VP AUA by-election candidate profile: Joe Vu

Joe Vu is running to be your next VP academic and university affairs (AUA) on a platform of affordability and engagement.

The urban studies major said he wants to advocate for limiting tuition, providing more housing and research grants, COVID-19 grants and textbook grants. Vu, however, did not say how he would limit tuition or for which students, as domestic student tuition is protected by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Tuition Limit Policy.

Vu also said he wants to expand open education resources to reduce financial burden on students, while “promoting innovative teaching practices.” He said in addition to textbooks, he would want to make notes from professors, midterm reviews and final reviews available to students.

When asked about the relevant experience he has for the position, Vu said that while he has not directly been involved with the AMS, he has been involved with UBC clubs and has fostered communication skills by founding the city of Richmond’s Youth Advisory Committee.

“I'm here to represent the real voices,” he said.

Vu explained his biggest challenge if elected would be adapting to the new environment quickly. He also said a difficult goal would be getting survey engagement, as the previous year’s Student Experience of Instruction (SEI) surveys had low participants. However, the SEI is part of UBC’s engagement and outside of the AUA’s role, and this year the AMS Academic Experience Survey, which is overseen by the AUA office, broke the record for respondents.

When asked about whether he would consider advocating to UBC to divest from weapon manufacturers — something that was in previous VP AUA Drédyn Fontana’s executive goals for the year — he said he is currently not in support of UBC divesting, but would reconsider including it in his goals if further protests continued.

He also said advocating for divestment would be difficult to do as he would only be in office for three months. Vu further added he is in support of students protesting for human rights and peace, when protests are organized and not impacting the surrounding environment.

Vu also said he would advocate for increased transit and a SkyTrain to UBC — this is also outside of the AUA’s scope and is part of the AMS VP external’s job. When further questioned about transit advocacy falling under the external portfolio and not the AUA’s, Vu said he was open to working with everyone.

On what motivated him to run, Vu said he turned 18 in December and with the new year he wanted “to try something new, and then I just shoot my shot to be the VP [AUA].”

— with files from Viyan Handley

This is part of The Ubyssey's VP AUA by-election coverage. Find more on The Ubyssey's news page.