Four candidates will compete in upcoming undergraduate trustee election
Four candidates were approved to be on the ballot for the March 2020 undergraduate student trustee by-election at Thursday’s AMS Assembly following the resignation of former Undergraduate Trustee Tyler Macintyre.
Undergraduate students Michael Zhang, Michael Fraser, Aidan Turnbull, and Shoshannah Bennett Dwara were approved to be on the ballot on Mar. 12. They took turns answering questions posed to them by Assembly members.
AMS President Auston Pierce opened the question period by asking students why they were interested in running.
Turnbull, CompSci ’21, said he hopes to influence university life well beyond his time as undergraduate trustee if elected.
“I’ve lived in Kingston my whole life, I love this school,” Turnbull said. “I don’t know too much about the position right now, but I’d like to make a difference.”
Bennett Dwara, ArtSci ’21, said she wanted to make students feel more included and safe on Queen’s campus.
“I think I can bring a different voice that is not heard on the Board of Trustees right now,” Bennett Dwara said. “I do want to make it easier for the people that are following in my footsteps to have a better experience at Queen’s.”
Fraser, ArtSci ’21, said he had always wanted to become engaged in student advocacy without being partisan. He also spoke to the abilities of the Board of Trustees to influence the business side of the University, and the importance of advocating for the student voice within their dealings.
“I feel that this role would allow me to advocate for all students rather than getting involved in student government and actually having to pick sides,” Fraser said.
Michael Zhang cited the recent treatment of Asian students in response to fears surrounding COVID-19 as his inspiration to run.
“I’ve seen many stories of international students being mistreated simply because they are Asian,” Zhang said. “[These people] should be held fully accountable.”
The undergraduate trustee by-election will be held March 24-25.
