Zarifa Nawar is seeking reelection as AMS VP academic and university affairs (AUA) on a platform of affordability, academic policy career development, and equity and accessibility.
A third-year student pursuing a BA in gender, race, sexuality and social justice with a minor in political science, Nawar has held the VP AUA role since November, 2024 following the removal of former VP AUA Drédyn Fontana. Prior to that, Nawar served as the associate VP academic from May to November, 2024.
“I have worked on every single major deliverable in this office, including the academic experience survey, budget submissions and executive goals,” she said. “There is no one currently running who knows how to run this office like me.”
Since assuming office, Nawar said she has secured $250,000 for undergraduate research and $150,000 for accessible and hybrid learning through the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Fellows Program. She said she has also worked on securing additional investments for food security and student housing initiatives.
One of Nawar’s main goals is student affordability. She wants to push for a month-to-month off-campus rental bursary and advocate for capping on-campus housing rent increases.
Nawar also wants UBC to accelerate the construction of over 3,300 new student housing beds, as outlined in Campus Vision 2050, and ensure they remain affordable for students.
In addition to housing affordability, Nawar said she wants to secure a renewal of UBC’s $800,000 multi-year commitment to food security initiatives, ensuring AMS Food Bank funding and additional affordability measures continue.
On the academic front, Nawar is pushing for changes to UBC’s academic policies, including a review of the AI teaching and learning guidelines. She said students should be encouraged to use generative AI tools in coursework, rather than face prohibitive restrictions.
Nawar is also advocating for a university-wide review of exam policies to prevent exams from being scheduled in the two weeks before the formal exam period, and plans to push for the add/drop deadline to be extended until the last day of classes.
Additionally, Nawar plans to push for changes to UBC’s disability accommodations policy LR7.
“This is a policy that is long overdue for review,” Nawar said. “In my opinion, there is significant vague language throughout the policy, but particularly in the definition of temporary health issues.”
Nawar said she also wants to prioritize harm reduction on campus in addition to expanding funding for sexual violence prevention initiatives.
“I want to ensure that UBC continues to prioritize sexual violence prevention through … services like SVPRO, which is a sexual violence prevention office, and work with the AMS SASC, which is a sexual assault support centre.”
If reelected, Nawar plans to continue engaging students through consultations, surveys and increased transparency in AMS decision-making.
“I have put my absolute blood, sweat and tears into this job,” she said. “I have a proven track record of not letting [students] down, and I will continue to deliver results.”
Nawar is running against the current AUS VP Academic Ananya Gupta.
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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