Battling for the Presidency
Why are you running for Fanshawe Student Union President?
The four years I have been here I have learned a ton, met great people and worked hard to get to where I am at this current moment... Running for President is something I am truly passionate about. I feel that the College, the Student Union, and you the Students have given me so much over the past four years that I should give back to all of you, because each and everyone of you has had a piece in my experience at Fanshawe College. College should be the best times of your life, where you meet the friends for a life time, experience some crazy moments, get a great education, and a time where you can say you were proud to attend Fanshawe!
If you are elected what are the three main goals you would like to accomplish by the end of your term?
The FOUR main goals I would have not three, would be to #1 help the College develop a Environmental Footprint Plan with reduction of waster, increase in recycling, Carbon Footprint Analysis, and look at becoming ISO 14000 series standard, regarding Environmental Management Systems Environmental Auditing, Environmental Performance Evaluation, Environmental Aspects in Product Standards, Life Cycle Assessment.
#2 Would be to look at more extramural and residence programs in Athletics, look at re-introducing curling and rugby with a two-to-five year plan, and have a new developments program that takes monies and filters it through four accounts, Varsity developments, Intramural/Extramural developments, Facilities/Equipment development, and Awards/Bursaries development accounts.
#3 I would like to take what we as a Student Union this year have started by building a stronger bridge with USC of UWO. This year we have created a strong relationship with the USC and I would like to continue that by working together for charities instead of working against each other. We could put our entertainment budgets together to have combined events that are bigger and better then ever. But most of all I would like to work together with them to create a better community and public image of the student communities in London.
#4 Lastly, we all know that there is a new residence being built, there is going to be a tough transition phase where we lose the one baseball diamond. I want to ensure we have green space and the use of the other baseball diamond for all residence students and all other students. I would like to explore the idea of a wellness path throughout the grounds of the school to encourage students to go outside. As well as, talk to the horticulture program about installing a putting green and/or and miniature golf course through the garden areas by residence for all students to use.
How would you like the London Community to view Fanshawe Students off campus?
I would like to team up with the USC at UWO by teaming up with charity work and entertainment to create more community awareness on the great opportunities we are doing to create a better community and public image of the student communities in London.
ver the past year I have had the privilege of working with Fanshawe College Administration and I have established some great working relationships with these people. I believe I bring a respect and understanding when it to with dealing with Administration (due to my business background) and I think they feel the same. I understand the process isn't perfect, but I would look at working with both students and administration to help them understand both sides of the equation. This would be to better the understanding and to help create a mutual respect, thus creating better communication.
Chris Walker
Why are you running for Fanshawe Student Union President?
Because I want to see a more student friendly Student Union; Not saying that there is anything detrimentally wrong with the way it is running now, but there is always room for improvements and new ideas. There hasn't been someone from the Social Service Worker program be president and I think it would be beneficial to try a new approach to governing the student body.
If you are elected what are the three main goals you would like to accomplish by the end of your term?
First thing Thing is to create a petition to polling system (P2P) in the student union where if enough people wanted to see something change within the Student Union, whether it's our policies or the events that take place, people can get together and get signatures to eventually have it lead to a polling of the school to get the opinion of everyone. You can create your own referendums if you let your voices be heard, and with this new procedure it will give back the voice to the student body as a whole. I want students to feel that they have a say and control on how their student union is run. Because when you think about it, every student is the boss of you.
Second thing is that I want to greatly improve on the recycling here at Fanshawe. Perhaps make the Oasis and Out Back Shack completely styrofoam free and biodegradable friendly. This will be done not only by campaigns, but by working with the college to make sure the recycling goes to where it's supposed to go.
Third thing give part time students the same privileges that full-time students have and allow them the right to vote in the next student union elections, because they also pay and have a say in what goes on in their school.
How would you like the London Community to view Fanshawe students off campus?
Definitely not like the “crazy violent party goers” that the media has drawn around recent events that took place near the beginning of school. It is not just the actions of students that affect the community's view of Fanshawe; it is also how Fanshawe represents itself to them. First by making the FSU and hopefully the school more environmentally friendly, it will give the school a good reputation that it cares about its community.
If there isn't weekly meetings between the President of the College and the FSU President then there should be, or it should be bumped up to two meetings. But all voices cannot be heard through one person and so it would be beneficial to take the time to talk about any concerns or comments individuals have throughout the entire school, staff and student alike.
Michael Dren
Why are you running for Fanshawe Student Union President?
The main reason why I decided to run for President was that I feel like this college has become another home for me. I have been here for five years, graduating with a diploma from Landscape Design and an applied degree of arts from Integrated Land Planning. I have enjoyed my experience here, but also have come across issues over the years that I feel need to be exposed. If I were to become President I tend to make some dramatic changes, making the experience here for students even more exciting, convenient and enjoyable.
If you are elected what are the three main goals you would like to accomplish by the end of your term?
I think its time for the students to feel more involved with the college and have more of a say in what goes on here. I want to expose the resources that we have here, allowing the student to get more interactive. In the end I would like to create an experience here more of a Fanshawe Lifestyle rather than just a Fanshawe Education.
These are three issues that I would definitely like to see take place:
- Student Appreciation Day I feel would be great to give students a break financially. Allowing student to pay a no tax on food services, book store, and clothing store. Students save money, Fanshawe increases business.
- Fanshawe 27 Bus to run more often for students, since this bus does run through a high level of student residences. This would allow students to do homework at school later in the night and to participate in more school activities/events.
- Gym memberships should either be included in tuition or the school should partner up with another local gym. This would allow students to get more for their money, but also allow students to become more fit promoting good health.
There have been some cases in the past that has created Fanshawe Students to seem wilder or out of control than we really are. Don't get me wrong I love how we students know how to have fun and give our selves some stress release. I know the main issue is involving Fleming Drive, where there have been some cases of parties getting out of control. I think we need to get more involved with the community and show them that we are well-educated, bright individuals that are a major resource to the community (example charities).
How would you increase constructive communication between the FSU and Fanshawe College administration?
There definitely needs to be more interaction between the FSU and the Fanshawe College administration. There needs to be a set structure with head coordinators of programs with the FSU staff, getting direct feedback for certain courses. We should have a set amount of meetings every semester, also allowing the FSU to make more services aware for the Fanshawe College administration.
Judith Grieve
Why are you running for Fanshawe Student Union President?
There are so many great things that I see going on here at our school and I want to be able to invest and help to give back to the school and YOU the students.
From my years here at the college I have noticed that school spirit is lacking, and I want to improve that! Fanshawe needs to be known for the caliber of its great students who attend the school not just for our academic programs and facilities.
I am about to graduate from the journalism broadcasting program here at Fanshawe. For the past two years I have been reporting in the community building relationships with people throughout the city of London. I have dealt with numerous issues that affect you as students. I have sat down with councilors throughout the city, and most importantly, I have spoken with members of the FSU as will as faculty members, and administration concerning issues that affect each and every one of us right here at Fanshawe College.
If you are elected what are the three main goals you would like to accomplish by the end of your term?
#1: Implementing an off-campus meal card
It is convenient for many of us to eat off campus so why are meal cards not validated to be used at off campus establishments here in the city? I've spoken with Ryan McTavish manger of the Oasis food services here at the school, as well as Becky Preszcator who deals with meal plan through residence. Both parties agree that the idea of an off campus meal card would most definitely be to the advantage of the student.
#2: Extended bus times
When it comes to busses we are told that we don't have to live on Fleming drive, Thurman Circle or in Gate Walk, because there are lots of other “safe” off-campus housing options in close proximity to the college that would get us to school via London transit. But why would you, as a student, want to live far away from campus if the Fanshawe 27 bus stops running weekdays at 6 p.m., and even worse doesn't run at all on weekends!
#3: Investing into the future through varsity sports teams, facilities and alumni
Student currently have to pay to use our fitness centre, we have no varsity hockey team, and the Fanshawe Black Falcon's competitive cheerleading squad is not currently recognized as a Fanshawe team. So where is the FSU's $1.4 million dollar budget going?
If it is not possible to expand or improve our facilities then we need to somehow cater to the student. And it's easy to do so. GoodLife fitness advertises yearly their $299 student special in the Interrobang. So why aren't we as a council realizing this and using it to our advantage?
I would love for members of the London community to look at our students and be impressed at how much we contribute to the city as a whole, and I really believe they do look at us in that kind of a positive light. Yes, there are a few ongoing incidents at our school that have earned our students a negative reputation, but the College is also doing a lot of good by investing into the community and it is being recognized.
Once relationships throughout the city are implemented, things like paid summer internships, better jobs upon graduation, and increased student opportunities like the fire prevention add campaign will be presented to us.
How would you increase constructive communication between the FSU and Fanshawe College administration?
Issues that came up last year in regards to constructing the fence outside, or this year in regards to protesting peacefully would never have come up as issues or as a surprise to the students if only the lines of communication were a little bit more open. As President I would ensure that I am meeting with student's staff and administration on a continual basis to ensure the needs of the college are being met.
