Bardia Mohammadizadeh, a second-year neuroscience student, is running for one of five student senator-at-large positions.
Mohammadizadeh said he was motivated to run to address the imbalance in senators from the Faculty of Science.
Mohammadizadeh specifically pointed out that science is underrepresented compared to the Faculty of Arts. “Art has only 30 per cent more students than [the Faculty of Science], but multiple times the representation,” he said.
His other priorities include addressing UBC’s AI policy and securing more funding for research opportunities for undergraduates.
Mohammadizadeh believes generative AI should be seen as a tool for learning, and he thinks UBC should update its AI policy to be less vague, setting clear guidelines for AI use. The Senate has been working on draft guidelines for generative AI since 2024 and while principles and guidelines are available, there is no approved policy yet.
“I think there is an epidemic of fear that is currently in our teachers and course coordinators because of academic dishonesty and misconduct, and that leads to very restrictive rules on AI,” said Mohammadizadeh.
Mohammadizadeh opposes bans on generative AI, believing restricting such tools removes from students one of the most powerful learning tools. He believes that generative AI, including paid services like Chat GPT premium, should be provided to students at no cost like Microsoft office.
“I think there will be tremendous benefit to both the students and the university if we get that done,” he said.
Mohammadizadeh also wants to advocate for more funding as well as additional undergraduate research positions. “There's a lot of students right now who are practically begging for a lab spot … and we unfortunately don't have enough positions for them."
When asked about how he viewed the work Senate had done this year, Mohammadizadeh said “overall, the Senate has been doing an okay job,” — but did not name any specific policies or accomplishments.
He criticized what he sees as a “lazy response from everyone in the student government” to generate AI policies and lack of research opportunities.
Mohammadizadeh, who sees himself as a younger voice with a fresh perspective. He said despite “not having much university related experience,” he believes his experience running clubs in high school, tutoring students and being an orientation leader for Imagine Day will make him a good student senator.
When asked about which Senate committee he’d like to join, Mohammadizadeh said he hadn’t given it much thought, but will decide if elected. He said he would focus on “academics” but if other committees needed more priority, he’d pivot to those.
When asked about the Senate’s role in geopolitics and Senate discussion on creating a policy on institutional neutrality, Mohammadizadeh said the university should attempt to be politically neutral, but not give up ethics and humanity.
“We've had numerous protests in the last years … I think it's important for any member of the Senate … to be listening to these protests,” said Mohammadizadeh.
“I do think that we shouldn't be afraid to … consider humanities in the decisions that we're making, even if that might come [at] the cost of money.”
This article is part of our 2025 AMS Elections coverage. Follow us at @UbysseyNews on X (formerly Twitter) and follow our election coverage starting March 3.
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