Students competing for the position of Residence Society (ResSoc) Vice-President of Judicial Affairs (VPJA) went head-to-head in a virtual debate Sunday night.

The debate saw the two VPJA candidates—Helen Wang, Comm ’22, and Vivian Yang, Sci ’22 and BEd ’23—answer a series of moderated questions over Zoom. The questions were posed by Eliot Little, deputy electoral officer, and Julia Guest, vice-president of residence affairs. 

The discussion addressed the first-year experience in residence; Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Indigeneity (EDII); COVID-19; residence conduct; and leadership. Following the moderated questions, the floor was opened to questions from the audience.

In her opening statement, Wang offered an overview of her three platform pillars: Champion, Connect, and Community. She urged voters to “elect [your] champion, vote Helen.” 

In Yang’s opening statement, she spoke to the culture shock she experienced upon arriving at Queen’s. 

“I hope to make the first year experience in residence less daunting,” she said.  

The first debate segment had each candidate describe the types of events and awareness campaigns they hope ResSoc will host next year. Yang suggested ResSoc host residence-wide trivia and create Kahoot templates for Residence Dons to use.

Wang hopes to engage students and staff with ResSoc by offering a combination of passive programming through informative posters, synchronous programming, and existing community meetings. 

READ MORE: Roshael Chellappah voted next ResSoc President

Both candidates stressed the importance of pushing for more EDII initiatives in the upcoming school year. 

“We often make assumptions about what students want to see, but incorporating their perspectives is a good starting point to brainstorming EDII initiatives,” Wang said. “ResSoc needs to be more proactive about their EDII efforts, starting with targeting student bias and ignorance.” 

Yang said that, if elected, she will hang Indigenous and Pride flags in every common room and incorporate personal land acknowledgements at all community meetings. 

Should COVID-19 restrictions continue in the upcoming school year, both candidates hope to maximize the Residence Facilitator (RF) role to help ensure the conduct system is less intimidating.  

“I want to reintroduce the RF role as a direct stakeholder in the conduct decision-making space,” Yang said. 

Yang also hopes to help first-year students manage the stress associated with COVID-19 by organizing for therapy dogs to make weekly rounds in all residences. 

Both candidates said they hope to expand the visibility of the Student Appreciation in Residence (STAR) program, if elected. The program rewards students for positive actions and random acts of kindness.

READ MORE: Two candidates compete for ResSoc Vice-President of Judicial Affairs

 An audience member asked the candidates who they think should carry the burden of paying for damages in residence.

“Damages occur all the time and it’s not fair for cost to be covered by students living on the floor,” Yang said.

Wang agreed with Yang, and said she would encourage the residence dons to do their due diligence before deciding who ought to pay for the damages.

Another question asked the candidates what their top priority would be, if elected. 

Both candidates stressed the importance of immediately working to reinvent the RF role. Yang said she’s most excited to introduce consistent wellness initiatives, such as weekly yoga with ResSoc. Wang said she’d set up a communication channel for students to share their concerns.

READ MORE: Roshael Chellappah voted next ResSoc President 

The candidates were also asked to speak to the qualities that make them best suited for the role of VPJA. 

“Through my two years of residence experience as both a staff and living on the alcohol and cannabis not preferred floor, I understand what students want,” Yang said.

Wang spoke to her leadership capabilities as someone who is diligent, clear in communication, holds herself accountable, and open to feedback. 

“I have a vision and I will fight for lasting change,” she said.

The ResSoc election takes place Feb. 1.