Vote March 15th to 18th at Wenjack or Bata
Sheldon Willerton
President
Since my 2010 election into the position as TCSA President, I have championed issues facing Trent students, such as improving transportation, increasing student scholarships, and speaking out against the corporatization of our campus. I have always strove for healthy relationships with stakeholders in the university community, including student groups, faculty, staff and administration.
For the first time in recent memory, the TCSA has been able to take issues to the university administration as opposed to being reactionary. We have presented creative solutions to some of the university’s problems and began exposing agreements that are not beneficial to students.
Trent is going to see great changes over the next two years, and under a climate of austerity we as students must be organized and ready to ensure that the student experience is the most important aspect of this university.
Over the past year, I have drawn from my four-year experience in student mobilization to create an inclusive and positive environment within this association and hope that you will give me the mandate to further improve on what has been a very strong year for the student union.
Jonathan Alphonsus
President
Trent is changing and so must we. My name is Jonathan Alphonsus. I am a third year IDS/IPE major and I am running for TCSA President. My vision is for our student body to have a new sense of community, where we are all engaged with each other across our colleges, clubs, sports teams and groups. Where it is easy to know your leaders and reach them. Where you are truly part of the student movement, whatever your background. I have the track record; prior to working at Arthur newspaper and Champlain College, I was Champlain TCSA Commissioner and ISW staff in 2009 and 2010. I also rowed for Trent this year and have been on committees for the departments of politics and International Development Studies. Vote Jonathan for TCSA President and let’s engage the future for the most important part of the university - us.
Aladdin Hasmani
VP Finance and corporate secretary
As a second year business student, I currently sit on the Otonabee College cabinet as Social Rep, the Director of Publicity of the South Asian’s Association at Trent (SAAT), and the Liaison of the Trent Ismaili Student Association (TrentISA). If elected, I am determined to work collectively with the students of Trent, CUPE, and all clubs and groups on campus in order to lobby the government for additional funds for our educational use. I intend to reduce efforts toward clubs and groups that do not allocate their funds appropriately, and I hope to be able to attend club and group events so as to ensure I am involved in their progress and performance. Through these actions, I will be well aware of the necessary funds these groups require for their success. I will also complete a thorough investigation of the funds newly signed clubs and groups have stated they require, and guarantee this funding is given to clubs and groups as efficiently and effectively as possible. I will continue to push the use of the book buying and selling program where students get the better end of the deal. Finally, I will encourage the involvement of the greater student population, so that everyone’s opinions are accounted for, and act in the best interest of my fellow students.
Wendy Fallis
VP Finance and corporate secretary
I began my involvement two years ago as a member of the TCSA Bottled Water Task Force and as an OC Wildside co-chair. These experiences allowed me to gain knowledge as to how the university & the TCSA are structured, as well as fulfill my own student initiative. I serve on the TCSA Board of Directors as the Sustainability Commissioner. I have acquired an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the TCSA, including policies & mandates the organization upholds. This past year has allowed me to gain essential skills to succeed at an executive position. I acknowledge the foundational work the present executive has laid but recognize further improvements can be made. After having reviewed the budget, I’ve come to realize that the TCSA needs to generate more revenue in order to provide services students seek and have the opportunity to initiate new services. If elected, a large part of my mandate will be to substantially increase revenue. This would include enhancing our community partnerships to increase sponsorship and advertising. Heightened promotion of GO transit and consignment books is needed, as well as additional vendor days; these services generate income and are beneficial to students. To ensure transparency and accountability, I will hold a workshop each term, to communicate the budget with students. I want to reverse the persisting apathy towards the TCSA by maintaining an open door/open mind policy and create an inclusive membership. I have the knowledge, experience, ambition and dedication to succeed at this position. I want to ensure not only numbers but student opinions are accounted for.
Gemma Edwin
VP Finance and corporate secretary
Hi I am Gemma Edwin from the lovely Island of St. Lucia, currently earning my degree in Business Administration. During my 3 years here at Trent I have been actively involved in university life. I am currently the community liaison officer for World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the VP Finance for Trent African & Caribbean Student Union. I am the current board secretary and receptionist for the TCSA, earning exposure to the most current issues and problems students face. My involvement within the university over the years has allowed me to understand the comment on several issues and problems students encounter; consequently, my role as a Trent International Ambassador and New Student Adviser in 2010 illustrates that I also know all the GREAT things about Trent that make it unique. As VP Finance of the TCSA, I intend on utilizing the resources available to help students and student groups achieve the goals to which we aspire for this upcoming year. I intend to utilize the actual expenses created by the current executive to build and improve the finances and budgeting of the organization as well as utilize the current staff to ensure checks and balances of the Central’s accounts.
Suha Jarrar
Anti-Racism Commissioner
My name is Suha Jarrar and I am running for the position of Anti-Racism Commissioner. I am a third year student currently completing my Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and Environmental Studies. I was born in Jerusalem, Palestine, and came to Canada in 2008. I am a social justice activist and community organizer. I have been a member of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group in Peterborough (OPIRG) since 2009, and a board of directors’ member of the Community and Race Relations Committee in Peterborough (CRRC) since 2010. As a Palestinian woman of colour, it is important for me to ensure that Trent Campus is a safe and representative space for all ethnic groups. I will actively build networks between the TCSA and social justice groups in Peterborough, particularly the CRRC. If elected, I will ensure that incidents of racial discrimination that happen on Trent Campus or in the Peterborough Community are identified and /or thoroughly investigated.
Brea Hutchinson
Vice President of Students’ Issues
It is crucially important that we have a vibrant and successful student union to address the challenges ahead. We need this position, Vice President of Student Issues, to be filled by a person who has been involved in the organization and who has campaigned and worked on the issues that will arise in the upcoming year. During my time at Trent, I have been involved with numerous groups, ranging from the Women’s Centre, the campaign against sexual assault, and the Board of Directors for the Canadian Federation of Students, as well as the TCSA as a volunteer commissioner for the past two years. As a result of these experiences, I know how to organize a successful campaign, I am aware of the issues that need to be addressed, and I know how to get solutions for our concerns and problems. While working for the student press this past year, it was my responsibility to investigate the issues that will arise over the next year and to help raise awareness of how they will affect the students, faculty and the university. This required working with the TCSA, the university, and being in contact with students to fully understand the impact this will have on our community.
In the upcoming year, issues such as class sizes, Aramark, scholarships, and 8 a.m. or Saturday classes, etc, will be addressed by the administration. If we want our voices heard on these issues we need to have someone in this position who can ensure a vibrant student union. I am Brea Hutchinson and I am that individual.
liban Abdi Bogore
Vice President of Student Issues
My name is liban Abdi Bogore and I am in my third year at Trent. I am majoring in politics and minoring in philosophy. I have decided to run for TCSA’s Vice President of Student Issues for a couple of reasons. Having spoken to other students, I realize that there is a need for taking students’ issues very seriously. At Trent, we have been seeing a lack of awareness on the subject of sexual harassment, a concern that should receive more attention. Furthermore, each year the Drop Fees Campaign holds a day of action, including rallies and other events all over Ontario. Since tuition fees are imminent in a student’s day-to-day life, campaigns like Drop Fees need to be better promoted. If I get elected as your TCSA Vice President of Students’ Issues, I not only intend to confront these previous issues but furthermore, I will work with other fellow students, the TCSA, and the administration to ensure that the student’s voices are heard. I must, however give credit where it’s due, because past and current TCSA executive members have accomplished many obstacles faced by Trent and its students. My approach and my ideas for current and future issues will be addressed in an appropriate manner, and I will face these challenges with determination, persistence and passion. Having said that, I encourage all students to come out and participate in the voting procedure; not for the sake of the running candidates, but for the student body as a whole.
Mqedani Dhliwayo
Vice President for Membership Services
Hey there, my name is Mqedani Dhliwayo, Dani for short, so don’t worry if you can’t pronounce it. I am a second year business student from Zimbabwe. I am a passionate believer in making a difference and taking the TCSA from strong to stonger. I have recently been nominated by students similar to each of you to run for the VP membership position. I feel that my culturally diverse upbringing, as well as having lived in a number of different countries, has given me a degree of cultural awareness that I will be able to use as an asset in taking on this VP position adequately in and around Trent’s immensely multicultural community. During this year, I have been an avid follower and volunteer of the TCSA, including having been one of the reps on the ISW team. During the year, I was also involved in the international program orientation programing as well as facilitation. I was also nominated and voted in to be the VP for the regional group Trent African and Caribbean Students Union. This position gave me both experience and exposure to the role and challenges of being on any executive board. My involvement at Trent and in the community has allowed me to build strong communications channels both among students and faculty as well as locals. These channels will help in strengthening the representation of students like you and I both through publicity of events. I am very enthusiastic about the TCSA and I urge you to use your voice!!! And your vote!!!! To make a difference in YOUR UNION. Let us work so we can have all the SERVICES WE NEED & EVENTS WE LOVE.
Adam Butz
Vice President for Membership Services
My name is Adam Butz, I am a 3rd year student running for the position of Vice President of Membership Services for Trent Central Students Association 2011/2012 academic year. I began my student government experience at Trent as a House Representative in Otonabee College Residence during my first year. I am a very active member of Otonabee College; I have held the positions of Otonabee Cabinet Commissioner and this year the Otonabee College Cabinet President. I have also been an ISW staff member for two years, facilitating the transition of new students to Trent University. As a result of my participation on the Otonabee College Cabinet, I have gained 2 years of experience on the Trent Central Student Association Board of Directors. This experience has allowed me to become an active member on both the board and TCSA Committee, Students’ Issues Committee, Organizational Review and Development Committee. I would like to become the VP of Membership to widen my involvement to include Trent University in its entirety. My mandate as VP of Membership is to bring the Colleges together to develop, and participate in, more events both fun and educational. Having been an influential member of the colleges and the leader of cabinet, I know what it takes to be successful and I believe my experience and the knowledge that I have gained will allow me to be an effective and versatile Vice President of Membership Services.
