VP administration candidates Anuoluwapo Awotunde, Chayan Lu, Jake Sawatzky and Ian Caguiat generally agreed on improving club communications, but clashed on approaches to space allocation at last night’s debate.
Anvi Kumar, another candidate for VP admin, was not at last night’s debate. In a statement sent to The Ubyssey, Kumar said they had prior commitments last night, but said she was excited for the Great Debate on Friday.
Candidates discussed different ideas in utilizing CampusBase. Caguiat and Awotunde proposed more training on using the website among student groups, clubs and constituencies. Sawatzky called for upgrading the website to be “more intuitive for people” as well as subsidizing other platforms, such as Wix.
Lu proposed adding a “communication system” on CampusBase.
“Sometimes people have to find policy through the AMS website or sometimes through canvas courses,” Lu said. “What if we just put everything together either on one website … [such as] the CampusBase website so that we can [ensure] the consistency of … information.”
Many candidates agreed that the new financial system and reimbursement processes were detrimental to clubs and constituencies. Since the reimbursements fall under the VP finance portfolio, Caguiat encouraged collaboration with the VP finance office to make sure club executives were properly trained.
Sawatzky advocated for using e-transfer more frequently in AMS transactions in order to ease the transition to the new financial system. Caguiat countered by saying the AMS “does officially use e-transfer as a way to give money back” to students.
When it comes to the lack of study spaces in the Nest, Lu suggested creating study events outside of the Nest to reduce overcrowding.
Caguiat and Sawatzky agreed that the chairs and countertops are not “the best place to study," and encouraged more tables and chairs at the Nest’s outdoor facilities, such as on the rooftop gardens. Awotunde questioned the accessibility and equality of outdoor spaces and proposed creating a time limit on current spaces for more equitable access.
In regards to Hatch Art Gallery, Caguiat proposed “consultation guidelines” on selling the AMS’s permanent art collection in response to some disagreement regarding the AMS’s decision to sell art pieces, as well as expanding into more community events and workshops to increase space utilization. Council has already approved the sale of these paintings
Sawatzky proposed having events such as a “live musician” or “community projects” would draw attention to the gallery. However, the gallery already does live music and monthly themed exhibits.
Lu and Awotunde expressed unfamiliarity with the gallery.
On a question about long wait times for Nest bookings, Sawatzky said clubs should “rotate … so that it’s not just one specific club that’s constantly booking the same room.” Caguiat and Awotunde agree on having more staff during large influx periods of booking requests during peak months. Lu said she plans on using CampusBase for bookings.
Candidates Lu, Awotunde and Sawatzky were vague in response to the AMS sustainability action plan (ASAP) and stuck to general talking points such as reducing plastic waste and increasing engagement. Caguiat mentioned Indigenous coordination “as one big part that is missing,” but the recent ASAP does include this section.
The VP admin candidates will have one more chance to debate each other on Friday, March 3 at the Great Debate.
Follow us at @UbysseyNews on Twitter and follow our election coverage starting February 27. This article is part of our 2023 AMS Elections coverage.
This article was updated at 5:17 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1 to include a comment from Anvi Kumar on her absence from Tuesday night's debate.
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