LUSU By-Election: Orillia Board of Directors
Lubna Khanji
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
My name is Lubna Khanji. I am an international student from India. I am currently in my 2nd year of my double majors, that is English and Honors Bachelor of Social Work. I am standing up for The Board of Directors position for Orillia campus.
Why do you want to be involved in student politics?
I am engaged with LUSU since the very first semester. I was involved with clubs like LUMA, BLC, and many others. After I got some insights into the functioning of LUSU, I was very interested for being a part of it. I researched into it and I found out that it is a great platform for showcasing your talent at the same time helping the rest of the students and their clubs. I always wanted to give back to the community and LUSU is an excellent stage for doing so. The coherence and the strength with which the student politics at LUSU work is outstanding and I would love to contribute to the school and the community as much as I can.
What are the three main things you hope to accomplish if elected?
The three main things that I hope to accomplish are:
Maintaining equality, equity, and fairness for all the students.
Creating a very positive, safe, and engaging atmosphere on campus.
Promoting and respecting diversity and multiculturalism on campus.
Aaron Hiltz
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Hi folks, I’m Aaron and I’m a 3rd year political science student here at the Orillia campus. When I’m not at school, you can find me out on the lake or in the gym playing basketball. I’m a huge history enthusiast and my antique collection is getting quite impressive. I love meeting new students on campus and having conversations about their student experience. Reach out to me if you have questions about me!
Why do you want to be involved in student politics?
This isn’t my first time running for an elected position within LUSU and it won’t be my first time serving on the Board of Directors. As a student leader, I’ve witnessed first hand the tenacity and work ethic that students across our campus carry. And we’re going to need that tenacity and work ethic, because we are under threat. The current government in Ontario has shown time and time again that they don’t value student voices. I want to be on the front line defending student rights and voices as we continue to challenge and call out government policies that disproportionately affect low income, racialized, and international students.
What are three main things you hope to accomplish if elected?
The three main issues I’d like to address immediately:
a) Pursue and expand on existing plans to build a LUSU owned and operated student centre on the Orillia campus. This centre can be used for study spaces, events, campaigns, etc. This can also provide Orillia students with employment opportunities.
b) Reform and expand the Orillia Advisory Committee. The committees purpose will be to advise the Board of Directors on Orillia related issues coming from both the main campus in Orillia and the downtown Hertiage Place campus.
c) Hold the Ford government accountable in respect to its agregious cuts to OSAP and the Student Choice Initiative. Both of the policies do not work to serve the best interests of students and we must speak against them in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Students and with a united voice.
All candidates were asked the same three questions. Photos, candidate profiles and responses and were provided to The Argus by the candidates via Chief Returning Officer, Scott Klassens. They appear in the order they were sent and have not been edited.
