Martlet questionnaire

nicole iaci
for Director at Large
At whAt point did you become interested in politics? whAt mAde you decide to run? Even before embarking on my studies through university I had an avid interest in politics. I am a firm believer that our generation should be aware of the political happenings in our country. Moreover, as voter apathy has been an increasing problem in Canadian politics, I feel that taking initiative in looking into current issues is extremely important. Although I never imagined myself as a politician, my increasing interest in politics led me to the decision to run in the UVSS elections. As a university student I feel that right now is the perfect time to start getting involved in politics, as we are the future of this country. Further, as an individual working through my post-secondary degree, I have become increasingly aware of the governments failure to pay attention to us. Things need to change, so I figure: why not start here and see where the road takes me? would you consider pursuing politics beyond the scope of A university setting? You never know until you try. I have enjoyed the university political setting thus far, but only time and exposure will tell if this is the route for me. Student politics is a great opportunity to get involved in the community and gain experience. A career in politics has been something I have occasionally considered, but I guess I will have to wait and see if politics has a place in my future. which federAl politicAl pArty do your support/ feel most closely reflects your politics? I have always felt that I am mainly liberal in my political views. However, I feel that an increasing problem in Canadian politics is how federal political parties represent themdont really believe in voting on behalf of one federal party because the system needs to change. My politics reflect the issues I believe in, not the category my beliefs happen to fall under. hAve you ever been to A boArd meeting? Although I have never attended a board meeting I am eager and willing to learn how a board meeting transpires. I think it is important that each week the board meets to discuss the occurrences in the UVSSequally important is the participation and cooperation of its members. whAt is your position on uvics smoking policy thAt bAns smoking inside ring roAd? Although I am not a smoker, and never have beenI strongly disagree with UVics smoking policy that bans smoking inside Ring Road. Im sure we have all witnessed a fellow student light up a cigarette within Ring Road as the smoking policy has been difficult to enforce. While I am indifferent to the occasional exposure to second hand smoke, I know this bothers a number of students. There needs to be designated areas for smokers as this is the only way we can ensure that smokers do not bother their fellow peers. Further, without the proper disposal of cigarettes within Ring Road a number of environmental concerns ensue. whAt is victoriAs first trAnsit priority? I think we can all agree that more late night and early morning bus routes are a top priority

I would like the Public Transit system to make a stronger effort to reach out to the community to hear what their needs are. Andrew Fortune Director at Large Candidate
selves. While I am a liberal thinker, I have not always agreed with the Liberal Party of Canada. This leads me to questioning the system altogether. For example, in last years election I struggled with who to vote formy prime minister or the representative in my riding. This brings me to the conclusion that I

mArtlet February 20, 2012

for Victorias transit system. However, this is something that can easily be achieved in the short term. Something that I think Victorias transit system should start considering is a light transit line to help decrease our carbon footprint. At the boArd level, whAt chAnges cAn be mAde to increAse the uvss visibility on cAmpus, such As voter turnout, pArticipAtion, etc? I think the best way the UVSS can increase their visibility on campus is to express themselves with confidence. I think if the UVSS has a firm belief in what they are doing, their fellow peers will also channel their inner student spirit. In regards to higher voter turn out, the UVSS needs to address issues that most directly affect the desires of the students, and that is exactly what I feel is happening this year around. And finally, to further increase awareness of the UVSS, better promotion of events held by the UVSS, as well as services offered need to be better publicized. The student union is at all of our disposal, and once people become aware of services offered then we will see an increase in student participation. whAt do you plAn on doing After grAduAtion And whAt kind of skills do you hope to Acquire on the uvss boArd? After graduation I hope to go to law school, perhaps focusing on Aboriginal Law. I think that the a position on the UVSS board would be incredibly helpful in acquiring some of the skills required to make it in this kind of profession. I hope to enhance my people skills and continue developing my public speaking. I feel that I have a lot of great ideas, and I hope that my participation on the board will help me voice them with confidence. if you were to creAte Any course At uvic, whAt would it be And why? I had to think long and hard about this questionand ultimately what I feel would be most useful is the implementation of a course dedicated to contemporary issues in Canadian politics. Even as a Political Science student I find that it takes a lot of effort

to keep up with the ongoing of political issues in our country. Sure, one can pick up a newspaper each morning, but in a sense, arent global newspapers just an outlet for political propaganda? Newspapers are not free of political biases, and I think it would be beneficial to offer a course that looks further into current political issues. Not only would a course like this be an interesting addition to ones course load, but it would also be highly advantageous to the UVic community, while further generating more youth interest in politics. whAt is the best coffee on cAmpus? I think when one relies on coffee as heavily as I do, it does not matter where you get your coffee from, as long as it gets the job done. Is this a metaphor for student politics? I dont know.