Campaign Platform

My name is Saryssa Thiara and I am a third-year psychology student running to be the next Vice President Academic for the Faculty of Arts Students’ Association (FASA)! This upcoming year I hope to elevate the academic resources, events, and advocacy initiatives available to students in the Arts by improving resource allocation within academics, striving for more student support, and re-implementing crucial tools that amplify student voices on campus. 

Empowering students through communication. As a student on campus, I have seen first-hand how important it is for students to have accessible academic support that feels welcoming and supportive. I believe strongly that academia in the fields of the humanities are incredibly valuable, and students deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard and shared regarding changes in the Faculty of Arts. As VP Academic, I plan on re-implementing periodic office hours throughout the Fall and Winter academic terms, where students can come and discuss their academic concerns with me. I vow to be a trustworthy and reliable liaison with Arts administration and staff, and intend on staying grounded in the experiences of the student population through these regular interactions. While I cannot guarantee that I will always have the answer, I can guarantee that I will always point students in the direction of helpful resources, and pass on their concerns to staff and executives who can take action. I also plan to advocate for improvements to existing programs, ensuring that students have access to opportunities that enhance their academic growth. By actively listening and collaborating with both students and administration, I aim to make the Faculty of Arts a place where every student feels supported and empowered to succeed in their studies and beyond.

Enhancing AURS. Over the past two years, I have volunteered with FASA as part of the AURS working group, first as an Associate Director and most recently as Director. This experience has given me valuable insight not only into AURS, but also into the broader academic and advocacy initiatives within FASA, making it one of my strongest qualifications for VP Academic. AURS is a unique event on our campus, providing a platform for arts research that often receives less recognition and resources compared to scientific disciplines in other undergraduate research initiatives. Having seen numerous presentations from the Faculty of Arts, I can confidently say that our research is powerful, informative, and essential. If elected VP Academic, I will advocate for AURS to grow in both visibility and prestige. To do this, I plan on recruiting additional Directors to improve advertising, planning, and fundraising from the start of the Fall term. To support students and build confidence, I would also organize two practice presentation events before AURS, giving first-time presenters the opportunity to refine their skills and prepare for a larger audience and professional judging. Drawing from my experience as a research assistant, I understand the pressure of presenting research effectively, and I believe these sessions will provide meaningful practice for both AURS and future academic and professional opportunities.

Expanding the Research Journal. I plan to lead the creation of a new edition of the Arts Undergraduate Research Journal, collaborating with professors to ensure student work is polished, impactful, and well recognized. Having run a monthly newsletter on campus for the last year, I have experience putting together engaging and relevant content, and I am excited to apply this knowledge to make the journal a meaningful platform for student work. I plan on reaching out to other organizations on campus that publish student writing to create opportunities for students to share their research with a wider audience, and have competitive achievements to add to their resume. I plan to include as many different areas of research in this journal as possible to highlight the diversity and depth in our faculty. 

In the coming year, my goal is to ensure that our students are supported, recognized, and prepared for success. Not only will I work hard for enrichment in student experiences in their undergraduate degrees, but I will also help equip students with valuable skills as they move into competitive job markets, graduate programs, and future opportunities. It would be my honour to serve as VP Academic for the upcoming year, and help Arts students succeed every step of the way!