BALLOTS

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(0 STUDENTS FIRST...

I will make sure that... students are fairly represented at the college board meetings.

I will hold events more often to keep students updated with the changes that take
place on campus. Students must know how the increase in tuition... [compares to] the
improvement in services on campus. Unfortunately, the rapid increase in tuition fee[s]
for both domestic and international students doesn’t match the provision of services.”
— Ruab Waraich, candidate for College Relations Coordinator

[I hope to] provide more representation for David Lam to create higher morale
amongst the student body. Assisting students financially by working on a tuition
freeze, creating more scholarships and bursaries, and providing more opportunities
for student paid internships.”

— Pawan Johal, candidate for David Lam Campus Coordinator

I will fight day and night to lower and freeze tuition fees for both domestic and
international students. I will increase student life on campus through many
social events that will get students mingling with other students from different
departments of the school. It’s also important to bring in more scholarships and
bursaries for students to access because education is a right and not a business.
Lastly, I will bring in more jobs for students while providing paid internships so
students can add job experience to their resumés.”

— Karan Bains, candidate for External Relations Coordinator

What I would like to bring to the position of Treasurer is accountability. I... will make
sure that the union’s finances are kept in the highest order. I will ensure that the
union’s finances are used as efficiently as possible in order to extend... benefits to all
students. The [issue]... most important to me in regards to the Treasurer’s position is
for all students to have a clear understanding of the finances of the [DSU]. I want...
every student to be able to understand and be completely confident with how the
union is run on a day-to-day basis financially.”

— Devlin Pereira, candidate for Treasurer

More representation for the LGBTQ+ community, more events, bring back a David
Lam Pride Space, and more representation for everyone. The LGBTQ[+] community
does not have a strong representation right now, and I would love to help build up
my community.”

— Nicole Landingin, candidate for Pride Liaison

I would like to help strengthen the community through my connections with

the student ambassadors, Douglife, and [the] college board. This would imply
implementing more campus events, generating paid internships through the union,
and scholarships and bursaries for students showing exemplary efforts throughout
the community, work, or school.”

— Nicola Carter, candidate for Member-at-Large

Before coming to Douglas I lived in a small town in the interior of BC. Because it
was so small there was a great sense of community and connection with both those
who lived there and those who visited. I am looking to help [build] this kind of
community here at Douglas... when it comes to opportunities to connect with one
another. The biggest thing I hope to do is help make this college a place the students
want to come to, want to talk about, and want to remember.”

— Derek van Deursen, candidate for Member-at-Large

The most important issues to me are tuition and student jobs. I’m not even halfway
through my degree and [I’m] nearly $30,000 in debt, and my situation is not unique.
Tuition needs to be frozen, and then reduced. With poor job prospects for graduating
students, the ability to work on your resumé while in school is a huge advantage; I
would like to see more student jobs on campus.”

— Greg Teuling, candidate for Member-at-Large

By Angela Espinoza, News Editor

(DSU) Representative Committee. From Monday March 31 until Friday April
4, Douglas College students are eligible to vote between the two campaigning
parties: Refresh and Students First.

Both parties share a common goal: working to make Douglas College
accommodating for all students’ needs. However, Refresh and Students First intend
on approaching these needs in different ways. Each party consists of members who,
if voted in, will take on the various executive, liaison, and member-at-large positions
that make up the DSU. These positions represent distinct issues and groups within
the student body and Douglas community. Refresh is made up of u candidates, while
Students First has 12. (Students First candidate Jerzy Mazurek is running unopposed
for Disabled Students’ Liaison).

In regards to specific issues, Refresh and
Students First immediately see eye-to-eye on
tuition fees. Both parties have been vocal in
their pursuit of freezing and reducing tuitions
fees for domestic and international students.
Tuition freezing has beena growing movement
in Canada, something our potential future
DSU Representative Committees are well
aware of. As emphasized in an article from
Issue 24 of the Other Press on the DSU budget
consultation, our Douglas College student
fees increase roughly two per cent each
year—a fact that has resonated strongly with
both parties.

Refresh and Students First have also found
common ground in something our student
body often complains about, yet doesn’t seem
to thoughtfully articulate: our food options. In
regards to New Westminster, it’s no secret that
meals bought on campus through Triple O’s,
Pizza Pizza, and even vending machines are
priced higher than what we could find right
outside the campus. In addition, some of the
most popular items students purchase from
these outlets are burgers, pizza, chips, and
pop. Both parties are lobbying to lower not only food prices, but also the vast amount
of unhealthy food available on campus.

While Refresh and Students First both want the best for the post-secondary
institution we all share, where their agendas differ is what will ultimately determine
the outcome of the election.

Refresh has campaigned strongly in favour of, “better student spaces at [New
Westminster campus] and [David Lam campus]” and promoting “student engagement
through events.”

Students First however has been actively fighting for, “more scholarships and
bursaries for students, improved student services, [and] student jobs and paid
internships.”

All of what has been covered in the Refresh and Students First campaigns is
desperately needed at both Douglas College campuses. So when viewing these
potential options, you—the potential voter—then have to decide which issues you
want to see dealt with.

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE,
AND YOUR VOICE MATTERS

The “youth vote” in BC has been notoriously low for a number of years, whether it
be a federal, provincial, or even student election. This is no real mystery: we are a
particularly despondent, stubborn generation, especially in regards to voting. We
are well-aware of the political corruption that exists throughout the world, and
have consequently become skeptical of the political figures and ideologies we might
otherwise consider fighting for—or at the very least, voting for.

However, that which can be said about voting in the DSU student representative
elections can be said about any election. That is, one cannot achieve something if
one does not try; as has been outlined here and actively campaigned by the members
of Refresh and Students First, there are many issues at Douglas College that need
to be dealt with—social, budgetary, or otherwise. With this election, the students
have been presented with an opportunity to have their voices heard by two groups of
Douglas students who passionately want these changes for us.

Something to keep in mind during this week is that both parties will continue
campaigning at both the New Westminster and David Lam campuses until Friday,
giving students an opportunity to speak with candidates personally before voting.
Each of the candidates is a student interested in helping the student body. Rather
than speculate or even immediately decide not to vote, make the effort to talk to the
candidates first.

Included in this Feature are personal messages from several of the candidates on
what they hope to achieve with their positions and which issues matter most to them.
If you do not get an opportunity to speak with the candidates one-on-one, let what
they’ve written give you an idea on which team you would like to see representing the
student bodv in the Douglas Students’ Union.

EB tudent elections are underway this week for the Douglas Students’ Union

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