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2016 ASSU Candidate Statements

Here are the statements from the candidates for the upcoming ASSU Executive elections
Candidate for President

Ondiek Oduor

Hey Friends®,

I’m a fourth year student studying Social-Cultural Anthropology, Book & Media Studies, and Women & Gender Studies – and I am running to be your President.

Having the privilege of serving ASSU this year has taught me the importance of maintaining a unified sense of community. It has also opened my eyes to the structural barriers that impede our success. While we do have some of the most intelligent individuals in the world—both studying and teaching here—we must acknowledge that more work has to be done before we can have a reciprocal relationship with the University.

This year, we actively strived to increase student involvement within our exceptionally diverse community. In my term, I organized and advertised (re: Facebook lol) all three coffeehouses – including Ariana’s Grande which I considered iconic. Furthermore, I organized equity training for the executive members, participated in the Fall Reading Week Referendum, and re-launched the Arbor Journal as Co-Editor in Chief. I also brought my favourite podcast—The Read—to the University for totally unselfish reasons.

I believe that I have the necessary experience to continue our progress. I’ve held several roles including, but not limited to: being the Head of Non-Resident Affairs at Trinity College, interning for the Office of Student Life’s social media networks, co-founding Intersections: the Clapback journal, and being a regular contributor to the Salterrae and Gargoyle.

It would be a privilege to take on the presidential role, and I can’t wait to see what the new year brings!

Candidates for Executive

Tian Yi Bao – no statement

Nathan Chan

Hello!

My name is Nathan Chan and I hope to become an executive member of ASSU. I am currently in the third year of the Physiology Specialist and Pharmacology Major Programs.

Previous commitments have lent extensive experience that is applicable to ASSU. Having been both the Executive Administrator and Second-Year Representative of the Undergraduate Physiology Student Association, I have two-years’ experience collaborating with course unions and developing academic and social programming for students. Within Trinity College, I have served two years as Vice-President, Academic of LGBTQ+ support group “Rainbow Trinity”, two years as Co-Captain of student safety group “Sober Patrol”, and two years as a Member-at-Large of anti-sexual harassment advocacy group “Trinity Against Sexual Assault and Harassment”. I further have founded “People of Colour at Trinity College”, a social support group for racialised students.

Through my experience, I have interacted with hundreds of students from various identities. As an executive member of ASSU, I hope to improve student experience in three ways:

1) encouraging greater inter-course union collaboration to provide greater opportunity for student engagement

2) educating course unions to ensure campus-wide social and mental health resources are used and accessible

3) engaging in campus-wide student outreach to address issues of social and financial inequity

Above all, I recognize the diversity of our studies and the diversity of our lived experiences. By focusing on the aforementioned goals, I hope to improve the student experience for all students.

I hope you will strongly consider my candidacy for executive membership of ASSU.

 

Jia Chen

Hello,

My name is Lisa Chen and I am finishing my third year at U of T, as well as my third year as an executive on ASSU. If elected for a fourth year, I will work to bring more structure to the Budget Review Committee and Course Union Special Funding Request forms, as well as continue to push for improvement in the Faculty’s annual Course Evaluation.

In the three years that I have served on ASSU, I have helped the union push for Faculty-wide change such as Syllabi Regulation and an International Students Survey in 2014, and a referendum for a Fall Reading Week in 2015. Both with my team and as an individual, I have hosted internationally-renown speakers such as Wab Kinew and Ta-Nehisi Coates, in addition to fun de-stresser events such as a Nightmare before Christmas themed coffee-house, a ‘90s Themed Dance Party and cupcake decorating.

This year in addition to being an executive, I held the position of treasurer and worked closely with the Budget Review Committee to approve the Special Funding Request forms of Course Unions. I found that the Committee did not have a concrete set of guidelines to work from, and we had difficulty reaching consensus on which parts of a request to grant, and whether or not to grant 100% of the request. In 2016, I hope to create a solid set of guidelines based on precedent and approve SPFs in a fair and objective manner.

 

 

Crystal Gao

When I joined ASSU in 2014, I aimed to make an impact on the academic experiences of students in our faculty. Little did I know how this space would change me. Each of you play an important role on your course unions and engage with student affairs beyond… I am certain you can relate. Somewhere along the work we have been doing, this big campus began to feel a lot smaller.

Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege to work on initiatives to support our first year and international students, Mental Health week and course evaluations. This week, I am proud to be hosting our first Transition Week to help first year students find their crucial next steps for off-campus housing, academic planning and program enrolment. On Election Day, I will share a more in-depth overview of my past and ongoing projects as well as what I hope to achieve with ASSU Council next year.

To the course union leaders here today, I want to say, thank you for giving me your trust for the past two years. I hope you will give me another opportunity to work with you and continue on the projects that I’ve begun!

 

Amani Bosibori Moragia

Hey y’all,

My name is Bosi and I’m running to be your next ASSU student executive. I’m looking forward to bringing a dose of consistent black excellence to the Arts and Science Students Union, as well as a wealth of activities and initiatives that cater to the diverse student body. It’s lit.

 

Harrison Perry-Daiter

My name is Harrison Perry-Daiter and I am running for election to the Arts and Science Students’ Union Executive. I am a second year student majoring in European Studies, with minors in Russian and Jewish Studies.

I have been a firm advocate of student activism throughout my academic career. Pursuing broad education reform, I presented my speech “Sexism in the French Language” before a forum of Ontario secondary school French Language Department heads, for which I was awarded the Emblem of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.

I have prior experience in student governance, having served as Vice President-Academic of the Slavic Languages Student Union.   Acting upon our members’ right to efficient course evaluations, we are working with the Department to facilitate access to internal reviews, drawing from standardized year-end student feedback. Among my other student leadership initiatives, I served as Vice President of AFTER UofT. In this capacity, I co-organized a Professional Development Conference, a full day event that featured thirty guest speakers, and accommodated over three hundred students.

While building upon ASSU’s successes, my targets for 2016-2017 include efficient course evaluations, by offering accessible sessional feedback on professors, course instructors and teaching assistants. I would apply ASSU’s broad student outreach to promote engagement in Course Union events of all sizes.

 

Natalie Petra

I’m Natalie Petra and I’m running for re-election for the ASSU Executive. I am majoring in Ethics, Society and Law and Peace, Conflict and Justice, and minoring in Equity Studies. I am also a course union executive with the PCJ Society. I have served as an elected member of the Faculty’s Committee on Standing, on the UCLit’s Finance Committee, and as an orientation executive. Outside of school, I am a library board trustee, and serve as the Director of Communications for the New Democratic Youth of Canada.

Working with ASSU and the Faculty, I have learned and grown immensely. I had the pleasure of seeing the work of course unions and hearing student needs. Last year, I implemented an email system for ASSU, and ensured budgets, policies and minutes were accessible online. I was proud to work on the Fall Reading Week Referendum, and to advocate for an improved Course Evaluation system, better support systems for first years and international students, and mental wellness resources. I want to build on this by:

1) Implementing a feedback system for course unions, and providing resources to facilitate joint events.

2) Lobbying for nap spaces, improved mental wellness services, equity training and ending exam deferral fees.

3) Creating an open committee for students to get involved with the ASSU Executive’s work, and promoting ASSU’s services more widely.

4) Working to create a bursary for students in crisis.

Thanks for a great year – I sincerely hope to be able to serve again!

 

Priyanka Sharma

Hi there! I’m Priyanka Sharma (call me Pri!), studying Criminology and Psychology with a minor in English. As my second year comes to a close, I find myself at a place where I have gained enough experience to enhance my initiatives to the greater UofT community, and now am just awaiting the opportunity to do so – ASSU Executive is that perfect opportunity.

In the past two years I have been involved in my college and the university in almost every capacity. At Trinity College, my involvement ranges from being an executive member for organizing Frosh Week, Saints Charity Ball and Conversat Ball, to sitting on the executive panels for the Equity Committee, the Trinity Against Sexual Assault Initiative, Dramatic Society and more. As part of the larger campus community, I have had the pleasure to play on the St. George Tri-Campus Volleyball team, photograph for The Varsity, and represent the Pre-Law Society at competitions.

Through my interactions with the wide range of students at UofT, I have seen the possibility of creating a positive space, and how ASSU can expend it campus-wide to provide the healthiest and best academic and social experience to the largest faculty at UofT. I aim to focus on raising awareness of our student’s rights, varying from academic to other code of conduct policies (i.e. campus sexual assault). Through information empowerment and community events, I hope to foster an equitable space focusing on positive mental health, where every student can be engaged and supported.

Congratulations to our 2015-2016 Award Winners

ASSU is pleased to announce the winners of our 2015-2016 leadership award winners. These awards were created to honour some of the dedicated students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Every year, hundreds of exceptional students apply for these awards. The winners for 2015-2016 are:

 

William R. Gardner Student Leadership Award

 

Winner — Iris Robbin

Runner-up — Ese Makolomi

Runner-up — Sydney Lang

 

Gavin Nowlan Campus Leadership Award

 

Winner — Emily Tsui

Runner-up — Trillium Chang

Runner-up — Priyanka Soundranayagam

 

ASSU Campus Leadership Award

Winner –Lily Yuxi Ren

Runner-up –Yalinie Kulandaivelu

Runner-up –Novera Khan

 

 

 

 

 

The City Series

The City Series

The Arts and Science Students’ Union (ASSU) is proud to present a series of seminars on issues pertaining to our city this semester.  From the Blue Jays, to references to the 6ix, to anti black racism, to the state of our transit system, we cannot escape conversations about our city. Join us, as we ask in our events, what makes our city unique and how do we make our city better?

Events:
SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE CITY with Shawn Micallef and Councilor Norm Kelly
Thurs. Nov 12th – William Doo Auditorium – 6:00 pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/1473064449667292/

We are in a State of Emergency: Anti-Black Racism in Toronto
with Desmond Cole
Tuesday Nov 17th – Hart House – 7 PM
https://www.facebook.com/events/1076242735720087/

TTC Town Hall with TTC CEO Andy Byford
Thurs. Nov 19th – Innis Town Hall – 6:30 pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/404590806400534/

Contest:

attendandwin


ASSU is committed to providing a space that is inclusive, accessible and accommodating to all people. If you have any concerns about the accommodations and accessibility of this event, please contact Abdullah Shihipar at president@assu.ca.

ASSU Candidate Statements

Here are the statements for candidates in our executive elections.

Candidate for President

Abdullah Shihipar

Hey y’all. My is Abdullah Shihipar and I am currently the President of the Arts and Science Students’ Union (ASSU) and I’m running to seek a second term.  This year, together with our students, ASSU council and the executive, we have managed to accomplish a lot.  We have transformed the way students’ see the union.

We host academic talks and lectures – such as bringing Ta-Nehisi Coates to campus, we have held fun distressing events and coffeehouses, we have boosted our presence on social media and we have run effective campaigns this year, from advocating for international students rights to ensuring that students’ know their rights in the classroom.  Our council has been more active and featured in more discussions in setting the mandate of the union.  Even when crises come up, the strike for example:  we have responded with swift action.

As President this year, I am proud of the work my team has accomplished in the short span of a few months and I would like to be able to finish the work we started this year.  As the Faculty embarks on its petitions overhaul, I’d like to see mental health be better integrated. I’d like to continue working towards an improved course evaluation system and I want to continue to ensure that the union and the university are safe, positive spaces for all students. I hope you will give me the chance to work with you and other students as we continue to move the union forward.

 Candidates for Executive (4 positions available)

Lisa Chen

I am finishing my second year, both at U of T and as an executive on the Arts and Science Student’s Union. I started as an executive on ASSU in the first semester of my first year and have seen both the union and myself grow in terms of in terms of accomplishments and future aspirations. During my time as an executive, I have started a web series called ASKU to introduce students to lesser known resources on campus, helped with the International Student Survey to bring awareness to issues faced by International Students on and off campus, sat on the committee for improving course evaluations, and ran a “Decorate Your Own Cupcake” event during Mental Health Awareness Month. I currently serve as the secretary of HPSUS (History and Philosophy of Science Undergraduate Society) and have an excellent understanding of ASSU both as an executive, and as a course union executive. In the Faculty of ArtSci, I also represent students to the administration as a Humanities Rep on the Arts and Science Faculty Council, Student Rep on Curriculum Committee, and Student Rep on the Academic Appeals Board. I understand and experience the needs of the average student and have learnt the culture and policies of the faculty administration during my two years working with them. My plans for the upcoming year are to continue pushing for canned comments and improved user friendliness on the course evaluations, as well as hold more mental health awareness and support events throughout the year.

Colby Chubbs

My name is Colby Chubbs and I’m running for the Arts and Science Student Union Executive. I’m a third year student completing a double major in Political Science and Philosophy, with a minor in English; and within my studies, I’ve also taken courses within Classics, Slavic Languages and Literature, and History. My main experience consists of two years’ service within a course union – the Association of Political Science Students – where I began as a College Representative to being elected to the Executive, still currently serving. I have become well acquainted with the essential processes and operations that go into providing the various functions organized by a course union, and the duties and services that a course union must uphold. I intend to take my prior experience in a course union and actively apply it unions on a larger-scale – with three times the vigor and passion – in ensuring that course unions of all stripes are able to meet their objectives that are vital for all students within the Faculty of arts and science.

That being said, my objectives include:

  • Further building on ASSU’s role in communication and deliberation with course unions
  • Ensuring that course unions have the essential resources and space for organizing events and opportunities
  • Ensuring that the services of ASSU and course unions are easily accessible to all Faculty students, fostering inclusiveness and solidarity

Crystal Gao

Looking back, this has been an exciting and productive year for ASSU council. As a current executive, I have witnessed the enthusiasm and important work of our course unions. I have also gained valuable experience and insight on academic issues faced by students.

Next year, I hope to continue building on our advocacy for more equitable academic policies, a more inclusive international student experience as well as a comprehensive course evaluation system which includes feedback on TA’s and student comments. In addition, I will work extensively with the Faculty to improve first-year academic experience and create more experiential learning opportunities. As well, I hope to continue the project I launched this year called #feelbetterdobetter, a series of events to give students mental health resources and fun activities for stress-relief.

Most importantly, I want to give greater focus to our 60+ course unions who I recognize, do the bulk of the work to engage students through weekly and monthly events, workshops and seminars. I want to start the year with a budget consultation with you all to increase funds, support and resources for course union initiatives because I know that your outreach efforts form the backbone of what we do. I also want to revitalize our website so that your events are prioritized front and centre and bring our special projects funding requests online.

Thank you for helping us achieve an unprecedented year of student engagement and advocacy. I hope to serve you again next year on the ASSU executive.

Ondiek Oduor

Hi! I am running to be an Executive on ASSU. I am currently in my third-year studying Social-Cultural Anthropology and Book & Media Studies with a minor in Women & Gender Studies.

I have held a wide array of positions during my three years at the university. I am the Male Head of Non-Resident Affairs at Trinity College – which means that I am the Head of the Non-Resident Affairs Committee, and of all commuter students at the College. On top of politics, I work with a brilliant team of Heads as essentially student dons. I sit on several committees, such as the Finance Committee, Board of Stewards, and the Senate. I am also both the Co-Chair of Students for Gender Equity and the Secretary for Rainbow Trinity at Trinity College.

Additionally, I intern for Life at U of T as a part of the Student Life Community Crew, and have became adept at using social media platforms (cat videos) to engage with students. I will continue ASSU’s expertise in social media to ensure that students are aware of the countless services that the Union provides.

My focus will be to make the student experience more equitable both inside and outside the classroom. I want to work together with Course Unions to help make that their structures and events are equally accessible to students regardless of their identities. I will strive to lessen the academic, social and financial burdens that often seem unavoidable in student life.

Thank you for your consideration.

Harrison Perry-Daiter

My name is Harrison Perry-Daiter and I am running for election to the Arts and Sciences Students’ Union Executive. I am a second year student majoring in International Relations and European Studies, with minors in Russian and Spanish.

I have been a firm advocate of student activism throughout my academic career. Pursuing broad reform, I presented my speech “Sexisme dans la Langue Francaise” before a forum of Ontario secondary school French Language Department heads, for which I was awarded the Emblem of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.

Having graduated high school among the highest academic performers in Canada (99.3% average), I was designated one of fifty Class of 2017 President’s Scholars of Excellence.

I hold leadership positions in many student groups, including Vice President-Academic of the Slavic Languages Student Union. Acting upon our members’ right to efficient course evaluations, we are working with the Department to facilitate access to internal reviews, drawing from standardized year-end student feedback. Among my other student leadership initiatives, I serve as Vice President of AFTER UofT. I co-organized our inaugural Professional Development Conference, a full day even that featured thirty guest speakers, and accommodated over three hundred students.

While building upon ASSU’s successes, my targets for 2015-2016 include efficient course evaluations, by offering accessible sessional feedback on professors, course instructors, and teaching assistants. I would also apply ASSU’s broad student outreach to promote engagement in Course Union events of all sizes.

Natalie Petra

My name is Natalie Petra and I’m running for the ASSU Executive. I hope to complete my degree with a double major in Public Policy and Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies. Over my five years at the University of Toronto, I have held a wide variety of leadership positions, including Director of Finance of Hi-Skule, Chair of Leadership Development during Frosh Week, Annesley Representative on Victoria College’s Sustainability Council, and member of the University of Toronto New Democrats. Outside of school, I have extensive experience, and was appointed to the Bradford Public Library’s Board of Directors, as well as elected President and LGBT Representative of the York—Simcoe NDP, and to the Ontario NDP’s highest governing body, Provincial Council.

I’m passionate about undergraduate student issues, both academic and social, and I hope to be able to make a difference and improve our community. If elected, I hope to:

1) Work with Course Unions and the University to implement mid-term course evaluations in Arts & Science courses (particularly Y courses) so that professors can listen to feedback and adjust to better help students achieve success.

2) Fight for fairer fee structures and financial support for struggling and low-income students.

3) Fight for better mental health support and services.

4) Work to increase funding for Course Union events and outreach.

5) Work with Course Unions to increase advocacy and support for students who feel unsafe in class.

I would love to have the opportunity to learn and serve on ASSU.

Alexandra Rusu

The increased collaboration between course unions and the ASSU is the basis on which my platform stands. Better access to course midterms and exams can be facilitated through better communication between unions such as the EEBU, ESU, and CSSU. This will better allow students to be more comfortable with the subject matter of the course that they are taking, as well as make them more comfortable with taking courses outside of their specific disciplines. Better communication means the ASSU being in closer collaboration with the student unions encouraging social ties through social events and encouraging the promotion of ASSU and past-midterm collection in their courses. I am also for the bringing back of the anti-calendar into students hands.

ASSU closed for reading week

The ASSU office will be closed during reading week, February 16th to 20th. We will reopen on Monday, February 23rd at 10am. Have a safe, fun, and rewarding reading week everyone!

#globalvoices report

gvreportsliderIn November, ASSU launched its #globalvoices campaign – a campaign aimed at bringing awareness to the problems and issues international students face. As part of this campaign, ASSU launched a survey of international students to pinpoint these issues and formulate solutions. After two months, we are now ready to present this report. Click here to read it.

 

The Ali Saeed Memorial Award

This year, ASSU will be introducing a new award for International Students. This award was established in memory of Ali Saeed (1992-2014) -an international student from Pakistan studying Political Science, who was a dedicated collaborator in the work ASSU did over the 2013-2014 academic year. He was a passionate photographer, student activist, and was highly respected by his peers and all who knew him.

Eligibility

  • International Student
  • Full-time Undergraduate in Arts and Science Registered on the St. George Campus
  • Campus Leadership and Extra-Curricular Involvement
  • In Second Year or Higher
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0

Application forms can be found here.

Deadline is Friday February 27th 2015 at 5:00pm

Events

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