Here are the candidate statements for our upcoming ASSU Executive by-election. ASSU Council will elect one executive member to join the team at the ASSU Council meeting on November 12th.
Candidates for Executive
Maya Al-Arami
My name is Maya Al-Arami, I am currently a student at Victoria College pursuing a finance and economics specialist and literature and critical theory major, running for an executive position at the Art and Science Student Union, better known as ASSU.
Within the past three months, at the University of Toronto, I have been lucky enough to be able to call this university home, however like any other institution, there a multitude of issues that are currently effecting students, and more specifically art and science students.
I am particularly interested in advocating for the rights of student protest and financial reimbursement for public transportation. As many may know, after the encampment UofT has changed their protest policies, making it ambiguous as to what would be defined as a distribution. Like many other students, I want these policies to change and allow for students to express their opinions through protest, without risking their safety and privacy. As a commuter, I understand the struggle of having to spend approximately $800 per school year – and even more for those who ride to the GO – to appropriately fund traveling to campus on the TTC. Nevertheless, I believe that the university can better fund and support commuters without them increasing tuition and incidental funds.
Irmak Aytekin
Hello! I’m Irmak Aytekin from Istanbul, studying Computer Science and Astrophysics at UofT!
The MOST important thing I’d like to express about myself is my passion for volunteering. During my gap year and past summers, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to over five countries, including Portugal, China, South Africa, and Fiji, where I connected with NGOs and built lasting relationships. Engaging with people from different cultures and backgrounds pushed me far beyond my comfort zone and gave me valuable perspectives on global and personal issues around the world. I’d love to create more volunteering opportunities here at UofT, also connected to academics, using my experience and connections.
Since moving to Canada, I’ve continued my volunteer work by joining Habitat for Humanity and collaborating with local NGOs. As for other leadership positions, at UofT, I’m one of the execs for the UofT Outdoors Club (UTOC) and the first-year representative for the Turkish Student Association, and the lead web developer of the engineering design team (UTUX). During high school, I served on the student council, working my way up to the position of vice president, by being a permanent and stable part of a team. Another highlight for me was organizing the first Astronomy Convention at my high school through the Astronomy Club that I was leading. I can confidently say that I am prepared for the commitment for this team.
Being a part of ASSU team this early means that I’ll have the chance to be a permanent part
Zayne Nettey
My name is Zayne Nettey, and I am a second-year Arts and Sciences student running to become one of your ASSU Executives. Throughout high school, I held positions in clubs and organizations such as the Headmaster’s Advisory Council and Black Students Association which I feel have prepared me for the nature of the work this position would entail.
The transitional nature of our university years often leads to students feeling isolated and lost, caught up in a frenzy of changes that many do not feel prepared for. Time at university should be spent accumulating knowledge and developing one’s skills toward the goal of becoming the best version of one’s self, and, more often than not, the alienation caused by such continuous change and stress is directly counterintuitive to the achievement of that goal. Having experienced some alienation in my own academic journey last year, I feel naturally inclined to become involved with ASSU and aid in its mission to improve and support students’ experiences at UofT.
I aim to provide support and assurance that ensures that students know that their voices and concerns can be heard and become involved in and lead projects that have the best interests of students and their mental health at their core. We are in a place that affords us no shortage of opportunities to become the best versions of ourselves, but getting swept up in anxieties makes this process more difficult than it needs to be. Together, we can change that.
Melani Vevecka
I’ve often struggled to answer when people ask me where “home” is. Having moved between countries throughout my childhood, I’ve grown up carrying pieces of each place I’ve lived in. This constant movement taught me the value of community in a way that transcends borders; wherever I went, I found ways to connect with those around me, sharing experiences, stories, and ideas. This exchange is how I learned the importance of building communities rooted in respect, tolerance, and curiosity.
As an executive, I want to bring that same spirit to the ASSU. The ASSU embodies the vision of fostering a diverse community where every student feels empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. For me, being an executive is about helping students feel at home within the university, no matter where they’re from or what they study. I’m driven to be part of a team that not only advocates for students’ needs but also actively creates spaces for them to feel included and supported.
I would love the opportunity to contribute to this mission, helping to shape a university community that values each student’s individuality and encourages experiences that will leave a lasting impact.
