissioner, Independent Electoral Commission, SFSS.
-External Relations Coordinator UNICEF SFU and Enactus SFU.
-Member Student Advisory Committee, Build SFU.
If elected as a Senator, I will:
-Make sure that your voice is heard.
-Work alongside other SFU Senators to strengthen the relationship with SFU community to increase engagement on campus.
-Work with other SFU Senators to have a strong say against increased tuition fees at Simon Fraser University.
-Provide students with the opportunities and will consult with them on the various issues.
-Advocate for more courses to be offered in Summer Semester.
I am passionate and have past experience to serve you and make your experience better.
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Dorothy Ng
Second Year, Political Science
Since becoming a student at SFU, I have actively sought opportunities for leadership development – in others and in myself – and community engagement. Serving as an executive member in various clubs, a Welcome Leader, and a Frosh Captain has given me the opportunity to better understand the needs of the students who shape SFU. In turn, I would like to apply this knowledge in a practical and influential manner: as a member of SFU’s Senate.
If elected, I will be committed to keeping students informed of Senate and committee matters and to answer any questions they may have. I also hope that through social media, students will be able to voice their concerns effectively and conveniently, through the SFU Student Senators Facebook page. Finally, I will serve as an advocate for those seeking bursaries and scholarships offered by the university and private donors.
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Brady Wallace
Third year, Political Science major, Development and Sustainability Minor
My name is Brady Wallace and I am a third year Political Science major and Development and Sustainability minor. As a current Student Senator, if re-elected I have three goals. First, I would use this position to establish dialogue between Senate and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Faculty Student Union, the Society of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS). Second, I will continue to advocate for SFU’s involvement with the BC Open Textbook Program (an initiative I am currently working on with the Simon Fraser Student Society’s Advocacy Committee,) which aims to provide free course materials for undergraduate students. And third, I would like to work with the 15 other student senators to plan ways in which our Student Senate Caucus can effectively communicate with students at both the undergraduate and graduate level at all of SFU’s diverse campuses.
Thanks for taking the time to make an informed decision.
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Enoch Weng
Fourth Year, Business Major, Intended Music Minor
“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind.” – Lilo & Stitch
The SFU community to me is my Ohana — full of life, and of excitement; a place where we can celebrate differences and enjoy each other’s presence. I wish to see our community continue to grow and stay magical.
My platform is focused on bridging the communications and knowledge gap between the University and students, and to provide an accurate and honest representation of the student population during our governance meetings. I aim to create greater transparency within the proceedings, and to ensure that the education and well-being of students are seen as top priorities.
To be a Senator, I will strive to be as swift as a coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire, and to be as mysterious as the dark side of the moon.
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Brandon Wong
1) Open Communication
Miscommunication is commonplace at SFU. Things would run more efficiently if we could talk to one another without bias or preconception. As a Senator, I would seek out students who have issues of concern, and push to resolve them to the best of my ability.
2) Build Community
SFU is not a commuter school. We have access to a great amount of resources, and rated one of the best in the world. Unfortunately, many students feel disconnected from administration. Our progress as a leading academic institution can be improved, proportional to the efforts of students and administration working hand-in-hand.
3) Engage Academic Passion
Studying should be a passion. At the very least, a student’s accomplishments in their fields can be more than just grades on a paper. Students should partake in extracurricular academia, such as research or experiments, to set themselves aside from competition in years to
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Rudo Zaranyika
Fourth Year, Business Administration
Why am I passionate about advocating for the student body’s academic and financial concerns? Having lived on the mountain (Residence & Univercity) since moving to Canada, 4 years ago – the friendships & connections I’ve made through Residence, YWiB, African Students’ Association, the Alumni Appeal & Beedie have made SFU feel like home to me. Thus, fuelling my passion to be more involved in this aspect of the University, that affects us all.
As a part of the Senate my goal is to, increase the communication of policies discussed, succinctly; so that this information is readily accessible on multiple interactive platforms. I will actively advocate for an increase in support for students through the Senate Policy Committee on Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries (SPCSAB), to alleviate the high tuition costs.
Thank you for your time. If you have any questions regarding my goals as an SFU Senator, please contact me: rzaranyi@sfu.ca
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Board of Governors
Students elected to the Board of Governors (BoG) are responsible for decisions made at the highest level of the University. As the senior governing body at SFU, the BoG makes decisions regarding the business of the University (property, revenue and policies). Here are the BoG candidates who submitted a response to The Peak by our deadline:
Deven Azevedo
Second Year, Environmental Science
If re-elected, I will use the relationships I have built on the Board, as well as a firm understanding of Board protocols and processes, to continue to push the university to live up to its proclaimed vision of pursuing “ecological, social and economic sustainability through its programs and operations.” This will firstly include working to minimize the impact that the proposed international student tuition increases will have on financially strained students and, if concessions are not made by the university, opposing these increases entirely. Secondly, I will continue to campaign for increases in the transparency of the university’s investments and for the reduction of the university’s carbon risk. Lastly, if re-elected, I will continue to seek input from students on their ideas and interests and represent them at Board meetings. Thank you, and all the best with your studies.
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Katelyn McDougall
Masters of Urban Studies
I’m running for the Graduate Student Member position at the Board of Governors because I want to help the University become a more sustainable, accessible, open, and engaging space.
If elected to this position there are several things that I hope to work towards, including:
- Working in consultation with the SFU Graduate Student Society to better align our collective goals;
- Recommending that any fees for approval do not create further financial barriers for students;
- Working towards divestment from fossil fuel industries;
- Ensuring smart, sustainable capital planning, construction and maintenance, including strategic opportunities to build a gondola to campus;
- And, enhancing SFU’s community engagement strategy.
My experience working with the GSS has given me a strong understanding of the diverse opinions and needs of graduate students, and your vote will ensure that we have a strong voice representing us at SFU’s most senior governing body.
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David Weston
PhD Student, English
Hello fellow graduate students! I am running for SFU Board of Governors and would appreciate your support. My enthusiasm for graduate studies, paired with my experiences in university affairs and the GSS, has illustrated the important role graduate students have in shaping this university. I would be honoured to represent the graduate community and advocate for our interests to the president, chancellor, and board members.
On our three campuses, graduate student space, and support must be developed with a special focus on maintenance and safety. More funding opportunities and the need for provincial support should remain a focus for SFU. Tuitions fees, both for our international and domestic students, must be watched and kept inline with funding and living costs. All three of these major issues affect graduate satisfaction, time to completion, and ability to research successfully. I will ensure these concerns are brought to the Board of Governors’ attention.
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