Campaign Platform

My goal in running for VP Academic is to create a lively, welcoming, and academically stimulating environment within the Faculty of Arts. This position provides an opportunity to support student opinions, improve academic resource accessibility, and foster an innovative, equitable, and cooperative culture. Our academic experiences should feel empowering, personal, and responsive. FASA should reflect its demographic as writers, thinkers, organizers, researchers, and future leaders.

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As a student, I have heard countless concerns that fail to be adequately addressed due to students not knowing where to take them. For this reason, I am committed to developing a more productive and effective feedback loop that is presented to students in a way that they are more inclined to engage with. In collaboration with VP-elect Communications, I want to introduce regular, themed student surveys via FASA’s social media platforms. This could include a new approach through interactive story posts inviting students for “Office Hours with the VP Academic.” Using the provided feedback, I will be able to take these concerns up with the Teaching and Learning Committee (TLC)  and the Faculty of Arts Council, where action is likely to be initiated.

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In addition to addressing student concerns, I aim to advocate for expanded academic support systems. This could include peer mentorship programs, writing workshops, and improved communication around resources that students already have access to but may not know how to use. With this, comes the responsibility of ensuring that students feel confident and informed when making academic decisions. Thus, I plan to develop a “Course Planning” guide - this will be a student-led resource to highlight popular courses, professor recommendations, as well as course-related tips and tricks. This would be especially beneficial for first-year and transfer students who may require guidance regarding course enrolment. Better knowledge empowers students, and that is the academic atmosphere I wish to cultivate.

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As VP, I hope to expand the Undergraduate Research Journal to a year-round project that is published twice a year, ensuring it is collaborative, visible, and inspiring. I hope to change the narrative that journals are reserved only for those whose GPAs reflect strong writing. Through my partnership with professors, we will encourage submissions by promoting the journal in class, as well as accepting student submissions directly from professors that may not have been submitted otherwise. With help from VP-elect Events, I will organize events centered around the journal, including mentorship programs, Q&As, and informative workshops about what makes a strong research paper. My vision for these events is to demystify the submission process, boost student confidence, and build the journal overall.

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Additionally, I will advocate for sustainable funding so that the research journal can have physical copies and a potential DOI, and is not reliant on student labour. As part of this commitment to showcasing undergraduate work, I will also help coordinate and support the Arts Undergraduate Research Symposium (AURS). The dedication to AURS and acknowledging its importance, as well as the meticulous planning it necessitates, is central to my campaign. I will try to make the planning process more efficient, inclusive, and cooperative with professors and volunteers.

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Serving as VP Academic is more than merely sitting on councils and organizing events - it involves listening, being present, and putting in the effort to improve our academic lives. I am prepared to contribute transparency and fresh ideas to the position to foster a more connected and student-driven environment. Ultimately, I aspire to elevate the student academic experience through tangible, persistent improvements. This entails establishing feedback loops that students actively use and trust, ensuring that students have access to resources and assistance needed to achieve success, and developing research initiatives that represent the breadth and depth of undergraduate work.

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The Faculty of Arts is home to a community of scholars, creators, and critical thinkers. As VP Academic, I will guarantee that the systems, discussions, and opportunities that influence our education represent the student body. I am prepared to be a responsive, committed, and effective advocate for all Arts students, with a strong dedication to teamwork, creativity, and equity.