More Ideas
United Arab Emirates Satellite Campus – What happened in regard to this satellite campus is a point from which FedS can learn a great deal of things. Despite being unsuccessful in stopping the satellite campus entirely, as many students felt was the goal, the UW Administration became aware of some of the concerns FedS’ constituents have. FedS must ensure their help is enlisted on any similar project in the future and must ensure that students at the satellite campus are kept in mind. This means keeping communications open with that campus as well as ensuring the transition to the main campus is fluid. This includes both outreach communications as well as preparedness for the arrival of these students. What we must keep in mind about this occurrence is that constituents were very vocal about it despite its rather altruistic nature. The satellite campus is unlikely to affect most students directly, but they still felt a need to vocalize their opinions. This is evidence of the consciousness of the constituents of FedS. It also reflects students’ concern for the reputation of UW, which suggests a level of pride in the institution.
In short: Learn from the events of UAE campus and ensure UW Administration includes FedS in future discussions about satellite campuses. Ensure programs are developed to facilitate satellite students’ integration to the main campus.
The UW Logo – Another instance in which the UW Administration failed to include students in the decision making process was with the UW logo. This was, perhaps, the greatest point of concern for constituents over the last couple years. It is now important for FedS to ensure student opinion is voiced to the administration and that the new marketing, branding, and re-visioning of the University of Waterloo is kept in line with constituents’ desires. As President I would strengthen the footing of FedS on this item, as it will induce a strengthening of the FedS positions in other realms of FedS-UW relations. Another aspect of the UW logo fiasco is the massive student support on the issue. As President I would ensure that FedS would research how it was that this topic garnered so much support and try to apply what we learn to other issues in the FedS agenda.
In short: I will steady footing on the issue of the UW logo and ensure students’ desires are being achieved. This strength will spread to other topics. Similarly, I will ensure research as to how the support on this topic was achieved and apply what we learn to other FedS issues.
Orientation Week – One area where FedS can apply what they have learned from the previous two items is Orientation Week. There is still much to be discussed in this realm and it is up to all of those in office to ensure a strong front is presented. It must be rational and cooperative, but strong and tenacious. By garnering student support through means similar to the UW logo, and by speaking intelligently on the topic, as exemplified by the occurrence of the UAE campus, the voices of constituents will be heard by the UW administration and their needs and desires will be met.
In short: Use what was learned from the UAE campus debates and UW logo support network to make an effective front on the topic of Orientation Week. I am arguably the candidate with the most experience in this complex topic and I have the knowledge and skills necessary to make positive change.
Student Services Complex – All that can be said about the topic of Orientation Week can be said about the Student Services Complex. Student support must be harnessed efficiently (not manufactured) and the voices of students must be communicated effectively as was done with the UW logo and UAE campus, respectively. There is more to this topic, though. A major error concerning the Student Services Complex is the lack of clear information on the matter. Had members of FedS done a better job of communicating the existence and benefits of such a project, students would be more inclined to support it. The fact of the matter was that the project came, for many students, out of nothing. There was no clear and concise information on the project and there was no time for support to manifest prior to the vote.
In short: In addition to items already discussed, information on the existence of projects, as well as what students have to gain, must be made available to constituents in a clear and concise form and in a timely fashion.
Athletic’s Space and Northdale – These two items are of growing concern in the lives of constituents. I will stay on top of both of these items. When I do, we will have a chance to disseminate information in a timely fashion. This information can be used to construct intelligent responses by the FedS community when asked what their concerns are, and will give time for support and interest in the topic to culminate. Neither of these topics will find their completion within the year, so it is important that any action taken has proper succession plans in place.
In short: Athletic’s Space and Northdale are both examples of where FedS can apply what it should have learned from the UAE campus, the UW logo, and the Student Services Complex to achieve a successful front to achieve the desires of its constituents. I am the person to apply the lessons learned.
Inclusivity/ Diversity – A huge portion of what makes it difficult for FedS to achieve massive support is, it would seem, the large variety of people we have as constituents. A project that appeals to one student may not appeal to another especially when they consider their own concerns only. I will start an effort for FedS to begin an initiative to have all staff, full- and part-time as well as elected personnel to go through some form of diversity training. This training should be devised by the various managers of FedS businesses in conjunction with services such as GLOW and the Women’s Centre. The intent would be to ensure policy setters have an increased capacity to see items from different perspectives while all employees have the capacity to ensure all FedS spaces are inclusive, helping all constituents feel welcome to FedS.
In short: It is my belief that a FedS designed and run diversity program will help ensure policies are set with all perspectives in mind while all FedS businesses are ensured to be inclusive.
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Some have criticized that my platform lacks tangible/ concrete/ or real-world aspects. To this I would argue a few things.
My ideas for FedS are largely subtractive, rather than additive.
This is because I believe that FedS could become the relevant organization it should be with only some small, but important, tweaks.
I think information needs to be in a consumable format and we should disseminate it more thoroughly as discussed on the ‘Ideas’ page, I think we need to actively learn from our failures and successes as discussed above, and I think we need to understand the plurality of student opinion on topics (as discussed in debates).
Although I do not have a platform consisting of specific talking points, it should not be taken to mean that I have no substance.
It has simply been my nature to boil down tasks to simple ideologies and move forward from there.
In regard to the Office of President of the Federation of Students, it is my belief that a focus on Efficiency, Practicality, and Effectiveness can bring the Federation of Students to a point where it is Relevant in the lives of its constituents.
Thank you for taking the time to read this website.