ARTS BOA/Senate Information Session

~ GUEST BLOGGER TODAY!! None of us could make it to the Arts BOA Candidate Debate and Info Session/Meet and Greet, so we sent in a capable emissary. Let's call her 'pseudomadonna'. Don't worry. She's proxy-licious. Be back soon! <3 cartoonmadonna ~

There are a total of 3 people watching the beginning of the info session.

The candidates look a little disappointed that no one is here to see them.

The rest of Café Alt is filled with avid studiers, perhaps no one is interested because elections take place during midterm season?!

11:16am- the candidates are discussing breaking at 11:30 to do a classroom presentation- they decide that they all want to go to a call together and present themselves as THE ARTS CANDIDATES

There are 8 candidates on the elections website, but only 7 showed up for the info session.
Dominique Blouin where are youuuuuuuuu?

Alright, Opening Statements:

Scott Bedard- BOA candidate- “students interest must come foremost”, going to be a moderately responsible voice (spoken like a true liberal).

Mel Book- BOA candidate (reelection)- boa has great power to ensure that student’s interests are met- wants to make a board dedicated to the betterment of everyday student issues, there are 3 major things she wants to work on- making agendas more readily available prior to meetings, improve quiet study space (24hr library time), keep on bringing motions to the board after consultations with students


Danika Brisson- BOA candidate- outgoing-vp student affairs for sfuo- wants to apply her experience (although has only ever voted in the exec-slate on the board to date), interested in environmental issues, food services, representation, talking about the anti-racism taskforce, anti-oppression training, sustainable development, she is talking like she is vp student affairs, not a regular arts student running for board rep.

Michael Cheevers- BOA candidate (reelection)- gives a bit of a history about the BOA whilst wearing his version of the Seamus-solidarity suit, wants to introduce general assemblies once per semester for the SFUO students (sounds like Francois’ platform from last year), international students need to be a priority at the SFUO in terms of campaigns (says the campaigns coordinator)

Amy Hammett- BOA- anti-oppression, mandatory training for future boa members (doesn’t that already happen?>), student power, nominations rights, direct campaigns to overrule administrative power, focus on split fees and late fees, wants to improve the environment of the campus

Robert Prazares- BOA- several concerns, storkes his beard, concern between the student body and the SFUO, does a shout out to Cheevers, talking about his own voice/average voice…blah blah blah, people tend to get carried away and take their jobs too seriously. Moves his hand in the OBama style. Wants to find out what other people think and brings up communication between students and SFUO, thinks CFS campaign was good

Martin Schoots-McAlpine- BOA- lack of actually going to students and finding out what they want, cafeteria food, lack of electrical outlets, 24hr library, overpriced rez rent, talking about student union who is not afraid to stand up to the administration