The Vice-President Student Services is responsible for the services offered by the Society, and acts as the main liaison for students. The top priority for the Vice-President Student Services is to ensure that services such as the health plan, night line, food and beverage services, and other services jointly funded with the university operate smoothly. The Vice-President Student Services is also involved in administrative tasks such as the negotiation of agreements with the university and with external entities for services. As a liaison and often first point of contact for students, the Vice-President Student Services must be familiar with the operations of the Society, especially the general office.

The Vice President Student Services shall:

> Assume and carry out the rights, duties and obligations of the President during an absence or in the event that they should resign, be impeached or abandon office.

> Coordinate the compilation of the Annual Report of the Board for consideration at the Annual General Meeting.

> Be a signing officer.

> Coordinate and facilitate activities and services for the members of the Society.

> Undertake all other duties and responsibilities the Board may delegate to the Vice-President of Services from time to time.

1. What are some potential projects that you as the VP-Student Services could take on, if elected?

2. How familiar are you with the work of VP-Student Services Portfolio? How would you prepare yourself for the upcoming term, if elected?

3. How would you respond to the question: “I don’t need a Health and Dental Plan, why would I vote in favour of it”?

Zied Masmoudi (ACE)

1. First, I would look to address issues that we currently have with the society’s services especially the food and beverage deficit. In addition, I would like to implement a more advanced training program for the executives of Clubs and DSUs to help them expand their outreach, address their financial issues and offer more to their membership. My second project would be the expansion of some services to the Surrey and Vancouver campuses.

2. Preparation for the position is a process that candidates must undertake before running. After working with Member Services Officers for two years, I chose to sit on the Extended Health and Dental Plan, Space Oversight and Granting committees, because they are most related to the Services Portfolio. Finally, my experience with Clubs and SASS has given me a deep understanding of how the relationship between the VP Student Services and student groups should be.

3. The Health and Dental Plan referendum is meant to provide students with an enhanced plan in addition to the basic one they currently use, to maximize their coverage. Students who do not use the plan can always opt out. Passing this referendum, allows future students to personalize their plan based on their needs. Speaking as an international student who uses this plan, I appreciate being able to have multiple options in regards to my coverage.

Rahul Rajanala (Move the Mountain)

1. As VP of Student Services I will prioritize increasing current Club and DSU cultures, expanding SFSS services to all three SFU campuses, and to provides all students with a stress-free environment. I would work to improve the Upass Program, the Health and Dental Plan, the Emergency Food Bank Program, and increase awareness of the Ombudsperson service available to help students who aren’t being treated fairly.

2. I have gained experiences during my time as a Student-at-large and Forum Representative for committees such as Advocacy, Commercial Services, and Granting. I am familiar with key projects such as the Upass Program, and Health and Dental Plan. If elected, I will prepare by meeting with the current member services officer, meeting with Student Care, reading past meeting minutes, reading the Upass contract, and meeting with International Student Services to find out how we can . . .

3. All students are automatically enrolled in the Health and Dental Plan when they enroll at SFU to get as many students covered as possible. First, the Health and Dental is customized to students with low costs and to provide as many benefits as possible. Second, students can still opt out of the Health and Dental Plan if they have an alternative plan.

The Vice-President University Relations is the liaison between the Society and the university. The URO must be well acquainted with university leaders, such as the President, vice-presidents, Board of Governors, and Senate, etc. The Vice-President University Relations will sit on the Space committee, as well as the Joint Services Committee which is responsible for services offered jointly by the Society, Health Services, and Student Services. This position involves frequent communication to coordinate programs such as the UPass, and the Vice-President University Relations is expected to keep track of the progress of the Society to facilitate communication.

The Vice-President University Relations shall:

> Act as a liaison between the Board and the university.

> Coordinate student representation on all university committees to which the Society nominates or appoints.

> Coordinate student involvement in university community affairs and activities.

> Be a signing officer.

> Undertake all other duties and responsibilities as the Board may delegate to the Vice-President University Relations.

1. What are the main university issues you would address in your role as VP-University Relations, if elected?

2. You are in a meeting with a university official representing the interests of students and they completely disregard the information and position you are presenting. What do you do?

3. How would you encourage and coordinate student involvement in university community affairs and activities?

Sarah Flodr (ACE)

1. First, The BuildSFU team has done a great job in planning this project. I want to support their vision and help implement ideas that would benefit a wide range of students’ ideas while ensuring sustainability and efficiency. I will also create more enrollment openings, advocate for extended library hours, and tackle the rising cost of tuition. Furthermore, I will make sure to improve student involvement, which I speak to further in question three.

2. I would restate my point and try to reach a compromise; if that fails, then it would be considered a disregard to student interests. In this case, students should know about this issue and I would work with the board members and the students at-large to collectively make our voice heard and our concerns considered by the university administration.
3. I feel transparency is the main factor for students’ detachment since they are not aware of possible opportunities at SFU. SFU’s slogan revolves around engagement and to emphasize this point, it is of high importance for students to be able to understand how the university functions. I would work with the university and the student groups to pass on information regarding university projects to the student body, encouraging them to get involved.

Clay  Gray (Move the Mountain)

This candidate failed to submit responses by The Peak’s deadline.

Moe Kopahi

1. Student Space Improvement – After conducting a survey within students of each faculty and department, I will approach the appropriate admins to seek assistance in improving the student spaces within that section.

Increase faculty and university wide communication – I shall push for continuous collaboration between all groups at SFU and shall continue working on a central communication system (see question 3). Increase and improve SFSS services – Such as Food bank and Night Line

2. We should not expect that all of the university officials be familiar with the SFSS board positions; hence the best course of action is to be professional, and patiently explain what the position entails. After getting their attention, I would present the information again. If nothing changes, I would report back to the SFSS Board to come up with an alternative solution as a team.
3. I have been an advocate of increasing the student participation in the SFU events. One of the projects that I will continue working on is the implementation of a centralized communication system at SFU. I will be working with VP-Student Life to create the connection between the students and their respective faculty event organizers, as well as updating them with other activities and community affairs hosted by other groups, such as the athletic department.

The President is a representative of the Board and Society, and is involved in public relations issues. The President participates in all formal activities of the Society, and leads large scope operational tasks such as contracts and legal consultations, and also supports the duties of the Internal Relations Officer (IRO). This position has the most contact with university administrators and departments, and takes care of general issues involving the university. There is a degree of flexibility to the projects the President undertakes.

 The President shall:

> Have the power to convene the Board or Forum at any time.

> Be an ex-officio voting member of all Board and Forum committees.

> Be a signing officer.

> Represent the Society on formal occasions.

> Ensure compliance with and enforcement of all relevant Collective Agreements, employment contracts, and staff relations policies.

> Act as a liaison between the Board and its employees

> Undertake all other duties usually falling to the office of President of a Society.

1. What is the most important role played by the SFSS?

2. If you could only choose three main areas to focus on during your term, what would they be?

3. How would you prioritize internal board affairs and external SFSS initiatives that require your attention?

4. Evaluate current President Humza Khan’s term in office. What would you have done differently?

Chardaye Bueckert (Move the Mountain)

1. The SFSS was created to make sure our voices as students are heard. If it were to disappear, there would be no one to advocate to the government and SFU itself on behalf of students. It is here to champion our interests, like affordable education and better transit. The SFSS represents 30 000 highly educated people who want to make a difference in the world, and its most important role is to empower them to do so. No other organization would be able to create a Upass program or negotiate tuition freezes, and this is its most important role.

2. First, getting money back to students in any way possible. I would focus on advocating for more affordable education, creating a part time student bursary, putting more funds into scholarships and bursaries, pushing professors to use free open textbooks, and expanding SFSS Emergency Food Bank Program. Second, creating a better framework for the SFSS to make it an inclusive and welcoming organization with a clear strategic vision provided from students directly. Third, connecting the SFSS with many existing communities at SFU, including Rotunda Groups, clubs, DSUs, athletes, and international students to increase its effectiveness in advocacy and representing students.

3. The SFSS needs to be strong internally to make accomplishments for students externally and this why Move the Mountain was formed. We have priorities and a strong team with shared values already established so that we can get to work for students immediately. Staff relations and food and beverage service deficit reduction need to be a priority but our core mission is to advocate for the interests of students outside of our organization. I will lead a team that has a clear sense of how to manage internal matters so that we are able to better represent students externally.

4. Humza was elected on a mandate of throwing a large scale rave and he delivered. His commitment to delivering on a promise was admirable, but I would have established priorities that served all SFSS members. I would have also established clear goals with the Board so that we could focus on effecting change for students together as a team with a clear sense of purpose without internal conflict.  We also could have had clearer lines of communication internally and with the members this year. The profile of the SFSS was raised, and it is time to build on that.

Brandon Chapman (ACE)

1. The most important role played by the SFSS is to represent and advocate for the interests of undergraduate students at Simon Fraser University while providing them with services such as UPASS, Highland pub, health and dental plan etc. However, I believe that in order to best advocate for change outside of SFU, we first must build a strong community on campus that students are proud of and want to work with the SFSS. This has been my key focus this year, and this is the most important role that I see the SFSS having.

2. Accountability – The current board has taken steps in the right direction in communicating with the student body about the activities of the Society. I will continue to improve this aspect.

Community – Through Build SFU, concerts, and strategic events I have focused on throughout the year, there is a main theme that’s a crucial part of my slate’s platform. We need to continue to build community on this campus and encourage students to stay on campus and be involved.

Excellence – We need to set the example for our students by inspiring and guiding them to achieving excellence as a student body.

3. I have a strong team that collectively would be able to balance both internal and external SFSS initiatives. It is important that we continue to focus on our external initiatives, however fellow student issues always come first. I will always prioritize what I believe will have the highest impact to students above all else. For more information regarding this you can view my platform at bit.ly/ACE-Brandon

4. Humza has been a very diplomatic, yet visionary leader throughout the year. Working with a team that has very different viewpoints is difficult, but he managed to oversee various projects and dilemmas effectively. Personally, the only major thing I would do differently is to strictly enforce board member responsibilities as certain board members did not contribute as much time and effort as they should have to our student society and as elected reps, everyone should be held to the highest standard.

Alexander Morris

This candidate failed to submit responses by The Peak’s deadline.

Marnie Slater

1. One thing I love about importance is that it’s relative to the observer; for some people, the most important role of the SFSS is allocation of study space, for others it may be Out On Campus, and for some it may be the convenience of the Copy Centre. Personally, I believe having study havens around campus is of utmost importance, but just as important is having somewhere else to socialize and to take breaks from the stresses of academic life – that’s where coffee shops and the pub come in handy!

2. My biggest concern is the lack of QUIET study spaces; it’s hard to read alone when there’s a group project going on at the next table, so separation of these spaces is on my list.

– Many students spend countless hours studying yet find they retain very little; I’d like to see easily accessible & online study tips and tutors to help with effective study habits.

– Understanding of the real impact of the SFSS and similar governing bodies is seriously lacking at SFU; if students knew how vital (and awesome) they are, they might be inclined to get more involved.

3. The SFSS is about catering to the needs of the students, so in this case, I believe majority rules. If there is an overwhelming need for something to be addressed, it will receive top priority; this is both for internal and external relations. I feel that if you give the student body appropriate outlets for their comments and concerns, then they will be heard and action can be taken.  In smaller groups, a vote may be cast to determine importance, while in larger populations, polls are a great option. Collaboration is key!

4. One thing I’m glad to see rolling is the SUB planning has taken full flight! I think that was a key issue this year, and Humza and his team did a great job of ensuring student involvement in the planning and design. Something I’d like to see done differently, is the overall area of typical undergrad involvement with on campus groups and activities. Many students float through university unaware of some of the great opportunities to get involved and meet people – I feel these things need to be more accessible as it’s that first step that’s the hardest!