Students at the University of Ottawa are trying to encourage others to vote in their student association elections with a sarcastic video demanding they do the opposite.
Emma Jacek, a fourth-year communications student and current vice-president (social) of the university’s communications students’ association, expressed her discontent with the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) by creating a video that outlines why students should be more involved with their student union.
“Don’t vote, why the fuck should you care?” one student said.
“Who cares that SFUO favours certain political affiliations and religious groups while not truly representing their students?” another asked.
Styled after the American 2008 presidential campaign videos that carried the same satirical tones, Jacek said she hopes students start taking an active interest in the SFUO’s dealings.
“People in this office are getting paid $30,000, you should probably consider who you’re giving money to,” she said. “You’re paying for their job.”
Last year, the elections for the SFUO saw an 11 per cent voter turnout, one elected official immediately impeached, and 92 per cent of engineering students vote in favour of separating their union from the SFUO, according to the video.
Ben Pearson, a fourth-year health sciences student and vice-president (social) of his faculty, said students are concerned with the SFUO taking political stances on issues such as tuition fees.
“While I completely agree that tuition fees are too high . . . there is absolutely no way that 100 per cent of the students are going to be united under one issue,” said Pearson, who appeared in the video.
“The student executive [should be] about enhancing student life, rather than campaigning for political agendas,” Pearson said. “If you’re paid $30,000 a year, you should be in your office.”
Current SFUO vice-president (finance) Sarah Jayne King said students should be involved in campus politics to make sure their services are the way they want them to be.
In response to the allegations of being too invested in political issues above student issues, King said she thinks the union is fulfilling its role to provide for students.
“I think the role of a student union is to provide services and to push for student interests,” King said. “That’s exactly what the SFUO has done for many years and will continue to do.”
“Student unions provide important services, whether it’s a pride centre or the health plan,” King said. “All of these things should have the input of students, so voting is a very good way to make sure the people elected can provided the services and programming you want to see.”
Samantha Taylor, a first-year criminology student at the University of Ottawa, said she has no intention of voting because of the lack of information students are given on campus.
“I legit don’t know anything about it,” Taylor said. “They have posters that I’ve seen but it’s super minimal info. Nowhere does it say why vote or what’s its about. No one’s going to take the time to go vote on something [if] they have no idea what it is just by looking at a poster.”
Tania Ouellette, a third-year criminology and psychology student, said she didn’t even know there was an election coming up.
“If something was bothering me regarding my university, maybe then I would try and get involved,” Ouellette said. “But as of now, I can’t complain.”
Riyadh Nazerally, a second-year communications student, disagreed. He said voting is necessary.
“I want transparency in the SFUO, and a president and communications representative that actually communicates with students and vice-presidents on a regular basis,” Nazerally said. “Placing a vote is important, because that sends a message that students want change within the federated
body.”
— with files from Cassie Aylward.
