Undergraduate nominees Shadiya Aidid and Saereen Qureshi are both in the running to become the next student governor on York’s Board of Governors.
One of two student governor positions will be held by one of the undergraduate nominees. Qureshi, a political science major and vice-president of communications on the Undergraduate
Political Science Council, promises to bring her combined experiences to the table if elected.
“I plan to continue being involved in things, and communicating with students as well,” says Qureshi. “And be very vocal and optimistic about getting things done.”
Qureshi is concerned with funding cuts that have had university-wide consequences. She says she would work with social organizations, like she has in the past, to reduce this burden on students.
Aidid, an environmental studies major, is the vice-president of communications at Regenesis@York, a group with a focus on environmental sustainability and social justice. A strong environmentalist, if elected, Aidid says she would work to foster a greener, safer, healthier campus.
“I want the international student fees to go down, healthy food options: more vegan, more kosher and halal, more accessible food options for people—money-wise and health-wise, and a safer campus,” says Aidid.
Both candidates have strong opinions on safety and security concerns at York’s Keele campus, stating that improvements need to be made to goSAFE and other free services provided by the university.
Qureshi says there needs to be more training for goSAFE employees, adding she would push for the university to implement the need for all goSAFE employees to earn certificates based on their level of training.
Aidid echoes similar opinions regarding safety, saying York needs more goSAFE staff.
“We need more lighting in dark areas, specifically in parking lots, and walkways, as well as on the Village sidewalks,” says Aidid.
“Another thing would be improving hours for the Glendon shuttle, as well as the shuttle to the Village.”
“I know [with] people I’ve talked to, their views line up with mine—a lot of them—which I’m happy about. So it’s great those things can be heard, but I also am really interested in figuring out what other people’s concerns are.”
Both nominees’ profiles are available on the York website. Voting ends on April 4, 2014 at 5 p.m.
Salem Tesfai
Staff Writer
