Cole Evans is vying for the AMS presidential role on a platform of student advocacy and support.
The third-year political science student and current AMS VP Administration has encompassed a wide range of topics into his platform from mental health to housing affordability and climate justice.
In an interview with The Ubyssey, Evans said the top priorities would be pushing the university to prioritize affordable student housing and density planning, supporting marginalized communities by implementing the AMS Equity Plan and advocating for increased funding in UBC mental health services.
“UBC can commit a ton more funding to mental health on campus so we need to make sure that we are pushing the VP students portfolio to invest millions more into Integrated Health Services,” he said.
“Not just to support those students who have acute and chronic mental health issues but also being proactive about it and making sure that students feel, that when they're on campus, they feel safe and that they know where to go.”
Ensuring the AMS Equity Plan is properly implemented across the society is one of Evans’s top priorities under his plan of equity, diversity and inclusion. Additionally, he wants to create campaigns that encourage students from marginalized communities to get involved in the AMS.
“Just really reinforcing the message that: yes you do have a right to be at the table. You do have a right to pursue this and … we're here to support you through that pursuit to bring more voices to the table.”
He’s also advocating for “bold climate action goals,” including making the AMS carbon neutral. Evans said it’s a lofty but attainable goal that will require the entire AMS to be on board.
“I think that that's going to be a full team effort on the AMS side to really make that happen, and to really make us a leader in sustainability.”
Evans also said he wants to focus on making himself more accessible than his predecessor had to students as well as the rest of the executive team.
“I really do believe … it’s really important to support [the executive] and show your support, and not look at it from a top-down perspective but look at it as a collective and in a ‘we’ sense.”
During both debates, he focused on articulating concrete steps outlined in his platform while being sure to point out the missteps of Ian Stone, a competitor with AMS experience.
While Stone pointed out that Evans had not carried out some of the promises he made in his run for VP Administration, such as revamping the bookings system, Evans responded that the slow process was to ensure they “get it right the first time.”
Overall Evans says his drive to run for president — as well as a senator-at-large seat — comes from a passion for helping students.
“I’ve always been accountable to students. I've always been clear with students to earn their trust and their support. To make sure that in the work I’m doing is justified and the work that I’m doing is supported.”
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