GSU ELECTIONS 2010/2011

This page will be updated regularly, whenever new information on elections, polling stations etc. becomes available.


Contents:

• Important Dates
• 2010 Chief Returning Officer
• Elections
• Candidates’ Debate
• Candidates    
  
• Candidate Statements
• Referendum Questions
• Voting Information
  
  

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• Academic Commissioner
• External Commissioner
• Finance and Services Commissioner
• University Affairs Commissioner
  

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CANDIDATES' DEBATE
Moderated debate: 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Tuesday, March 16. Room 2118, Sidney Smith building.
Come and hear from and ask questions of the candidates running in the GSU elections.


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CANDIDATES
Candidates in alphabetical order:

Academic Commissioner
Aatmi Desai
Sean Karmali
Michelle St-Amour

External Commissioner
Kazi Arif Anwar - withdrawn
Ajamu Nangwaya
Daniel Vandervoort
Monika Wyrzykowska - withdrawn

Finance and Services Commissioner
Andrée Beaupré
Faizul Mohee
Nikita Reznik

Internal Commissioner
Lindsey Fiddes (elected by acclamation)

University Affairs Commissioner
Alberta Akrong - withdrawn
Anton Neschadim
Adwoa Onuroa
Robert Spencer



Description of positions:
Term of Office: May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011. Honorarium for each position’s term is $13,000.

Academic Commissioner
Duties include: to act as a liaison with School of Graduate Studies (SGS); monitor the implementation of the funding package and the SGS Emergency Grant, the SGS funding implementation committee and academic policies; represent the Union on the Graduate Education Council; and, chair the committee dealing with Academics and Funding.

External Commissioner
Duties include: to coordinate implementation of provincial and federal campaigns of the Canadian Federation of Students; oversee lobbying efforts; act as the Union’s liaison with external bodies; attend meetings and conferences that enhance the interests of the Union; inform Council of external issues affecting members of the Union; and, chair the committee dealing with Social Justice.

Finance and Services Commissioner
Duties include: to keep records of the Union’s monetary transactions; present financial reports; present recommendations on behalf of the Executive and|or Finance Committee to Council; cooperate with the Finance Office in the Union’s audit; represent the Union on matters related to student life and non-academic services; and, chair the committee dealing with Finance.

Internal Commissioner
Duties include: to ensure scheduling of Executive and Council meetings; work with course unions and on-campus organisations; organise the Course Unions’ Presidents’ lunch; be responsible for the duties of the Council chair in her|his absence; to represent the Union to other student or campus organisations; and, be a member of the Management Committee and the committee dealing with Finance.

University Affairs Commissioner
Duties include: to represent the Union on matters related to student rights; ensure representation on decision-making bodies; coordinate appointments of GSU representatives to University committees; ensure communication between the Union and graduate student representatives on University committees; monitor University committees; and, chair the committee dealing with University Affairs.

BY-LAWS: At its fall 2009 AGM, GSU members confirmed the amendments dealing with the Executive Committee composition, its positions, and responsibilities that were adopted by the GSU Council in spring 2009. The By-Laws (as amended) can be viewed here.



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CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

Academic Commissioner:

Aatmi Desai
No statement submitted

Sean Karmali
I pledge to embolden our voice around issues of funding and academic program quality. On the money front, I will monitor and improve the SGS Emergency Grant and other student funding policies that will make for a less expensive graduate education! I will also be lobbying governments for more research and conference funding. Academically, I will advocate policies that protect us on issues such as intellectual property and academic freedom. Our work is our own!

Michelle St-Amour
If re-elected as Academic Commissioner, I will continue my on-going work on campaigns to reinstate reduced post-residency fees for students, particularly those in the post-funded cohort; protect graduate students’ interests with respect to intellectual property laws; and to advocate for increased public funding for post-secondary education. I will also continue my work as the Chair of the Sustainability Sub-Committee, to create and maintain a more sustainable campus and a more pedestrian- and cycling-friendly community.



External Commissioner:

Kazi Arif Anwar
Withdrawn

Ajamu Nangwaya
As External Commissioner I shall push the following issues, among others:
Advocate for adequate public funding of postsecondary education, social justice causes and greater student political activism
Push for GSU’s General Council’s control and determination of external affairs’ initiatives and selection of student delegates.
Develop member involvement and political education initiatives
Expand media profile of GSU
Current Positions
GSU’s Internal Commissioner
Chair External, CUPE 3907, represents OISE’s Graduate Assistants

Daniel Vandervoort
I am a part-time MA student in Adult Education and Community Development.
As External Commissioner, I shall:
Work for affordable, quality education at UofT for all students - funded and unfunded
Organise and promote GSU campaigns
Build coalitions for social and environmental justice on campus and in the community
Experience:
Lobbying government and leading campaigns with the student movement
OISE GSA Secretary
GSU Social Justice and GSA Accessibility committees

Monika Wyrzykowska
Withdrawn



Finance and Services Commissioner:

Andree Beaupre
Hi there, my name is Andree Beaupre and I’m currently finishing my first of two years in the Masters of Management and Professional Accounting (MMPA) program. As an undergraduate students at Queen’s, I was heavily involved in student government and feel that those experiences would aid me in fulfilling the requirements of Finance &Services Commissioner. I would be excited to serve on the GSU and help improve all of our experiences at UofT.

Faizul Mohee
I am a Ph.D. student in Civil Engineering. I am also a current elected Executive-at-large at GSU. If I will be elected, I will continue my focus on increasing the minimum guaranteed funding and allocating affordable on-campus housing for the graduate students. I will arrange more social events and initiate more services for the graduate students. With my passion and experience, I am confidently committing to continue being your trustworthy and strong voice at GSU.

Nikita Reznik
I am currently a 3rd year Phd student in the department of Medical Biophysics with my undergrad done at the Physics department here in UofT. For the past 3 years I was a member of the GSU council. With my experience at he GSU, and in general, being a student at UofT, I will serve to my fullest to ensure the GSU financial policy, first and foremost, reflects the best interests of graduate students.



University Affairs Commissioner:

Alberta Akrong
Withdrawn

Adwoa Onuora
I am a doctoral student at OISE/UT with a passion for social justice advocacy and action. I have been active in various student organizations at the University since 2001. My organizational activism as a student has provided me with the skills and knowledge to promote your needs and interests in the structures at UofT. If elected, I will support the creation of structures and processes to engender a higher level of member participation in GSU.

Anton Neschadim
A UofT student since 1999, I worked on improving student life  experience through numerous on- and off-campus organizations. I was elected to GSU council for 3 years, then elected University Affairs Commissioner on GSU Executive, throughout which time I promoted student interests on many GSU and external committees, and worked on several issues and campaigns alongside fellow members, including a major inaugural conference. Vote for strong, experienced, fair and accountable representation of your rights! www.ElectAnton.com

Robert Spencer
www.electspencer.ca
Program:
PhD in Curriculum Department  
Record of Solid Experience:
Member, Governing Council
Chair, Toronto Board of Education
Coordinator, Ontario Fair Tax Commission
Tireless Commitment to:
strive for a zero-carbon university
work for social justice
support critical anti-racist pedagogy
Inspired Advocate to:
Improve education funding
Reduce student fees and debt
Reduce fees for post-residency students

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REFERENDUM QUESIONS
At its meeting on Thursday, February 25, 2010, the GSU Council approved three questions to be posed to members.

The GSU Executive Committee has endorsed a vote ‘Yes’ poster to the questions regarding the health and dental insurance fee increases. A ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ committee or materials must be registered through, and approved by, the CRO and Elections and Referenda Committee.


1. Health Insurance - Full-Time Students Only
‘I agree to authorize the Graduate Students’ Union to increase the administrative fee by 50 cents per session from all full-time graduate students ($1. per academic year), on behalf of the Graduate Students’ Union Health Insurance Plan effective September 1, 2010. This would result in a total administrative fee of $4.06 per year ($2.03 per session).’

2. Dental Insurance
‘I agree to authorize the Graduate Students’ Union to increase the administrative fee by 50 cents per session from all graduate students ($1. per academic year), on behalf of the Graduate Students’ Union Dental Insurance Plan effective September 1, 2010.   This would result in a total administrative fee of $4.06 per year ($2.03 per session).’

3. Bikechain
‘I agree to authorize the Graduate Students’ Union to collect an incidental fee (refundable within 3 weeks of registration) of 50 cents per session from all full-time graduate students ($1 per academic year, 50 cents per academic year from all part-time graduate students) on behalf of the University of Toronto Bikechain, effective September 1, 2010.’


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VOTING INFORMATION
Poll locations, dates and time are tentative. Please check back for finalised information.

All members of the GSU may vote (unless otherwise indicated) but must present their U of T student card a the poll station to receive any ballot. A mail-in ballot may be made available to members not able to vote at a poll station; a valid reason|documentation must be provided. Information on requesting the mail-in ballot can be provided only on March 15 and March 16 to those who contact the GSU office.

POLL STATIONS (tentative)

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