Drédyn Fontana is running for re-election to UBC’s Senate on a platform championing governance collaboration, improved resourcing and more expansive accommodations for students across the board.
In addition to his former position on the Senate, the fifth-year electrical engineering and international relations student also previously occupied the role of AMS VP Academic and University Affairs (AUA).
Fontana was removed from office after an inquiry into his performance in fall 2024, but has since claimed he is planning to sue for wrongful termination, alleging he was removed out of retaliation. Fontana is also running for AMS President this election cycle.
Fontana said his prior experience working in the AMS has provided him with valuable insights, and he said he would use that knowledge on Senate to advocate for increased collaboration across the two government bodies.
While Fontana emphasized student engagement as a key focus — stating that social media campaigns can help raise issue-awareness — he also said the most effective way to engage students is by having Senate work closely with the VP Academics of UBC’s constituencies.
“One of the best ways [to disseminate information] is to engage with students who are engaged with students,” said Fontana. “If student leaders understand how Senate works, they can better communicate those insights to their constituencies.”
Fontana also said he would advocate for increasing both policy enforcement mechanisms and Senate Secretariat resources. The Senate Secretariat, also known as the Senate and Curriculum Services, is the staff that supports the UBC Senate.
“If [the Senate Secretariat] aren’t properly staffed, we won't be able to coordinate the committees and working groups we need to get things done," Fontana said.
Fontana also plans to promote disability accommodations, particularly for those who rely on UBC’s Centre for Accessibility (CfA) programs. Arguing that the current model is not equipped to accommodate the evolving student population, Fontana said he would push for a review of UBC’s disability accommodations policy LR7.
"We’re seeing a huge uptick in the number of students registered with the CfA, and our systems aren’t built to support that," said Fontana.
“[As] someone who was diagnosed here at UBC and registered with the CfA in my fourth year, I know that there are a lot of issues with the way that [LR7] operates, and I would like to see those addressed.”
Fontana also said he would work to change UBC’s current deferred standing period, as some students who defer their April exams must wait until around fall to complete second-semester courses. Fontana said he would push to form either a second standing-deferred period or the creation of a testing centre like the one at UBCO.
Fontana said the slow pace of the Senate made it difficult to list his successes and failures, but he said much of the work he’d done was in laying groundwork for future changes and making sure that work was in the students’ best interests.
"The Senate is a very slow-moving body," he said. "I'd like to stick around and see some of those plans through."
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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