| Wednesday April 11th, 1984 THE OTHER SEES “Student Society Candidates page3 | Jane Essex Jane Essex, a music student at ~ {Douglas College, feels her 25 years _ fof business e xeon lends to her | being qualified for president of the Douglas College-Student Society. She said she’s only missed one SESS a council meeting all year, has sat on the bursary committee, and recently attended a regional conference of the Canadian Federation of Stu- ‘dents. Essex feels the society should continue to work closely with the largest student association in Cana- ‘ da. “Working as individuals doesn’ work as well as a group.’ As president of the student soci- ‘ety, Essex would try to work out ways and means for fighting tuition hikes. “It’s something I’ve _ really thought about,’’ she said. ‘‘Rallies and protest marches haven't worked.”’ ‘The government is taking educa- tion away from the students and it’s wrong. While Essex feels the society is basically a political organization, it is not necessary for herself to become involved in politics. ‘1 think educationshouldbe acces- sible to everyone who wants it, no matter what it takes to do it,’’ she said. The biggest change she would like to see in the society next year is more student involvement, but be- ing in a wheelchair-has also made _her realize the number of people who park in reserved spaces. “Rude,’’ she said. This year’s president Sean Bal- derstone said he. supports Essex’s bid for the position, even though he has signed both candidates’ nomina- tion forms. Essex is one of the few candidates. for these elections who supports Balderstone’s stance on joining the Solidarity Coalition. She said the student society should’ never ignore anything, as long as it pertains to the students at Douglas College. Her willingness to work hard and put her best effort into the jobshows a necessary prerequisite for being president. tf aA Jesse Sedhu The most visible of the two Student Society presidential candi- dates is Jesse Sedhu, a 28 year old criminology student at Douglas Col- lege. As a business man, executive member of the Lions Club, a volunteer with the national field hockey association,a former mem- ber of the Canadian Forces, and a new Student Society rep he feels he is the best qualified for the job. “I’ve always been inclined to- wards a business perspective,’’ Sed- hu said, ‘‘but since returning to post secondary school, | am now) fully aware of the issues regarding education.’’ He first walked into a society meeting in February to complain about the way Balderstone was directing council. After being asked to sit as arep, Sedhu decided to run for president. . “lf. | am voted in, | will do my utmost to make sure education is accessible not only to the rich but also to the poor,’’ he said. He said he could see the college raising tuition for 15 credits from $270 to around $320. ,. ‘‘We all should realize the econo- my is in a recession, or whatever,’’ Sedhu said. He also said he disagrees with some of the society’s actions this year, including their involvement with the Solidarity Coalition. “The society should not get in- volved in any political activities outside the school,’’ Sedhu said. The president should not decide what is or isn’t political and should only become involved in_ political activities after assessing the opin- ions of the majority of students, he said. He would change the policies on hiring to fit the needs of the society. The executive would work closely with Mrs. Houlihan, who obviously has more experience in dealing with the DCSS, to funnel the necessary funds for the appropriate student employment positions.’’ His priorities will lie with any and every issue the students bring in to him, Sedhu said. ‘‘This will be the best year yet for the students of Douglas College.’’ J i Gordon Bryan goes for re-election This year’s Student Society vice president will be seeking re-election when students go to the polls April 12 and 13. Gordon Bryan, probably the most active member of this year’s student executive said he wants to continue following up his involvements and ‘activities of this year. He said this year has been a ‘goldmine of experience for me.’’ His involvement with the Action Education committee has seen him go to the occupation of Pat McGeer’s constituency office, out- door classes in Vancouver, and wrote letters protesting the elimin- ation of student fare-cards. He said the society’s biggest . problem lies in getting people in- volved in the issues. ‘‘People don’t seem to get moti- this is ell there 6. vated unless something affects them directly, like their own classes getting cut by government inter- vention.’’ Student reps should be careful not to let bureaucracy bog down the decision making process at council meetings, he said. We’re here to students, and that should be our main concern.’’ As a definite ‘Lefty’, Brvan has supported some of council's more controversial decisions this year, like the joining of the Solidarity Coali-_ 2) represent the students outside of Quebec.’’ 4 percent of the students to vote,’’ tion. He calls the diverting of $27 million out of education funding, coupled with the cutting of an additional $27 million ’’a travesty’’. ‘‘The government doesn’t react to our protests. We had 60,000 people marching in the streets of Vancouver and they could shrug that off.’’ ‘Restraint is a myth,’’ he said. One of his most positive contribu- tions to council this year was a meeting with Serge Joyal, the fed- eral secretary of state and minister responsible for education. “‘He’s very knowledgeable about the education issues and was sympa- thetic to our cause.’’ He stresses that his position as CFS rep for Douglas College will be an important one. “‘We’re not just the small voice of Douglas College, but the larger voice of the Canadian Federation of Students, recognized by the govern- ment as the singular voice of the “Even though | have no opposition this time, voter turnout at Douglas is traditionally poor and it would be a victory of sorts to get more than just Bryan said. )