New executive talks back

Chelsea Moore staff

Students at the U of M have placed their votes, and here’s a glimpse at the people they’ve chosen. The new executive assumes office on May1.

What’s your favourite thing to eat on the Degree’s menu?

Garry Sran, president: Thai green curry stew with poutine.”

Gotthilf, vice-president (external): “Poutine, definitely.”

Amanda Jonson, vice-president (internal): “Garbonzo burger with salad, water with lemon.”

Christian Butera, vice-president (advocacy): “Chicken with korma.”

Melanie Rollins, vice-president (student services): “Thai green curry stew.”

What’s the first thing that you will do when you get in office?

Sran: “The first thing I’ll do is set up meetings with the local MPs and MLAs to talk about education funding, and issues that students face. Another thing we’re going to do is work on food services . . . coordinate with not only students on campus, but with the student associations also.”

Jonson: “Finding out from our health insurance providers how we can make it so that we can get our opt-outs one time and on-line . . . negotiating with Winnipeg transit for the four- and eight-month discounted bus passes.”

Gotthilf: “The first thing — clean my office, and also I’m really excited to work on getting more Canadian Federation of Students’ (CFS) discounts and services, to bring them to the U of M.”

Butera: “The first thing I will do is to decide our priorities. I will definitely be working on the senate caucus agenda, the Board of Governors issues, starting tuition and other important advocacy issues for students.”

Rollins: “Getting in touch with the student groups, planning contacts . . . making sure that everybody is on the same page.”

If you could describe UMSU in three words what would they be?

Sran: “Strong, accessible, equality.”

Jonson: “Fun, supportive and convenient.”

Gotthilf: “Representation, advocacy and services.”

Butera: “Student, service and access.”

Rollins: “Working with students.”

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Sran: “Probably working . . . I guess what I want to be doing is a lot of international development work . . . but I don’t know where I’ll be working.”

Gotthilf: “I will be either teaching music or working for a non-profit organization.”

Jonson: “I will be designing homes in either Iceland or Canada.”

Butera: “Making peace.”

Rollins: “I try not to plan too far ahead because there’s so many things that I would like to do in the next few years. Probably settled down with a family at that point.”