Three students from New Westminster campus vying for seat
By Jake Wray, News Editor
October 17 is the final day to vote in a byelection to select one student representative from the New Westminster campus to sit on the Douglas College education council.
The education council is an elected body consisting of two students from the Coquitlam campus, two students from the New Westminster campus, two support staff, and ten faculty members. The responsibilities of the education council include defining curriculum content, setting various academic policies, and advising the Douglas College board.
Three students are in the running for an open seat to represent the New Westminster campus on the education council. The candidates were required to be taking at least 50 per cent of their courses at the New Westminster campus, and they each had to provide a 250-word statement to the College outlining their campaign goals.
McKenzie Hutchison, a third-year associate of science student and the director at large for the DSU, wrote in her statement that her experience with the DSU and other organizations makes her an ideal candidate for the education council.
“[I] serve as the DSU Deputy Chairperson and a member of the DSU Budget and Operations Committee. I also serve as the President of the Athletes’ Council Club at Douglas, and am a member of the women’s volleyball team,” she wrote. “These roles have granted me excellent experience in representing students and advocating for student rights.”
Hutchison wrote that, if elected, she would advocate for more program choices, open educational resources, and more support for students who wish to continue their education beyond Douglas College.
Sarah Long, an associate of arts student who plans to study behavioural neuroscience at UBC or SFU, wrote in her statement that she would represent mature students.
“As a mature student who has been here for a few years, I believe I am an accurate representation of that portion of the student population,” she wrote. “If I can help shape what the future of the school looks like I will feel satisfied with my time here and be able to take the next step in my education.”
Sarah Thompson, who is also competing for a seat on the education council, wrote in her statement that she would represent students’ financial interests if elected to the education council.
“I will make every effort to ensure the finances of Douglas College are being used to the best interest of students,” she wrote.
Thompson wrote that she would seek to expand textbook buyback, to increase scholarships and bursaries, to allow opt-out from the Compass Card program, and to hire advisors to help students who wish to transfer to another post-secondary school.
Students who are taking more than 50 per cent of their classes at the New Westminster campus can vote for an educational council representative online by signing in to the student registration system.
