The voting for the SGA’s 2020-21 executive team and senators takes place online February 10th to 11th.
Check out the following platform descriptions to get to know the candidates running for the SGA’s 2020-21 executive team, and their plans for the SGA. Each candidate was given 250 words to explain their platform and reasons for running. (Submissions are unedited). For more information, check out the livestreamed candidate debate on LUPSA’s Facebook page.
Presidential
Candidate: Darius Garneau
Year of study: 3rd year, Computer Science and Law & Justice
To me the SGA presidency means protecting, advocating, and representing students. I want to bring the SGA back onto a path of trustworthiness and transparency, dismantling the boundaries between students and the association.
Before we go into my plans, I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself. I’m in my third year of Computer Science with a minor in Law & Justice and currently I’m the President of the Laurentian University Political Science Association and the Laurentian University Math & Computer Science Club.
I want to tell you about my plans for the SGA. First, I’ll ask the Board of Directors to slash my own pay to $15 an hour, combine student associations resources for a communal food bank, and take steps to open the Student Center to all students. Increase visibility and educate students about campus services including the Safe Walk program as well as the Accessibility Van. I’ll emphasize general transparency ensuring public notifications of meetings, budgets, and meeting minutes, as well an examination of SGA election practices. This, however, is just the beginning.
I won’t be the kind of president who leaves you behind. I will be a president who takes the time to personally sit at the V Desk and engage with students to understand what they need, and I want you to stop me and ask me questions. Criticism will be accepted! This is your union, you will be represented. I hope you’ll support me and allow me to make this possible.
Candidate: Eric Chappell
Hey LU! I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for President of the Students’ General Association for the second year in a row. 12 months ago, you put your trust in me during one of the most turbulent times Ontario universities had seen.
With the help of my fellow executives, we still delivered – we implemented the student choice initiative and work through it so you could opt out of certain fees and still have as many of the services you rely on as possible. Even with all of that we brought welcome week back to campus, amped up homecoming, installed an outdoor rink on campus, opened a student centre, introduced new sustainability and wellness initiatives, advocated for YOUR needs, and so, so much more. Now, I’m turning to you again to help me carry forth the momentum we created in our first year.
Re-elect Eric Chappell for SGA President. Dream of what our association could be
Candidate: Jacob Fielding
Year of study: 4th year, Politcal Science
Hey Laurentian! My name is Jacob Fielding, I’m a 4th year Political Science student, and I want to be your next SGA President.
Being President isn’t about being the most popular, it isn’t about having the best slogan, and it isn’t even about having the coolest ideas. It’s about really listening to students; their voices, their visions, and especially their concerns, in what ever way that might present itself.
A leader is someone who gives others the tools they need to be successful at whatever it is they are trying to achieve, and is someone who puts their immediate wants aside for the greater good; this is what I offer you as President.
I offer you a chance at shaping your own future within Laurentian, and within the SGA. I will not decide what I think is best for you, I will not decide where I think all of your money is best spent, I will let you decide this, I want you to shape your own future.
Beyond all the fancy slogans and signs you may have seen, beyond the cool ideas and promises that have been made to you as a student body, I am here offering you something concrete, something that you already have, I’m offering you your own destiny, in whatever way it may manifest.
With Jacob Fielding as your President, the future belongs to you. Let’s make lasting, positive changes for students, let’s move Forward-Together.
Vice President of Education
Candidate: Benjamin Chartrand
My name is Benjamin Chartrand and I’m a student running FOR the students. I’m part of the health field and I hope to help the SGA just the same as I would with any person who would come to me for assistance. I believe the best way for us to make our union better is to help each other learn how to be caring and not fixated on singular thoughts and opinions. I personally have felt as though we as the student body have not seen enough effort on the part of our union who’s prime directive is to be our voice in places we cannot all be in at the same time. What I believe makes myself the best candidate for Vice President of Education is that I am every other typical student, I know the good I’d like us to see come from the SGA and I know I can support us on the path to get there, I’ve always said “if I can teach kids to play guitar, I can do anything.”
Candidate: Malek Abou-Rabia
Year of study: 1st year, Computer Science and Entrepreneurship
My name is Malek Abou-Rabia, I’m in my first year of Computer Science and Entrepreneurship running for VP Education for the SGA. Born in Sudbury and coming from an immigrant family has taught me the importance of good representation and the value of a tight knit, strong community. Laurentian has proven to have the ability of bringing passionate people together to make campus a better place. As VP Education for our student association, offering quality representation in our University is what’s needed to make our undergrad the best it can be. By advocating for student rights and services under the different branches of government, within the University itself, along with making sure the SGA has your best interests in hand, I am the no nonsense candidate that will ensure your needs are met.
Being a first year student, the decisions I make will last my entire undergraduate degree. That being said, creating high quality, long term decisions would be a priority for me during my term. Assisting student initiatives to fight stigmas, closing gender and racial gaps on campus, helping students spreading awareness to local and global issues, along with improving environmental plans on campus are just a few of the campaigns I will be advocating during my term.
Living on residence, being trilingual, first generation Canadian, understanding the student-faculty perspective, along with experience advocating under the provincial government. I am an experienced candidate with varied perspectives and a desire to make long term change for the better. Together.
Vice President of Student Life
Candidate: Benjamin MacKenzie
Year of study: 3rd year, Business Administration
I’m Ben MacKenzie – running for VP of Student Life – going into my fourth year of Business Administration. As VP I will bring powerful events that connect students and create lasting memories to campus. This includes creating a workshop series that works hand in hand with students to prepare them for life after university and life in university; dealing with their everyday money to become financially responsible and stable; and helping create outstanding resumé and cover letters and preparing students for real life interviews. Our students at Laurentian are unlike any other, and creating an atmosphere where everyone’s voice is heard will be my top priority. I’m looking forward to creating a partnership with the students where I don’t just work for them but alongside them.
Let’s create Synergy is my campaign slogan this year and I’m excited to implement this if elected. Synergy is about coming together to create something more powerful and that is what I want to continue to create across campus. Building up our students, connecting them together, creating opportunity and positivity, sharing in diversity and equality and building our atmosphere on campus to better every student at Laurentian are just some of the ways I will accomplish this.
As a business student myself I’ve seen firsthand how crucial community partnerships are in ensuring success for all students at Laurentian. With my vast connections and partnerships within the city I am sure to bridge the gap between Laurentian University and the city of Greater Sudbury to help create the best year yet.
Join me, Ben MacKenzie. as we create synergy and the best year yet.
Candidate: Kendra Mulholland
Year of study: 2nd year, Communication Studies
My name is Kendra Mulholland, and I am running for Vice President of Student Life! I am in my 2nd year of BA Spec. Communication Studies, although this is my 5th year at Laurentian. I am from Sault Ste. Marie, ON and spent a year in Toronto before moving up to Sudbury. I love how unique Laurentian is and I want to be your VPSL because I have the experience and passion to be able to work with our students to help create the ideal university experience.
I have been working for the SGA as the Development Officer and Social Media Coordinator since this past May. I work with the current VP Student Life to plan and execute Welcome Week, Homecoming, Frost Week and so much more. I know exactly what goes into pulling off the best frosh concert LU has ever seen; I know what is possible, what more we can do, and how to overcome the struggles that come with this position.
Not only that, but my 5 years of experience working for University Advancement has helped me to raise over $10,000 for the SGA these past few months, all of which we were able to give back to the students through events and programming, including the $500 bursary for our 12 Days of Giveaways. I have established relationships with local community partners and business owners, as well as experience working with the university’s administration and various departments such as Varsity and Residence.
I plan to carry this momentum into the future so we can foster continued growth of both Laurentian and the SGA, and build a thriving student culture that is as unique as our students themselves.
Senator
Candidate: Matthew Keith
Year of study: 4th year, Psychology
Hey SGA members! I’m Matthew Keith and I’m rerunning to be your 2020-2021 SGA
Senator. After completing my first two years at Laurentian and having been on the SGA Board of Directors last year, I have determined the strengths and weaknesses of the SGA and the facilities and I am determined to change the issues I have found.
I am a 4th year honours BA Psychology student with aspirations to go to medical school to specialize in psychiatry. I currently live in a small community between Sudbury and North Bay called Lavigne. I am an active volunteer in my hometown of Lavigne, with the local community centre. I am also an active volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Society here in Sudbury. I also work as a mentor with the Student Life Mentor Program at LU. In the past, I have been employed as a lifeguard, swimming instructor, and an aquatic supervisor with the City of Brampton Aquatics Department. My work during my employment with the City of Brampton was highly commended by supervisors and coworkers due to my relentless work ethic. Aside from my employment skills, I am reliable, trustworthy, self-motivated, dedicated, and professional. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you I have worked hard my entire life to be highly successful. I consider myself to be an outstanding worker who works to satisfy the needs of everyone.
If you have any ideas or concerns, please contact me at mkeith@laurentian.ca and I will present them to the SGA board.