Your 2010-11 GSAÉD election hopefuls
Graduate commissioner candidates campaign for March 16–18 elections
THE UNIVERSITY OF Ottawa Graduate Students’ Association (GSAÉD) has been gearing up for their 2010 elections since nominations opened at the beginning of February. Candidates now have just under a week to campaign before polling stations open March 16–18 in the Unicentre, Desmarais Hall, SITE, and at the Roger-Guindon campus. Student voters will not only determine the new 2010–11 executive, but also have the opportunity to elect two graduate representatives in the Senate and offer their views on two referendum questions (see the coverage in the March 4 issue of the Fulcrum). Results will be announced at Café Nostalgica on the evening of March 18. Until then, the Fulcrum has all the information you need to cast your ballots next week.
University affairs commissioner
The university affairs commissioner advocates for the rights and academic interests of graduate students at the University of Ottawa. Acting as a bridge between students and GSAÉD, this officer is responsible for promoting graduate events and providing assistance in student judicial cases. In addition, the university affairs commissioner sits on numerous committees and aids in the communication between graduate student associations, the university administration, and other campus groups.
Caroline Bouchard, a law school graduate and former general manager of La Rotonde, is the lone candidate for the position. An advocate for the non-partisan ombudsman office, her platform revolves around bridging the gap between graduate students and GSAÉD commissioners. In doing so, Bouchard hopes to effectively represent student interests while promoting the numerous services GSAÉD offers.
“[Students] need to be able to [use] those services to their full potential. GSAÉD needs to be more seen and known,” explained Bouchard. “Being a student is quite an incentive to work for other students. I recognize myself in the problems endured by my colleagues, and I’ve decided to try to mediate those problems.”
Student life commissioner
Responsible for organizing student life events and services, the student life commissioner coordinates social events and community projects while representing non-academic aspects of student life. He or she is also largely responsible for overseeing the popular student hangout Café Nostalgica.
Running unopposed for re-election as student life commissioner, health administration master’s student Guillaume Lemieux hopes to expand on his previous term to make graduate student life more engaging. Specifically, he hopes to create a long-term plan for Café Nostalgica, which would include renovation and expansion.
“By caring and focusing on the heart of the graduate student life, Cafe Nostalgica, I will ensure that graduate students always have a home to experience, share, discover, and express themselves with other fellow scholars and creative minds,” he explained in an email to the Fulcrum.
A former Student Federation of the University of Ottawa vp social, Lemieux feels like he will be able to continue his role in GSAÉD with further dedication and creativity. “I [will] set a strong precedent [not only] by raising the bar in 2010–11, but also by setting mechanisms for success in the years to come with a long term vision and a solid foundation,” he wrote.
External commissioner
The mandate of the external commissioner includes overseeing public communications and representing GSAÉD in external affairs, specifically when working with other student or administrative associations. He or she is responsible for promoting graduate events and acting as a liaison to the media.
Patrick Imbeau, current GSAÉD university affairs commissioner and first-year political sociology PhD student, hopes to take his prior experience and funnel it into the position of external commissioner. Imbeau’s platform is centred on two main points: first, he touches on the university’s recent resource optimization plan—a document drafted by a committee put together by the U of O administration, which aims to cut costs and make up for next year’s projected shortfall. Imbeau explained the plan may cut into student essentials and therefore aims to ensure that students are not negatively affected by it. Second, he plans to lobby for an increase in funding for graduate studies, including research and services. Imbeau—who will be running unopposed—believes that his experience with GSAÉD, as well as his position as vice president of the Francophone Students’ Association, has provided him with the confidence and connections to take on the role of external commissioner.
“I know what the issues are, I know how the office works, [and] I’ve met the members of the administration and external organizations I’ll be working with,” he said in an email. “I’m ready to go.”
Internal commissioner
The internal commissioner works within GSAÉD to preserve the integrity of the association by acting as the link between the executive department and other committees and staff. This office is responsible for consulting with boards and councils, ensuring bilingualism in all official documents and communications, and acting as a representative in internal affairs.
Sean Kelly, current president of the student workers’ union (CUPE 2626) and physics master’s student, is the only candidate for the position. His platform focuses on increasing the collaboration between GSAÉD and CUPE 2626, ensuring that the GSAÉD Council—the administrative body that oversees the association—and commissioners are informed about student workers’ contracts. In addition, Kelly would implement a training program for councillors, commissioners, and departmental associations in order to increase efficiency and communication.
“I have a lot of leadership experience and have brought about major improvements in organizations whenever I have been part of them,” he explained to the Fulcrum in an email. “I am determined and stand up for students’ rights and interests on a regular basis.” In Kelly’s view, the internal commissioner should be someone with the ability to provide leadership, planning skills, and diplomatic problem solving skills.
Finance commissioner
The finance commissioner is responsible for overseeing the collection, deposits, and disbursements of all GSAÉD finances. This would include the budgets for the association, as well as for Café Nostalgica.
Two candidates have presented themselves for the position: human kinetics master’s student Travis Davidson and health administration master’s student Joshua Hambleton. As the deadline for nominations for the position had been extended until March 8, their platforms were not available at press time.
Senate candidates
The role of the University of Ottawa Senate includes overseeing the management of academic issues on campus. There are two seats for graduate students on the Senate, one for students studying in sciences and the other for those in humanities.
Science
The sole candidate for the science seat is physics master’s student Joseph Hickey. His focus is graduate students’ rights, including the required courses for research-based programs and thesis defence committees. He is also an advocate for the regulation of images and messages displayed in the academic environment.
“Graduate students in science should come out to vote so that they can keep their voice at [the] Senate, the university’s highest decision-making body on academic matters,” he told the Fulcrum in an email. “This is our university, and we can shape how we do our learning and research here.”
Humanities
Running for re-election, philosophy and psychology doctoral student Parastoo Jamshidi is one of the candidates for the Senate seat representing the humanities. With one year of experience as a Senate representative, Jamshidi wants to continue to take part in the Senate committee on teaching and teaching evaluation, as well as stay active in regard to supporting the U-Pass. With a background in social justice and clinical psychology, Jamshidi believes that being responsive to student interests is an important aspect of being a Senate representative.
“I think continuity is very important,” she said in an email. “I have learned so much over the last year, and I have made many useful connections that will enable me to continue to work [for graduate students].”
Vivasvat Dadwal is the second candidate for the humanities Senate seat. A current master’s student in public and international affairs, Dadwal has grown accustomed to the importance of participation and deliberation. She has had prior experience serving the University of Windsor Senate and sat on numerous committees including their academic policy committee and the program development committee. While in Windsor, Dadwal explained that she pushed for greater accountability and transparency, as well as greater communication between students and governing associations.
“If given a chance, I hope to represent my constituents to the best of my ability in fulfilling the role of an active, vocal, determined, and reflective senator,” she wrote in an email to the Fulcrum.
