Once again, the TCSA by-elections are upon us.
Soon the campus will be flooded with eager candidates soliciting your support, most of them twitching sporadically from nerves and excessive caffeine intake.
All jokes aside, the campaign and election process is your chance to raise issues and promote amendments to the student council policy.
There are eight available positions, and nominations close on October 4, so now is the time to get the ball rolling on the election process. The positions listed below are up for grabs.
Vice President Campaigns and Equity
• Co-Chair the Campaigns and University Affairs Committee with the vice president of University and College Affairs in the organization of at least one social, campaign, or educational activity per month during the academic year on behalf of the Association, including, but not limited to: guest speakers, lectures, trips, shows, films, and other similar events and activities as deemed appropriate by the Standing Committee.
• Organize the Association’s efforts and role in orientation activities, including ISW, Welcome Back Week, and Frost Week.
• Work to increase engagement of students in the political process.
• Sit on the Executive Committee of the Ontario Component of the Canadian Federation of Students as the Local 71 Representative.
• Seek to coordinate the affairs of the Association with levy groups.
• Maintain reasonable contact with other post-secondary institutions’ students unions.
• Co-ordinate with action-based groups on campus and community groups.
• Support the Association’s Equity Commissioners in the organization of issues and campaigns of interest to students, where possible, in conjunction with external organizations.
• Collaborate with campus and community partners to work towards a campus free of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of oppression.
• Co-ordinate delegations to national and provincial general meetings of the Canadian Federation of Students.
• Be the principle organizer of campaigns and lobby efforts led by the Association, and develop a Campaigns and Media Relations Strategy to be presented to the Board of Directors for approval no later than its first meeting in October. It shall include at least one major campaign regarding issues of accessibility to and funding for post-secondary education.
Commissioners:
Anti-Racism
• Work with relevant groups such as Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG).
• Act as liaison between the Board of Directors, the Office of Student Affairs, and the Office of Human Rights, Equity, & Accessibility.
• Address race issues on campus and in the Peterborough area.
• Assist racialized students in pursuing barrier-free education through representation and advocacy.
Ethical Standards
• Act as liaison between the TCSA and the university administration to ensure fair and ethical standards in procurement of goods and services by the university.
• Ensure compliance with the policies on ethical purchasing such as non-sweatshop apparel.
• Promoting solidarity campaigns that support labour unions and fair working conditions.
• Engage in outreach activities and raise awareness about procurement practices.
• Work with allied community groups to further issues of social and economic justice.
Gender Issues
• Act as liaison between Board of Governors and gender-related groups or individuals such as the Queer Issues Commissioner.
• Work with relevant groups on campus such as the Rainbow Service Organization.
• Work to create a positive and inclusive space within the Association and the university.
• Work to develop trans- or gender-variant resources on campus.
• Co-ordinate trans- and gender-variant events during ISW.
• Co-ordinate gender-variant activities during the Trans Day of Remembrance.
Indigenous Students
• Act as liaison between the Board of Directors and aboriginal groups on campus and in the Peterborough community, and with national organizations such as Assembly of First Nations.
• Work with aboriginal student groups such as the Trent University Native Association (TUNA) on the organization of events actively publicizing aboriginal student issues.
• Attend, if possible, the annual meeting for the aboriginal caucus of the Canadian Federation of Students.
Mature and Transfer Students
• Act as a liaison between the Board of Directors and groups working on issues relevant to mature and transfer students on campus, in Peterborough, and on the provincial and national levels.
• Assist mature and transfer students in pursuing a barrier-free education.
• Work with the Part-Time Student Association on issues related to mature and transfer students.
Queer Students
• Act as liaison between the Board of Directors and individuals on issues related to the queer community on campus.
• Work with relevant off-campus organizations such as the Rainbow Service Organization
• Work to create “positive space” and develop queer and trans support services both within the TCSA and Trent University.
• Work to inform the Trent community on issues of sexual health and safety as well as publicize information on local health support services.
• Co-ordinate queer and trans-positive events during ISW and, if possible, be present on campus to serve as a resource for new queer and trans students.
First-Year On-Campus
• Consult with First Year Representatives on college cabinets on matters of mutual concern through the channels that are available.
• Endeavour to liaise with other first-year students for the purposes of outreach, polling, and other related matters.
• Run at least one activity or service for first-year students.
• Work to educate and inform first-year students about issues and information as necessary, including items related to Trent University, and the activities, services, advocacy, and political work of the Association, and Canadian Federation of Students.
First-Year Off-Campus
• Consult with First Year Representatives on college cabinets on matters of mutual concern through such channels as are available.
• Endeavour to liaise with other first-year students for the purposes of outreach, polling, and other related matters.
• Run at least one activity or service for first-year students.
• Work to educate and inform first-year students about issues and information as necessary, including items and activities related to the University, the Association, and the Canadian Federation of students.
Although it may all seem very daunting, the position is as much of a commitment as you want it to be.
Nominations close on October 4. Each potential candidate needs 10 people to vouch for them as candidates.
Elections will take place on October 15 at Wenjack, and October 16-17 at Bata Library, all three days from 10am to 4pm.
You can download the campaign packages by visiting www.trentcentral.ca/election.
Remember to come out and listen to the campaigns on October 9 in order to make an informed decision. They will take place in the Bata Library theatre room 103 at 6pm.
Keep checking Arthur for profiles of all the candidates who are successfully nominated and for election results.