Tag: Tim Louman-Gardiner

This post was originally written by Tim Louman-Gardiner.

Welcome to the first of our Issue of the Day series, where we profile an important campus and student issue, and ask our readers, including candidates, to comment on it.

(It’s important to note that the definition of allowable passive campaigning includes “letters to the editor and articles written by… candidates” and “responding to inquiries from the media about elections plans.” Which covers participating in these types of questions.)

Our first: Campus Development

You may have noticed that the campus is a giant construction zone. If you haven’t, you’re probably blind. As with any issue, there are many perspectives. Those who support the (general) development will generally argue:

• Institutional (classroom and lab space, etc) development supports the learning environment, and allows for sustainable development.
• Residential development contributes to the endowment, and generates income for students in the long term. Specifically, the University leases the land for 99-year leases, and develops the property, so people can live there at market rates. The commercial property developers are free to develop how they want, at the prices they want; all that goes to UBC is the land lease money.
• It’s going to build community, by ensuring that people can live, shop, work, and study here, instead of having to go into Vancouver, and this will make a more vibrant campus experience.
• The density will result in less transportation, and a more sustainable community.

Those who generally oppose the development have their arguments as well:

• It destroys student culture, by making us beholden to their interests. For instance, is ACF threatened because residents don’t like the noise in their neighbourhood? And will there be noise complaints by people living near the SUB?
• The development is chewing up green space, and possibly the Farm, which is designated as a future housing reserve. As a result, it’s unsustainably destroying the ecology.
• It’s too expensive, and no students will be able to afford to live there; students should be the priority, since living on campus is beneficial.
• Construction is loud, expensive, and disruptive.

So, what do you think? In particular we invite candidates to comment, but all are welcome. Please, comment. It helps get your ideas out.

What should the AMS position on development be? Which of the arguments do you find persuasive? What would you add? How would you make the case for whichever side you support? Have I merely established a false dichotomy?

This post was originally written by Tim Louman-Gardiner.

Here are the candidates. We’ve included their web pages, since the AMS site doesn’t have them.

President
Maxwell Maxwell (http://www.maxwellmaxwell.com/)
Jeff Friedrich (http://www.jefffriedrich.com/)

Vice-President, Academic and University Affairs
Bruce Krayenhoff
Brendon Goodmurphy (http://www.votebrendon.com/)
Jerry Fan Fan (http://www.jerryfanfan.com/)

VP Administration
Sarah Naiman (http://www.votenaiman.com/)
Lougheed the Barbarian
Suvina To

VP External
Joel Kozwarski (http://voteforakoz.blogspot.com)
Chris Brush
Matt Naylor (http://www.votenaylor.com)
Thomas Masterson

VP Finance
Peter Rizov (http://www.pdrizov.com/elect)
Brittany Tyson (http://www.votebty.com)

Senate (5 seats)
Tariq Ahmed (http://www.engr.uvic.ca/~tahmed/senate/)
Raymond Pan
Jaspreet Khangura (http://www.VoteJas.com)
Daniel Lin
Hillson Tse
Alfie Lee (http://www.Alfie-Lee.blogspot.com)
Lawrence Song (http://www.LawrenceForSenate.com)

Board of Governors (2 seats)
Hillson Tse
Jeff Friedrich (http://www.jefffriedrich.com)
Melody Ma (http://www.votemelodyforbog.blogspot.com/)
Aidha Shaikh (http://www.aidhashaikh.com/campaign.htm)
Chris Marincat
Darren Peets (http://www.geocities.com/DCPeets/)
Robert McLean
Tristan Markle

Elections Administrator Chris Anderson and VFM Coordinator Tiffany Glover
What this corner observed:

1) There’s no shortage of candidates. A cynic might say that there’s no “good” candidates. In fact, based on the whispers, one would be forgiven for assuming that the AMS is a room full of cynics. Nevertheless, there is a solid race in every position except President which, if nothing else, ought to be fun.

Candidates look on as Tiffany Glover speaks

2) There are very few AMS veterans throwing their hats into the ring. Only five candidates have campus-wide election experience: Jeff Friedrich (current VP, running for President/BoG), Matt Naylor (running for VPX after last year’s unsuccessful Senate campaign), and incumbent Senator Jaspreet Khangura (sounds like kangaroo!) are the boring ones.
Two recent legends, however, are making an appearance. Jerry Fan Fan holds the distinction of having run for three positions (unsuccessfully) at once before his victorious Senate run last year. And Darren Peets is taking a run at a BoG seat. This is particularly notable, as he is the old brains behind the Fire Hydrant. This corner has been mixed on the Hydrant: one on hand, Darren knows his stuff, but, on the other, electing a fire hydrant would have seriously undermined any credibility that he otherwise would have had. We’re glad to see this new development.

Jeff Friedrich and current VP Admin David Yuen review the Elections Guidelines

3) It appeared that VFM participants (and observers, usually AMS Statler and Waldorf types) outnumbered those running for campaigns. What dynamic will this bring to the VFM, and the election? Will more people care, or just be drawn in by how pretty “The Thunderbird” looks?

4) The elections meeting was marred by some not insignificant glitches. Primarily some problems with nominations. Many ostensible nominees were not on the list, which seems to indicate a communications breakdown between the Registrar (who handles BoG/Senate nominations), the AMS Offices, and Elections. Those affected included Thomas Masterson (VpX Candidate) who swears he submitted his nomination forms to the AMS Offices, Tristan Markle (BoG), and incumbent Senator Tariq Ahmed.

This post was originally written by Tim Louman-Gardiner.

1) Why VP Finance?

I chose finance because it is a portfolio that blends both functional operational tasks with political involvement. It is one that will allow me to put into practice all the knowledge I (should) have acquired in my Commerce classes. Further, it is the one I am best qualified for. Most of the other VP posts are quite a bit more political and thus require much more familiarity with the inner workings of the AMS. I, having been on exchange and not having been in the flow of things, thought that I would instead aim for the VP Finance position and leave the other posts for the AMS apparatchiks :P

Again, the Finance post will allow me to combine both my political passion and my attained knowledge and skills into one functional position.

2) How do you feel about the proposed Athletics fee referendum? What issues, if any, do you see?

The Athletics free referendum is an issue that is currently puzzling me. On the one hand, in discussion with Sophia (current VP Finance) and from her 3rd quarterly report, I gathered that the Athletics folk had backed down from insisting upon a referendum. However, from your site and from this question, I ascertain that this is not the case and that such a referendum is still a probability.

However, assuming that the referendum is still on the table, I for one would tend to oppose the fee as I understand it. While the rational behind the fee is that it would support a radical drop in user fees, subsidizing such a project with student funds is not the way to go. Currently, in my opinion, the greatest barrier to student use of the existing facilities (such as the Bird Coop gym) is that they are outdated and over-priced. This change would serve only to hide the fees from being overt to covert amongst the other AMS+ fees. In order for me to support this fee increase, Athletics would have to show a strong over-capacity utilization (demand).

Thus, the drop in pass costs would have to precede the implementation of such a fee. If the drop in prices results in a surge in demand, then the AMS should indeed look to invest the money of such a fee into new facilities as per Athletics’ recommendation and student demand. Or better yet, the AMS could lobby the government and University to pull their weight and help keep exercise options on campus affordable. Hell, if Golds Gym can make money on campus without bankrupting the students, then athletics should be able to do it too, especially with some government funding. If the AMS were to invest in the Gym, then it would only seem fair that we saw part of the revenue as well.

3) The AMS is largely dependent on its businesses for operating revenues. With the arrival of University Boulevard, do you see this as a sustainable model? If not, what can be done to improve it?

The AMS businesses will probably be in for a fight, but there doesn’t appear to be a reason why they can’t compete with the best of what UTown will bring (eventually). With 40,000 students on campus it is hard to imagine that this place could become so saturated with non-AMS businesses in the near future so as to bankrupt the SUB. Provided the SUB renovate (once in a while) to more or less keep on par with the new businesses, it should be able to split the market with them.

If this fails however and the SUB can not compete, drastic measures will have to be undertaken. If the funding source of the operation revenues dries up, then the AMS will need to find new sources of funding. Yet, how this can be reconciled with the fact that any such money is made off of students is hard. Perhaps when the UTown condos bring in more residents, the SUB could somehow alter its businesses to cater more to them and use such profits to operate and expand the AMS’s student-oriented services.

4) Do you favor a bylaw amendment indexing AMS fees to inflation? How would you get one passed?

In principal I do favor the bylaw. This is because it makes sense. It is inherently illogical to fix a price at a constant nominal value. The assumption behind this is that every year, everyone’s incomes go up at least as much as inflation and thus it is only just to index the fees to such a value.

Passing such a bylaw would require garnering support from the rest of council, but I fail to see how convincing them of the logic of this argument would be difficult. If, by chance, there was strong opposition a compromise of adjustments done every several years instead of annually could be done. However, that is an inefficient solution and would best be avoided.

5) What skills do you have that suit you particularly well to the Finance portfolio?

I like fixing problems. I don’t like inefficiency. When you combine these two, you get a situation wherein I stubbornly refuse to give up on fixing a problem until the solution satisfies me. I am also a balanced person and, while being politically vocal and active, I can also compromise and understand the realities behind situations.

6) If you could change one thing about the AMS, what would it be?

I would change the degree to which the AMS financial and committee/commission information is published. Currently this is done via the website and even then certain things (council minutes, quarterly reports, etc) are poorly updated and hard to find. Such information needs to be easily accessible to anyone who wants to know what is going on, for any reason. This would help a more diverse group of people be able to access the AMS and become involved in it. Further, such a timely and standardized form of publishing records would induce the various arms of the AMS to operate more smoothly and quickly.

This post was originally written by Tim Louman-Gardiner.

1) Why Finance?

Working under the VP Finance for the past two years has really given me a strong grasp of the portfolio. As Vice-Chair of the Finance Commission, I’ve learned quite a lot about the financial systems of the AMS, how we interact with our clubs, constituencies, resource groups, and services, and how our businesses operate. The AMS is such a large, complicated organization with so many different faces and I find that really interesting. I like seeing the potential for improvement.

2) How do you feel about the proposed Athletics fee referendum? What issues, if any, do you see?

Thinking optimistically, I think that by having a referendum on the proposed Athletics fee increase, the AMS will have a chance to engage students and find out how they feel about the current state of Athletics and Recreation facilities on campus, as well as the high user fees students face to work out at the Birdcoop, play an intramural sport, or participate in UBC Rec events like Day of the Longboat and Storm the Wall. Currently, students are charged $175.98 for the Athletics and Recreation fee, and then pay another $21 on top of that for the Athletics and intramurals fee. In addition to that, a year-long membership at the Birdcoop is another $264, and the facilities are often at capacity. Given the user fees students are paying and the fact that the existing facilities are often overcrowded, I think that students are entitled to a new facility on campus and that user fees decline, which is what UBC Athletics and Recreation is proposing: increase the fee from $21 to $45 to build a new facility and user fees will decrease by 70% over the next two years. I think this is a good deal for students.

3) The AMS is largely dependent on its businesses for operating revenues. With the arrival of University Boulevard, do you see this as a sustainable model? If not, what can be done to improve it?

I think there is room for improvement in terms of how we operate our businesses, which will be essential in the years to come, as students will surely be lured away from the SUB by other businesses coming into the neighbourhood. AMS businesses will be forced to compete. We need to be able to continue to offer our food and service options at student prices, keeping quality as high as possible. The introduction of debit machines at nearly all of our food outlets has been an effective push in the right direction, giving students more payment options. I think simple things can be done, such as changing the way students line up at our food outlets, which will allow us to serve more students, more effectively, in a shorter amount of time. That means more revenue to put towards our services, ensuring their sustainability. As VP Finance, I would ensure that money would be put towards renovations to our businesses, particularly the food outlets at the Pit Pub, to make them more efficient.

The AMS has recently developed a new Fundraising and Sponsorship package, which will be a great asset in terms of garnering financial support from outside of the AMS. I do think, however, that we need to be careful about where any fundraising or sponsorship comes from, as we have seen the student resistance to and problems associated with exclusivity contracts. Awareness is another key issue, as the AMS needs to do a better job of informing students of the options available to them in the SUB. We operate a wide array of businesses, from promotions to lodging at Whistler to photocopying and printing services, not just food outlets! By advertising our businesses, we can keep students informed and motivate them to support their student society.

4) Do you favor a bylaw amendment indexing AMS fees to inflation? How would you get one passed?

With the impending pressures on the AMS presented by University Boulevard developments, I would favour a bylaw amendment indexing AMS fees to inflation to ensure that the AMS business model will continue to be sustainable into the future. The AMS/GSS Extended Health and Dental Plan fee is already indexed to inflation, so I think it makes sense to adopt this practice with the rest of the AMS fees. Although an expensive undertaking, I think the best avenue to pass this bylaw amendment would be through a referendum, perhaps utilizing the proposed Athletics fee increase referendum to ask a set of questions that are relevant to students.

5) What skills do you have that suit you particularly well to the Finance portfolio?

I think my most valuable skill is experience. Because I have worked so closely with the VP Finance through the Finance Commission, I have a thorough understanding of the portfolio, which means I will not face such a steep a learning curve. I will be able to spend more time affecting change, rather than learning all about the position, having new information thrown at me from every angle. My knowlege of AMS financial systems enables me to make effective, relevant change.

6) If you could change one thing about the AMS, what would it be?

If I could only change one thing about the AMS, it would be to develop a competitive, sustainable framework for our businesses to guide and protect them through the developments of the next several years.

This post was originally written by Tim Louman-Gardiner.

www.aidhashaikh.com

1) Why BoG?

Having been at the university for a while you realize how important the policies that are passed by the Board are to our everyday interactions at the University. Dealing with a broad spectrum of students, both undergraduate and graduate as both close friends and colleagues I hear about all the issues that concern them, that bother them greatly, and that need a strong but creative, reputable voice to speak out for them. I hear about how discontent students are about tuition, funding, housing, educational facilities. These are all the same issues all the candidates discuss because they are students’ main concerns. However, peers and students tell me that they do not know how these resolutions are passed, they do not know how they can input into the process, they do not know who their representative is. Well they can definitely look their representative up, but I feel we need to take a more proactive role; we are all busy students and may not have the time to actively search these things. If there is a dedicated site, or forum, or place where students can look the relevant policies up – in a “language” they can understand, then they will be more informed and will be able to contribute in a greater capacity. They will hopefully be able to see that our hard work actually gets them somewhere. I have been inspired by Lauren Hunter. She has worked very hard to get graduate issues represented and worked hard to get resolutions that have our best interests in mind. She has also worked hard to ensure that we are “in the loop” and are informed about her progress. I feel that I can do this for both graduates and undergraduates being connected to both groups and hopefully they will be inspired and grateful that we are trying and coming up with strategies that will benefit them and address their concerns which are ours too. To be honest, I am interested in policy…I do find that discussing strategies is stimulating and working with other people on challenging issues is rewarding and having sat on GSS and Grad council I have had exposure to a wide array of issues.

2) What two experiences (jobs, positions, volunteer, etc.) have you had that gave you the skills you feel necessary for representing students on BoG?

Dean of Science search committee graduate representative. Bringing students’ issues to the attention of the candidates and allowing for successful candidates to interact face to face with students provided an excellent opportunity to see how different methods of communication worked or did not work with getting ideas through. In addition this position centered around representing students and the best interests of the university and the faculty. In our case all three matched. The students who submitted feedback either anonymously or directly seemed to agree that Dr. Peacock, our current Dean, had visions that were inspiring and practical and that they were excited to see what he could do for us. We had constructive feedback for him; the things that did not work for us, our large class sizes, suggestions on constructing programs for students who are more research oriented than pre-med oriented, and promoting the physical sciences which is under-represented.

The chemistry head search was much the same idea, except I was voted onto the committee by the undergraduates and represented their voice; again facilitating meetings between candidates and the students. We had successfully hired Dr. Grant and again in that instance the feedback from students was supportive of his ideas and vision for chemistry.

I also have my roles on GSS and Grad council which I could bring into this—similarly we have critical issues that are discussed during these meetings pertaining to funding mainly and I obtain colleagues’ feedback regarding these issues and forward them to the council. This is a more indirect role, but it gives me the opportunity to be submerged in the students side and have a lot more time discussing issues with them on a personal basis. Please ask if you would like to know more about any of my other volunteer experiences, I do have a lot of people-interaction based volunteering.. ranging from orientations to mentoring and TAing so it develops a lot of people skills and group dynamics and communication skills which are important.

3) What would you identify as the area(s) on which you would focus your attention, at Board? Why?

I could paste all 4 pages of it here …it includes some strategies. To give you a run-down:

• Tuition/ financial aid: why? The ratio of financial aid to incoming students is not remaining constant, it is decreasing. With rising tuition we need more funding. Graduate students also have heavy funding issues with the need of an increase in UGF’s and guaranteed graduate funding.
• Educational facilities: we definitely need better classrooms, labs and instructional facilities. There is no shortage of agreement on this topic. We need to continue pushing for initiatives such as Chem Re-New to renovate buildings that are in need of improvements.
• Housing facilities: students are frustrated over wait-lists, over housing that is not guaranteed, over the cost of housing on campus, and over the quality of housing on campus. We need a good living environment to foster a good learning environment.
• A final issue that is in my opinion not addressed by other candidates to the same extent is: communication. How many of the students who wonder about policy even know who is on the Board representing them, how many students know what is being discussed, how many know that there is a Board to discuss the issues that are SO central to them and their discontent. People have this impression that the University will not act in the students’ best interest…but really students need to at least know what goes on so that we can see where progress is or isn’t being made and come up with strategies. And so that they can see whether their suggestions are being considered at all. While you can fish for the information on your own or look up who your Board representatives are and then try to talk to them, most students do not have the time to do this so they simply don’t bother. They are then not informed and even more discontent. We need to remain connected to the body we represent. As was mentioned in debate, it is a part of our job, it shouldn’t be a part of our platform BUT it isn’t actually being done and it NEEDS to.

4) What are your feelings on tuition, and tuition allocation/hikes and financial aid?

No one really likes the rising tuition. On that note, we cannot just say we must slash tuition by x%. There is a lack of funding in general and cutting tuition is not currently the most feasible avenue given the present time, deficit and situations. Instead, we need to increase funding for students, increase the number of awards and or the amount of awards. The number of students has increased significantly. The number of awards has not increased significantly. The ratio of awards to students is something we should strive on maintaining and not decreasing. As tuition increases we should look for ways to increase scholarship pools so that our best students do not get short-changed.

The provincial government used to contribute 90% 15 years ago, they now contribute 72% to post secondary education. We need to lobby for them to contribute a bit more. Obviously not the same as 15 years ago since the times have changed but to a reasonable amount more.

The graduate funding issue is a whole other spectrum. We also need to deal with the university scholarship funds with UGF awards which most certainly must be increased and efforts are underway to emphasize this. Guaranteed funding and tuition fee wavers are also a big ticket issue for graduates and I encourage you to visit my website for that or feel free to chat with me in person =D

5) If you could change one thing about campus development, what would it be and why?

While this may also sound slightly naïve at first, I think it is important to ensure affordable student housing is increased (and that the forest/farm are not destroyed at the moment). I think current initiatives for renovating buildings are good and these should continue. I do think more educational facilities should be renovated/ built. However since a lot of current developments center around high-end priced housing we need to ensure that the students needs are represented first and then have some housing that can be bought after the students needs are addressed. With more students coming in, with greater enrolments from out of town or country students we need to ensure that they can have a place to live otherwise the undue stress will add to the negative reputation of the university. High density residences are not a bad idea as they will help to solve some of the waitlisting issues that we currently have. While yes the properties can generate revenue, if our students are discontent then our university’s reputation will suffer, our funding from alumni will suffer and external donators will not be as compelled to support our university.

6) The Board is composed of CEOs, Presidents, and people with decades of experience. How are you going to tell them they’re wrong?

A lot of this is a matter of how you communicate. The best method of approaching this is to tell them why you are right or at least why your idea or strategy etc is better. To do this you need a rationale, some concrete ideas with reasoning. For example to simply tell the Board that they are wrong about increasing tuition would not aid students, nor would it motivate them to consider changing it. To tell them that decreasing tuition by 10% is absolutely necessary because it is, is also not sufficient. To do some research on the amount of funding received by students over the past years and compare it to the cost of education; to compare the price and quality of education elsewhere, to factor in how much the provincial government contributes to post-secondary government (28% is paid by students now whereas only 10% was paid 15 years ago) and to come up with a plan to lobby the government to pay a little more (not the same as they did 15 years ago of course because many things have changed), for the university to find more avenues for funding (perhaps increasing alumni relations and obtaining funds to put towards scholarships or partnering up with other educational initiatives that industries may offer etc, without selling out of course) would be a way to go. We need to come up with some ideas, some strategies and show perhaps how our living conditions are with some numbers and some concrete “evidence” perhaps comparing to other institutions if appropriate and then let the university know that our strategies indeed are what’s best for the university is what the Board will listen to. We all want what is best for the University because that is supposed to be what is best for the students.

If you would like some past experience in this avenue, I have had to hold discussion sessions between candidates for Head or Dean position (chemistry and Science respectively). A lot of the issues that students have tend to be raised at these sessions and one can really learn a lot from the way such questions or comments are posed and how seriously they are addressed. Where concrete strategies were discussed, such as implementing seminar/ lecture series’ to bring a sense of togetherness within the faculty of science and put society into perspective the candidates seemed much more enthused about pursuing such ventures than when students just critiqued how disconnected the faculty was and how “doing things the way they are being done is not the way to go”. What we need is constructive criticism and to show them that the issues we have ARE very important and critical to the University’s interests and that we are willing to work with them and develop better strategies.

7) Describe your ideal relationship with the UBC-O student rep

I understand that the UBC-O representative comes from a CFS institution and that we come from a CASA and that that discrepancy will lead to disagreements over proposals we may put forth. But of course my ideal relationship with the UBC-O rep would be one where we would discuss the issues directly for what they mean to the students at our campuses. How our strategies would benefit students. What the UBC-O representative wants to see and how that relates to what we want to see and vice versa. In the event of discrepancies, try to resolve them or come to a middle ground. It may sound naïve to say “my ideal relationship would be one where we could work together”. However, it is the goal and realizing that there will be difficulties and perhaps researching on ways that your strategy will appeal to a CFS member may assist. We need to build a friendship or at least try really hard to so that things can get done. Ask me if I need to be more clear on this point.

8) If you could change one thing about the University, what would it be?

Developing better educational infrastructures. Whether they be through the innovative renovation of current buildings to provide safer labs, more labs, more resource centres, better classrooms with adequate facilities, sustainable facilities, or through the construction of such facilities (on already developed land) this would greatly enrich students’ academic careers. They will have more of a chance to have a hands on experience with the material that they are learning in lectures.
They will have more practical skills that will allow them to succeed in life after graduation. Right now the lack of lab space or room space limits the number of discussions, tutorials and practical labs that can take place and students are given out of date impractical apparatuses to work with. If we provide a memorable education for our students they will be more inclined to give back to the university that gave so much to them. In turn we can develop more resources for students.

This post was originally written by Tim Louman-Gardiner.

1)Why VPX?

Not why VPX, but rather why AMS? In my opinion, the AMS is an organization in need of reform; a revamped image, both to students and outsiders, new ideas, and a lot of energy. In my opinion, this type of change cannot be brought about by someone who is already jaded by politics, but rather must be effected by a fresh face. I believe that I am an ideal person to match that description: a hard worker with a strong set of ethics, and an intelligent person with charisma and a sense of fun. In addition, being someone with a wide background on campus (Commuter, ex-varsity athlete, diligent student, volunteer, and party goer), I represent the needs and desires of an extremely broad range of students.

2) How would you handle relationships between CASA and CFS schools?

This was addressed thoroughly in the debate, but again I will stress unity. Working together with our peers from the CFS, particularly at UBCO, will provide us with the greatest lobbying strength. One of my first orders of business would be to develop immediate relationships with their VP Externals, or equivalents, to get a jump start on the process.

3) What do you see as areas of co-operation with UBC-Okanagan?

UBCO is viewed by many as a B-Rate UBC, and this notion has to stop. UBC-O Students have a powerful voice and can be our allies and our friends, provided we get to know them. I would attempt to learn everything about their needs, and try to find some overlap with our own.

4) Would you support the raising of a U-Pass fee for UBC students in order to guarantee a universal U-Pass for all college and university students served by Translink? Similarly, how do you feel about the U-Pass Coalition?

If that is one small concession that UBC has to make to earn the trust and support of the other schools, then yes, I would support the move. A marginal fee on the UPass could pay off 100-fold should the unified front of lobbying pay off as so many, including every other VPX candidate, feel that it would.

5) How would you argue for a provincial grant program?

The statistics presented in the AMS 2020 submission are rather staggering, and could not be overlooked by government officials. I would present these facts in advance of the 2020 review, at least laying the ground work for future negotiations, if not making immediate impact on the governing bodies.

6) How would you evaluate the effectiveness of Policy 72?

7) What experience do you have, that will help you in the position?

With regard to experience, I have little in the way of politics, the closest being elected president of a local chapter of an international honour’s society. I do however have experience in delegation and mass organization, as gained through my aforementioned presidency and the running of a few charity events, benefiting organizations such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, The Canadian Cancer Society and The Raising the Roof Foundation. My work ethic was honed in the classroom, the workplace and on the rugby pitch. My attention to detail has been developed through my woodworking hobby and my love affair with competitive Barbecue (2004 Canadian National Champion – I knew I could sneak that in somewhere!). So, despite my lack of experience, I believe that my basic skill set, coupled with my strong resolve and ethics, will allow me to do an exemplary job as the VP External of the AMS. (Tim: some of that was a bit goofy, use it if you want to)

8) What are your lobbying priorities?

I intend to lobby strongly for a reinstitution of the grant program, which is far more proactive than the shortsighted, though well-intentioned, remissions program.

9) If you could change one thing about the AMS, what would it be?

I believe that the public image of the AMS should be the primary issue, not only for the election, but also for the AMS in general. Dissatisfied, disenchanted and uninformed students plague this campus, and strong AMS leaders can help to reform this issue. By making solid decisions, and letting students know about them, the AMS will achieve a stronger image, and as such will hold more clout in its affairs.

This post was originally written by Tim Louman-Gardiner.

The VP Academic Portfolio is big. Huge. And very important.

Responsibilities:

• Hiring. They interview hundreds of applicants for hundreds of positions, including all the services. That’s a spicy meatball, a spicy meatball of hiring.
• Sits on a lot of external committees, most notably the Directors of University Neighbourhood Association, Teaching and Learning Committees, and everything related to University Town.
• They spend a lot of time working on campus development issues, as well as issues relating to the way the University operates. In short, they lobby the University on internal matters, like development and, shock, Academics!

See http://www.ams.ubc.ca/vpacademic

This post was originally written by Tim Louman-Gardiner.

Responsibilities:

• Chairing the executive committee (5VPs)
• Setting the agenda for Council
• Acting as the spokesperson for the society
• Attending many lobbying meetings and liaising with lobby groups
• The primary representative to the University

Major issues:

• Negotiating relationship with UBC-O and the UBC Graduate Students’ Society. The GSS feels marginalized within the AMS, and UBC-O likes to assert its independence.
• How to handle and manage all the varying lobbying positions?
• Which of the hundreds of things the AMS does is a priority?

See http://www.ams.ubc.ca/president

This post was originally written by Tim Louman-Gardiner.

It’s this writer’s humble (and biased) opinion that BoG Rep is among the two most important positions up for election (the other being President). Why? Three reasons:

1. Face time. There are no student reps who get anywhere near as much time with the actual decision-makers, and the face time can translate into influence.
2. Strategic decisions. The decisions at BoG aren’t operational, they’re strategic, big-picture stuff. And even though a decision may not go the students’ way, the BoG rep has the ability to influence the next decision.
3. Numbers. There are twenty(ish) student Senators, five elected executives, forty(ish) Councillors… and only two student reps on BoG. On the other bodies, the student voice is easily diluted, and it can be harder for any one student to exercise influence. But not on BoG.

So, what skills make a good BoG rep?

• First and foremost, the ability to make a good argument. Persuasion. If they can even come close to convincing the Board members, then their opinion will stick with them, and hopefully make a difference, sooner or later.
• Political savvy and inter-personal skills. If the Board members respect you personally, they’ll respect what you say. The converse is also true. So it’s important to speak their language, to treat the room with respect, and to constantly make friends in that room.
• A collaborative attitude. Any student who goes into the room with a “you’re out to get us” attitude will automatically be ignored. Think about it – who likes being told that they’re wrong? The position requires not a “you’re failing students” attitude, but a “this is how you can help student more” approach.
• Professionalism. Take it seriously, and they’ll take you seriously.
• Confidence. It can be very difficult trying to hold your own against CEOs, doctors, lawyers, administrators, academics, and, quite frankly, people who have more experience and knowledge than you do. Speaking your mind in such a situation ain’t easy, and it takes guts.

This is what we see as important in a BoG race. And we’ll be assessing the candidates accordingly.