Shorya Goyal, a third-year psychology major, is running to be a student senator-at-large on a platform of making the academic appeal process more transparent, implementing compassionate withdrawal and grade adjustment policies for mental health crises and expanding mental health services.
Goyal is currently a residence advisor at UBC Housing and sits on UBC Vancouver Presidential Committee for Non-academic Misconduct Committee. As a member, he has experience investigating cases of students accused of non-academic misconduct.
“I was just very motivated to apply for the Senate position and take my experiences and the skills that I have developed in [the Committee], and apply those to the Senate,” Goyal said in an interview with The Ubyssey.
Goyal plans to make the academic appeal process more transparent and accessible for students accused of academic misconduct.
“There's a lot of anxiety surrounding the entire process, because sometimes [accusations] are not right. I just want to make sure that the appeal process is as transparent and as accessible to everybody on campus,” he said. However, Goyal did not provide specifics on how he would make the process more transparent.
His other priority is aimed at implementing compassionate withdrawal and grade adjustment policies for students suffering from mental health crises beyond the withdrawal date.
“If I [am elected] to the Senate, I want to go for a method where students can withdraw from courses without excessive documentation if they are suffering from something like mental health crises,” Goyal said.
Goyal emphasized the need for expanded mental health services on campus due to the prevalent mental health issues among UBC students. He also did provide specific initiatives he would take to accomplish this goal.
Goyal said he differentiates his platform by being honest and realistic, avoiding unrealistic promises and focusing on achievable goals.
“If I say that I'm going to do something, I will try my very best to make it happen.”
He noted that he is only running for the Senate position, and states this highlights his commitment, unlike other candidates who are running for multiple positions.
Goyal also pointed out how 15 people are running for 5 student senate-at-large seats. “But a lot of these people who are [running] for the Senate are also [running] for other positions, whereas I am just [running] for the Senate.”
Goyal has not decided on which of the 11 standing committees he hopes to sit on.
If elected, Goyal plans to engage with students by posting regular Senate updates on social media platforms like Instagram and Reddit, and making sure he is readily accessible to students on campus.
“If I encounter someone on campus, and if they want to have a discussion about Senate, and if I am not under a time crunch, then I’d love to have that discussion.”
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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