TBH, we’re not really sure what this whole Yik Yak nonsense is...but people have told us that UBC Underground is posting there. But nah bae, we don’t roll like that.
At first we be like what is that? Apparently Yik Yak is what the youngins use instead of Formspring now, and we old as fuck (aka didn’t actually have the app downloaded.../had to google what it was *facepalm*). Also btw, do people still do formspring???
Anywho, the Underground crew has packed up our pony show and moved to greener pastures (read: graduated), so not sure where this shenanigans is coming from, but probably best to look elsewhere ‘cause we have non-UBC things we care about now :’( While we hadn’t officially made a formal retirement Underground before, we just hope the few hacks who cared about our blog enjoyed our time! Also, lesson to the next generation: when you throw shade, do your research and do it tactfully *ahem, yik yakkers* #peaceout <3
Unless you’ve been living in a ditch, you probably know that the New SUB got an additional $3.5 million (still funded by students guys, remember) in the Fall of 2013 and and then $802K in emergency/just-in-case funding the past year.
Even with the extra funding, this project has between delayed three times.(Yeah, mo’ money mo’ problems)
This all begs the question: who’s fault is it? Everyone is gonna tell you it’s because of the “complexity” of the project, because of “past VPs” and “overall design of the project’s process”. For example, the New SUB budget was designed from the very beginning with 10% contingency. Wanna know what the industry standard for a building like dis? 20-35%. Yah. Fucked ourselves with that one didn’t we?
So I’ll give it to the latter year VPs for this one, the project was designed to be expensive as fuck. That doesn’t mean you get to sit on your ass and squander buttloads of money with the decision making power that you do have. SEE BELOW:
Prawbs #2: NOT LEED PLATINUM. PROBABLY NOT EVER.
(And for all you people who don’t give a shit about sustainability, we say:)
If you haven’t heard, the New SUB is apparently the “most sustainable student union building in Canada” and since the dawn of time, advertised as a LEED platinum building.
SIDEBAR | LEED Platinum is the highest green building rating from the Canadian Green Building Council. Paying for LEED is mostly a marketing strategy (Pay LEED $$$$$$, they look at the building and tell you if you get enough points for that platinum, baby). It’s not like having it makes your building one that makes the building magically greener. BUT STILL
WHY NOT LEED PLATINUM?!??!
Part of these renovations is the end of trip facilities (aka. bike to school, take a shower). Without it, the building probably won’t make the threshold (unless they scrounge up some magic LEED points).
Course, they can wait until after the renovations are finished, after UBC decides what to put in the building, after they find out how to pay for these renovations (cause they’re spending all that renovation money to cover the existing construction costs….)…do you see what we’re getting at?
Don’t know if we trust this to happen five years down the road (WHO’S GENIUS IDEA WAS TO BET LEED PLATINUM STATUS ON A “WE’LL WORRY ABOUT THIS AFTER UBC DECIDES”?!?!?!)
BUT WE LOOKING AT YOU, AMS COUNCIL IN 5 YEARS.
Prawbs #3: NOT-SO-”STUDENT” UNION BUILDING
It’s a STUDENT UNION BUILDING YOU SAY?! The AMS Businesses are separate from governance you say??!
a) Flashback to April 2012, new executives and committee members have just been elected and this is thrown on the table:
Let’s read that again, 33K for FUCKING HAND SCANNERS. IS THAT EVEN NECESSARY!?!?
b) Despite 100 more million dollars, there are pretty much the SAME amount of club offices in the New SUB. So where’s all that space? Yes, there’s some study space, a bigger art gallery, a fancy new council chamber and smaller student staff offices. BUT HEY, you get ALL THESE WONDERFUL AND 100% NECESSARY THINGS THAT WE CAN’T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE:
c) Disruptive marketing: $50,000+ from New SUB budget…but never approved?
If you didn't know, the AMS spent a shit ton of money to increase business revenue due to the massive amounts of constructing impeding access to the building. (#LAWL)
It cost a lot, just to see old hacks like Tristan Miller and Matt Parson from the 60′s telling you that YES, YES the OLD SUB IS STILL OPEN:
BEST PART? Can’t find any record of that being approved in New SUB Minutes. Here, you try.
Should the New SUB budget really be used to pay for all these things the AMS businesses would like? If you can’t hold your own, please shut the fucking door.
There’s a lot more we could probably talk about. But hey, where’s the Ubyssey when you need them?!!
As much as we all loved sitting in Abdul Ladha for like ~*FOREVER*~ on Tuesday night, a friend of ours came up with some totes brill ideas to make them, like, fun?
Also, did you vote 40% for us in the election and CVM? Please do! <3
Number One: Host it Family Feud-style.
Split candidates into two teams. Pick a host with the deadpan, charm and stache of Steve Harvey. AMS goes and surveys 100 students with meaty, hard-hitting questions like “Which AMS issue do they think is the most important?” or “What is the number one quality you’re looking for in an AMS executive” or “Who let the dogs out?” See if the candidates’ answers align with the common people. Watch candidates awkwardly encourage their team on with clapping and pats on the backs and chants of “good answer! good answer!”
2. Tie all campus media to their chair so no tweeting.
Instead of posting witty remarks on Twitter, everyone has to shout their comments out loud and own up to their snark. All the “refreshments” and “free pizza” and “free coffee” will be virtual though.
3. Host it Jeopardy-style
Have candidates answer questions about the AMS, UBC, relevant governance-y things. If at the end of the game and they are in the red, and they win the election, then that amount will be subtracted from their salary.
iv) All candidates are lost in Pacific Spirit Park
They all have go-pros on. We take away their phones. If they wear glasses, we take those too. We watch it live from the SUB concourse. The viewing party has free Blue Chip Cookies. But not Marbelous though. Only the shitty kind like Ranger or Smarties.
d) No one can use the following words/phrases
utilization, implementation, engagement, giving back to the community, strategic, zero-based, committee, involvement, initiative, streamline.
e) Instead use these words/phrases
rekt, trill, thirsty, turn down for lunch, Oreo, conjugal, FOMO, meow, woof, kacheek.
vii. All candidates are in a hot tub...
They all have go-pros on. What to watch for: whose face gets red the fastest, if anyone will let one rip in the water. Good for candidates because they can mask their sweat and the heat will relax their muscles, so you can rest your fake, I’m-only-making-small-talk-because-I-want-your-vote smile, candidates!
Bonus! How to get people to vote: Have a glass case full of crisp $50 bills that add up to the salaries of the 5 AMS executives. Put the glass case outside the SUB with a sign that says, “It’s your money! You fund these people, asshat!” (and then there is a hat that is shaped like a butt)
When we say that we love the Ubyssey, it's not a feeling of obligation, it's a true bond that takes us down to their hellhole of an office in the hallway that smells like poop (thank you AMS In-Vessel Composter!!!) But we gotta talk about elections...
Last week, our fellow VFM compatriots at iamablogubc wrote a piece on how disappointed they were with the coverage that's coming out this year. We felt it was pretty misguided. There were some factual errors (the AMS doesn't collect their fees), as well as just some pretension that we were miffed by.
Two weeks into the elections season and we still have yet to see any strong content from our beloved campus paper. Aside from debate recaps that are a week old and updates on candidates who dropped out, there's not a whole lot we've seen to inform voters. While we like to think VFM blogs are precious and valuable, the campus press informs more voters than anything else, and if there isn't any journalisms they can follow, then what's the point? Since their Monday issue wasn't the elections one, we're assuming they plan to publish their endorsements on Thursday...the second to last day of voting.
The Ubyssey is arguably the most influential media outlet on campus. A well informed outlook of the AMS elections would be very beneficial for voter turnout this year. All we wanted to say was that we want more from you.
This article has been updated to reflect a correction in this post's stating IAmABlog did not know the Ubyssey was autonomous. We'z regret ze error.
Aaron Bailey
Oh Aaron… walking into this, it was your race to lose. We already knew that you had good ideas, but it’s about what you do. We constantly heard that as SUS president you seemed a little distracted, but we have confidence that you’ll pull this together (after all, this was 4 years in the making). Your ideas are generally solid and you understand what the presidency is all about, as is reflected in your (PAI) goals. ENDORSED
Cheneil Antony-Hale
You were truly a wildcard. Walking into this race, hot goss around hack circles said that you were mainly running to get your message about feminism and increased training to support sexual assault victims heard in the community. Honestly, you surprised us with your dedication, but sometimes that just isn’t enough. It’s pretty clear that you don’t really know what the president’s actual duties are… Your biggest upside was that you challenged the presumed front runner Aaron into answering tough questions and made people feel open about challenging his leadership.
V
UGHHH. We really were disappointed with this joke candidate. You broke character multiple times during the debate and, as we discuss in our Senate endorsements, the person wearing the mask spent too much time trying to live both of the personas, resulting in neither being particularly strong. Regardless, we applaud your effort as the sole joke candidate in the ENTIRE election.
VP ACADEMIC AND UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS
JENNA OMASSI
No one hates an unopposed race more than us, especially for this office which requires a LOT of pencil pushing. We’re impressed that you ran a campaign, even unopposed, and showed commitment. While your platform wasn’t terrible ironclad, you do recognize the important duties that this office must maintain and we’re very happy with that.
It’s too bad that you could learn from the VP Academic’s of yesteryear…as you have the markings of an effective VP. A good crash course in university admin would have rounded out the lack of experience with this type of advocacy. If elected, however, we know you’ll pave your own path. Still (nothing against Jenna) but we are pretty upset that this position was unchallenged. ENDORSED
Also
VP FINANCE
MATEUSZ MIADLIKOWSKI
You’re a really nice guy, but where have you been this year…? Your campaign seems to echo your role, never on time. What we like about you is that you know the in’s and out’s of the AMS already. Moving into the Nest (which everyone is 100% betting the farm on) will create a lot of financial unrest for the organization, and your platform may be right in that sense. However there are still questions we find unanswered; like what is this bursary program you mention? Your PAI goals from this term were interesting, but we have yet to see you deliver or show that you are truly the best candidate.
WILL PIGOTT
There has always been a weird disconnect between the CUS and the AMS. The former likes to pretend they’re generally independent of their parent company, which leads to a lot of bitchiness when things get messy (see the CUS endowment debacle of 2012-2014). You seem like a pretty nice guy who has a decent background to prepare you for the role, but porting your CUS experience over to the AMS will end with frustration. While we are always wary of anyone who claims that they might have an impact on the business budget and/or contribution (*cough* THAT IS BABG’S JOB *cough*). Your platform presents some interesting ideas, but that’s all that they are: ideas. There is nothing tangible we really took from what you said at the debate or in your materials to convince us you actually know the path to take and aren’t just being a well-groomed Sauder student. You talk a good talk, but can you really walk a good walk? We don't know.
We don’t endorse either candidate. You know who we do endorse? The AMS Accounting and Administration office who works tirelessly (and often thanklessly) behind the scenes to make sure money is actually around.
VP EXTERNAL
JANZEN LEE
We dedicated an entire post to you and published Bahareh’s ripping-to-shreds-of-said-post, so it shouldn’t be a big surprise that we are not endorsing Janzen. His platform was all about what the office can do for him, when it should be the other way. Your only valid platform point was transparency, which is almost more boiler plate than saying you want to engage students. Your ignorance toward’s the offices activities this past year shows how out of touch you are, so we decline to vote for you.
JUDE CRASTA
We know people loveeee whining about the AVP becoming the VP, but it shouldn’t really matter when the person is qualified. Jude came prepared and presented a very clear plan for how he will continue his work as the Veep. There isn’t much else we have to say about his platform—he wants to deal with provincial funding, transit, RTA, and federal lobbying, so it’s not like he’s rocking the boat at all. They are all attainable goals that has clear ties to the work that has already been completed this year. ENDORSED
VP ADMINISTRATION
AVA NASIRI
Oh what a year it has been for you! The Nest got delayed (twice), went over budget, and while none of it was directly the fault of the office, but the lack of action and communication wasn’t very encouraging. Speaking of which, where is the Nest in your platform? We’ve been seeing a trend in which the building is slowly transitioning it’s “ownership” from SAC to the Operations/Businesses. Why haven’t you been fighting against that? After all, it’s a duty in the bylaws to ensure SAC is being protected (woop whoop for random protection for SAC). [ED NOTE: more on this in another post]. We’re a little confused why your platform to “bring back the fun” is even under the VP Admin portfolio. Shouldn’t that be Events/President? At the same time, we didn’t see any big debacles occur on your watch. You pushed for a new management software for clubs, which if it works, might actually be effective at reducing man-hours spent doing data entry. We are concerned that your priorities in your platform were still very unfocused, even as the incumbent.
ALEX REMTULLA
You had Student Development written all over you from the beginning. Starting with the lacklustre/uptight debate performance to the fresh off the press marketing campaign; you need to sell all that enthusiasm we hear from your platform. First of all, you mention the SUB! YAY! That's already a huge win over your opponent. Your platform website, however, was clearly made in Photoshop, so we can’t even copy/paste any of it…design faux pax. You seem to have some slightly bigger ideas about how to engage clubs, but it’s mostly technical, relying on OrgSync to be a saviour and the Conferences department to allow online booking (btw never gonna happen - the admin union COPE 378 protects their own from potentially being redundant #unions #ugh). We see that you have a lot of energy, but not a lot of experience with SAC/policy side that the admin role will have to take. We are impressed by the informed platform you've created, and the ability to identify specific priorities. You and Ava will strive to achieve the same tasks. You seem to have a bit more genuine enthusiasm.
JAMES JING
We don't have a lot to say about you....your platform is lacks substance and you have little experience, especially coming from an outside perspective. We recommend that you involve yourself in the AMS as staff or in the services and learn a bit more about the structure before deciding if it's truly a beast you'd like to tango with.
We give a lukewarm endorsement to Alex. Both have very similar platforms, but given that Ava basically ignored the Nest hers, we immediately question if you should continue for another year. Honestly, at Alex’s worst, he wouldn’t rock the boat; at his best, he could be really engaging. We do worry about his lack of experience in a student government position, but only time can tell.
ENDORSEMENTS + Breakdown (Twice the fun): BOG + SENATE
We'd like to thank everyone out there who has supported Underground over the past two years and would love you to pieces if you can please vote 40% on both the official AMS ballot and the Continuous Voter Media sites.
For the stray un/semi-informed voter or the seasoned hack, we hope that our endorsements for Board of Governors, Senate, and SLFS are both informative and #honest. Obviously, there's gonna be some sass bombs, but that's life yo. Also for those interested, we went based on the order AMS Elections uses on their website
Board of Governors
If you haven't read our BoG and Senate for Dummies guide yet, please stop and read it. It will explain soooo much. We had a difficult time deciding between the three contenders, but ultimately our BoG breakdown brought the following results:
JULIE VAN DE VALK
We don’t know you, frankly. But from what we hear, you're a really nice put together person. What you lack in any formal governance experience, you prove yourself in the excellent work that has come out of UBC C350 this past year. Similarly to current representative Nina Karimi, your platform is basically divest and then do your best to fight for student actions. With the divestment campaign slowly gaining more traction, maybe Julie is the person needed to push forward this economic policy forward.
TL;DR: You're not experienced and your platform shows it, but you are eager and intelligent, so let’s give it a shot. ENDORSED
TANNER BOKOR
To be frank, Tanner isn't the strong voice we need in the UBC community right now. We appreciate all the service he has done for students over the last three years, but his history of creating unfilled promises and having a 'close relationship' with the VP students office makes us sceptical. This is your second year running for this post and you still haven't convinced us that you're up to the challenge. Your platform is almost non-existent and cookie-cutter at best.
TL;DR: Tanner: “What do we want? Lower tuition!" Board: "When will you get it? Never.”
VERONICA KNOTT
You were the only candidate with a real platform we can get behind. Ensuring policies get a student voice, placing more students seats on capital projects, and better Board to Student communications are all tangible things that the Board tycoons might go for. While we don't really know that her experience with the university as a whole is, we're still confident that you can pull it off. (P.S. You can smell the campaign management from your buddy Chris Roach reading your materials :p )
TL;DR: We don't know if you have all that it takes, but we think you have the right voice to try and make it happen. ENDORSED
SENATE
Again, go back and read our primer first, but also take a gander at our post on the status quo of the Senate.
AARON BAILEY
You've been on senate, but honestly, where have you been? We hear you have missed a number of meetings. While you have a strong voice, we just want to make sure that you can commit the time to both Presidency and Senate, if elected to both posts. Good results come from those who commit. We see you want to chair the Student Senate Caucus. We think that’s admirable, but that’s a little crazy given how involved you plan to be with President. Aside from that, you have the tried and true platform of flexible learning and mental health, that could work, so long as you can rally your fellow senators. ENDORSED
ERIC ZHAO
Out of all the candidates, you are the clear front runner with so many veterans having dropped out recently. We do worry that you might not have enough time…after all, being Doctor Boy does take up a lot of your life. If elected, we predict that Eric would quickly rise to the ranks and become head of the Student Senate Caucus. Creating a fall break (omg yes), evaluating hardship policies, and creating a Student Charter of Rights are all priorities that Senate long timers would deem feasible, if everyone can commit to making them happen. ENDORSED
GURVIR SANGHA
For a first timer, you already have a crucial advantage by aiming to bring change from the committee level up (aka the only way to do it). You've clearly shown your stripes in the lower ranks of involvement and going into your last year, we feel confident that you can make the jump to the big leagues. Your platform is nothing too special, but it didn't offend us one bit. We think you might be the voice needed to ask tough questions in a room of big whigs. Recognition of student senate caucus putting in the work together is also a big win for you. ENDORSED
HANNAH XIAO
Frankly...we don't really know who you are. We couldn't find your campaign event, platform, or even the candidate bio you were supposed to submit to the Elections Committee. This doesn't bode well with being a member of the highest academic governance body, so no senate for you.
IAN SAPOLLNIK
We hear you are the "mini Aaron Bailey" in voice. You might be a good candidate to groom into the position, but are in no way ready to give you the keys to the kingdom. One of your biggest platform points is that there are no student senators on the Curriculum Committee. Well a quick Google search would reveal that, indeed there are FIVE students on that committee. Do your homework, come back next year.
JENNA OMASSI
As with all VP Academic candidates, being on Senate is kind of a must. It's hard to fight for academic change when you don't even have first-hand knowledge of what's going on. Honestly, you're a no-brainer for this post. You have the political experience, a solid enough platform, and an amicable personality that you won't be a sitting duck. After all, Senate is more about who you can convince and how you convince them. Also, a member of the famed #5quad (pronounced "squad" for those not on the in). ENDORSED
MARGARETA DOVGAL
You are a surprisingly decent candidate, but nothing that really blew us away. While we know we harped on your for breaking rules, if you'd read the full candidate handbook (like all candidates should *finger of shame to everyone probably*), we wouldn't have had to jump in on the excitement. But srsly, like reading is a full time job with the Senate. You're still in the early years of your degree though, so bring back a solid platform that wows us, and I mean really wows us, and maybe just maybe you'll get the vote.
MARJAN HATAI
Another #5quad member making an appearance. We were honestly a little surprised to see you were running for this position. However you do have experience working with the AUS, AMS, SD, and RezLife, so you're no stranger to the politics in the room. We would have liked to see something innovative in your platform, but we can't harp too badly since nobody elses was that incredible either. You did respond nicely in the first debate, so we grant you a "PICK-ONE ENDORSEMENT"*
VIET VU
You spent too much time pretending to be V that this campaign got very muddled up with your jokes. TBH, your platform shows that lack of distinction quite well. It’s hard for us to take you seriously sometimes, you need to be more convincing in your stature, esp. to old wig Senators. And while we think that you have university know how, your actions on senate require full attention. VESUS took a lot of work to get off the ground (and props for that), but using that as a platform for a completely different environment feels misguided. Regardless, we know that you are a champion of student opinions, so if you get elected, we support you. "PICK-ONE ENDORSEMENT"*
RECAP: We pick Aaron, Eric, Gurvir, Jenna, and either Marjan or Viet(*). We really couldn't decide between the Marjan and Viet. They're both somewhat qualified and have unique background they'd bring to the table, but neither edged out the other.
SLFS
Honestly we're not really going to break this down. Incumbent slate, Students for Responsible Leadership has done practically *nothing* with the vast war chest they possess and there is no reason to believe that that will change.
The Students for Accountability (SFA) is clearly made up of random hacks that were asked to join while perusing the Executive Offices. Nonetheless, we've already seen more action come out of the SFAs than we ever have from the incumbent slate.
Ain't no party like a BoG plane ride to Kelowna. Free of charge (tuitionnnnn).
TANNER BOKER
UM, this is your poster from last year!! Looks like things were basically copy and pasted AND it's the same photo. We heard you talking shit about not wanting to shed big $$ like you did last year ($300!?!) for a new photo. Guess what? NOBODY PAYS FOR THIS SHIT. We'll give you this: it's a pretty good photo of you and the poster gets straight to the point. Meh.
VERONICA KNOTT
Sooo, we're guessing engineering is the theme you were going for with the grey brick wall? What is with your font?! You are running for the BOARD OF GOVERNORS. It's like you're running for super fun AMS rep. That ribbon shit is going over your hand. We'll give you a nod for a good photo, but your Facebook profile picture probs would have worked better. P.S. we like your colour scheme.
JULIE VAN DE VALK
SO MANY WORDS. It's really crowded, we don't know where to look. Why is your name and website so hard to read? This walked out of a C350 DivestUBC ad and - wait...that's probably where it came from. Tips for you: buy a url, and take away the HTTP. Cause really? It's not 1999 and Microsoft can no longer force us all to use IE. However, the fonts are good, and your poster is nice with a pretty background.
SENATE
MARJAN HATAI
HELLO sorority girl. Your fonts are screaming college sorority. Also, weird new place to take photos? Maybe you should have stuck to a tried and true location. The white is washing the focus away from you. But you have got an award winning smile and the colour scheme is pretty nice. We like clean and simple design. Woot.
GURVIR SANGHA
Firstly:
YAAAAAAsss
POSTER 1 is beautiful. There are some awful colour choices happening, but it is on point shit.
POSTER 2 - Poster game is STRONG, my friend
POSTER 3
Your poster is great, we love the photo; probably the best new location and best photo out of everyone. But your name should be the most notable thing (not the word vote) and you could have given everything a little more breathing room. That being said, we totally underestimated the level of poster genius you would have.
EVERYONE ELSE:
We honestly couldn't find a real/full/printed version of your poster to analyze. (unlike the ones above). Need to pull your game up
We know you enjoyed that little nugget we dropped this morning, so we're gonna keep steamrolling through these puppies.
VP FINANCE
Because you know they're all about that ba$$, no deficit.
MATEUSZ MIADLIKOWSKI
Well seeing as how this poster (and really his whole campaign) just came out this morning, we were getting a little worried that the incumbent had given up before the election had even started. Looking at the photo itself, it's a great picture. Point to your photographer dude, and the leafy greens say "down to earth," and also "I happen to have sustainability in my portfolio, cause old hacks?" The text is also very clean and readable. The only confusing part is that there's no website or platform points.....so is your entire campaign just your face?
WILL PIGOTT
Yeah, we know Will has multiple posters and this one is the "Facebook optimized" version, but 0 fucks given. Why is that rando blue bar covering your chin? Your head is barely in this at all actually...you should have really focused more on the face than that weird wooden box on University Boulevard. We're not sure why, but your name looks a little weird here—maybe it's the light reflecting on the P, idk. Overall, we really don't have any complaints. Your posters are dece and we appreciate the effort. Sauder has trained you well.
VP ADMIN
Let's be real, this year's race was Ava's to lose. Lets see how the posters fare...
AVA NASIRI
We really don't have anything bad to say about Ava's posters. They're simple and 50000000x better than last year. Except that random clear ribbon behind your name. So necessary. Not. Red arrow bars be gone. Nice usage of the interior of PharmSci instead of *everyone* taking photos of the cool outside thing (snoozefest). Also when did ribbons come back into style?
ALEX REMTULLA
Not sure if anyone else noticed this, but the checkered pattern on those yellow triangles were legit the 100% same thing used in the referendum last year. It's also basically the same colour scheme, but as the saying goes, "good artists copy, great artists steal." Not to give Alex's graphic designer too much credit, as you really don't stand out very well from all the text and the wood background (HAHA love that you and Ava happen to have the exact same photo background). Similar to Will Pigott, your face should stand out more - the chair honestly gets more attention in this photo than you do. While you have a great smile, we just don't get the blue toque. We hear that's your "thing," but like, come on... really?
JAMES JING
Oh where to begin... wait, we know! Let's take walk through yesteryear to Ava's first VPA poster (yes we know it's a bad photo, h8ers gonna h8)
It's like almost identical. From the three bullets on the side, to the script writing "for," and it's also the exact same location, except reversed. Personally we think that James looks pretty good, but the similarities are too big to not knock him down 5 pegs or so. ORIGINALITY, BRAH. Also we do like the pin you're wearing, it's a nice touch :)
VP EXTERNAL
The race that everyone seems to care about (for like the first time in years).
JANZEN LEE
Funny enough, this photo screams Sauderite, despite the fact that you make such an effort to say you're a POLI SCI #ARTS #WUTUP student. Also not to be too nit picky, but maybe would have been nice to trim the little neck beard you have? Just sayin'... Your poster looks like it's a website with popup boxes screaming at you to give them your email address to "stay connected." Like the boxes are cool, but they're way too distracting. Funny enough, you didn't buy a website, which whatever, but come on. You couldn't have at least done a bit.ly to shorten all them dashes? No way anyone writes that down/remembers it. Also y u have ur body covering ur name bro? It makes it stand out less. Nonetheless, it's pretty visually appealing, so props. Also where is that photo taken??? ESB? LSB? CIRS? STOCK PHOTO FROM SWEDEN? We want answers.
JUDE CASTRA
WHY JUDE, WHY. Super bummer on Jude's campaign. It started and died with the cursive typography up top. Also the ribbon. RIBBONS ARE NOT SEXY. Which btw, why didn't you wear your glasses? We think you look much more identifiable with them than without. We see you went back to the old school "3 vague words about leadership, including leadership" methodology. But you have a nice smile and a pretty view with your photo, so maybe it's ok?
OMG WE ARE EXHAUSTEDDDDDDDD.
Tune back in later for BoG and Senate posters as well as our... *drum roll please*
Yeah, that thing. Senate, the HIGHEST ACADEMIC GOVERNING BODY at UBC. And yet, nobody seems to give a fuck about:
1) the student senators they elect
2) Senate approval
Need proof? Hello average student, can you even name 5 of the 9 student senators who are running to be elected this year? Better yet, who is your current faculty student senator?
#GOTCHA
Even faculty admins don't give a fuck:
Class-A example - Sauder's new program which includes a joint exchange program hasn't even passed Senate and it's accepted applications (+ all dat $$$$$ that comes with it). SERIOUSLY.
Rumour has it this program hasn't even gone through curriculum committee at the Faculty level.
SENATE SHOULD BE SHUTTING THIS SHIT DOWN ON PRINCIPAL.
LIKE A BAUS:
Cause they're the HIGHEST ACADEMIC GOVERNING BODY in allll the laaanddd.
BUT they never do. *cough masters of management//vantage college coughcoughcoughcough *. Senate is currently in a new relationship with her bae, "UBC NEEDS MONEY". "UBC NEEDS MONEY" wants her to do things she isn't ready for, but this thing is exciting and she doesn't want to be that girl that ruins all the fun.
Sorry Senate, you better get your shit together. Stop passing programs and pulling out the old "we can't be considering money in passing the required academic curriculum" card. Ex. BIE, Master of Management Dual Degrees, Pharmacy. I want a castle too, doesn't mean I can fucking afford it.
Let's get back to the point.
SENATE IS BROKEN. It's basically become a rubber stamping body. Everything is passed because it sounds good in principle, and no one can give a single flying fuck about this thing called "tuition"
And the best part?
STUDENTS + STAFF + FACULTY:
Did you know that this was happening? Does Senate even realize what kind of joke it's become? Senate has all this power; and it's actually doing nothing with it.
Every year (all two of them) we gather a group of hacks, former hacks, journalists, designers, and all around bitchy lovely people to talk smack about posters. It took us a couple shots of tequila to get us in the mood, but here goes Round 1.
So before you get all high and mighty and play the "shame on you," "you're just all bitter about XYZ," or general "fuck you's," we're just gonna say that we don't give a shit. CAUSE WE JUDGY BITCHEZ.
Cause this is our calling.
PRESIDENT
Aaron Bailey
Oh Aaron, where do we begin. Well with your hair, that's where. What is happening man? It looks like a damn cockatoo tried to work your up-do... It's also unclear why you chose those photo over any of your other ones. Like you're such a photogenic dude; as is evident by ALL THESE BETTER PHOTOS; sneak peek:
Now lets talk about sex fonts babyyyy. WHO IS "ORONT AILEY"?! Your typeface is just too much, even if it's kind of cool. Random ass circles be gone.
On the upside: (Bow)tie game is STRONG. The rest of the design is generally cool and clean, so we're glad you followed the cardinal rule of design: KISS (keep it simple, stupid).
Cheneil Antony-Hale
So let's get the good out of the way first. We love the design principles that you used here. You have nice colours, calming typefaces, and a well photoshopped picture. Speaking of which, WHY is it sepia? It just makes this whole poster look like one of those stock images for a PSA. It makes you look as though you're not the most important part of the poster...which you really should be.
Why does it look like you only have one platform point?! And what does "keep it real" even mean? (Because it's not about your platform points - we'll get to this later).
V
Things that are cool: you have a genuinely nice photograph. We also appreciate that you took your presidential photo in the President's Office (wutwut). So +3 points for being ballsy. What's not cool about this? The weird font in the bottom left corner. Like wtf were you going for there? Spook with serifs? We wish that you'd played up the whole V thing more. Otherwise you had a generally clean design, so good for you.
VP ACADEMIC
JENNA OMASSI
If only you weren't the only candidate. We wanted more competition in this category, but regardless, we declare you as winner Jenna! The only thing negative we have to say about this is that some of the text is a little difficult to read because of your background, but whatevs, that's life. THANK YOUR BRILLIANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER for this campaign because they KEPT IT SUPER SIMPLE. P.S. Dat dress niiiceeeee.
Alright, that's enough for now. We've got lots more posters to bitch about in the next round of Talking Shit About Your Posters (aka Poster Slam).
In response to Janzen Lee's long-ass rant post about VPX, Bahareh Jokar, had some feelz about his shitting on her office.
We're just going to leave this here and let you enjoy every last morsel of this Blue Chip cookie cake.
How irrelevant is the AMS? What does your AMS do for you? According to a certain candidate’s platform nothing. As the current Vice-President External Affairs, that concerns me. Clearly this candidate has done no research, and has made no effort in understanding the role of the Vice-President External Affairs in addition to vast assortment of services offered by the AMS. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you what myself and my amazing team have accomplished this year.
During the summer we organized Western Canada’s LARGEST student association leadership conference. (ED note: don't worry, the SLC is still wayyyy bigger) A.K.A The Student Union Development Summit (which also happened to be the largest, most successful, and profitable conference the AMS has hosted in the last decade). We had speakers including, but not limited to:
1) Reconciliation Canada
2) Elections Canada
3) City of Vancouver Corporate and Communication Planning
4) Ohh La La Mobile Solution
5) Spencer Keys (Government Relations Advisor)
6) And presentations from all the Executives of the AMS on their respective portfolios.
We had upwards of 80 delegates from 9 provinces, representing 25 student associations across Canada.
Lee stated that “the External Vice-President whose mandate is to lobby municipal, provincial, and federal government on behalf of the students of UBC has been operating in the shadows, leaving students unaware of the work that is being done.”
So clearly ... I’m Batman! Or better yet, I’m an executive that has been making regular updates to the Board of Directors (a.k.a Council), and providing regular ternary reports that are made public http://www.ams.ubc.ca/leadership/council/agenda-minutes/.
In September we began building relationships with elected representatives, particularly on the issue of the upcoming public transit referendum. We effectively voiced our concern about the Referendum taking place in the summer, as there would be highly reduced number of student on all Campuses across Metro Vancouver. I think our plight was heard, since now the referendum is taking place from March through May.
In October, I was a delegate at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Conference, where elected Municipal and Provincial officials came together to discuss issues facing BC residents across all municipalities. I spoke with more elected representatives than I can count, and the AMS/UBC GSS where the only student representatives at this conference of more the 2000 delegates. Additionally, I was a presenter at the UBCM alongside Elections Canada and the City of Vancouver to an audience of 100 people, talking about youth civic engagement.
In November, the AMS effectively was responding to the proposed housing and tuition increases while promoting the Municipal elections. The office of the Vice-President External invited the City of Vancouver to help register students to vote, and to raise the profile around voter engagement. Additionally, we held a forum that invited both candidates from for Electoral Area A to talk about their platforms, while canvasing at all major campus locations raising awareness about the fact that Municipal Elections were happening.
In November, I made my way to Ottawa where I was representing the AMS along with upwards of 30 other Canadian student association to the MPs on parliament hill. My objective as an observer at the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations was to gain a better understanding of federal student lobbying, and to report back to our board on how we can better engage provincial and municipal elected representatives. While in Ottawa I met with the following MP’s:
- Senator Percy E. Downe, Prince Edward Island
- MP Joyce Murray, Vancouver-Quadra
- MP Malcolm Allen, Welland
- MP Jean Crowder, Nanaimo-Cowichan
- MP Mike Sullivan, York South-Weston
- MP Mylene Freeman, Papineau-Mirabel
- MP Wei Young, Vancouver South
We talked about the following student issues:
- Expansion of the Canada Student Loans and Canada Student Grants programs
- Increased institutional support for the indirect costs of research
- Elimination of the 2% cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program
- Enhancing Canada’s Labour Market Information
- Renewal of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, with a focus on students
All this information was made public through our minutes, since I have been reporting on all the work of the Office of the Vice-President External this year.
In December, the Office of the Vice-President External launched the pilot for the Democracy Talks Program, which is designed to promote civic engagement among typically disengaged communities. Our pilot program was well attended, and I look forward to recommending additional work to be done on this profile with the assistance of our University and External Relations Advisor.
In January the Office of the Vice-President External went full swing into the Metro Vancouver Transit Referendum. I was honored when the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition (BTTC) approached me sit as the Student Co-Chair of the BTTC alongside Iain Black (CEO of Vancouver Board of Trade), Peter Robinson (CEO of David Suzuki Foundation), and Gavin McGarrigle (Area Director for UNIFOR). Currently, within my capacity as VP External and a BTTC Co-chair, I am coordinating the Metro Vancouver Student Campaign that is targeting over 145 000 students across Metro Van.
In February, the president of the Graduate Student Society and I attended the Alliance of BC Students 4th annual Lobby Days, and hands down our best lobbying effort to date. We had meeting with upwards of 40 MLA’s collectively. I attended meeting with the Minister of Advanced Education, the Deputy Minister of Advanced education, the Minister of Jobs and Industry, the Leader of the Opposition, the Opposition Critic for Advanced Education and more. We talked about the grace period on interest rates, BC’s rate of interest on provincial student loans, trades programs, housing legislation/policy that would protect the rights of student renters on campuses, and more.
Why am I doing all of this? Because, this candidate believes that you can storm into the office of an elected official and demand that your needs get met. Unfortunately, it is very easy to be dismissed if you do not have effective research and composure in your meetings. Additionally, the reality is that lobbying takes time, and it only becomes effective if students are seen to be voting in municipal, provincial, and federal elections.
With that, I urge you to get registered if you are a Canadian citizen over the age of 18, together we can pass the upcoming Metro Vancouver Transit Referendum, the first of its kind in Canadian history.
Together we can, together WE SAY YES to better transit, cleaner cities, more accessible and affordable housing options, and the longevity of the U-PASS BC program.
If you have any questions about the workings of the VP External Office, or any of the projects that we have worked on this past year, feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Smooches,
Bahareh Jokar
Your Loyal Vice-President External Affairs
Basically Bahareh is saying fuck you to Janzen. DAME GOT SOME BIG ASS BALLZ YO. Cause you know what? JOKAR AINT'T NO JOKER
When VP External candidate Janzen Lee started campaigning on Monday, he posted this gem to his Facebook page that has since been removed.
Donchu worry boo, we got you.
The AMS has become irrelevant in the lives of students. As an organization, it is inactive and boring and does not relate to the massive student population it claims to represent. It is time for an outside perspective. Time for action and time for a new goal. My campaign is not me vs. my opponent, it is change vs. more of the same. I am thenew goal I see for our student government.
3 things: Problem, Solution, Benefit.
UHHHHH.
amirite?!?!?! Princess Shiney Hair Mahal will forever be the only solution #WhatWouldKiranDo
There existsa problem with the current system. I have a solution. As a student population,we will benefit. The problem is that the office of the External Vice-Presidentwhose mandate is to lobby municipal, provincial, and federal government on behalf of the students of UBC has been operating in the shadows, leaving students unaware of the work that is being done. When I told people I was considering running for VP External, the majority of them answered “Oh, that’s really cool… What do they do?” What does the VP External do? Because most people have no idea.
I want us to join the ranks of the world’s top institutions. I want our letters to be on the lips of every researcher, high school grad and instructor in the world. Our problem, is that the current administration wants none of this. [ED note: HAVE YOU SEEN ARVIND'S ENTIRE PRESIDENCY?!?!?!]
As students, one of the greatest challenges we face in our great city is affordability. I have spoken to students who do not have the fortune of living on campus, outraged they must transit hours each day because they can nowhere near afford the outrageous costs of housing near the university. What has the current administration done about that? Why aren’t you in the mayor’s office every day pleading our case and expressing that the greatest shame of our society is that young men and women who want nothing more than access to knowledge are barred by lack of funds. Why aren’t our representatives present at each and every political convention exchanging dialogue with those capable of reforming the student loan system. How could access to funds limit our right to an education?
the amount of shit being sprayed here is naaaaaasty
These are the problems with our AMS as I see it. It has become, to an extent, irrelevant and I want to reverse and bolster the necessity of the office of external vice-president. Here is my solution. We are fortunate to find ourselves in the midst of a federal election year. I pledge to be in the ear of politicians who are seeking election in order to gauge and ensure their commitment to alleviating the burdensome life of a student.
Why has the current administration had minimal, if any, contact with the established system? Why aren’t they fighting for us!? We have an opportunity here that comes along only every once in a few years and why don’t we seize it? The benefit from my planned endeavours are obvious. My only goal is to better the lives of students and I believe my efforts could be better directed towards the overall benefit of the student population rather than spending millions of dollars a year with little to show for it. Or if there have been improvements in our lives, they’ve gone unnoticed. If you will allow me, I will be present at each and every opportunity that passes my desk to have our voices heard beyond the walls of the SUB into the places which actually matter. My voice will ring through the halls that we as students will not go away quietly and we will not allow our plight to be ignored.
I’m in Arts, I study political science, I am from Vancouver and I live on residence, I am a part of clubs and organizations across campus. All of these things are what make our school incredible: diversity. [ED NOTE: 'scuse me? that's only one thing.] The Alma Mater Society’s mandate is to actively represent the entirety of the student population. That. Means. Everyone. Not just the select few insiders of student government but each and every academic, athletic, creative, social, and entrepreneurial student of this university. I will listen to everyone’s voice, actively seeking it, not just heeding the advice of the political elite that has so long held a monopoly over the affairs of this society. The powers that be are shocked by my candidacy; that someone not in their “friend group” is seeking to change the way things are done at this school.
The fact that the office of external vice president has been naturally uncontested for years is disgusting. Why aren’t people getting involved, why is this unambiguous apathy of students so rampant on our campus? Because it is the failure of this office to get students interested, informed, and involved in student government. I offer difference. Even if I do not win this election, I hope the serious nature of my candidacy and opposition to the status quo serves to show the student population that if things do not change, we will be continuing a trend of mediocrity from our leadership. Instead, you should expect and accept nothing less than greatness from those you trust to represent you. [ED NOTE: LOL]
Hope you have someone who can help you, current VP External (Dame Sassy Hair of North Vancouver) has a come back. And it's goooood.
Senate candidate Margareta Dovgal has written an endorsement for Presidential candidate Cheneil Antony-Hale on her event page.
Sorry Margareta, although the website says:
Erry university student knows, don't get fucked by quoting the abstract.
Elections Handbook 2015:
" ENDORSEMENTS BY OTHER CANDIDATES
Notwithstandingthe rules regarding slates, candidates may endorse one another. Nocandidate may endorse another candidate within his or her own race.Endorsements may only be conveyed verbally. Endorsements may not bemade in front of public gatherings. Any groups of three or morepeople may be considered a public gathering.
Candidatesrunning for Senate or Board of Governors may not recommend or endorseother candidates in their position (i.e. Senate candidate cannot endorse or recommend another senate candidate, but are allowed to verbally endorse a Board of Governor candidate."
We can't make the final call, but we also can't wait to see the penalty box tomorrow.
