LUSU All Candidates Debate

Blazing down the campaign trail, the 2021/22 Lakehead LUSU elections are in full motion. 

On February 22, 2021, we joined the candidates via Zoom to better understand who each candidate is, both as a person and potential leader within our university’s community.

Due to the virtual nature of the debate, there was no opportunity for actual discourse between candidates. This adjustment in structure resulted in a debate that looked much more like a Q&A session, which allowed each candidate to develop their ideas and platform while addressing the room thoroughly. 

LUSU President 

Jessica Goettlicher

Jessica is running for the second time. Pushing the values of compassion, understanding, and awareness, Jessica hopes to build transparency between student teacher relations and foster a better sense of community between the Orillia and Thunder Bay campuses. 

Lahama Naeem

Lahama has a firm understanding of the inner workings of LUSU operations. As a student member of the senate, Lahama has experience representing the student voice and perspective. If elected, Lahama will strive to ensure students are heard through the implementation of communication channels, such as social media. 

Rachel Murray

Rachel is a long-time member of LUSU having served 6 years, the last two as VP of the Orillia campus. Rachel plans to reintroduce the union’s potential to the student body and in doing so, sharing the power and value the union is capable of given the right leadership.

VP Orillia

Brandon Amyot

Brandon has an extensive background in activism and accessibility positions within the community. No stranger to fighting for more, Brandon has served as the Orillia campus director, campaigns commissioner and is a member of the Canadian Federation of Students. If elected, Brandon strives to increase transparency in relation to LUSU funds and continue fighting for student space at the Orillia campus. 

Karman Tait

Karman plans to fight for inclusion and advocate for the Orillia student body if elected. With plans to adapt the education system to better suit students’ needs, and provide a voice for the Orillia campus. Karman hopes to align the goals, wants, and needs of the union and students. 

VP Operations and Finance 

Prabhjot Singh Ahuja

Prabhjot is running for re-election and aims to continue working hard serving the student community. Mentioning continual change, Prabhjot states that he’s committed to funding student jobs and increasing connections between campuses. Most notably, when touching on the potential reformation of student fees, he included the ability to opt out of the bus pass fee.  

Robert Stratchan

Robert has a long history within the Lakehead community, most notably his contributions to the food bank at the Thunder Bay campus. The issue of food security echoed throughout Robert’s platform, as he considers nutrition to be vital to student success. Robert also pledged to find and allocate funds towards student jobs, clubs, student centres, and undergraduate research positions. 

VP Advocacy 

Lucas Sitch 

Lucas aims to advocate for students by following money trails and finding the root of reason for a variety of decisions that have been made for students over the last year. With the goal of increasing overall transparency on topics such as grading, tuition costs, and predatory policing, Lucas hopes to make Lakehead a safe place for students to prosper. 

Sanjana Sharma

Sanjana says passion isn’t enough, and that real change takes real action. Aiming to increase accountability, food justice, and mental health supports, Sanjana plans to implement town halls to open up the floor to student questions and concerns, ensuring their voices don’t fall on deaf ears. 

Board of Directors — Orillia

Ronald Gary

Ronald was unavailable to comment on his platform goals, though those interested can reach out via Instagram for more information. @ronnie_gray7

Board of Directors — Thunder Bay

Alexandra Grillo

Serving for the last two years on the board of directors, Alexandra plans to continue working hard serving the Thunder Bay campus if elected. 

Brooklyn Ranta

Brooklyn has a history of being involved with clubs in leadership positions as well as being a supervisor to local government. Brooklyn hopes to be the voice of the Thunder Bay campus if elected. 

Chris Armiento

Chris sees strength in unity and understands the importance of communication. Concerned with student privacy, Chris hopes to protect student data if elected. 

Josh Grasley

Josh hopes to increase mental health supports, build food security, and get to the bottom of the hike in tuition for international students, despite a decrease in educational value. 

Libanshu Malhotra

Libanshu hopes to foster engagement between the students and the union, in doing so, creating a sense of unity on campus if elected. 

Silas Young 

Silas echoed the importance of clubs, community, and culture during the debate, pledging to be an active voice on the board of elected. 

Yamandeep Malhi

With two years of experience on the board, Yamandeep has a keen understanding of the system and aims to continue serving both the Lakehead and Thunder Bay community.