The campaigning period ends in a mere four hours and voting begins tomorrow morning at 8AM and ends Wednesday at 6PM.

It has been an exciting week and a half being part of these elections, and a time I am sure never to forget. Regardless of the outcome of this election I intend to stay involved with the DSU in varying capacities. I believe my opponents (actually, I hate that word – I will call them co-candidates) ran excellent campaigns and were articulate and well spoken at the two campus debates.

Ultimately, I think you should cast one of your votes for me because I have the passion and experience to be a successful student Senator. I have no qualms about speaking up when I believe students are being left out or treated unfairly. I am not daunted by the 60+ faculty members who sit on the Senate. I will not sit idly by and let students remain unheard on senate or on DSU council. I want our union to improve and engage students, and intend to work hard to help make that happen. That is why I think you should vote for me.

During the voting period make sure to pick up a copy of the Dal Gazette, which features interviews with all candidates. Read the profiles on the DSU Elections website. Candidate websites will remain up during the voting period this year as well (EXCELLENT decision!) so make sure to check those out.

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE, from Monday March 22nd to Wednesday the 24th. I don’t know what else to say. I think Ben phrased it well in his Gazette interview: “I’d be happy if everyone voted for me. I’d be happier if everyone voted.” Last year’s turnout was an abysmal 15.9% – let’s improve on that.

Kudos to Ben Wedge, Carly Nicholson, and Christian Browne for their excellent campaigns and thoughtful platforms. I know they each care about the university and want to improve it so that students can have a better post-secondary experience. Hopefully those elected can take elements of everyone’s platforms and provide a united voice for students.

I will not be able to update this blog until after elections are over, but expect some post-election commentary regardless of the turn out.

Thanks,

Maggie

A vote for Maggie is a vote for dogs and puppies everywhere...

Today was another fun day. After working at the info desk in the morning followed by a class, I headed over to the Alumni Lounge on Sexton campus for the second and final all candidates debate (Presidential debate is tomorrow at 3PM at the Grawood!)

The turn out was alright, but many of the same individuals who came to the Sexton debate. I thought Presidential candidate Greg Debogorski summed this up well when he asked how many students were actually from Sexton and counted four. I have high hopes for voter turn out this year, but how can we get students more interested? I think we need some scandal… just kidding. Or am I?

Senate candidates were up first. The format changed slightly in that we were given one minute for an opening statement. Then we were all given a general question about what we think the biggest issue is right now for students. I think this is such a tough question as each student has different needs and values, so the answer is variable across the entire student population. In the end, I talked about food on campus and exclusivity contracts. I explained how I believe there are numerous examples across Canada about how student unions and universities can overcome these contracts and provide quality, affordable food to all students on campus. I told the audience about how momentum is building on campus for change and that we have an informal working group looking into the possibilities on campus. I also said how I would like to conduct an analysis of progressive universities across Canada to see how they have changed their food services so we can make recommendations on how to change ours.

The other candidates mentioned study space, and… I unfortunately forget what else. Wireless on campus, maybe? In any case, I think we all explained ourselves well. I was saying to Christian later on today how I think it’s so unfortunate that one of us isn’t going to be elected. He and I both think we are each qualified in so many ways and have a lot to offer. Regardless of the outcome I intend to stay involved, and I hope they each feel the same way.

My specific question was regarding education and focus on prevention when it comes to academic offenses. I think I explained this in my last post. I did like when Rob Leforte (VP Ed) mentioned including information on academic offenses when international students are registered at the university and making them more aware by including it in the welcome packet.

Carly received a question regarding how she intends to communicate with the student body about what is going on in the Senate. She mentioned keeping a blog to be a good idea. I actually have a commitment on my website to keep a blog during my term in the Senate. I found that Glenn Blake’s blog, while it eventually went defunct, was a great source of information… especially when DSU council doesn’t even post their minutes. NUDGE NUDGE.

Tonight my friend Bailey and I used our artistic merits and childhood memories to create some hopscotches around campus. So if you’re walking by, give it a go!

Outside of the LSC

Sun emitting light rays (v = ~3 x 10^8 m/s) outside of the Dunn.

Today was the first debate of the election period and it was held in the lobby of the Student Union Building at noon. All of the Senate candidates were in attendance. It was great to finally meet and chat with Carly Nicholson and Christian Browne, and of course Ben Wedge who I have spoken with on many occasions. I feel we all proved our qualifications for this position and were well spoken… this is going to be a tough one for the voters!

I’ll go over my responses to the questions we received. This is just the gist of what I said… to be honest, it’s a bit fuzzy since it all happens so fast. But generally speaking these were my answers, perhaps rewritten more eloquently here.

Our first question was a general one of WHY we should get your vote. I spoke of how I have been committed to Dalhousie since coming here in 2007, becoming involved with societies like SustainDal and starting initiatives of my own. I believe that is demonstrative of my leadership qualities and that I’m not afraid to speak up for students and be vocal. I added that I am not simply running to maintain the status quo, but because I see the possibilities and opportunities for this campus and want to help create that.

The CRO then asked questions specific to each candidate. Using our websites as a guide, she asked us each questions regarding our platform/commitments/whatever you want to call them. Mine was regarding transparency of Faculty evaluations. I don’t really remember how the question was worded, to be honest. In any case, I answered about how the Senate needs to play a role in educating students on the value of these evaluations. Currently, many students check off whatever they feel like at the time just to get them over with. It’s important to make sure the evaluations, when put online, are the result of conscious decisions by students and not simply random. Faculty are going to have the choice to opt in to the program. While I think this is essential for the implementation and pilot stage of the program, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be mandatory. Faculty should be accountable to the students. Then I ran out of time, but I think most in attendance got the point of what I was trying to say.

The floor was opened up to questions. Rob Leforte (VP Ed) asked what we thought the main issue was within DSU Council. I replied communication, both within council and with the greater student body. For example, I had someone ask me today when the DSU Annual General Meeting is. The AGM was originally scheduled for tonight, and suddenly postponed to next Tuesday. Why don’t students know when their own AGM is? How can students be represented if they don’t know it’s happening? Why was the website only updated today with the postponement, and a Facebook message sent out at 1PM, 5.5 hours before the meeting was scheduled? So many questions.

Another student asked a specific question of Ben, and then the infamous Eric Snow stepped up to the microphone and we all tensed up a bit. We all know he knows the Senate inside out, and to be honest I was a bit worried about his questions. However it was pretty straight forward! He just wanted to know which Senate committees we wanted to sit on. I answered the Physical Planning committee due to my experience with SustainDal and environmental issues, and that I can bring that perspective to the SPP in regards to current facilities and the planning process. Additionally, the Senate Committee on Academic Administration as they deal closely with the Faculty evaluations issue. I forgot to mention during the debate that I’m also interested in their Academic Integrity sub-committee. I feel like that is one place where we can push for more awareness and education about plagiarism and academic offenses. I had an interesting discussion with someone from Student Advocacy services the other day about prevention, and she expressed that it’s something that should really be put on by the university itself and they should not rely on DSAS to provide that educational service. The onus should be on the university and I think the sub committee on Academic Integrity is one place that can be implemented.

Anyhow, I think that’s all that was asked of us. I may have forgotten some things. In any case, I think all of the candidates performed well! I won’t really comment on any of the other races as I’m pretty sure that would take a few answers to write and I’ve got an assignment to do!

Edited to add: I completely forgot about Meredith’s question regarding how to encourage faculty members to opt in to the online evaluations process. I think that the DSU can use its lobbying power to encourage faculty members to opt in to the program. In my ideal world, a strong student demand gets positive results. I know this isn’t always the case. But let’s be realistic here – faculty who opt in to the program will be more respected by students than those who do not. I would hope that this would be motivation in and of itself. Additionally, if I were a professor, I would rather have a University-run, reliable system for students to gain insight from as opposed to Rate My Professor, where most students who post and evaluate are from either extreme of the spectrum (either really hating or really loving the professor).

Today started with a new elections event – a FREE breakfast in the Dalhousie SUB! Pancakes and sausages were eaten by many. It occurred conveniently at the same time as Muggy Mondays, providing everyone with a double dose of awesome to start their week off right and hopefully put the DSU elections on their radar. I spent some time chatting with the other candidates, my Muggy friends, and a couple pundits. For a fantastic recap of the highlights, and hilarious cutaways to Chris, watch this video made by John Hillman (who I have yet to meet! I will say hello to you at the next opportunity.) I think my favourite part was the sidewalk chalk battle between a REE breakfast and VP INTERAL.

Also, David from CKDU posted all of the candidate interviews we did last week online. Check them out here. In addition to more serious and pertinent questions, he pulled a James Lipton and asked some Inside the Actors Studio questions as well. Fun fact: I don’t have a favourite swear word because I don’t really like swearing. I do, however, say “blarge” when frustrated with something.

Anyhow, diary… the first debate is TOMORROW in the Student Union Building at 12PM! Make sure to come out and ask questions of the candidates.

TTYL,

Maggie

Today was a pretty long day. I took Dexter out for a walk and over to the park to play with other dogs while my head was swirling with ideas for this campaign. I’ve got some fun things up my sleeves, which I will reveal when the time has come..! I went to Student Appreciation Night, though I came late due to volunteer commitments. I managed to catch up with a few friends and made it in time for the awards ceremony. My friend Will Horne won the DSU Green Award, which was so well deserved after organizing the Dalhousie Power Shift delegation and working for DSUSO and putting on the most awesome Green Week ever. Way to go Will!

Tony Lee the hypnotist was there. I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of all the stuff he gets people to do… but I think mostly everyone enjoyed it! I did see some of the dance off though, which was pretty good. Some people will surprise you with their killer dance moves…

Tomorrow I won’t be doing much in regards to the campaign. I’ve got a research paper to finish for Behavioural Ecology, run in the morning with the Running Room, and have to find some time to take care of the lab crickets… I could really use more hours in a day!

Talk to you later diary.

PS: Campaign videos are up! Here’s mine. Props to my good friend Bailey McGinn for filming and helping me with this. We worked extremely hard on this video, particularly in getting a perfect up close shot of this CRAFT-O-HOLIC mug and then zooming out to the bigger picture, but I had to get it under a minute so some cuts had to be made. Bonus points to anyone who knows where the pictures I am standing in front of are located!

I had a pretty good day. I spent the morning editing my campaign video, which you should see soon once they are posted by DSU Elections. It took an hour or so to film, running around the LSC and Biology Department, trying to say the things I wanted in less than a minute… which proved to be quite difficult! Hopefully everyone will like the video once it’s up.

Election Poster

I also created my campaign poster which you will see around campus in the DSU buzzboards starting on Monday. Yesterday my friend and photographer Carolyn Hirtle took some snazzy pictures which I’ve used to update the website and for the poster itself. I tried to think of funny jokes, like how candidates always have that ‘three word’ sub text. You know what I mean…

HONEST. HARDWORKING. DEDICATED.

LOYAL. PASSIONATE. EXPERIENCED.

But I just couldn’t think of anything. Oh well!

All in all, good times. I had my interview and photo for the Gazette today and hopefully that will turn out well in print. I know a said a lot, so props to Lucy who will somehow be able to cut that down.

Anyways diary, I’ll talk to you later.

Campaigns have started today and you have undoubtedly been flooded with group requests, fan page suggestions, and all that jazz. Such is the nature of student politics! The campus is abuzz – or maybe that’s just me due to over caffeination.

What’s the purpose of this blog? I intend to update it once a day with thoughts on the elections and major issues, highlights from each day, etc. For the most up to date info, become a fan on Facebook (I can’t believe I’m saying that). Otherwise, I’ll talk to all of you fantastic people. And by talk, I mean I will type words into my computer which will be transmitted to your computer and thus communicated to you.

Much love,

Maggie