By-election voting goes online
By Stacey Janzer
Lance Writer
October 17, 2007
 Students will be given the option of voting online for this year’s UWSA by-elections, in an effort to increase student interest in the annual event, which takes place from Oct. 23 to 25.
Students can go to www.uwindsor.ca/uwsavote to cast their vote, or visit a polling station located throughout campus in the Toldo Health Education Centre, Odette School Of Business, CAW Student Centre, Human Kinetics building, Lebel building, and the Law building.
The four positions available include one science, business, and first-year representative, as well as a new board of director member, which is open to any undergraduate student.
Justin Teeuwen, Chief Returning Officer (CRO) for the UWSA, is heading the election preparations this year. Justin has high expectations for both the upcoming by-election and the general UWSA election that will be held next spring.
Teeuwen said, “I hope to improve the voting record by 5 per cent and the number of candidates by 20 per cent.” To increase voter turnout, Teeuwen will have poll clerks handing out flyers to students.
Approximately 400 students voted in last year’s by-elections, and 2,200 voted in the general elections.
The candidates for the first-year representative position are Yousef Shaban, Colin Baldner, and Elie Gharib.
Baldner believes his experience makes him an ideal candidate for the role. “I was a member of student parliament for four years, editor of the yearbook and currently I am a member of the Odette Debate Team, and a member of the Town of Lakeshore Youth Council.”
Many more students are striving for the covenant Board of Directors position, including Eric James, Charlie Thai, Tosin Bello, Andrew MacDonald, and Thomas Sasso.
“I believe that the goal of the Board of Directors should be to be the direct voice of the students with regards to financial matters of the UWSA. We should not observe in what ways the UWSA could make and spend money but rather we should ensure that students are paying the least amount for the most amount of services and events from the UWSA,” said James.
Human Resource Association president, Gary Filiatrault, is one of five individuals running for business representative. “I think that my experience in the industry as an employee, supervisor and manager has given me some practical experience in dealing with business situations. I feel that I would represent the students of the Odette School of Business in a dignified and professional manner.”
Another business representative hopeful, Supriya Ramesh, said, “I actually care about representing my fellow business students. I am not running for the sake of it…I want to help make a difference by being dedicated and dealing with every situation to the best of my ability.”
“Business is about choosing the best possible decision, business students should elect the very best. I will listen and try to represent their best interests,” promised Albert Woo.
Spencer Hills and Syed Snakeel Anwar are the other students running for business representative.
Deniz Alpas, Odion Kalazi, Oorian Murarlu, DePaul Rai, Adam Jacobsen, Parvati Dadwa, are all competing to be the new science representative.
“I’m very friendly, easy to approach…and I’m not afraid to voice my opinions. My values are very much in tune with the values of most science majors, and I really enjoy what I do,” explained Alpas, a second year chemistry student.
“My goal is to strengthen the ties between Science Society and UWSA to properly represent science students while maintaining a front necessary to further develop and enhance our university experience,” said Dadwa. “I am hoping to change exam policies, specifically changes in exam scheduling as well as bringing more co-op opportunities to students in Faculty of Science.”
Campaigning for the by-election will end on Oct. 21, and an all candidates forum will take place today from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the CAW Commons.
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