Two candidates on ASFA byelection ticket

The nominations are in, and only two names will be on the ballot for the VP communications position in the Arts and Science Federation of Association when students go to polls next week.

“While in some elections we receive more candidates than others, we respect the time constraints most students encounter while in university and we appreciate those who decide to involve themselves in student government,” Nick Cuillerier, ASFA’s chief electoral officer, wrote in an email.

The two candidates, third year political science major Golam Kazi and third year communications studies student Natasha Launi, began their campaigning period last week, and have until Oct. 11 to make an impression on the faculty’s students.

This fall’s byelection was made necessary by the resignation of Marco De Gregorio, who decided to end his studies at Concordia and move back to Calgary. De Gregorio became ASFA’s VP communications after accusations of illegal campaign spending overturned the initial election victory of candidate Sarah Moore.

With only two candidates in the running and few posters filling campus walls (only Launi had posters up by print time), the byelection will likely attract an even lower voter turnout than elections last spring. Despite acknowledging that all student associations face the issue of low voter participation, Cuillerier said ASFA is striving to improve, starting with this byelection. “This year, we are increasing voter awareness through using Facebook, posters, and engaging students on campus to vote,” he said.

This effort is being reinforced in the messages of both candidates.

“I would like to encourage everyone to get informed about the elections and go out and vote,” Launi wrote in an email. “We are fortunate to live in a society where we get to choose the people who represent us and a lot of students completely take that right for granted.”

Kazi also encourages all students to take the time to vote, regardless of their candidate of choice, and added that he spoke with Launi, and they were both “certain that this would be a proper and clean election.”

He concluded: “So it would be a shame if students didn’t come and be a part of this amazing process.”

Voting takes place Oct. 12 and 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Hall Building, the fourth floor of the Hall Building, and the lobby of the LB Building downtown, as well as the lobby of the AD building and the lobby of the SP Pavilion on the Loyola campus.

Your Candidates

Golam Kazi

Kazi has volunteered with ASFA and the CSU for many events including every Cultural Night, and has been DJ for multiple events as well.

Why are you the best candidate for the position?

I think I’m the best candidate for the position because I have a good understanding of crowd mentality. When it comes to promoting events and advertising, it is not just a matter of creating a Facebook group or putting up posters. Not to say that those aren’t good options. But it is important to understand the nature of whatever it is that is being presented to the students. I also have a better understanding of the inner workings of ASFA given my close relationship with most of the executives from last year.

What will your mandate be if elected?

My mandate is very simple. I want make ASFA more accessible to the students. So I’m calling my campaign the “Our ASFA campaign” and its goal is to give the students a voice in ASFA. So I’m taking specific steps to ensure students can have a say. I will be arranging a meeting time every week at school, open to all students who can come and speak to me in person to voice their concerns, have their ideas heard or just simply talk to me. I’m a big proponent of creative work whether it is music, visual arts or any other form of self-expression. So I would promote and organize online contests where students can submit their work to ASFA and be recognized for their contribution to an association, which is essentially theirs. I will also establish stronger relationship with all the member associations.

What message would you offer to students?

It’s a simple message. It is your money that goes into funding everything ASFA does. These are your years as a student and should be the most memorable years of you lives. But only you can design these memories. So elect me and give me a chance to have your voice heard.

Natasha Launi

Launi has been active on the Coms Guild as a representative, VP Social and now Co-President, and is also a professional photographer and graphic artist.

Why do you feel you’re the best candidate to fill the position?

I feel I am the best candidate for the position because I work in communications on a professional level and I study it. I am fluent in all aspects of the communications field like graphic design, filming, editing, photography, and public relations. I am beneficial to the ASFA executives because I offer a lot of hands on experience, something the other candidate does not have.

What will your mandate be if elected?

I want to create visibility for ASFA (i.e. better website, visibility campaign, using social media), protest for student rights and communicate effectively on behalf of ASFA. President Woodsworth plans on lifting the tuition freeze by 2012 and for many students this would be a big financial burden. I have a voice and encourage speaking up for what is right.

What message would you offer to students?

There are so many interesting events and opportunities available to Arts and Science students organized by ASFA. Apathy is a problem amongst students and when you get involved you gain as much as you give. Get involved, see what’s out there for you and most importantly, go out and vote!

The nominations are in, and only two names will be on the ballot for the VP communications position in the Arts and Science Federation of Association when students go to polls next week.

“While in some elections we receive more candidates than others, we respect the time constraints most students encounter while in university and we appreciate those who decide to involve themselves in student government,” Nick Cuillerier, ASFA’s chief electoral officer, wrote in an email.

The two candidates, third year political science major Golam Kazi and third year communications studies student Natasha Launi, began their campaigning period last week, and have until Oct. 11 to make an impression on the faculty’s students.

This fall’s byelection was made necessary by the resignation of Marco De Gregorio, who decided to end his studies at Concordia and move back to Calgary. De Gregorio became ASFA’s VP communications after accusations of illegal campaign spending overturned the initial election victory of candidate Sarah Moore.

With only two candidates in the running and few posters filling campus walls (only Launi had posters up by print time), the byelection will likely attract an even lower voter turnout than elections last spring. Despite acknowledging that all student associations face the issue of low voter participation, Cuillerier said ASFA is striving to improve, starting with this byelection. “This year, we are increasing voter awareness through using Facebook, posters, and engaging students on campus to vote,” he said.

This effort is being reinforced in the messages of both candidates.

“I would like to encourage everyone to get informed about the elections and go out and vote,” Launi wrote in an email. “We are fortunate to live in a society where we get to choose the people who represent us and a lot of students completely take that right for granted.”

Kazi also encourages all students to take the time to vote, regardless of their candidate of choice, and added that he spoke with Launi, and they were both “certain that this would be a proper and clean election.”

He concluded: “So it would be a shame if students didn’t come and be a part of this amazing process.”

Voting takes place Oct. 12 and 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Hall Building, the fourth floor of the Hall Building, and the lobby of the LB Building downtown, as well as the lobby of the AD building and the lobby of the SP Pavilion on the Loyola campus.

Your Candidates

Golam Kazi

Kazi has volunteered with ASFA and the CSU for many events including every Cultural Night, and has been DJ for multiple events as well.

Why are you the best candidate for the position?

I think I’m the best candidate for the position because I have a good understanding of crowd mentality. When it comes to promoting events and advertising, it is not just a matter of creating a Facebook group or putting up posters. Not to say that those aren’t good options. But it is important to understand the nature of whatever it is that is being presented to the students. I also have a better understanding of the inner workings of ASFA given my close relationship with most of the executives from last year.

What will your mandate be if elected?

My mandate is very simple. I want make ASFA more accessible to the students. So I’m calling my campaign the “Our ASFA campaign” and its goal is to give the students a voice in ASFA. So I’m taking specific steps to ensure students can have a say. I will be arranging a meeting time every week at school, open to all students who can come and speak to me in person to voice their concerns, have their ideas heard or just simply talk to me. I’m a big proponent of creative work whether it is music, visual arts or any other form of self-expression. So I would promote and organize online contests where students can submit their work to ASFA and be recognized for their contribution to an association, which is essentially theirs. I will also establish stronger relationship with all the member associations.

What message would you offer to students?

It’s a simple message. It is your money that goes into funding everything ASFA does. These are your years as a student and should be the most memorable years of you lives. But only you can design these memories. So elect me and give me a chance to have your voice heard.

Natasha Launi

Launi has been active on the Coms Guild as a representative, VP Social and now Co-President, and is also a professional photographer and graphic artist.

Why do you feel you’re the best candidate to fill the position?

I feel I am the best candidate for the position because I work in communications on a professional level and I study it. I am fluent in all aspects of the communications field like graphic design, filming, editing, photography, and public relations. I am beneficial to the ASFA executives because I offer a lot of hands on experience, something the other candidate does not have.

What will your mandate be if elected?

I want to create visibility for ASFA (i.e. better website, visibility campaign, using social media), protest for student rights and communicate effectively on behalf of ASFA. President Woodsworth plans on lifting the tuition freeze by 2012 and for many students this would be a big financial burden. I have a voice and encourage speaking up for what is right.

What message would you offer to students?

There are so many interesting events and opportunities available to Arts and Science students organized by ASFA. Apathy is a problem amongst students and when you get involved you gain as much as you give. Get involved, see what’s out there for you and most importantly, go out and vote!

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