STUDENT COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES
Daniel Draper | Denis Courcelles | Larry Baillie
Daniel Draper
What experience do you bring to this position?
I have been in the position for almost a year now, and I believe over the past year I have been doing at least a reasonable job, or quite a a good job, of working with my communitiy. in addition, i’m a fourth-year politics student, doing a double-major in politics and religion, and I believe that my knowledge of UMSU and political sytems and all that helps me work within our political system to make change for our community.
What would you change in UMSU, or what goals or projects would you pursue?
I would hope to change the level of communation between the univerisities in our cities ad across the province — and in northern Ontario . . . they’re realy isolated from anywhere else in Ontario, and would like to come and do events with us.
What would you change in UMSU, or what goals or projects would you pursue?
I’d like to work on the sexuality resource centre, as I mentioned before. i’d like to fight homophobia and heterosexism on campus. Finally, i would like to see better funding for our student groups, including RPM [Rainbow Pride Mosaid] and the Womyn’s Centre, and the Peers program. And all the time, more ideas come to me, and as they come to me, we implement them. A good support system helps me do this.
Why are student community reps important, and would you change the job description?
Right now we [UMSU policy and bylaws and executive commitees] are debating how we’re going to do this; debating how to improve the student community rep positions and make them more accountable to the community. Personally, I feel that we haven’t been given much direction as to what we’re supposed to be doing, so I would like to see the job description expanded a little bit. Currently it’s just that I’m supposed to liaise with my community, and report back to UMSU council. There’s been talk of improving our communication wtih our community with maybe having twice a year a general meeting with our community where we answer questions and such. In addition, just making funds available . . . I’d like to see us work together more. the community reps traditionally represent our communities but don’t communicate, even though our issues overlap.
Why should students vote for you instead of your opponent?
I think in general, my experience in the position differentiates me from my fellow candidate. He’s going to be a fantastic opponent, and I think we’ll get along great during the campaign. But I think overall my experience over the past term and my goals for next term should speak for themselves. I have a lot of experience on council and I know how to get things done for the community. There is quite a significant learning curve for our positions, and now that I’ve been in my position for a long time, I feel that I can do the best job possible for my community for the next year.
Denis Courcelles
What experience do you bring to this position?
I’m just really involved in the community, i’ve done a lot of work with the RPM. I Just have a lot of connection to the communitity. And for me, university is definitely about the opportunities. so to represent a whole community, and to represent myself on UMSU counil is an amazing opportunity.
What would you change in UMSU, or what goals or projects would you pursue?
Daniel’s done an amazing job, so just continue his work and make sure that we’re heard and we’re represented on council.
What would you change in UMSU, or what goals or projects would you pursue?
I don’t know, just always strive for equality and make sure the policies and everything are reflecting the community at large, not only the LGBTT community, but everybody, and reflecting their goals and whatnot.
Why are student community reps important, and would you change the job description?
They’re definitely important, they represent the majority . . . we have all the different sections of the different faculties. The student body is way more diverse than just the faculties they’re in. There are LGBTT people who are not represeneted by, say, the business faculty.
Why should students vote for you instead of your opponent?
That’s a tough one, just because me and Daniel are really close. I don’t want to discredit him. Running against him isn’t — it’s not a fight or anything. Just to increase people voting is already an accomplishment for both of us, probably.
So, vote for me, yay!
I just think it’s an amazing opportunity and I’d love to represent my community and give them a vocie on UMSU.
Larry Baillie
What experience do you bring to this position?
I’m a survivor of a brain injury, and I think i had a fairly uniqueness. I sustained my disability, brain injury, in a car accident in 1990, and then got to experience poverty and living with a whole new label. I think that’s a big thing because our society puts a lot of unfair labels on people, and those labels are very limiting and create barriers.
I’m returning as community rep even though I’m near the end of my degree because there’s so much that needs to be done.
What would you change in UMSU, or what goals or projects would you pursue?
This is a very tough question, because there are too many to name, but the most important one would be to inform students with disabilities of their rights and what services are available to them.
What would you change in UMSU, or what goals or projects would you pursue?
Trying to be inclusive. Trying to include policies in place that end marginalization and oppression. Inclusive language, for example — Canada Blood Services, that’s very important. That may not directly affect the disability community — but it could.
Why are student community reps important, and would you change the job description?
They are an incredibly important position; and the reason why is the five positions that are involved in council represent five very marginalized and oppressed communities on campus. Having a voice on council could be the reason why this latest thing over Canada Blood Services was brought forth. Because without the community rep position, it allows a voice for communities that have traditionally not had a voice in society. And eventually, I would like to see there be no need for community reps, because everybody would be treated the same, and no body would be marginalized or oppressed. Unfortunately, that currently is not the case. I speak on behalf of every student that lives with a disability, and also for other students that have friends and family that live with a disablility.
Why should students vote for you instead of your opponent?
There is so much work — my first year has been overwhelming in that I have been overwhelmed by the amount of students that are affected or live with a disability, and the lack of services that they have resourced. I feel it is an obligation to do the second year to ensure that student have a voice.
