On the March 22 the executive candidates in the Students Representative Council elections gave speeches and fielded questions in the Whitebone lounge at UNB Saint John.
The event was organized by Jillian Carlson the chief returning officer for the election, and was intended to give students a chance to hear what the candidates running intend to do in a longer format than posters and social media.
About 30 students showed up in the lounge to watch the speeches and a dozen tuned into the Baron’s livestream during the event, to hear all of the executive candidates speak.
Jordan Tracey, a first year business student and current president of the SRC, is running unopposed for re-election. In his speech, he highlighted his dealings with both federal and provincial governments, as well as his deal with Domino’s Pizza, securing 30% off for students.
Those running for the position of vice president student affairs include Kirsten Price, Ben Manzer, and Valerie Landry.
Manzer, referring to the welcome reception he got as an incoming first year student, stated that his goal is to create a similar welcoming for all incoming students at UNB Saint John.
Price states that she hopes to have more activities and to be more active in clubs, while Landry says she wants to notify students more often of events through means such as the UNB email.
Kjeld Conyers-Steede, the current vice president student affairs, is also running unopposed for the spot of vice president external. He stated that he wishes to help spread awareness of some of the mental health issues being faced by students at UNB.
There was a question period following the opening statements, moderated by Anthony Enman, a former president of the SRC.
Question for the candidates were submitted by people in attendance as well as via twitter.
Each of the SRC candidates were asked a series of questions regarding their positions as well as important issues facing the university, the student body and the SRC.
For the most part candidates answered the questions clearly and directly despite to some very tough inquiries.
Topics ranged from last year’s deficit, to how the SRC could help the university increase enrolment, and how the SRC can be a more effective representative body for the students at UNB Saint John.
A list of all council and executive positions, and those running, can be found here. The full video of the speeches, as well as the candidates answers to questions can be found on The Baron’s Youtube Channel.
