Though the event was hosted in front of students, only USC council members can vote to elect the positions of VP-student affairs, VPfinance, VP-education and VPcampus issues.
The hot button issue for VPeducation candidates Shane Gonzalvez and Matt Wilson was the provincial government’s Rae Review.
“I think if we’re looking at the whole thing, it’s good,” Gonzalvez said. “However, one problem is that it talks about raising tuition as long as financial aid is improved. The problem with that is the government could raise tuition without improving financial aid and defend it by saying it was part of the Rae Review.”
“There are a lot of good things about it and a lot of bad things,” Wilson said. “One of the bad things was the idea of income-contingent loan repayments.”
The candidates for VP-campus issues were questioned over morality on campus.
“If [the USC is] going to be proactive [about moral issues], then it has to be an issue of safety,” noted VP-campus issues candidate Glenn Waugh.
“The VP-CI has two major roles,” said candidate Kelly Wilson. “To ensure campus is safe and to ensure that every group is able to convey their messages. Council should be used to debate issues, but make sure minority groups have representatives.”
A lack of attendance at some sporting events was a recurring theme for the candidates for the position of VP-student affairs.
“We should work with the commissioner in charge of sports and bring out teams and athletes to USC events to promote both USC events and sporting events,” said VP-student affairs candidate Jason Eano.
“If people aren’t coming out for sports, [we need to keep in mind] that it might be because they’re cracking down on the books and becoming the next great [doctor],” explained candidate Chris Crichton. But he added every effort should be made to make students aware of sporting events.
The candidates for VP-finance were asked about the possibility of opening up a Desjardins credit union on campus.
“It is a good idea, but it needs to be brought to council to be debated. One good part of it is that it would lead to lower [student] fees,” said candidate Talia Dabby.
“I think it’s an excellent idea. We would have to remember that we would be supporting a credit union. The VP-CI might have issues about it, but we should debate it and I hope we get involved,” stated VP-finance candidate Ryan Gilmour.
“I think it’s a great idea. This is a not-for-profit initiative — it is a student-directed initiative,” added candidate Greg Donovan.