February
24
2014
Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s independent newspaper since 2009.
OFF TO THE RACES!
THE KSA ELECTION ISSUE FIND US ONLINE / RUNNERMAG.CA / TWITTER.COM/RUNNERMAG /
FACEBOOK.COM/RUNNERPAPER
02
Masthead
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner is student-owned and operated by Kwantlen Polytechnic University students, published under the Polytechnic Ink Publishing Society. Arbutus 3710/3720 12666 72 Ave. Surrey, B.C, V3W 2M8 778.565.3801
www.runnermag.ca Vol. 06, Issue no. 10 February 24, 2014 ISSN# 1916 8241
EDITORIAL DIVISON Coordinating Editor / Matt DiMera editor@runnermag.ca / 778.565.3803
Deputy Editor / Samantha Thompson deputy@runnermag.ca
Online Editor / Brian Evancic media@runnermag.ca
Production Editor / Roland Nguyen production@runnermag.ca
Associate Photo Editor / Mark Stewart Senior News Writer / Samantha Lego Cover Art: Mark Stewart
BUSINESS DIVISION
2013 KSA Voter Turnout
Operation Manager / Victoria Almond office@runnermag.ca / 778.565.3801 The Runner recognises that our work, both in and out of the office, takes place on unceded Coast and Strait Salish territories, specifically the shared traditional territories of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Sto:lo and Tsawwassen First Nations. Our name is inspired by the hun’qumi’num meaning of Kwantlen, which is tireless hunters or tireless runners. Just as Kwantlen is adaptable and changing so is The Runner.
1982
460
KSA election turnout is consistently but a fraction of actual enrolment numbers at Kwantlen
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
Election
Politics
KSA candidates speak during The Runner’s election debates on the Surrey Campus. Mark Stewart/The Runner
Legitimate democracy Why the KSA election needs your vote.
//
The Runner EDITORIAL
/
The Kwantlen Student Association has a multi-million annual budget. Almost of that dough is student money, and is used to enable students running clubs, putting on events, and providing services … and paying the KSA council members. The KSA has had an interesting political history. On more than one occasion, the KSA has been infiltrated by corrupt conspirators looking to swindle students out of their money. And the worst part is, they got away with it for a long time because nobody was paying close enough attention. Each time this happened (twice), the KSA would eventually manage to get rid of these individuals and head into a period of recovery. Right now, the KSA is essentially in one of its recovery periods, which is why this election in particular is important. We as students need to continue to elect legitimate candidates who want to help students and
make Kwantlen into the institution we want it to be, and make sure that our representatives are accountable to students. Besides a rocky past, this election is also important because this could be the council that takes us through the next stage of a call for a referendum on continued membership in the Canadian Federation of Students-BC. Although the KSA has said they will not be taking a position in this potential referendum, it will still be up to the KSA to encourage a fair, transparent referendum campaign. We need strong members of council who will take the time to understand the rules of a referendum, and who are not easily persuaded to an opinion other than their own. The final reason this election is so important is because of the recent debate at council on the autonomy agreement of the Kwantlen Public Interest Research Group. KPIRG gives Kwantlen the opportunity to campaign for social justice issues and research, and become a leader in advocacy. PIRGS are organizations in existence at many other post-secondary institutions, and
each one has accomplished great things for social justice and advocacy. Given that students have already voted overwhelmingly in favour of KPIRG’s autonomy, it seems strange that the council would discuss (and then table) so extensively something that has already been voted on by the people they themselves represent—students.
“We need to make sure that our voices are heard, that our student fees are being wisely spent, and that the people elected actually represent us” Ultimately the KSA is a passionate institution, and it is important for students to have a dedicated group advocating for them, but it still has its flaws. Together we need to make sure that our voices are heard, that our student fees are being wisely spent, and that the people elected actually represent us. It is thus up to us as students to participate in this very minimum level of commitment – voting. This issue has pro-
files on nearly almost all of the candidates, and our hope is that it will help you make an informed decision when you head to the polls. Voting in the KSA election is crucially important because we need to prove to the KSA that we care, and that we’re committed to paying attention. So, welcome to The Runner’s election issue. We have filled these pages with all the information we think you need to know for the upcoming election. After hours of careful deliberation, we have also endorsed the candidates we believe will best serve the students of Kwantlen if they are elected. There were 28 candidates who put their name forward for one of KSA’s positions, which, regardless of the outcome of the election, is something worth noting. Running in an election, when you want to win, is no easy task. So thank you, candidates, for participating in an important part of student life. And thank you, Kwantlen students, for participating in an important part of democracy. We’ll see you at the races!
03
04
Election
The Runner
W : runnermag.ca
February 24 / 2014
Nice to meet you The Runner profiles KSA election candidates.
//
Matt DiMera
COORDINATING EDITOR
///
///
Samantha Thompson DEPUTY EDITOR
Samantha Lego SENIOR NEWS WRITER
///
Mark Stewart
ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR
The KSA elections are some of the most important events that happen on campus. In the following pages you will find candidate profiles for the students running in the election. Each candidate was contacted multiple times by phone and e-mail, but unfortunately there were still some who did not get back to us. If a candidate has received an endorsement from The Runner editorial board, it means that they have demonstrated specific, achievable goals and that we have seen evidence showing that they will work hard to represent their constituents and serve as an independent voice on KSA council. If a candidate has received the “unreliable� stamp it means they did not respond to multiple Runner interview requests for a candidate profile, as well as failing to RSVP or attend the all-candidates debate.
7
/
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner
Election
February 24 / 2014
Cloverdale Representative
Langley Representative
1 Position, 1 Candidate
1 Position, 1 Candidate
The Runner Rundown
The Runner Rundown
Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
To represent the interests of students on the Cloverdale campus (KPU Tech).
The race is uncontested, so the candidate needs to receive more “yes” votes than “no” votes.
Cloverdale campus is evolving, and needs someone who will advocate for services for students.
Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
05
To represent the interests of students on the Langley campus
The race is uncontested, so the candidate needs to receive more “yes” votes than “no” votes.
Langley is a unique campus, and needs someone who knows the campus well enough to bring the services to it that it needs and deserves.
PHOTO UNAVAILABLE
Richard Hosein POLICY STUDIES
Leah Godin CRIMINOLOGY
As a former electrician, a current home inspector and self-described handyman, Hosein feels his knowledge of the trades will make him a good campus representative for Cloverdale. If elected, he promises for more student-useable spaces. “I think there’s some services that need upgrading, like a common kitchen area and expanded office spaces areas,” he says. “There’re students that want to find careers, and they need access to fax machines and job search tools. KPU career services does offer some of those services, but I’d like to see something on the campus for students to use hands-on.” Hosein is currently the director of external affairs, the students of colour representative and an integral member of KPIRG. He believes the KSA is moving in a much more positive direction than its predecessor, and says that they’re regaining the confidence of KPU administration. Yet, within the organization, “there seems to be too much personal politics,” and a “lack of cohesion with a lot of projects that are a benefit to the student body.” Pending his election, Hosein plans on working with KPU career services to “establish a working relationship with the Industry and Trade Authority to gauge how they can better serve students.”
“Langley gets left behind a lot of the the other campuses,” says Leah Godin. Godin was first elected as the Langley campus representative last fall and hopes to continue advocating as a strong voice for her campus. She wants to see more water machines in Langley and a renovation of student spaces on the campus. Her other priority is seeing more food options for students. “Food choices here is just Sodexo, and a lot of students are not happy with that,” she explains. She sees that the KSA has made a lot of progress since rebuilding from the impeachments of 2011 and wants to see the growth continue. Godin understands the realities of making projects happen while navigating the often Byzantine bureaucracy and red tape of the university.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board has chosen to endorse Hosein as a candidate because he has extensive knowledge of the KSA’s inner workings and recognizes achievable tactics to make the organization more efficient. He also has sound knowledge of the Cloverdale campus, and has good plans for improving the campus for its students.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board has chosen to endorse Godin as a candidate because she will bring a strong and practical voice to support the needs and interests of a campus that is often an afterthought.
06
News
The Runner
W : runnermag.ca
February 24 / 2014
Aboriginal Representative
International Representative
1 Position, 1 Candidate
1 Position, 1 Candidate
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
To represent Aboriginal students on the KSA council, and ensure the concerns of the constituncy are heard.
The race is uncontested, so the candidate needs to receive more “yes” votes than “no” votes.
Aboriginal issues, including support for the Idle No More movement, have led to heated disccussion at past councils, and a strong and independent voice will be needed at the board table to ensure they are properly represented.
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
To represent international students on the KSA council, and ensure the concerns of the constituncy are heard.
The race is uncontested, so the candidate needs to receive more “yes” votes than “no” votes. He did not respond to interview requests or attend the debate, which is concerning.
International students pay incredibly high tuition fees and don’t always get all the supports and services they need.
Justin Bige POLITICAL SCIENCE
Charandeep Singh
For Justin Bige, running for the aboriginal representative position is a family affair. If elected, he’ll be taking over for his sister Melinda, who has held the seat for the last few years. “I want to continue the traditions started by past aboriginal reps of hosting certain events,” he says, “but also create new ways to help aboriginal students feel like part of the larger university community.” “I feel like I haven’t been as in touch with my heritage as I want to be,” he says. Bige thinks that his getting involved with the community will be a mutually beneficial experience for both himself and for other aboriginal students. He wants to be a part of changing the culture of petty squabbles that he sees as monopolizing the KSA’s time and focusing on actual progress. He would also like to see the KSA take more of a stand on supporting aboriginal issues.
This candidate didn’t respond to requests for an interview and didn’t partipate in the candidate debates.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board endorses Justin Bige for aboriginal representative because of his passion and interesting plans for the future. We know that he has big shoes to fill, but his passion reminds us of the current representative and even if he only does the half job that his sister has done, he’ll still be making a huge difference.
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
Election
07
Mature Representative 1 Position, 2 Candidates
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
To represent mature students on the KSA council, and ensure the concerns of the constituncy are heard.
Both candidates have a very wide definition of what a mature student is. They both have good ideas, but none of these ideas seem overly specific to mature students.
Mature students are a growing demographic at KPU and don’t always get the attention they deserve. They need someone who understands their unique circumstances to advocate for them on council.
Kayla England POLICY STUDIES
Ahmad Kheslat BUSINESS
Kayla England is one of the currently elected arts faculty representatives on the KSA council. She is now running for mature students representative because she says she “wanted to try something new and expand my base of support.” She describes herself as an “avid KPIRG supporter,” and is frustrated with the difficulty KPIRG’s autonomy agreement has seen at council. It’s a problem she’s seen time and time again. “There is a lot of filibustering during meetings, and there’s a lot of stalling during meetings and … a lot of bickering back and forth. I think that’s something we definitely need to improve on moving forward,” she says. “We have a great group of students who do believe in making students’ lives at Kwantlen better.” If elected, she promises to seek out more accessible transit, extending the campus shuttle to Richmond so that it goes there all day, not just in the evenings.
Ahmad Kheslat is running for re-election into this position because he recognizes the difficulties that come with being a mature student. It can be difficult to be in a classroom with young students who are often just focusing on their studies, he says, and “There are a lot of things to be done for mature students.” His prior election to the KSA has assisted in his understanding of the policies and bylaws, as well as the finances of the organization. “We have a lot of money to take care of … and we need to do a lot of things for students,” he says. The transparency surrounding the KSA’s finances is one of his main focuses—arguing that there needs to be better marketing of events and more awareness that the KSA exists. “All I ask is for students to choose their representatives wisely. I know we have friends … that we do like to support, but we should not forget that we should choose the person who is wise and who will make the decision for them, and not for their themselves.”
Verdict: England has a very specific goal, of improving transit between campus, that is realistic. It is for this reason, and her familiarity with her awareness of the very relevant KPIRG topic that The Runner editorial board is endorsing her as a candidate.
Verdict: Kheslat presents a strong platform by raising issues of transparency around the KSA’s finances, but has not focused enough on specific goals that can be achieved that relate to problems mature students are facing so The Runner editorial board is unable to endorse him.
08
News
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
W : runnermag.ca
Women’s Representative 1 Position, 2 Candidates
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
To represent the interests of self-identified women on campus.
This is one of the liveliest races in this election. The candidates have two very different opinions about what a feminist is, and what gender equality on campus looks like.
There is a lot happening on campus with women’s issues, like WOOW and the women’s centre working group. Women on campus need someone who is going to advocate for what they want, including creating the safe space that is necessary in any community.
Gurjinderjit (Ricky) Ghuman BUSINESS
Jessica Lar-Son ENGLISH
Ghuman, the current women’s representative for the KSA, is running for the same position in this election. “I chose the women’s rep position because I, myself, am a woman and … I’m trying to get at women to take part, volunteer and help out because I think we’re as equal as men,” Ghuman says. If elected she plans on setting up a self-defense class for Kwantlen women. She believes that, “Our campuses are pretty much safe, but we still need to know what we can do for ourselves.” Her involvement in the KSA has extended to the student life, governance, and student services committees. She thinks that the KSA has the potential to provide students with the services they require, but needs to market itself out and have better student participation in events and activities. She says, “I’m a student who’s going to be selected by students because I’m here everyday.”
Before coming to Kwantlen, Lar-Son attended the University of Victoria where she was studying feminism—an experience that she hopes to bring to KPU. In fact, she sees it as her duty to bring a feminist culture to Kwantlen, especially because KPU doesn’t “really have a women’s studies department.” “From my experience it’s really great to have the kind of involvement that you see at Kwantlen, I would just like to help to contribute to that involvement growing.” She wants to start a feminist-themed publication, increase women’s studies at KPU, and work with organizations like WOOW and the women’s centre working group. “I think it’s important to continue working to achieve equality,” she says, “especially on places like university campuses where we can set a precedent for people in the community.” “If elected I will absolutely, first of all, speak up for all those who identify as women,” she says. “… I want women to feel safe and equal while they’re on campus, and [I want to] just promote that culture of gender equality.” Ultimately, she wants to create “a sense of togetherness that Kwantlen doesn’t always have.”
Verdict: While Ghuman is a passionate candidate, The Runner editorial board is not endorsing her because, although she has sat on many committees for the KSA, she does not seem to recognize women as an actual constituency group that needs specific advocacy.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board has chosen to endorse Lar-Son because she has tangible goals and is focused on bringing gender equality to Kwantlen. She also recognizes that gender equality does not presently exist, which is crucial for someone looking to represent the rights of self-identified women.
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner
February 20 / 2014
Election
09
Students with Disabilities Representative 1 Position, 2 Candidates
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
To represent students with disabilities on the KSA council, and ensure the concerns of the constituncy are heard.
Both candidates are very strong in their platforms and goals. It will likely be a tight race.
Students with disabilities deserve someone who will advocate for accessibility beyond the legally-mandated requirements.
Daniel McCully SCIENCE
Kimberley McMartin ANTHROPOLOGY
Like his competitor, Daniel McCully decided to run because of his concern that the disabilities rep seat was too often vacant, but is also concerned that not all KSA directors behave appropriately when it comes to their duties on council. “Students that seem rather irresponsible are managing a $7-million budget,” he says. “So many people who are voted into positions don’t even show up to meetings and cannot be bothered to read the materials before going to the meetings.” He first got involved with the KSA during and after the impeachment of the 2011 board. SInce then he’s kept his finger on the pulse of the society, but decided to take an active role when he realized that certain constituency seats weren’t being represented. McCully says that if elected he will do his best to always be prepared for meetings and will represent his constituency. He also wants to remove some of the barriers that prevent students with disabilities from running for seats on the KSA board.
Kimberley McMartin knows that KPU has a lot of room for improvement when it comes to how it treats students with disabilities and decided to run for disabilities rep to help improve the situation. “I’ve heard that no one really wants this position or had the desire to run for it, so being as one of the people it was supposed to represent, I’ve felt we’ve been left out of decision making,” says McMartin, who identifies as having a learning disability. She wants to create a centralized information centre, maybe online, where students with disabilities can go for everything they need when they have issues at the school. She also wants to better publicize the university’s learning centre. McMartin is an active member of the anthropology and criminology societies and the Japan Club, and volunteers at events on campus.
Verdict: A very tight race, but we endorse Daniel McCully because we think he will be a strong advocate on council and with the university for students with disabilities.
Verdict: This was a very tight decision for our editorial team. McMartin is passionate about the disabilities constituency and would be a good choice, but comes a close second to the other candidate.
10
Election
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
W : runnermag.ca
Students of Colour Representative 1 Position, 2 Candidates
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
To represent the interests of self-identified students of colour on campus.
Both candidates have committed to standing against discrimination, but only one has offered a specific plan to address it.
With the KPIRG and other new social justice initiatives on the horizon at KPU, strong leaders will be needed to help collaborate the different constituency groups.
Shewit Kidane POLITICAL SCIENCE
Gurinderjit Singh SidhuBUSINESS
Shewit Kidane wants to be the next students of colour representative, but says he sees the job as a collaborative one. “I want to help students of colour, but I also want to help women, I want to help gays and lesbians, I want to help aboriginal students. I want to support my own initiatives, but I also want to help everyone else who gets elected.” “I felt like as a minority at school, I could represent other students and whatever their struggles, be able to bring them forward.” He sees the recent cuts to ESL funding as a political swipe at an already vulnerable population and says that all of the KSA constituency groups need to work together for the common good. In addition to his work with the African Caribbean Student Association and the Students of Colour Collective, Kidane has been active with sustainability groups on campus and his proud of the KSA’s work to move towards being green. “I feel like the KSA is taking strides to be progressive and sustainable.”
An active volunteer in the community and a member of Kwantlen Sikh Student Association, Gurinderjit Sidhu thinks he would be a good fit for the KSA’s students of colour representative seat. “Canada is a multicultural country and at Kwantlen there are lots of students from different cultures and everybody should learn about different cultures,” says Sidhu. If elected, he promises to stand against discrimination and wants to provide exposure to different events from different ethnic backgrounds, so students can learn to understand and respect others.
Verdict: Kidane’s plans to work with other constituency groups and to support existing ethnic and cultural groups at KPU make him the strongest candidate in this category. The Runner editorial board unconditionally endorses Shewit Kidane.
Verdict: Sidhu’s desire to help support tolerance is sincere and admirable, but his lack of experience with the bureaucracy of the KSA and his lack of specific concrete examples of projects he plans to address or work on, means that he doesn’t get our endorsement.
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
Queer Representative
ACA Representative
1 Position, 1 Candidate
1 Position, 1 Candidate
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
Election
To represent the interests of self-identified queer and trans* students on campus.
The race is uncontested, so the candidate needs to receive more “yes” votes than “no” votes.
KPU doesn’t have a great reputation when it comes to being a welcoming space for sexual and gender diversity. This representative could help to usher in needed changes.
11
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
To represent the Faculty of Academic and Career Advancement on the KSA council, and ensure the concerns of the faculty are heard.
The race is uncontested, so the candidate needs to receive more “yes” votes than “no” votes. The candidate didn’t respond to requests for interviews or show up for the debates, which is concerning.
The ACA teaching faculty at KPU just lost 16 instructors after the government cut funding. This faculty needs strong representation.
Mason Schmidt
Amarjeet Singh Dhaliwal
Mason Schmidt is a first time student association candidate for the KSA, but believes he has a lot to offer as the queer students representative. “The student body doesn’t really care about the KSA and what they do ... there needs to be more done to bridge that apathy,” he says. As an out gay man he wants to see more representation of queer issues on campus, and if elected he sees his role as being a go-between for queer students, and helping to make them feel welcome and safe. Schmidt plans to hold regular office hours, and host events like movie nights and invite in guest speakers from the gay community to talk about their experiences to students. He also wants to see Kwantlen continue their tradition of involvement more involvement with Surrey Pride and Vancouver Pride.
This candidate didn’t respond to requests for an interview and didn’t partipate in the candidate debates.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board conditionally endorses Mason Schmidt for his commitment to increase queer-friendly community on campus. Like most of us, Schmidt still has a lot to learn about all the diverse groups of people who fall under the queer umbrella, but we think that if he is willing to learn, then he is capable of doing great things at KPU for them.
12
Election
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
W : runnermag.ca
Arts Representatives 4 Positions, 7 Candidates
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
To represent the Faculty of Arts on the KSA council, and ensure the concerns of the faculty are heard.
Race so far
Many of the candidates have raised the importance of student life and increasing transparency within the KSA. However, half the candidates did not respond to interview requests or attend the debate, which is concerning.
Why you care
The faculty of arts makes up a huge portion of Kwantlen’s population, and the concerns of these students are placed into the hands of four people. Vote carefully.
Simon Massey CREATIVE WRITING
Alex McGowan POLITICAL SCIENCE
“I’m pretty much running because the KSA isn’t working great and I see ways that I could fix it,” says Massey, “And I’d like to do that.” His main focus is to fix the club system, which he says currently is “counterproductive … There whole bureaucratic process for that entire area could be streamlined.” This is something he promises to change if elected. He also notes that the “climate of the current KSA seems to be somewhat ineffective—it’s slow-moving and it doesn’t get a lot done.” He says that this means a lot of time is spent discussing issues that don’t need excessive discussion, using the recent example of KPIRG. Massey was formerly on the PIPS board, and is the current treasurer of the Creative Writing Guild. He has extensive experience on boards and committees, and is really focused on making it easier to start a club at Kwantlen.
“I’m going to do my job,” says McGowan. “Which doesn’t sound like much but compared to a lot of what we see in the KSA it’s actually kind of special.” He notes that a lot of candidates who end up in the KSA don’t seem willing to do their job. He says that if he’s elected he will go to all the meetings, sit on committees, and represents what he sees as “students’ best interests.” He’s running to be an arts faculty representative, and is looking to facilitate more student involvement in the KSA. He also wants to enhance club activity and “empower clubs more.” He recognizes that the KSA has “a lot of people who are very strong social justice advocates, and passionate young people who are trying to a lot of good stuff.” He’s currently a student member on the external affairs committee, and an active member of the Political Science Society of Kwantlen and Students for Sustainability.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board is endorsing Massey because he recognizes that there are areas of improvement within the KSA, and he has enough experience with other organizations to understand the best way to fix it. As someone with a lot of involvement with clubs, he also best understands how to make an accessible clubs system.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board is endorsing McGowan because his extensive knowledge of KSA policies, and familiarity with student associations in general, would make him an informed council member who recognizes the potential that exists within the KSA.
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
Election
13
Arts representatives (continued) 4 Positions, 7 Candidates
Rhejis WicksGENERAL ARTS
Fatima Zaidi POLITICAL SCIENCE
According to Wicks, he’s been at Kwantlen for long enough to know how it works. “I would like to be a part of the community at the school, and I would like to be able to make some of the decisions regarding student life with Kwantlen,” he says. He’s already attended many KSA events, volunteered for Welcome Week, usually playing his guitar. After all, he’s a member of local band, Midnight Runners. He would like to increase the marketing of KSA events, noting that the “KSA right now has a lot of growth potential … the KSA has so many amazing people that work for it, it’s absolutely fantastic the way that they’re able to find people who are really, genuinely interested in student life at Kwantlen.” His focus is to improve student life on campus, and points out that KPU being a commuter school can actually be seen as an advantage because it means that it is convenient for people to get to…so long as there is something for them to do once they get there. “If I’m elected, I’d like to have people connect with one another and actually have the university life they assumed they would have when they got to this point.”
Zaidi is currently an arts faculty representative, and the chair of the student life committee, amongst other positions. “I enjoy the work that I do for the students,” she says. “I think academics is one of the main priorities of students who are studying at Kwantlen. I want to be able to help them and support them in their academic life as much as possible.” She believes that improvements need to be made in student life, and that the KSA needs to provide more student support and better marketing of the services that they offer. She emphasizes the importance of actually representing students, and thinking about what they want, not what she wants as an individual, before voting on an issue. The relationship the KSA has with students, she says, is what determines the success of the student association. “Most importantly, it always comes back to student life. Everything connects to student life.” “There is no limit to what you can accomplish [with the KSA],” she says. “… It’s an opportunity for students to make our community what they envision it [to be].”
Verdict: The Runner editorial board is endorsing Wicks because he has demonstrated a commitment to the KSA and to Kwantlen, prior to running in the election. He is focused on enhancing student life at Kwantlen, and has the experience needed to run successful events.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board is endorsing Zaidi because she has specific goals that will help keep the elected representatives of the KSA accountable to their constituents. She is also a team player who wants to help the association to grow.
14
Election
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
W : runnermag.ca
Arts Representatives (continued)
Business Representatives
4 Positions, 7 Candidates
The Runner Rundown
4 Positions, 5 Candidates
Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
To represent the Faculty of Business on the KSA Council, and ensure the concerns of the faculty are heard.
Five students are competing for four spots, so one will be left out. Only two of the five participated in the candidate debates, although the rest had valid reasons for not attending.
The business faculty is one of the biggest and needs strong representation on council. Vote carefully.
Nakul Gulati This candidate didn’t respond to requests for an interview, didn’t partipate in the candidate debates and didn’t submit an official candidate statement.
PHOTO UNAVAILABLE Allison Makela This candidate didn’t respond to requests for an interview, didn’t partipate in the candidate debates and didn’t submit an official candidate statement.
Morgan McKee HUMAN RESOURCES Morgan McKee is hoping to win a second term as a business faculty representative for the KSA, and says she’s much better equipped now to do an effective job then when she first started. “I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about the KSA and I have a passion and interest in helping students and learning more about what I can do for students,” she says She doesn’t shy away from the sometimes acrimonious debates that happen at board meetings.”Politics is politics,” she says. “We benefit from having a lot of strong and opinionated councillors and it’s a really good thing. It creates a lot of controversy at times, but also a lot of important discussion that needs to occur. I think this term, we will likely have a lot more turmoil.” She attributes much of the KSA’s good work to the staff. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish everything we do.
Rebecca Fribance This candidate didn’t respond to requests for an interview and didn’t partipate in the candidate debates.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board endorses Morgan McKee for her promises to get students more value for their student fees.
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
Election
15
Business Representatives (continued) 4 Positions, 7 Candidates
Manpreet Kaur Bassi ACCOUNTING
Simran Goraya ACCOUNTING
Manpreet Bassi is an active volunteer in the community, but now she wants to give back to KPU. “I’m excited to represent business students, but I want to help all students,” says Bassi. Though she doesn’t have any previous KSA experience, she know she has a lot to offer. She wants to see more practical services like the MultiPass and the KSA inter-campus shuttle. She would also like to see an anonymous comment box for students to forward their complaints to the KSA. If elected she will try to help students to the best of her ability and direct them to the proper place if she can’t.
Simran Goraya says her natural shyness makes her gravitate to background roles, but that she’s ready to step into the spotlight. “This semester, I really wanted to make a difference at Kwantlen and speak on behalf of people who are quiet like I was,” she says. Her vision is to plan more events to get students to feel a larger sense of community. She says that in order for those events to be a success, they will need to rethink the way they promote the KSA to students. For business students, she know that networking is a huge priority and wants to see more social gatherings geared to getting students more exposure to the corporate world.
Verdict: Bassi’s lack of experience with the KSA structure and policies means she doesn’t get our endorsement. If she isn’t elected, we encourage her to join a committee or to stay involved in other ways so she will be better prepared for the next election.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board tentatively endorses Goraya for her enthusiasm and passion for events.
16
Election
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
W : runnermag.ca
Business Representatives (continued) 4 Positions, 7 Candidates
Gaurav Kumar ACCOUNTING
Chanel Kwong ACCOUNTING
Gaurav Kumar is running for a third term with the KSA and says that his experience will give him an edge in making a difference.
Chanel Kwong is hoping to be elected to her third term on the KSA. Currently an ACA faculty rep, she has now moved to the faculty of business. She loves the challenges she has faced learning how to chair committee meetings and especially enjoys seeing the passion of other engaged students. “Students who actually want to do things and are not just sitting around, it really motivates me,” she says. She notes that while the heated discussions at council can sometimes become uncomfortable, ultimately they are a sign that board members care about the society, and she welcomes that passion.
“I took three courses last summer, so I wasn’t able to do as much as I wanted to do,” says Kumar who currently is on the KSA’s executive as director of finance. If re-elected, he wants to focus on creating more bursaries and hopes to turn his focus to planning events.
When asked what the current council is succeeding at, he points to the scandalridden KSA directors who were impeached, two years ago. “If we compare the KSA now and the KSA council in 2011, right now we are doing a very good job,” he says. “We didn’t see any scams as in previous years.” He wants to see a renewed focus on the KSA’s services, but also think there needs to be an accompanied increase of marketing those services so students can properly use them.
Verdict: The Runner editorial board endorses Kumar for his dedicated approach to the KSA’s finances and his desire to improve KSA services.
Verdict: Chanel Kwong’s infectious enthusiasm and desire to serve students gets her The Runner’s editorial board’s endorsement.
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
Election
17
Science & Horticulture Representatives 2 Positions, 2 Candidates
The Runner Rundown Tasks at hand
Race so far
Why you care
Micheal Robinson
To represent the Faculty of Science and Horticulture on the KSA council, and ensure the concerns of the faculty are heard.
The race is uncontested, so the candidates need to receive more “yes” votes than “no” votes.
Many students from this faculty are based in Richmond and Langley and therefore don’t get the same level of services from the KSA.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Eric Wirsching SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Micheal Robinson thinks that he has the right skill set to represent science students at KPU. “It seemed like an opportunity to do something good within the university, and I’ve always had an interest in politics,” Robinson is actively involved with several sustainability groups and initiatives on campus, and if elected wants to see the KSA get more involved in going green. He would like to investigate food services and try to get more locally-sourced food on campus as well as see community gardens started on campus.
Eric Wirsching was first elected in last fall’s by-election, and says the experience has largely been a positive one. He joined the KSA because he wanted the experience of helping run a large not-forprofit organization, but also wanted to bring a sensible voice to the council table. He advocates that students need to pay close attention to the KSA. “Any governing body that isn’t being monitored by its constituents is eventually going to work for its own interests and not the greater good,” says Wirsching He has found the apathy of some current KSA board members to be frustrating, to the point that many don’t bother to attend council meetings. “There’s a lot of apathy ... it’s difficult to get quorum for meetings.” “I guess people could be busy, many work, but I think many just don’t take the job seriously. Wirsching credits a good deal of the society’s success to the permanent staff members who serve as resources to elected officials.
Verdict: Robinson gets our endorsement for science rep because of his commitment to sustainability and his enthusiasm for politics.
Verdict: Wirsching brings a sensibility and high level of professionalism to a board that desperately needs it. The Runner editorial board endorses him for his realism and his commitment to accountability.
18
Procrastination
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
W : runnermag.ca
W : runnermag.ca
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
Procrastination
Horoscope
SUDOKU SUDOKU Previous solution Previous- Tough solution - Very Hard Very Hard Easy
7 4 2 9 1 6 8 9 7 4 1 3 1 3 4 9 6 5 2 7 8
4
9 68 8 39 6 2 47 1 8 63 9 3 5 5 44 82 11 6 3 4 7 99 1 54 4 3 5 26 1 7 93 4 48 83 6
5 6 5 3 8 5 2 6 2
84 28 72 37 16 91 55 49 63
59 16 95 73 48 62 81 24 37
63 31 47 89 24 55 98 72 16
36 77 58 44 65 89 23 11 92
92 44 61 18 33 27 79 86 55
15 89 23 91 52 76 67 38 44
1 2 9 6 7 3 4 5 8
8 3 6 5 1 4 2 7 9
7 5 4 2 9 8 6 3 1
© 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.
To complete To Sudoku, completefillSudoku, the board fill the board by enteringbynumbers entering1numbers to 9 such1 to 9 such that each row, that each column row, and column 3x3 box and 3x3 box contains every contains number every uniquely. number uniquely. © 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.
No. 90No. 87
72
19
For many For strategies, many strategies, hints and tips, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like If Sudoku you like you’ll Sudoku reallyyou’ll like really like ‘Str8ts’ and‘Str8ts’ our other and puzzles, our otherApps puzzles, Apps and books.and Visit books. www.str8ts.com Visit www.str8ts.com
7
Sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec 21
Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan 20
New circumstances overwhelm you, but connecting with others will enable you to leave a legacy.Your spirit animal is the recently released domesticated rabbit.
Use your assertive nature to help you achieve your goals. Your spirit animal is the seagull; your lucky condiment is a ketchup packet.
Aquarius Jan 21 - Feb 19
Pisces Feb 20 - Mar 20
The solutions Thewill solutions be published will be published here in thehere nextinissue. the next issue.
CROSSWORD Across
1. Antipasto morsel 6. Organization 11. Inquire of 14. Rot 15. ___ Mio 16. Certain Ivy Leaguer 17. Connected series of rooms 18. "Lou Grant" star 19. Posed 20. Third Gospel 22. Steak order 24. Small mechanical devices 28. Carve 30. Lazy 31. Alert, knowing 32. Orchestra section 33. Capital of Scotland 37. Obtain, slangily 38. On one's toes 39. Ten of these equal one dong in Vietnam 40. Bewitch 43. Schemes 45. ___ de Leon 46. Young roarer 47. Small upright piano 49. Purposeless 50. Trimmed 51. Invitation letters 52. From ___ Z 53. Deplete 56. City in West Yorkshire 61. Accelerate 62. Actress Witherspoon 63. Not odds 64. Enzyme ending 65. Glacial ridge 66. It's a wrap
Down
1. Takes too much 2. Romanian coin 3. Henri's here 4. Large container 5. Blind 6. Steeps 7. "___ quam videri" (North
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 24
25
26
21
22
27
28
30
12
29
34
38
40
41
Taurus Apr 20 - May 20
Pick up a Harvest Box at the KSA and enjoy some delicious local bananas. Your spirit animal is the capybara.
We are all mature students in our hearts, and in our representation. Your spirit animal is the sauropod.
35
36
39
42
43
45 47
Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19
23
33
37
Some innocuous comments may make you selfconscious,butyoudon’thavetoletthem.Yourspiritanimal is the striped skunk.Your lucky fungus is the stinkhorn.
13
31
32
Your spirit animal—the crow—drops mollusks onto roads so that passing cars will crush and open the shells; find someone else to do what you can’t be bothered with.
44
Gemini May 21 - Jun 20
46
48
49
50
Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 23
51
52
53
54
55
61
62
63
64
65
66
Carolina's motto) 8. Imperial unit of weight 9. Suffix with glob 10. Agitate 11. Greek fabulist 12. Slope 13. Bird of prey 21. Shoshone language member 23. Chicken cordon ___ 24. Small canyon 25. Dined at home 26. Eats to a plan 27. Deity 28. Eddy 29. Pessimist's word 31. "Die Fledermaus" maid 33. Choose 34. Geneva's river 35. Entrances 36. Emcees 38. Teen spots? 41. Mayberry moppet 42. Graceful roundness 43. Skin eruptions 44. Chat room chuckle
56
57
58
59
46. Actress Tyler 47. Satisfies 48. Establish as the truth 49. According to 50. Graph prefix 51. Trick 54. Paris possessive 55. A mouse! 57. Sister of Zsa Zsa 58. Ballad ending 59. Kind of fingerprint 60. Nine-digit ID
60
If you’re not sure if a woman likes you, spark a conversation by sharing your thoughts on the friend zone. Your spirit animals are the black widow spider and the polar bear. Leo Jul 24 - Aug 23
This week, say what’s in your heart with poetry. Your spirit animal is the melting starfish.
Virgo Aug 24 - Sept 23
Your spirit animal, the housecat, has been scientifically proven to recognize the sound of their human’s voice, but chooses to ignore it.
Your spirit animal is the doge. much luck so study wow
Libra Sept 24 - Oct 23
Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 22
If you vote this week, you will ensure that your student union will be fully transparent. Your spirit animal is the unicorn.
Your spirit animal is the earthworm; you might feel like everything you come into contact turns to shit, but people like that about you.
20
Advertisement
The Runner
February 24 / 2014
General Election Polling
Tuesday, February 25, 2014 – Wednesday, February 26, 2014 10 AM – 7 PM Surrey Campus – In the Main Atrium Richmond Campus – In the Rotunda Cloverdale Campus – By the Cafeteria Langley Campus – By the Bookstore
Ballot Counting
Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 8 PM Surrey Main 2801
W : runnermag.ca
Election will be held for these positions:
Campus Representatives (2 positions) • Cloverdale Campus Representative (1) • Langley Campus Representative (1)
Constituency Representatives (7 positions) • • • • • • •
Aboriginal Students Representative (1) International Students Representative (1) Mature Students Representative (1) Queer Students Representative (1) Students of Colour Representative (1) Students with Disabilities Representative (1) Women’s Representative (1)
Faculty Representatives (11 positions) • • • •
Academic and Career Advancement Representative (1) Arts Representative (4) Business Representative (4) Science and Horticulture Representative (2)
For more information on the KSA general election, visit
www.kusa.ca/elections
Chief Returning Officer | Corey Van’t Haaff
Kwantlen Student Association | Cell: 604.889.5437 | Email: kwantlencro@gmail.com