student politics: All-candidate debate draws partisan crowd
Amanda McCuaig, Peak Staff
Amanda McCuaig, The Peak's production editor gives a first-hand account of the second of two all-candidate debates during this year's SFSS election campaign period.
The air was so chilled by 4:00 p.m. last Thursday afternoon, that when fire dancers came out to warm up the crowd for the second of two all-candidate debates for the SFSS elections, the flames extinguished.
The cold weather, combined with a rescheduled and late afternoon start time, after most students had left campus, contributed to a crowd filled mostly with candidates and their supporters.
Rob Taylor, a 4th-year history student at SFU, was one of a handful of people not associated with any candidates. Sitting close to the stage and taking detailed notes on each candidate, he considered it his duty as a good citizen to be well informed about those running.
The talks started with representatives from three of the four "yes" referendum campaigns stating why they thought students should vote for a continuation of the U-pass, for a graduate health plan, and for an accessibility fund for students with disabilities.
david fleming-saraceno, speaking for the U-pass campaign, mentioned that university plans to construct buildings in parking lots B and C would significantly reduce parking.
The disabilities accessibility fund representative emphasised the importance of, not only physical accessibility, but the reduction of barriers for students with disabilities who want to be involved in student extracurricular activities.
No representatives spoke for the "yes" campaign to increase funding for the SFSS.
The somewhat mundane introductions of candidates were improved by the supply of cookies, juice, and pop for audience members.
Elinor Johansen and Hamid Michael Hejazi for Internal Relations Officer gave the most impassioned introductions.
Hejazi gave a speech, which boomed from the speakers over the convocation mall, leaving cookie nibblers stunned. The Yellow Canary in him shone out, as he spoke of his slate being one of "diversity, experience, and principles." He emphasised the work that he would do for the Women's Centre and for First Nations students.
Johansen, highlighted her knowledge of the requirements of the IRO position. "I want to be your next IRO because I understand the position," she said, "I know about the different unions that the SFSS works with, and I know about issues that they're thinking about." She also emphasised her experience with the senate over the past year, and that she had spent time talking to two of the last three internal relations officers to find out just what to expect from the job.
Presidential candidates showed an emphasis on different priorities in their opening speeches.
Lisa Parisa Yazdi, wants to create "change the situation of students, to represent the students, to create transparency, to create accountability within this campus." A mature student from the Yellow Canary slate, made clear her disdain for student debt, and her dedication to minimise it.
Graham Fox, a DoublePlusGood candidate running for president, wore Russian headgear and proposed the use of mics and a website to broadcast the SFSS' AGM. He also discussed the addition of an improved Internet presence for clubs, sorted by location, club, and event so that we can always know what's going on on campus.
Fox drew cheers from the crowd when he threatened to censor The Peak if elected, but then quickly changed his mind, saying the SFU student paper needed more controversial content.
Jeff Bradshaw, a current departmental student union president, stated a desire to "bring the focus back to community." He wants to reinstate the events budget, increase funding to services including women's centre and Out On Campus, and wants to increase the value of university to students.
In his absense, a member of Think Pink read a letter written by Clement Apaak, asking the audience to imagine that he was "six-foot-two, charismatic, and black." Resulting in amused giggles from the crowd.
Some of the more memorable moments of the afternoon came courtesy of Doubleplus Good candidates, which are widely referred to as the "joke slate."
After a discussion about curing apathy, Maja Bohinc, a member at-large candidate for the party, administered a knock to her crotch creating an empty echo through the speakers. "Hear that sound?" she asked the crowd, "my cup is empty, and waiting to be filled with your demands!"
The crowd, including Taylor, cracked up.
"That's the sound of my vote being won, right there. And you can quote me on that," Taylor said through laughter.
As the debate went on, it became clear that most candidates stood for similar issues, lower tuition, better food options, fiscal responsibility, and community building, and the crowd slowly tapered off.