2018-2019 ASSU Executive Candidate Statements
Here are the Candidate Statements for our Spring 2018 Elections!
PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE – acclaimed
Haseeb Hassaan
Hi everyone, My name is Haseeb Hassaan I’m a 4th year student studying Political Science and Religion. I am currently serving as an executive on ASSU and I am running to be your President. This year I was able to do a few of the things that I wanted to do as an exective, we hosted an AMA to do reach out to more students and currently working on Student Success Day a conference for marginalized students in the GTA area. As ASSU president I want to do a few things. Firstly I want to get involved in the wider community, charity means a lot to me and I want to make sure that were active participants in helping community organizations. I want to also continue the great work that we advocating for students. Holding administration accountable is essential so that students can feel comfortable within our faculty. Fighting homophobia, racism and fighting for equity is at the core of our union and is something that I hope to continue to do.
EXECUTIVE NOMINEES – 15 candidates – 4 positions
Roya Abedi
Hello! My name is Roya Abedi and I am interested in running for one of the ASSU executive positions for the 2018-2019 school year. I believe I am qualified for this position due to my prior experiences of being on student unions and being part of many U of T affiliated clubs and organizations. Furthermore, I am both a Science and an Arts student which introduces me to a wide spectrum of peers and their wants/concerns. Due to my experiences and studies, I believe I am well rounded and fit to be able to speak on my peers’ behalf and will constantly strive to represent and serve them better if given the chance!
Zara Ahmad
Hi! My name is Zara, and I am a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience. I hope to minor in Computer Science, and I am still deciding on what else I want to minor in!
I usually only run on the treadmill, but this year, I have decided to run for ASSU Executive. I will tell you a few reasons why.
As a confused first year, I found a haven in the ASSU office. They provided past tests that were extremely helpful in my courses. They occasionally gave out free food. They were my big sibling, advising me not to enrol in private test preparation courses, and instead to seek out the help that was already available on campus. They provided 5 cent/page printing, unlike the library which ripped me off. The staff were so nice too, and I felt like I belonged in the U of T community.
In my second year, I read about an opportunity to be a speaker at the ASSU Undergraduate Research Conference. I applied on a whim and was delighted when I was selected. Presenting at the conference validated me as a researcher and gave me the confidence to continue applying for research positions.
In short, ASSU has given me so much, and I want to give back to them. I want to run for an executive position so that I can have an important impact on students as well. With my passion, I know that I am an excellent choice.
Joshua Bowman
Hello Course Unions! My name is Joshua Bowman, and I am running to be an executive on the 2018-2019 Arts & Science Students’ Union. Like many of you, before I came to the University of Toronto, I was told I would be just a number. Sure enough, on my first day, I was given a student number. 1002427563, loud and proud. There are groups on campus that work to consolidate that, behind every student number, is a student; it is because of course unions like yours that I found my footing at our University. Through my work with the Indigenous Studies Students’ Union, I have realized that small course unions have huge voices! With a small executive of five and an average turnout of a few students at each of our general meetings, you would not be able to tell that we hosted one of U of T’s largest events of the year: The Honouring Our Students’ Pow Wow. With the right amount of support, like the Indigenous Studies Students’ Union were fortunate to have received, I believe that every course union can have their bright ideas made into substantial realities. If elected to the ASSU, I will work to give the huge voices of small course unions the platforms their hard-work merits, specifically by altering the provisions of journals on campus so that they are more inclusive. Moreover, I believe that Arts & Science is an interdisciplinary program, and we should encourage collaboration that is reflective of our studies.
Alice Cao
Hello everyone! My name is Alice Cao, and I’m a first year student studying in life science program. This year, I’m going to run for ASSU executive position. I’m an independent, dedicated, reliable, energetic person who is passionate about participating in ASSU. As an ASSU executive member, I will be organizing various campus events, such as social conferences, academic study/entrepreneur workshops, exam jams and as well as providing students with sufficient aids and help towards their requires! I believe I will be a good executive member if selected because throughout this year, I have joined many organizations, such as ASSU sponsorship team as a sponsorship director, U of T Pop (Pencils of Promise) as the Vice President of External Affairs, etc. Thus, I have gained so much experience by working with these amazing teams and people, and I believe I could do more for students in a broader way, that could make it another memorable year for all the UofT students!
My name is Alice Cao, and please vote me as executive member for ASSU 2018/2019 Election!
I appreciate for your votes! Thank you very much!
Victoria Chen
As a first-year student in Life Sciences who is living with a physical disability, I have first-hand experience with the challenging transition from high school to university, as well as the day-to-day hardships of navigating campus life as a student with accessibility needs. At ASSU, my ultimate goal is to work with my team to create a positive and inclusive environment for all UofT students free of discrimination, prejudice, and bigotry.
I believe that I can bring a unique perspective and voice to the ASSU team. As a former Provincial and National Ambassador for Easter Seals—an organization that supports children living with physical disabilities across the nation—I have extensive experience in public speaking and advocating for causes I am passionate about and can lend validity to. I know that active involvement outside the classroom is essential to a student’s personal well-being, and this has led me to earn a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and a Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program Certificate of Honourable Mention. I am currently in the FLC Program and a firm believer in improving the emotional well-being of first-year students during what may be a harrowing transition period.
I plan to improve the student experience through:
- Implementing a video recording system so lecture material is accessible online to all students
- Establishing a mentorship program for students with accessibility needs, first-year, and international students
- Planning workshops to educate others on students of all identities (racial, social, sexual, gender, psychological, religious, disability, etc.)
Weijia (Jasper) Chen
Dear members of ASSU,
Greetings, I am a third-year international student majoring in Economics, and also the secretary in CASSU, this year. ASSU as the important academic student union in UofT serves more than 20 thousand students with diversified course unions. In the past years, ASSU continually created a friendly, professional and inclusive environment for all members to study, research and live with Art & Science. Hence, I am so proud to join this big family.
As the secretary in CASSU in this past year, I learned a lots of with CASSU and ASSU, and I always try to be active and involved in the affairs and events related to my course programs and student unions. Based on my personal and most international student’s experience, we feel strongly that there still have some barriers for us to conveniently and consistently involve in the events, academic opportunities provided by ASSU and course unions.
Hence I wish to join the executive team to serve all members with focusing on how to let ASSU and each course union be more attractive to international students and minority groups. In addition, I will cooperate with other executives to improve the support for each course unions with their events and individuals with their academic and living issues especially for minority and disadvantaged groups. Equality cannot be ignored in every aspect at UofT.
I am eager to share my ideas with anyone that is willing to listen. If you have any questions, please email me (wjasper.chen@mail.utoronto.ca).
David de Paiva
My name is David de Paiva. I’ve been at the University of Toronto since last September, but it feels like I’ve been here longer. This place is special. When I step onto campus, I feel like I belong. Whether I’m in Hart House or Convocation Hall, I feel like I’m surrounded by a home.
Yet, I know that not all Arts and Sciences students feel the same way. At the ASSU, I want to bring us closer to the students we represent. We can serve as the link between academics and life. The ASSU was created to encourage “meaningful student participation”, and I think we can do more.
I propose that we increase our social media presence, first by establishing a weekly profile on our Facebook and Instagram accounts that highlights each course union and their activities, and second by creating an “Ask ASSU” biweekly post where students can submit questions to us, and we can post our answers.
By highlighting different course unions, we will help link curious students with their program’s student representatives. By answering questions submitted to us, we will showcase our approachability.
I want us to be a Google for our students. I want us to be the first place they go when they need help. I think we can do it by making ourselves more visible on the platforms that students care most about. With my experience running the Department of Spanish and Portuguese’s social media, I know I can help. That’s why I’m running.
Ikran Jama
The last time I wrote this statement, I spoke about how I was a first-year student new to the campus world, but not new to the world of student empowerment. As one of your current ASSU executives, this year has given me the experience and knowledge valuable in continuing to act on the issues that impact our campus community.
Currently, I’m working alongside ASSU executive Haseeb to organize the first Student Success Day, a high school conference dedicated to giving students in marginalized communities the experience of understanding the diverse programs university has available to them. Coming onto council, I wanted to prioritize the aid of students who come from low income schools –I am thankful that ASSU has given me the platform to truly make this difference on campus.
Working alongside course unions for our high school conference has given me the opportunity to understand how our communication and collective work can lead to greater things –I want to expand on this cooperation next year through greater course union related projects, and to continue the projects we have created this year (Undergraduate Research Conference and Student Success Day).
Through my last statement, you took a chance to vote on a first-year student who was eager to make changes, to listen, and to embrace student voice. Through this statement, I hope you will understand that through my current ASSU commitment and experience, I am eager to continue the extensive work I have already created.
Remember, we can with Ikran!
Abdullah Malik
No Statement
Dhvani Ramanujam
Hey everyone! I’m Dhvani, and I’m a third year student currently studying International Relations and Ethics, Society and Law.
As an executive, I hope to improve the experience of students in the following ways:
By continuing to promote and provide opportunities for undergraduate research. Undergraduate research exists, as this year’s Undergraduate Research Conference demonstrates, yet many students struggle to find research opportunities. Next year, I’d hope to not only continue hosting the Conference, but to also host a workshop that publicises some of the different and lesser-known research initiatives students can join.
By hosting events that highlight some of the issues most pertinent to students, such as access to affordable housing, and barriers to student success.
And most of all, by being approachable and accessible! I hope in particular to engage students who are beyond the usual network of student leaders on campus, to reach out to those who feel marginalized by this university, and to especially work to make international students feel welcome.
Over the last three years, I have been working to build a more engaged community at UofT from my work concerning refugee sponsorship with Trinity College’s WUSC chapter, to being a committee member of the Hart House Social Justice Committee, to my involvement with the Centre for Community Partnerships. These diverse experiences have given me both the practical organizing skills but also the level of empathy I believe is needed to foster an ASSU that actively supports its community.
Martha Taylor
Hi Everyone 🙂
My name is Martha Taylor and I’m running for election into the ASSU executive team. I’m currently a first year student hoping to do a specialist in Pharmacology and Toxicology.
I’m a person who’s extremely passionate about social activism and representation for people who tend to be overlooked in society. As a result of this burning passion, I became the secretary of the Youth Council at my recreation centre Masaryk Cowan and helped to represent the Parkdale community during excursions to different community centres. I was also an active member of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust, where I assisted with the video recording of tenants from a variety of apartment buildings around the Parkdale community regarding different issues that were occurring in their apartment buildings.
Coming to university I knew I wanted to continue being an advocate and joined TASAH, Trinity Against Sexual Assault and Harassment because the time truly is up for sexual assault and harassment to be the elephant in the room. Silence only helps to fuel violence, therefore I believe it’s our moral obligation to create dialogue!
I hope to be part of the ASSU executive team because I believe diversity is the face of the future. I would love to host elementary students from low income communities in order for them to see that university isn’t unattainable, as I hope to possibly discuss the creation of scholarships for disadvantaged students. Education should never be a luxury.
Power to the People!
Endalle-Cassandra Toutou
No Statement
Hannah Turcotte
My name is Hannah Turcotte, a first-year student pursuing majors in Political Science and Planning. I am running for the position of ASSU executive with the hopes of creating a more inclusive, equitable community at UofT. I plan to create programming, social media campaigns and engage in dialogues to improve the programs offered by UofT, eliminate unfair practices within the school and, most importantly, to ensure that your voices are represented in all conversations and decisions made!
I have a passion for ensuring equality and a proven record of success acting on behalf of a large group. In the past, I have acted as a representative of individuals within different communities than my own, as well as those restricted by finances, members of the LGBTQ+ community and mental health community. A passion for equity is my motivating factor, and I will act on behalf your behalf to ensure that your school works for you!
At UofT, it is clear that we are a community of those who try our hardest. For all the
obstacles which needed to be overcome to arrive here, the last thing to hold us back should be factors such as race, income, sexism, immigration status, homophobia, transphobia, or ableism.
As your representative, I’m determined to ensure that students have a fair chance to succeed and will never stop working for those who matter most – you.
I hope that you’ll consider me for your ASSU executive, because a vote for Hannah T is a vote for equity!
Helen Yang
No Statement
Yang Zhou
My name is Yang Zhou, and I go by Vicky. I am a second-year student pursuing a major in Sociology and another major in Linguistics.
I always wanted to become a part of ASSU since my first year, and I believe that from my two-year university experience,
I have grown to be a more comprehensive and capable candidate to ASSU.
I have been very active in curricular and extra-curricular activities. Earlier this year, I joined a global students-run organization, AIESEC, as an Exchange Participant Manager, where I learned to take on more responsibilities to ensure the international exchange experience of other students, and also developed my own leadership skills. Through my daily practice, made realization of the importance of communication and mutual understanding. I always remind myself to be a person that listens carefully and express myself explicitly in all the work that I participate.
I am also an open-minded person. I have been travelling all my life and lived in multiple different societies. Recently, I exchanged to Colombia for a volunteer project to teach English, and this summer I will be working on a teaching project in Poland. I always carry interests and respect to all kinds of cultures, and I believe embracing diversity is a key factor of uniting people.
I will contribute all of these values and capabilities that I have to any role that I take on. I think these are also the qualities that will make me an asset for ASSU.
