Photo by Cole Breiland
Student apathy and “fixing” LUSU among hot topics
Amy Szybalski
News Writer
Last Tuesday and Wednesday, students probed executive candidates with questions about qualifications, student apathy, and the future of the student union.
The Orillia debate took place last Tuesday, with a total of six students present. Tuesday’s debate was supposed to be centred on issues pertaining specifically to the Orillia campus, but with little student participation from Orillia, the debate ended up being more generalized, dealing with issues that face both campuses.
The Thunder Bay debate gained a larger following with a total of 28 people staying for the greater portion of it. Due to the location of the debate, the LUSU boardroom, the number of students who could watch the debate was limited. Some students were deterred from attending due to lack of available seating.
Most candidates immediately identified student involvement and apathy as a key component to this election.
“The executive needs to be getting out to classes to talk to the students” commented Sara Mackie VP Student Issue’s candidate. Candidates suggested various ways to getting student attention; many agreeing on the fact that what is being done now, posters and emails, is not functioning well.
When asked why they wanted to be a part of the LUSU executive, many candidates voiced the message that they desired to make a change in the student union.
“I see it as a chance to give back to the university. I would like to see better communications between VP finance and the various clubs,” said VP Finance candidate Edward A. Paddock.
“I think LUSU is broken and it needs people to fix it, and I’ve got some ideas about how I’d like to fix it. Big start: stop getting sued for things” was VP Finance candidate Jay Stapleton’s response.
“I’ve been involved with LUSU since 2006,” said Chris Vaillant, who teleconferenced from Orillia. “I think with proper governments with experience from Orillia itself, the campus can develop LUSU into an organization that is an example to other universities.”
“I’ve had a pretty amazing time here at Lakehead and I think that part of that is being able to get involved(…)I’ve worked with the VPSI in the past and I’ve really got to see what the job is about(…)I’m running for this position to give back to the students in that way. As a coordinator I’ve worked for LUSU, as a club founder I’ve worked with LUSU. I just think that I have a lot to bring, and I’m passionate about Lakehead,” said Neva Bassingthwaite, VP Student Issues candidate.
VP Student Issues candidate Sara Mackie has been involved in the city of Thunder Bay for years, but realized that she “wasn’t involved here in the Lakehead community, and I think there’s a problem with getting students engaged here, there’s a lot of students who aren’t connected to what is happening in LUSU…and I want to change that.”
Current VP Finance Josh Kolic is running as one of the presidential candidates and had this to say about his bid for the presidency: “I would like a new challenge as being LUSU president… LUSU is indeed failing the students, and we need to look no further than today’s turn out to see that…I don’t think it’s an apathy issue, it’s a leadership issue”
Presidential candidate, Mike Snoddon, said he didn’t feel LUSU was broken and that student apathy was a myth.
“I’ve been involved in LUSU from my first year…and I challenge you to find a more passionate student…one who’s not only critical of the ongoing issues but is working towards a solution.”
“The student union has always given me something, and now its time to give back” said presidential candidate Mike Snoddon.
“I’ve just started out here,” said Dan Zeleny, first year student. “I’ve always been one to get involved behind the scenes in organizations […] so here I am running for president.” Zeleny brought up his interest in emphasizing Orillia’s voice.
General polls for the election open Tuesday, February 9 and end Wednesday, February 10. Voting hours are between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm each day.