4 News _ February 22, 2006 + Over the Page Profiles of NUGSS Electoral Candidates COMPILED BY ELIZABETH FYLES DISTRIBUTION MANAGER ‘The semester is almost halfway through and students are gearing up for the NUGSS general election that is to be held on February 27 and 28. As students at UNBC themselves, the candidates feel the welfare and success of all UNBC students is at the top of their lists. Please support your student society on February 27 and 28 by voting, Udi Cody Wi lett Hi! My name is Cody Willett and I'm a third year PoliSci/Ints major. I founded a club last January and sit as the Communications Director on a provin- cial executive with a mandate of youth voting awareness, It’s with this leadership experience and skill that I'm proud to be running for the opportunity to represent YOU as President of NUGSS. When I'm taking it easy off the hill, I indulge in music, hockey, good times and just being proud to be Canadian, eh. I started my degree at UNBC in 2003 and after a couple of years of having a little more fun than I should have, I've come to see the heed for more account- able and involved student leadership. The reason why is simple: NUGSS is first and foremost a representative body charged with implementing student ini- tiatives and advocating student needs, Lately we've seen NUGSS become less responsive to student wishes and more inclined to tell students what they're going to get instead, It's time a NEW board is elected to bring NUGSS down from its perch on high, and forward to the grassroots level where students are actively asked what they want their Stu- dent Society to do for them. As I’ve met with individuals and student groups to find out what they want to see from a new NUGSS leadership, I find myself listening to far too many forgotten voic- es and ideas. Students of UNBC now find them- selves with an opportunity to shape the President future of student life on campus with the creation of the NUSC building. NUGSS needs your input on what YOU want to see in-OUR space on campus. I look for- ward to bringing an inclusive approach to advocating for YOU and making sure the NUSC building is something ALL students on campus can call their own. I'll say “NO” to Chartwells as the food service in NUSC. I'll say “YES” to MORE input from student groups and individuals alike. It's not about what I want, or what NUGSS wants, or even what UNBC administration wants; it’s _ about what YOU want. With other fresh faces and new perspectives on the team, I'll make sure the new leadership takes the things you care about to the right people to ensure students are once again included in the process. If you want to see something done, or have a question, call or email me and together we'll make it happen, Vote for Cody on February 27/28! Cheers. Cody Willett for NUGSS President codywillett@hotmail.com. (250) 613-0116 Jillian Merrick Hello my name is Jillian Merrick and I am heading into my fifth and final year of an economics/interna- tional studies degree here at UNBC. Last year I was elected as the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences Representative at NUGSS, and I was committed to improving transit ser- vices at UNBC. Sure enough, NTIC has established a limited Sunday Bus Service and is currently in the works - to develop a carpooling program and " improve transit services so that a U- Pass may be feasible in the future. If elected as President this year I will continue to be involved in NTIC so that Sunday Service and other trans- portation programs can continue to develop. If elected as President for the 2006/2007 term my biggest ptiority will clearly be the Northern University Student Centre (NUSC). I will work tirelessly over the sum- mer with all those involved to design the best and most beautiful building for your dollar, and I will attempt to hammer out every detail of the proj- ect so that you know exactly where your money is going when the build- -ing comes to referendum in the Fall. The NUGSS Board this year has already come leaps and bounds in improving the feasibility of NUSC for students and I hope to improve on that. Another important prior- ity, if elected as President, would be controlling student fees. I will work to prevent any fee increases, and even reduce student fees where possible. I will also make sure that the fees you are forced to shell out are used in the most efficient way possible, by continuing to improve the setvices NUGSS offers. I think my contribu- tion as a representative at NUGSS this past term has proved:my ability to step up to this coming term. I have involved in a vast number of projects, from improving services, to helping clubs, to social events, to educational events, to charity campaigns. I aman _ open and reception person who can appreciate a variety of viewpoints, and would love-to hear your ideas once elected, So please, vote for me. Jaipaul Parmar Hello my name is Jaipaul Parmar and I am applying for candidacy for ~ the NUGSS position: VP Student Affairs. I am a third year student pur- suing a degree major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Psychology. This is my third time run- ning in a NUGSS election, with cwo successful wins I am hoping to be re- elected as the VP Student Affairs. The VP Student Affairs: is responsible for all clubs and services under NUGSS. One of the main functions of the VP Student Affairs is facilitating club hear- ings and aiding clubs in their endeav- ors. This past term has been a lot of fun and I have had the pleasure of helping start up anumber of new clubs.on cam- pus. The VP Student Affairs is respon- VP Student Affairs sible for updating the Constitution and Bylaw amendments during the AGM and ensures that policies are effectively implemented and updated, Over my term I have had a lot of experience writing policies and working with vari- ous groups of people including WUSC and Monetary Affairs Commission (MAC). The VP Student Affairs is also responsible for ensuring that student positions on the. University’s various Committees are filled. Over my past term, my portfolio requires me to be a voting member of the MAC. ‘This has been a great learning experience for me, with this I feel that I will be well able to make effective decisions on the vari- ous funding MAC provides. Voting for me in this election ensures the student body an informed and effective voice on the board of directors. Jessica Schmit My name is Jessica Schmit and I am a PG girl born and raised. I am just entering my third year of the politi- cal science, international studies pro- gram. I have always been extremely active within my community through a number of programs. Most recently these include coaching judo, the Big Brother Big Sister mentoring program and the summer ESL program. I have also traveled extensively and this has allowed me to experience and learn from a wonderful range of cultures and meet a very diverse group of people. I feel chat NUGSS has a lot of po- tential but it has yet to fulfill that po- tential. The majority of the student body does not know what NUGSS ‘really does because they have no sense of involvement. In order for this to be different some changes must be imple- mented within the program, It is im- portant that NUGSS communicates the wishes of the entire student body and actively engages everyone. To do this I feel that there should be oppor- tunities throughout the school year that allows the student body to relax and get to know one another. I believe that if elected as VP of Stu- dent Affairs I would bring a unique perspective to the executive that has yet to be represented. I look forward to being a-voice for change, implementing a sense of involvement within the stu- dent body and truly making NUGSS a SUCCESS. Devon Tasa My name is Devan C. Tasa and I want to be your next VP Student Affairs. I've been at UNBC for two years, taking a Political Science/International Studies Joint Major, I am also involved in many clubs on cam- pus, including the Political Science Student Association (PSSA), where I was instru- mental in organizing both the Federal and Municipal All-Candidates Forum, both of which turned out to be successful. Outside of UNBC, I've been appointed to the Inter- national Linkages Advisory Committee for the City of Prince George. : I'm running for NUGSS because I want to do three things: Increase Transparency in NUGSS and Improve Governance, Revital- ize Public Spaces, and Improve Services for Clubs, To increase transparency in NUGSS, I - want to create a “Guide to NUGSS” which explains what NUGSS does, what NUGSS does not do, what NUGSSSs policies are, how NUGSS works, and so on. As well, the NUGSS website needs to be improved so that it will display the current NUGSS news, the latest meeting minutes, and the latest NUGSS Director's reports. Finally, to improve the power of students, I will work hard in reducing the signatures required to spark a referendum from 35% to 20%, so that the NUGSS board does not have sole control over what issues go to referendum. To revitalize public spaces, I will fight for two lights: better lighting in our dim hall- ways and parking lot and upgrading the hall- way seating. Services to clubs also need to be improved. I want to do this by creating a renewal form for clubs to use (instead of using the exten- sive new club form every year) and improv- ing communication for clubs by doing such things as organizing the bulletin boards and creating a giant calendar in which a club can post their event on the day it is taking place. I realize that I come as a relative newcomer to NUGSS; however, I do have the experi- ence needed to be effective in this position, I believe that the office of Student Affairs needs to talk (and listen!) to. more people and it badly needs an infusion of new ideas. I believe that I am the best person to do this. On February 27 and 28, vote Devan C. Tasa as VP Student Affairs. If you have any questions, please go to my website at www.dctasa.blogspot.com or. e- mail me at dctasa@gmail.com. Profiles of the following candidates were not available: Running for Associate VP Social Katharine McKnight Running for CSM Rep - Donnie Van Dyk Running for Women’s Rep Michelle Lamoureaux, Elizabeth Sharp Running for CASHS Rep Troy Dickson Running for Member at Large James DeVuyst Running for VP Social John McGregor Running for First Nations Representative Ted Morris PHOTOGRAPH OF DEVON TASA TAKEN BY ASHLEY- PAIGE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF DOUG BELL, FERGIL MILLS, AND _ DEVREY ROBBINS TAKEN BY TAYLOR PRATT