The Cascade got to sit down with the new Student Union Society (SUS) President Nikiel Lal for an interview via Google Meets to talk about his vision for the new academic year.
What would you like to achieve as president?
My main goal as president is just focusing on really bringing people together both [internally] and externally; I really want to focus on building that community. What we’re [SUS] supposed to do for students is to advocate for them, but also build campus life and provide services.
Can you talk a little about your previous involvement in SUS prior to becoming president?
I am actually a transfer student from Douglas. Prior to my presidency here, I sat on the student union at Douglas College for two years. One year I was a campus representative and then the next year I was the director of college relations — and also the chairperson. I sat on the board of governors as well for two years.
When I transferred to UFV to complete my Kinesiology degree, I was very proud of what I was learning about governance and the impact it makes. I was very grateful and lucky that the cards worked out the way they did, and I was able to become president of the Student Union out here and continue that work, mission, and goal to advocate and engage with students, and develop that community and post-secondary experience.
I truly believe that everyone deserves to have a really positive [post-secondary experience], and I’d really love to be a part of communicating and understanding what it takes to get there.
It sounds like you’ve had a lot of experience in governance. Where do you think that passion grew out from?
Growing up playing a lot of sports, the whole thing about injuries and how people’s physical health actually directly ties to their mental health and their longevity really intrigued me… I wanted to make an impact on how I can help people prolong their physical fitness, while also making an impact on their [lives] mentally. I [wanted] to go into some sort of student governance to learn about that and fix it. So, that is what grew my passion hand in hand with both Kinesiology and governance.
What are your goals as president during your term?
We want to make goals that are attainable and achievable. One of the things that I am going to be working on in the next couple of weeks is this series of engaging and informative videos to build awareness called “What the SUS?”… It’s going to be a week-long series of videos describing what SUS is, why we are important, what we do, and the relevancy of why [SUS] matters to students.
My Vice President Internal, Duncan Herd, is working on the “Know Your Rights” campaign, which is essentially a breakdown of the UFV policies that are simple and easy for students to understand to help them navigate and have a successful academic year.
Another big thing we are working on is the student perks program, which will add value to the U-PASS. We have been working on adding a discount program to incorporate local businesses in the community so that students can get discounts for being a UFV SUS member by having that U-PASS.
We are bringing in the new inter-campus shuttle, and we are constantly working on improving, seeking feedback, and doing what we can to continually improve that.
And to end off on a big goal — releasing our strategy plan which [involves] inclusion, innovation, and community, which we’ve been continuing to work on with our partners on learning how to include and incorporate things better and really amplify the student’s voice.
You mentioned that you want to do your best to advocate and represent all students at UFV to ensure the best post-secondary experiences possible. What are your plans to achieve that goal?
I am planning to achieve that by simply talking to everyone and putting out surveys — making engagement pieces that really speak to students [is important] because I want to know what students think and how they feel. We want to fix the problems, and we want to try to do our best to be effective by engaging with students, putting on events where they can attend, creating a safe space, and just letting them know [about] all the things that we are working on.
Also, building that trust with students so they know that they can come to us when they really need help.
Is there anything that you would like to say to students to encourage them or to inspire them for this coming year?
I would love to tell students: don’t be afraid to take the risks that will allow you to propel yourself to where you want to be in life, because the world is a big place and everyone is capable of so much.
I am always open for conversation. I am always here to listen, advocate, and support you.
Interview was edited for length and clarity.
Image: Rachel Tait/The Cascade
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
