On March 26, AMS Council met to discuss AMS elections, appoint an interim VP student life, approve an AMS/GSS Health & Dental coverage increase and talk about early voting options for the upcoming federal election.
Here’s what you might’ve missed.
To lawn sign or not to lawn sign
According to Elections Administrator Sansian Tan, the Faculties of Science, Arts and Law saw the highest voter turnout in this year’s AMS elections, with Law leading at 38.1 per cent. Tan also noted that the tuition credits offered on the final voting days significantly increased voter turnout.
Tan recommended reducing the number of lawn signs used by candidate in the future, citing high costs and frequent vandalism.
“I think all the candidates know how frustrating it got eventually to find … their face floating around in the fountain,” said Tan. “We can't reuse them and it's a waste of money when they get pulled up in three days.”
Councillor Eshana Bhangu disagreed with Tan. Bhangu said that lawn signs and “posters that are in your face, remind you there’s an election going on.” Student Senator Jasper Lorien suggested the Elections Committee or the HR Committee should create a “consistent” system to address defaced signs and posters.
Finally, Tan said that voters whose votes were nullified due to a ballot error were not directly contacted about the issue. However, she said that the error was fixed after 40 minutes and only about 80 people voted during this time and she hoped the general email blasts notified the students that their vote had not been accepted.
Five no more
On March 14, the AMS-proposed referendum item calling for the creation of a VP student life position passed, with 7,304 students voting in favour.
According to the AMS, the VP student life position will be responsible for event planning, advocating for student mental health and wellbeing services and supporting clubs and constituencies.
Last night, AMS President Christian ‘CK’ Kyle introduced a motion to appoint himself as interim VP student life until April 30. He said that the Council plans to immediately begin the hiring process for an interim VP student life, who will then serve until a by-election in September.
The motion passed.
Increasing the AMS/GSS health & dental fee
Interim VP finance Amber Dhaliwal presented a motion recommending an AMS/GSS Health & Dental fee adjustment and coverage increase.
According to Dhaliwal, physiotherapy coverage has remained stagnant at $20 per session, despite the average cost in Vancouver being around $100 per session. Dhaliwal also noted that among Canadian universities, the AMS’s physiotherapy coverage is “by far the lowest.”
“University of Toronto is providing $30 per visit. Some other universities are even up towards $40 to $50, and I think it's time that UBC can also provide this increase,” said Dhaliwal.
Dhaliwal said the AMS Health and Dental Committee recommends a three per cent increase to the annual AMS/GSS Health & Dental fee — this would make the total fee $388.26 for the 2025/26 school year. The fee increase would boost physiotherapy coverage to $40 per session.
The motion passed.
Federal election incoming
Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney called a snap election for April 28.
Kyle wants to advertise early voting to students, especially given that the final voting day falls one day after the last exam time. Additionally, April 28 is move-out day for Winter Session residences.
“We're navigating how to get people engaged with at least early voting [and] looking at a stronger digital engagement strategy,” said Kyle.
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