The Insiders
-
Apr
1
Return of the Political?
Posted by: Neal Yonson | April 1, 2007 | 7 Comments
Stephanie Ryan Photography
So I’ve been facebook-stalking the newly elected blood to AMS Council, and I think in general we have a good group. And with good I mean politically charged and fairly capable.
Aside from Amy Boultbee and Kate Power, the bunch seem fit to enter the AMS arena and add some interesting discussions to the AMS committees and the Council agenda.
Andrew Forshner is a debate hack (Tim probably knows him), and labels his political leanings as “moderate”. My guess is he’s one of those conservative-leaning Young Liberals of UBC. And you know what? While we would politically disagree on issues, I’m really happy he got elected. This is part of re-injection of political urgency.
Case in point, his platform says “I have been an avid follower of AMS and AUS politics for 4 years, and am running to advocate for ideas that I believe are in the best interests of UBC students.
I think that the AMS wastes too much time and too much money on policy and events that affect too few students as possible. I want to change this so that the AMS becomes a student society that affects all students as much as possible.
UBC is a commuter campus whose populace is ill informed about the multitude of fascinating events that happen every day on campus. If elected I would push the AMS to create a forum that would inform students about all of the social and educational events that are occurring on campus everyday, from better promotions in the SUB to mass e-mails detailing what’s happening “This Week at UBC”.”
This is awesome! I hope he will get onto the AMS CPG (Communication and Planning Group).
Joel Koczwarski is one of our favourites as he hasn’t thrown down the political towel after the AMS elections. I’m happy his platform is also strongly sustainability-driven, as Sarah Naiman admitted this wasn’t her strongest part of her background knowledge. His enthusiasm could infect the AMS Impacts Committee with energy and progressive agenda items.
My secret political crush on AMS has been Sam Heppell. He seems like the eager enthusiastic type that I can see with AMS exec potential. His first meeting, he was already biting into the discussions and NOT sheep-voting (aka voting with the crowd because you have no clue what’s going on, which is one of my biggest pet peeves).
His platform hits the nail on the head: “I am eager to continue that work. One of the most important issues facing UBC right now is campus development, and the AMS must stand up and raise the concerns and needs of students. Although far from being an expert in planning and development, I have some experience to offer. In my home community, I have worked on the Official Community Plan review process, and serve on a regional district Advisory Planning Commission. I will work to ensure that UBC embarks upon
growth and development that is smart and sustainable, and that always puts
the needs of students first.
Although I have served on the AMS for only a short time, I am proud
of my performance so far (including a 100% attendance record!). If
re-elected, I will continue to represent you with competence and commitment. “
Then there’s Nathan Crompton. I’m biased because I helped him with his campaign. I expect him to remind council constantly of the tough issues – the systemic problems on accessibility, research directions catering towards corporations. People will find him “radical” because he’ll force council to think critically. He is from a different league than the typical “I want to get involved (giggle)” or “I love Arts so vote for me (giggle again)”. Make no mistake, he has a very keen understanding of the issues and will put council on the spot. I just hope his soft-spoken nature will project his opinion effectively onto the often rowdy council.
I don’t really have much praise for Amy Boultbee or Kate Power as their platforms only speak about their experience without a demonstrated interest in actually sitting on AMS Council. Amy likes going to Model United Nations in Boston. Oh and lives in Totem Park and enjoys swimming! Er, ok. Thanks for that. (Anyways.)
Kate thinks that “going from [the position of French Club Representative on the AUS] to AMS Rep is not a huge leap. In fact, all I am doing is adding some committees and making what I already do with the AUS official”. She has forgotten the 5 hour+ meetings every second Wednesday. Though I do like her attitude: “I am a responsible, positive individual and would love to be more connected to the AUS and the AMS.” Let’s give her the benefit of doubt and hope the dedication for AUS transfers itself to the AMS as well.
I withhold commenting on Jessica Hannon because I can’t find any information on her.
Comments
7 Comments so far
I think this is Jessica’s platform:
http://ubc.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=2265018672#comments
Same as emily said
Sorry, you do not have permission to see this note.
Copied and pasted from Jessica’s Facebook:
Despite hating the necessity of self-promotion, mocking the electoral process of student government, and claiming to be a Pirate (a claim which I still stand behind 100%) I think at this point it may be necessary to affirm the fact that yes, I am actually running for AMS Rep, and No, I don’t have genital herpes. (Too far, too soon?)
I was elected this time last year as a General Officer for the AUS, having had no prior experience in student government at UBC. Halfway through the year, when we impeached a councillor for not doing her job, I was elected within council to replace her as an AMS Rep. Since then, I’ve been watching and learning and observing and being baffled at how the AMS works. It’s a weird little insulated world, for sure, but it has left me with some definite ideas about how best to proceed in the interests of Arts students, and students as a whole.
One thing I think is fantastic, and really support, is the AUS Academic Survey. Spearheaded (that’s right, I said spearheaded) by the AUS Academic Committee, which I sat on this year (headed by Stash) this survey’s purpose is to more clearly define what Arts students feel is important in their academic experience here at UBC. To what ends should the AUS to be working? Better TA training? More available class sections? Smaller classes? More attractive professors? More nudist-friendly study spaces in Buchanan? More PIRATES? Did somebody say more PIRATES??
Knowing these things makes my job at least 10, if not 11, or even 12 times easier (I don’t know, I’m in IR, not Math, suckas), and more relevant. Arts AMS Reps sit on AMS council, and at least 3 AMS Committees, drink coffee, eat questionable sandwiches, and listen to really, really long presentations. Then, we lobby for things that we think will be good for Arts students, and against things we think will be bad. AMS Meetings take place on Pit Night. It hurts. Real bad.
Another thing that hurts real bad, (or really bad, if you want to get serious) is a lot of what I see going on in the Campus development, and campus planning process. There are a whole lot of good intentions and dynamic buzzwords going around, but in a lot of ways, much of the proposed development doesn’t seem to value UBC’s real resource, students. I love the Grassy Knoll for its crazy bongo-playing hippy fests once the sun comes out, its..big…knolly shape… and its general grassiness. I don’t want it to be bulldozed. I think I might chain myself to it and play bongo drums in a protest/bongo-in/hunger strike. I’ll get back to you on that; don’t hold me to it.
I’m also pretty cynical about seeing more and more non-university related housing being built on campus. How many students can actually afford to live in these places, and what does this do to the ‘sense of community’ on campus?
Sustainable development is a term that has been so overused it just sounds like another empty phrase… but lets wisely use our resources. Responsible consumption, eco-friendly development, support of ethical businesses and ethical business practices, and utmost, accountability to students: It’s not that hard to be both a “global citizen” (thank you Martha Piper) AND fiscally responsible. (I’m not a communist!) Bloody hell, we are a university, not a corpor-fucking-ation. (Shut up, it is too a word.) We have the opportunity and responsibility as such, to promote learning and innovative development, not maximize profits.
Now that I’m all riled up, I’m going to go to bed and dream of David Suzuki as a Pirate.
Your evaluation of people is always interesting and I find it interesting that you feel free to comment on peoples abilities on a council you’re on without any kind of self-evaluation or any real basis for your comments.
For example, you are excited about Andrew Forshner because he wants the AMS to become more relevant and he would push for more promotion. Hardly an exciting platform or one that has any meaning whatsoever. More promotion and relevancy is pretty much the most standard promise you could make.
On the other hand, you take a shot at Amy Boultbee for including personal information about what she does in her platform. Talking about what you have done speaks more to me than empty promises about what you might do.
Love your definition of sheep voting – curious as to how you determine when someone is voting with the crowd because they are a sheep, as opposed to because they think the crowd just might be right.
Perhaps coming off your high horse and considering the point of view of those average students you so quickly judge might help you from coming across as such an absurd AMS snob.
Dave for your reference, the entire platform:
My name is Amy Boultbee and I am a first year Arts Student. I enjoy swimming, volunteering and hanging out in Totem Park, the fun residence. In my spare time I am Minister of Corporate Relations for the BC Youth Parliament, and I am very excited to be representing UBC at the Harvard World Model United Nations this week. I would love to get more involved at UBC and I feel that supporting events such as ACF and other AUS activities is the only way to go. Thank you everyone who came out to participate in the election, and good luck to everyone!
Also for your reference, Andrew Forshner’s platform:
My name is Andrew Forshner, and I am running for a seat on the AMS Council. My experience at UBC extends from 2 years on the executive of the Debate Society to holding the position of Vice-President of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. I have been an avid follower of AMS and AUS politics for 4 years, and am running to advocate for ideas that I believe are in the best interests of UBC students.
I think that the AMS wastes too much time and too much money on policy and events that affect too few students as possible. I want to change this so that the AMS becomes a student society that affects all students as much as possible.
UBC is a commuter campus whose populace is ill informed about the multitude of fascinating events that happen every day on campus. If elected I would push the AMS to create a forum that would inform students about all of the social and educational events that are occurring on campus everyday, from better promotions in the SUB to mass e-mails detailing what’s happening “This Week at UBC”.
I thought the former had much more substance, but that’s just me. And no, I love horsebackriding too much to jump off the saddle unless I absolutely have to ;)
Hi Gina,
I came across your blog today…
While I completely endorse your method of Facebook-stalking, I am also weirded out by Facebook-stalking… hence why only my friends can access my Facebook profile. I do have a Facebook group that is “global” so you should be able to access that. If you’ve got any questions for me, I’d be happy to give a shot at an answer though. Glad to see some publicity for the AUS Elections!
Cheers,
Jessica