^top^
President - Where's the Race?
Our vote: Jeff FriedrichIt truly is unfortunate that the position of president for the AMS is running du jure unopposed. The early joke candidate Maxwell Maxwell, while he tried to make a serious bid when he realised he was the only opposition to Friedrich, simply lacks the knowledge of how to be president. Jeff, however, will certainly make an excellent president.
Jeff is also running for Board of Governors, and here's what he has to say about running for both.
^top^Jeff Friedrich
- The most powerful political positions a student can acheive in
relation to the university are a position on Board of Governors and as
the AMS President. Won't the students lose out on having 3 'most
powerful' voices if you're elected?
I don't think so. My position has been that it strengthens our voice (see my canidate statement at ams.ubc.ca). A problem we have faced in the past is that policy is developed through the AMS (first through a committee, and then at council debate), and then student reps to the board may choose to disagree with the policy (and this has happened). This serves to divide our voice, and to me that is a primary concern. I don't like scenarios where student politicians can represent their own singular opinion as "student opinion," and I think the development of policy through established committee processes is a strength of the AMS that can help combat this problem.
Keep in mind also, that the President of the AMS is one of the most informed students on campus, because they spend 40 hours a week on the issues. This year, as VP Academic, Kevin and I made regular efforts to meet with the student board reps ahead of time and to attend board. What you might lose in quantity you can make up in quality- hope that doesn't sound cheeky, and I certainly don't mean to question the invaluable and capable contributions of Lauren and Omar this year, but I think sending the President to Board is in the best interests of students. I know it's sounds strange, but check it out, student societies across the country do it this way.
Editor: Well spoken. - How do you intend to affect change on the BoG when it's near
impossible for a student position to even get anything on the agenda?
It's not impossible. We asked some questions about how to amend neighborhood plans this year (so we could include zoning for student hoursing or the Farm, for example), and the university suggested it was simple to put those items on the Board agenda (Before that, they had never said how amendments were achieveable). So we intend to accept their invite, and should it not be as easy as the university maintains, we will bring those concerns to a body who will listen- the Province or the GVRD. I think getting some motions on the agenda around campus development will help set a precedent for more student motions in the future.
Editor: If it's so simple to get something on the agenda, then why did it take nearly 3 years to get a discussion for an amendment to block traffic down East Mall? - What happens when AMS meetings or duties conflict with BoG meetings?
(Hint: Don't say it doesn't happen, because it does. Often.)
Well they do but the Presdent of the AMS sets the AMS council schedule. We've never adjusted the schedule much because the President has never been on board. We could just schedule council around board dates. Also- board never runs as late as council (there might be some overlap), and if there was overlap you could just schedule the agenda items the President needed to attend for later in the meeting. So I don't think this is an issue.
I wonder if the other voting members of the AMS will take kindly to having their meetings switched because you have to attend BoG in Kelowna?
VP Academic - Goodmurphy a Good Choice
Our vote: Brendon GoodmurphyVP Academic was a somewhat difficult race to decide. What it came down to was that Fan Fan doesn't seem to know the issues, and while Krayenhoff's plans sound good in theory, practically speaking they would only serve to slow down the progress of the AMS. To be honest, I think if the AMS moved any slower it would be going backwards, and I don't want that to happen. When a candidate says he will "Pioneer a democratic reform that has the potential to solve many of the problems in the world today" in the AMS elections, he loses my vote to the unrealistic camp.
That leaves us with Goodmurphy. This guy knows where it's at. He's outgoing and he's got the plans he needs to realistically shake up the system a bit and inject some fresh blood. Goodmurphy is the one candidate in this election that implies he'll shake things up a little without having to say it - he's got the ideas and the plans.
^top^VP Admin - Nothing Substantial
Our vote: Suvina ToWhen thinking seriously about the VP Administration candidates the phrase "Move along, nothing to see here folks" comes to mind. After Liz Ferris dropped out of the running, we're left with a joke, a pep squad leader and a new SUB candidate.
I don't think I need say more about Lougheed "The Barbarian" other than if he wins, he should be forced to sit on council clad in his carpet robes. Sarah Naiman on the other hand has lots of interesting, but extremely naive and sometimes even pointless ideas. Sure the student-made clips playing in the SUB sounds fun, but the money spent on infrastructure and maintenance would be sizable and better spent elsewhere. Slogans and catchphrases are great until the ax meets the grindstone: she doesn't sound like she knows how to actually accomplish most of what she's proposing from the position of VP Academic, which is a huge step up from the mostly uninspiring AMS rep she portrayed all year (I know, I was there).
Suvina To seems to be the only candidate running with a direct knowledge of what the position actually entails. 'Nuff said! She also recognizes the need for a new and bigger SUB, and for continued support of clubs and resource groups. She's not exactly full of ideas, and represents the status quo in many regards. Sometimes no change is the best change.
^top^Suvina To's Interview
- What makes you think anyone would vote for you? (hint: be as vain as possible)
I'm the best person for the job, of course. For a relatively internal position such as VP Admin, there are lots of operational things to learn and the best way to learn the ropes is not during the first few months of your term as VP Admin but beforehand, by getting that experience through working on one of the VP Admin committees (in my case, SAC). I have the -direct- experience to effectively and efficiently do the job. I also have a realistic platform, with ideas that I can implement within my term and achievable long-term goals. Not to mention that I've had much more exposure to the needs of students who use the SUB on a regular basis. By voting for me, students can expect improvements all around, a strong student voice, and a student leader who's not going to aggressively make you like the AMS more. I don't expect that to happen until students see the results they want.
Editor: Yay, I'm not going to be pummeled into liking the AMS! - Name three *specific* goals you have achieved in the past that
demonstrate your worthiness to be the almighty (or whatever position
you're running for)
In the past 8 months on SAC, I've completely turned around the relationship between SAC and clubs - there used to be a lot of conflict with SAC, now they know that we're here to help, not hinder. New clubs are getting off to a better start, clubs are more aware of the resources they can tap into, and students/clubs alike really enjoyed a well-organized Clubs Days.
Last year, I convinced Phi Delta Epsilon, the International Medical Fraternity (it's coed) to start up a chapter here at UBC. They only choose 5 new schools per year out of dozens of applications. I was also chosen to serve as President and Advisor by the Fraternity's CEO.
As VP Program Development for Alpha Phi at UBC, I was part of the executive team that led the chapter to win numerous awards at Alpha Phi's International Convention. Editor: Frat girl! Nana-nana-nana-nana Frat girl! - Name three *specific* things you will do if elected (examples: I
will have a party with 6 schoolgirl themed strippers and a ton of
booze, and wake up the next morning with no recollection of why there
is a shaved dog next to me, or you could also, you know, elaborate
your platform?)
I will renovate the SUB to make it a cleaner, more comfortable building. My list for things to renovate include the Pit, the Ballroom, and the various seating areas. I will also be renovating to improve sustainability by improving the composting program and installing electric hand dryers instead of the wasteful paper dispensers we have in almost all our bathrooms.
I will continue with current projects that SAC has undertaken to reduce red tape and move to a fast, easy-to-use online system (i.e. the "online-up" for bookings). With SAC, I will re-evaluate services offered to the clubs, implementing strategies to minimize wasted resources such as having an online cancellation system to redistribute canceled/missed bookings and proper distribution of club office space based on membership size and traffic.
I want to bring back events such as Homecoming, improve on informational showcases such as AMS Week(s), and revamp Executive Orientations and the SAC Wine and Cheese so that we show more appreciation and support for our students, as well as keeping them regularly informed of what we're doing. It would be great to have planning committees for these events that actually involve students and give them a chance to lead instead of having it all planned internally. - Name the most frustrating thing you've ever had to deal with (hint:
don't try and incite sympathy, that won't go over well)
People who can only whine, complain and criticize, but cannot offer a single decent solution. It's easy to bitch about things, but don't expect somebody to fix it for you unless you are willing to do some work yourself.
Editor: She's annoyed by 95% of UBC's student population? - If you were a power tool, what power tool would you be?
A dremel, of course!
Editor: Curve those corners!
VP Finance - Continuity or Ideas?
Our vote: Brittany TysonA commerce student versus a business student. Who in the end will reign supreme? The epic Peter Rizov versus Brittany Tyson certainly seemed like a battle when the two got together to duke it out one at the debate last week. Brittany pointed out the steep learning curve of entering the position and told us how she would face an easier challenge than her opponent because of her previous experience. Peter responded by calling her on the low blow claiming to be intelligent enough for the job.
But that's only the beginning. Tyson, by virtue of her experience on the finance commission, has a solid understanding of all the issues facing the current VP Finance and has some solid ideas on how to get more money in the hands of students. Rizov on the other hand continued to harp on that old song "change isn't always bad" as a cover for skirting the issues and saying that he will consider anything that he deems reasonable. Tyson wants infrastructure in place to support our AMS businesses which can only benefit students, because indeed most of the AMS's income comes from those businesses. She wants to update and re-brand the AMS businesses, and implement a frequent-buyer card. Maybe with all that extra money she intends to bring in she'll benefit from a compensation review and a salary increase?
This race sounds similar to the presidential race in that one candidate has the AMS experience while the other doesn't, but is different in one substantial place: the one without the experience nearly has the appropriate degree to take on the responsibility of the position.
^top^Brittany Tyson's Interview
- What makes you think anyone would vote for you? (hint: be as vain as possible)
I think people that have seen the work I've done over the past two years for the AMS recognize that I will continue to make positive changes, work hard for students, and make the AMS a more relevant part of students' lives. And with these cheekbones, who else would you vote for?
Editor: The cheekbones of a financier, no doubt - Name three *specific* goals you have achieved in the past that
demonstrate your worthiness to be the almighty (or whatever position
you're running for)
- By creating an online submission system for AMS club, constituency, and resource group budgets and executive lists, I reduced a great deal of bureaucracy and made some big steps in moving paperwork online for AMS groups.
- As an assistant manager of a small bar in Toronto, I found simple, inexpensive ways to increase revenue and reduce costs, and managed thousands of dollars on a nightly basis.
- I learned how to ride a bike when I was five years old, without training wheels.
- Name three *specific* things you will do if elected (examples: I
will have a party with 6 schoolgirl themed strippers and a ton of
booze, and wake up the next morning with no recollection of why there
is a shaved dog next to me, or you could also, you know, elaborate
your platform?)
- Develop an AMS card that can be used at all AMS businesses and food outlets in the SUB.
- Increase the annual allocation to AMS funds, and make students more aware of these funds.
- Create a partnership between AMS Services and the UBC Tax Assistance Clinic for Students.
- Name the most frustrating thing you've ever had to deal with (hint:
don't try and incite sympathy, that won't go over well)
Trying to navigate my way to class through an unruly sea of umbrellas.
Editor: Two words - Poor Baby. - If you were a currency, what currency would you be?
The Euro, because I think of myself as a very versatile person who can adapt to many situations and bring people together despite their differences.
Editor: AHHH! Politician speak! RUN!
VP External Bloodbath at Ladha
Our vote: MatthewMatthew Naylor's extensive platform came under heavy fire from his opponents Monday at the Ladha Science Students Centre. The problem? Just three days prior to the conflict both Chris Brush (the conservative) and Thomas Masterson (the varsity athlete) had no idea what Naylor was talking about. It seems like they still don't. Admittedly they have done some research over the weekend, but it shows in their speeches that they don't have any notion of a concrete plan of action. Masterson touts his inexperience as an asset, when in actual fact he has little to no idea how to actually affect change in a large bureaucratic body like the AMS. Brush on the other hand, has a slightly better idea of how things work, but all he spouts is the same rhetoric that any bloke could fudge together from Naylor's campaign and a little bit of Google.
As for Joel Kozwarski (the candidate supported by The Knoll), he put on a smug face while trying to stay out of the two inexperienced candidates' way. Even Kozwarski wasn't immune to Naylor's charm, however. When answering a question regarding how we could bring the UBCO and he UBC student governments together he tarried into the realm of CASA vs the CFS and stumbled around using the Naylor-coined catchphrase "United-Front Lobbying", saying that we "really should have a United post-secondary institution front for lobbying".
On all fronts, it shows that Naylor has the most well formed campaign of any of the candidates. In the first round of debates for VPX at Totem Park, the other candidates couldn't even answer basic questions about the position. Would you vote for someone who only just barely learned what the position they were running for was about? How much research should you do before running for a $20 000 a term position? Should the blatant theft of platform be allowed? Only you, the voters will decide.
^top^Board of Governors
Our votes: Darren Peets, Jeff FriedrichHere, you get to vote twice. This is the most hidden of all the student government positions, and most of the people running for it haven't got a clue what it does - for good reason. Without prior experience in this position, whoever is sitting can expect to get nothing done, because the politics of even having your voice heard are so intense.
Darren Peets is one of those people that really knows what he's talking about. In the past couple elections he's run a fire hydrant in his place (and it only lost by a few votes), but this time he's serious. He's not running the fire hydrant again simply because he couldn't come up with enough new jokes to keep it alive, but he knows what he's talking about. Friedrich and Peets will likely make an excellent team.
^top^Chris Marincat's Interview
- What makes you think anyone would vote for you? (hint: be as vain as possible)
I am one of the only candidates that even understands what the Board of Governors does and I am one fo [sic] the only ones with any experience with the required skills [sic]. I am going to represent the student opinion in a combined effort with the Student Societies rather than just my own opinion. Editor: Ow my grammatical head. You're making me [sic]. - Name three *specific* goals you have achieved in the past that
demonstrate your worthiness to be the almighty (or whatever position
you're running for)
Won CUS election for VP 2nd year.
Threw an unforgetable bash.
Made you smile!
Editor: How very presumptuous of you. I don't smile. - Name three *specific* things you will do if elected (examples: I
will have a party with 6 schoolgirl themed strippers and a ton of
booze, and wake up the next morning with no recollection of why there
is a shaved dog next to me, or you could also, you know, elaborate
your platform?)
Represent all the student societies on the board of Governors rather than my own opinion or dreams..
Fiesta
Smile
Editor: How much more vague can you get when I specifically asked for specifics? - Name the most frustrating thing you've ever had to deal with (hint:
don't try and incite sympathy, that won't go over well)
A lack of listening, or dealing with someone who is unwilling to listen.
Editor: Lalalalala... sorry, did you say something? - If you were a campus building, what campus building would you be?
I would be War Memorial Gym! I'm always wanting to watch or put on a good show. War Memorial usually provides us with that opportunity. Most people on campus have been to War Memorial gym and I'd like to try to get out to meet as many people as I can. Like War Memorial Gym and many other people I have a maximum capacity and there are several loyal fans or close friends with others coming to several events throughout the year. War Memorial has been host to several Kodak moments in UBC's history. It has given prospective students great positive feelings of potential moments at UBC. War Memorial has said goodbye to many successful members of our community, their families, and the world.
Editor: Woah. You blew that out of proportion.
Melody Ma's Interview
- What makes you think anyone would vote for you? (hint: be as vain as possible)
Because I actually GET OUT THERE and talk to people in person. I'm a good listener, I keep my word, I'm outspoken and outgoing.
When I say I am going to do it, I GET IT DONE FAST.
Editor: Shows you don't know how long it takes to get anything done on the board. - Name three *specific* goals you have achieved in the past that
demonstrate your worthiness to be the almighty (or whatever position
you're running for)
- I dealt with 30 rowdy foreign kids for a month in a rural setting. Dealing with those kids was a big accomplishment, as they were extremely hard to handle, seriously, extremely hard. On the BoG, we are all big kids, just like those I've taught, that want our way. We try to deal and negotiate until we get our way. I can use some of those skills I gained, filter it with a more diplomatic stance and use them on the BoG.
- I initiated a food bank and collected enough food that the male teacher had to wear a dress to school.
- I was involved with a 30 hour famine and collected enough incentives so that everyone had 2 prizes at the end of the famine.
Editor: Tell that to Stephen J Troope (president of BoG), who has degrees from McGill, Catanbury and Harvard. - Name three *specific* things you will do if elected (examples: I
will have a party with 6 schoolgirl themed strippers and a ton of
booze, and wake up the next morning with no recollection of why there
is a shaved dog next to me, or you could also, you know, elaborate
your platform?)
- Improve campus water drainage system - it's pretty obvious that it needs fixing and it causes much inconvenience to students when we're switching class. Someone has to tell UBC that this is bothering us and I'm taking the initiative by running for BoG, which apparently to a lot of people isn't the place to voice out those kind of issue while BoG is definitely a major player of determining campus landscaping.
- Push for an UBC/AMS operated multi-ethnic grocery store - This would be much much much more convenient for those who live on/near campus and at the same time it would generate profit for UBC/AMS. It can be implemented in the plans for University Boulevard and AMS wouldn't have to worry that the corporate businesses will be competing with AMS businesses because it's theirs anyway! Also, it would NOT conflict with Sprouts because those who choose to buy organic will go there, while those who don't (and can't afford to) would go to Safeway anyway. It would save time and even maybe decrease gas pollution (I know people who drive to Burnaby JUST to get some Chinese food products) if there is a local walking distance multi-ethnic food grocery store on campus!
- BoG reformations - As of now, the student reps for the BoG are advised by the AMS president and the senate, with no input from the general population of students in which they in essence represent. What does Alma Mater stand for? The nurturing mother. As we all know, our mothers claim to make the best decisions for all of us, but sometimes ours views do not always agree with theirs. We are all grown-ups, we should have a "direct" say on what is happening at UBC. Therefore, I propose to formulate a volunteer student BoG advising committee where ideally is composed of students from all departments, students at-large, grad students and international students. This will reach the needs of all students, students can have a "direct" source of input and output from the BoG. ("direct" is as meant through the student rep's, not filtered through the AMS first)
- Name the most frustrating thing you've ever had to deal with (hint:
don't try and incite sympathy, that won't go over well)
Trying to get to class when the campus is drowning in slush!><
- If you were a campus building, what campus building would you be?
I would be a Ivering K. Barbera Learning centre - there's input and output, knowledge is spread, I provide a warm hub where people can rest and feel warm after a long storm outside.
Editor: I don't think I could make that any funnier...
Darren Peets' Interview
- What makes you think anyone would vote for you? (hint: be as vain as possible)
I'm not bent on taking over the world, like most of my competitors I've never actually been convicted of anything, and I'm not padding my resume. As a PhD student in Physics, this would probably hurt my employment prospects.
Editor: ZING! - Name three *specific* goals you have achieved in the past that
demonstrate your worthiness to be the almighty (or whatever position
you're running for)
Board isn't about accomplishing goals, it's about making administrators squirm and trying to find solutions. On the first note, I discovered that UBC Properties Trust, our developer, is part-owned by Loblaws, a grocery store conglomerate (we'll be building a grocery store in South Campus in the next year). To quote the CFO of Properties, "How the hell did you find out about that?" I also discovered that the non-institutional neighbourhoods were leased off to Properties as neighbourhoods, not lot-by-lot as they were developed. The Director of the U Town project didn't know this, and UBC staff didn't believe me. I asked a UBC VP whether it had been done *yet* for U Blvd, trapping him into admitting it was done that way. On camera. On the second, more productive part, when Marine Residence was encountering difficulties, I made a number of suggestions to its project manager on how to squeeze more units in without annoying Wreck Beach. Most of my ideas weren't used, but the wing along the south of the site will be terraced down toward the cliff, and the resulting extra floors in the southeast corner of the site will hold another 100-150 students.
Editor: Yowza, this guy knows what he's talking about - Name three *specific* things you will do if elected (examples: I
will have a party with 6 schoolgirl themed strippers and a ton of
booze, and wake up the next morning with no recollection of why there
is a shaved dog next to me, or you could also, you know, elaborate
your platform?)
I will ask awkward questions around why we're building market condos, why we're developing University Boulevard, and why we have such nasty waitlists for housing and daycare.
Editor: Oooo! Watch out for those waitlists, they'll get you! - Name the most frustrating thing you've ever had to deal with (hint:
don't try and incite sympathy, that won't go over well)
Administrators who know they can freely stretch the truth or fib to get their intended result because the venue's rules prohibit me or any other member of the public from contradicting them.
Editor: Chilling, truly chilling. - If you were a campus building, what campus building would you be?
I'm going to say the Cheeze. I've been here forever, my appearance tends to be a bit ratty, and I frequently contain cheap bzzr. No rotting squirrels, though.
Senate - What to Do with the Extra Votes?
Our votes: Tariq Ahmed, Jaspreet KhanguraIn this race you get up to five votes. I don't believe there are five candidates among those running who deserve the position, so outside of Tariq Ahmed and Jaspreet Khangura you're on your own. Ahmed and Khangura seem to understand the issues facing the board today, while the others haven't shown up to their scheduled debates. Some are simply obnoxious or completely oblivious to senate affairs, only running for the sake of running.
Overall, this race makes me feel sad. Maybe next year there will be a pick-me-up?