After two years as a Students’ Union Operations and Finance Commissioner, challenger Scott Appleby feels it is time to make the Board of Governors more than a retirement ground for SU executives (his opponent is a former Vice-President Events). Having maintained an up-to-date knowledge of external matters, he is ambitious, ready to learn and serve for more than one term. Unfortunately, he lacks his opponent’s experience on the board, which will slow his plans.
Appleby feels tuition should be a year-round issue, not just something left until there is no time for action. He wishes to become involved with the Tuition Sustainability Committee, initiated by his opponent, and the financial committees.
Meeting with the other members individually early on is a priority and would help him make the board more aware of student issues. He would also work with members to improve communication and involvement with the community.
To become more aware of the issues, he would continue attending Students’ Legislative Council meetings and visit the SU offices regularly.
He has only attended one Board of Governors meeting, in March 2003, and missed this year’s tuition decision to help with Operation Barricade. This illustrates his relatively low level of familiarity with the board.
As this is his opponent’s last year at the U of C and she has offered to instruct her successor, he should stay close to her, watch the board, and learn as much as possible so he is ready to take her place next year.
How will you identify student issues and how will you bring those issues, once identified, to the BoG?
“As the voice of students, I want to make the issue of affordability at the forefront of the problem. That for me and I think to most people is the barrier to getting a post-secondary education.”
How will you enhance the effectiveness of student representation?
“There are a lot of influential people on the board of governors. Having those people working with us trying work with us to put pressure on some of the government organizations, to get more people in the community to understand what the issues are.”