Every year, the Student Union Society (SUS) holds an election where students can nominate themselves and run for various positions on the SUS Board of Directors and the Executive Team, with this year’s elections running from Jan. 7 – Feb. 28. SUS President Jayden Hovey shared with The Cascade some key information students need to know regarding the SUS elections.
Currently, there are six positions that students can run for, including President, Vice President Internal, Vice President External, Vice President Students, nine representatives At-Large and one Indigenous Representative.
Hovey explained that UFV student candidates, who are selected by the student body, need to create their own political goals as part of the process.
“Candidates develop a platform of ideas and values with which they would like to bring to the organization on behalf of students.”
All students planning to run for candidacy must meet certain requirements. This includes being enrolled as a student, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher, not having a criminal record, and being in good standing with SUS and UFV.
According to SUS, the election campaign for all positions will run from Feb. 10 – 24. During this time, Hovey highlighted some important dates that students should look out for.
On Feb. 11, there will be an all-candidates tabling event at the Chilliwack campus from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. This will take place at the Building A atrium.
Additionally, a debate is scheduled for Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Evered Hall, located in S building (S1116) at the Abbotsford campus.
There will also be a Q&A session on Feb. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., which will also be held in Evered Hall.
Voting will take place from Feb. 24 – 27, followed by an election ratification. This final process will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Feb. 28 in boardroom S3103 on the Abbotsford campus.
For the debates, Hovey explained that all candidates will be participating, including those running for the nine student representative At-Large positions.
“The questions will be tailored around the role’s job description and the candidates’ platforms. Candidates will only be debating those [who] are running for the same position.”
Hovey encouraged students to vote during the SUS elections, as the services and advocacy they provide are beneficial for students.
“Participation is vital as the SUS board and executives are elected to represent the interests of students in matters such as events and campus engagement, SUS governance, operations and budget, and student advocacy at the university, municipal, provincial, and federal governments.”
Hovey added that voting also gives UFV students an opportunity to make a difference.
“When students vote, they are making their voices heard and participating in ensuring that SUS is representative of UFV student priorities and ensuring transparency of the organization.”
Hovey explained that during the elections ratification, a process is followed to ensure that the voting results are accurate and there is no interference.
“The election report and election results will be presented by the SUS electoral officer. The electoral officer will give their approval that the election was conducted free and fair and provide their recommendation to the SUS Board of Directors that the results of the election be ratified. The SUS Board of Directors will then motion to ratify the results of the election.”
Hovey informed The Cascade that students can expect an announcement of the winners after the election ratification. The new SUS board and executive team will officially take over on May 1.
The candidates list was finalized and sent out to students on Feb. 9, via email.
For the executive positions, Bilal Faisal Faheem, Vice President Students, is running for the position of President, and Devyank Gosain and Taj Sharma are running for Vice President Internal. Liam Pyper and Gurpreet Singh are running for Vice President External, and Saumyaa Gelani and Eeman Kaur are running for Vice President Students.
The candidates for Student Representatives At-Large are: Gurarmaan Dhillon, Balkarn Singh Gill, Tanvir Hundal, Nichaela Jacob, Prabcharn Singh Mahal, Gagan Mann, Hozefa Millwala and Akshita Rabhadia.
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.
