News

 

 

Bio week, DSU elections were
held with an approximate 6.5% student
voter turnout. As of Friday’s ballot
count, the “Rebuild” candidate slate had
swept office across the board— winning
every seat by more than 100 votes.

The Other Press caught up with several

Rebuild members to ask them what the

future holds for the DSU, and their role.
Here are their responses.

My name is Tanis M. Jaarsma, I am just
finishing my associates degree as well
as my legal administrative program.

I have studied at both campuses but
generally stick with the NW campus as
it is much easier to get to. The first thing
i plan on doing is both liaising with my
fellow DSU Rebuild members to fix

the financial situation and, i also plan
on making the woman’s centre more
comfy, more inviting/friendly, and make
it easier to find the information that
woman may seek.

My name is Matthew Steinbach, and

I have won the position of External
Relations Coordinator. As a first order
of business in the coming year, I will
start preparing for the next term. The
DSU must become financially up-to-
date before the end of our term or else
we run the risk of not having a Union.
I also intend to work with the new
Representative Committee to ensure
that we solve this crisis once and for all.

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The outcome [of the elections]
shows a desire in students for a change,
they want a new way of thinking. I
have a great group to work with over
the next year because we’re ready and
we’re qualified to tackle the issues that
confront the Union. The most useful
part of campaigning itself has been to
hear what students have to say. This is
our Union and everyone should have a
voice. Having the opportunity to hear
many of my fellow students have the
same concerns and the same desires
is re-assuring heading into office next
month.

My name is Nathaniel K. Wolfe and
I have won the position of Pride
Liaison. I am a Child and Youth Care
Counselling student who takes courses
at the New Westminster campus, but
I have been a student at DC since
1997 and have taken courses at both
campuses. I am 30 years old and
identify as a genderqueer person.

The first thing that I will do in my
new position is start preparing for
the Pride Collective’s entries in both
the Vancouver Dyke March and the
Vancouver Pride Parade as a decision
was made from above to withhold the
funding for our annual Pink Triangle
Week celebration in Februrary, which
led many of our LGBT2S students and
their allies to feel even more isolated
on campus. As well, I am going to use
all of my power to get the DSU out
of receivership and to provide audited

A Word from Newly Elected DSU
Representatives:

financial statements to the membership.
My name is Alysia McGrotty, and I
won the position of Women’s Liaison. I
am so pleased with the election results
and so proud of the rest of my slate!
The results are still unofficial but I feel
confident that it is accurate.

I will be fulfilling the role of
External Relations Coordinator and the
first thing i want to do is to get the DSU
organization in compliance with the
College and Institute Act. This way our
financial audits will be completed.

Also I want to discuss with the new
Representative Committee about the
Subway Building that we own and
perform a Cost Analysis to see if it
would be worth it to keep or to sell.
Before making any decision, I need the
information to back it up.

With the election results, I can see
that Douglas College Students really
care about their school and care who is
pointed as their representatives. And
with the statement, I believe that the
DSU is definitely headed in the right
direction with this new and accountable
group of individuals.

From this election of I learned that
it takes a strong person to be in politics
and you have to believe in yourself and
your teammates. As Women’s Liaison
2006/2007, I have learned that you must
stand by your grounds no matter what!

My name is Wendy Case. As Aboriginal
Liaison I want to start off with ensuring
that the First Nations Centre will be able

 

to accommodate students as it has in
previous years. I also want to get started
planning events for National Aboriginal
Day in June. As a representative, I want
to work with the rest of the board to
straighten out the finances of the DSU
before the next election. I think that

the newly elected board will be able to
work together to bring about change in
the DSU. I think this is definitely a step
in the right direction for the Union. This
election showed me what the students
want to see from the DSU and I want

to be open to the opinions of students
throughout this year.

My name is Christine Nieder, and I
have won the position of Disabilities
Liaison. I am honored to have been
elected by Douglas College students
to represent students with disabilities
attending our school.

My goal for the next year is to make
Douglas College the most accessible
campus I can by making adaptive
technology more readily accessible
for those who need it. This includes
labeling items such as the vending
machines in Braille, increasing printing
limits for the print disabled and
educating staff, faculty and students
about the issues and barriers that people
with disabilities face everyday. With my
background in advocacy and the Adult
Education field, I feel I cam achieve
these goals and many more.