2017 ASU Election: Presidential Platforms

On February 13th and 14th remember to VOTE:

To view the Athenaeum’s full print coverage online visit: https://issuu.com/theath

And to vote online please visit: https://central2.acadiau.ca/elections/asu

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Grace H-B

Hi there! My name is Grace H-B and I’m from Halifax, Nova Scotia. I’m in my fourth of the Environmental Science Program working towards my Honours in a Bachelor of Science. I have fulfilled two out of my three cooperative education placements working for the provincial government at Nova Scotia Department of Environment and working for the federal government at Kejimkujik National Park. Currently, I am the Sustainability Officer for the ASU, play on Acadia’s Ultimate Frisbee Team, sit on the Environmental Sustainability Committee of Wolfville and work at the on-campus student bar. You can often find me singing along off key at Paddy’s on a Monday night!

Why are you running for this position?

I am running for this position to continue the momentum of the efforts that myself and other students have worked so hard to put forward. It is important now more than ever that we bring as much positivity, democracy and empathy to politics. Leaders are often made of similar material; strength, passion, optimism and drive. I am running for this position because I believe it is time that we bring compassion and warmth into our leadership positions in combination with tenacity.

What do you want to do? 

By working with other students to discuss what is important to them I have determined four main goals for next year if I was to be elected. Firstly, explore financial solutions for students with lighter course loads. This would mean finding ways for students taking three courses, who also work fulltime jobs or have children to not have to pay fulltime tuition. Secondly, making ASU resources available to ALL students. Thirdly, promoting environmentally responsible solutions in every decision the student’s union makes. Lastly, building community by integrating the international and domestic students through better communication as well as wider representation of students in leadership roles.

Justin King

Hey Acadia!

My name is Justin King and I’m running for President of the ASU.

A bit about me:

I’m a 2nd year Economics and Business double major student and before coming to Acadia, I studied Industrial Engineering Technology at NSCC for two years. I am a volunteer member of Enactus’ Autism Works Project, the Acadia Economics Society and recently joined the Acadia Rotaract Club, and on top of all that; taking 6 courses and a 7th online this semester.

Why am I running for this position: 

I am running for the position of President for the Acadia Student Union because I believe in advocacy and representation of all groups on campus. I have noticed many subgroups of students being disenfranchised and disengaged with what the ASU stands for. I would like to lead the change in 2017-2018 to return the focus of the ASU to all students.

Vote for me and I will be your voice at Acadia.

My Platform: 

Airport Transportation – After writing exams, the last thing you want to do is worry about how you are going to get to the airport to start your break. I want to work with a local shuttle company to create a program to help ease the burden of finding transportation for students.

Union Transparency and Club Funding – Increased transparency of how Union funds are being spent and a review of the allocation of funds for societies and clubs. Currently many groups are having difficulty finding access to funds that were promised and no guidelines on how much their groups received.

Ryan Myers 

My name is Ryan Myers and I am a 4th year music major running to be your Student Union President. As the current Equity Officer for the ASU, I hosted the extremely successful 1st annual Acadia Pride Walk, I sit on the sexual health committee where we devise strategies to ensure safe and consensual sex on campus, and represented the ASU at the Truth and Reconciliation conference to develop a plan of education and respect surrounding First Nations students and territory. Meeting and representing students from countless different backgrounds has been an absolute privilege, and I hope to continue this work on a much larger scale in the upcoming school year.

Why am I running for the position? 

Simply put: I am running because I believe I am the best fit for President of the Acadia Students’ Union. Asserting myself in meetings and fighting for student rights is something I have taken pride in doing over the past year at Acadia. I have gone over and above what my current position requires of me and I plan to do the same as President. I have a solid platform that will facilitate real changes on campus that will ultimately make the Acadia experience a more enjoyable and inclusive one for all students.

What am I going to do? 

Beyond my deep pride for Acadia University, I have concrete plans to ensure that students feel knowledgeable and secure about what occurring on campus. Transparency, increased accessibility, and transitionary courses are three ways in which I plan to make a more versatile and welcoming Acadia University. Furthermore, working with Provincial and Federal governments to ensure students are financially able to attend University is something I will graciously and fervently strive to accomplish on behalf of Acadia students.