Voting for the Board of Governors and the Senate closes at 4:30 p.m. today, but are you one of the students wondering what these groups actually do?
Both the Board of Governors and the Senate play a large role in the Ryerson student experience. The Senate focuses more on the academic side, while the Board of Governors focuses on other factors, such as financial matters.
A new president will replace Sheldon Levy on the Board of Governors next year, and elections are happening for the three student positions.
The board is comprised of 24 members: a president, a Chancellor, 11 external members and 11 elected members. The elections right now are for the three student-elected members. These three members will be on the board for one year beginning September.
As Sheldon Levy’s presidency comes to an end, many are looking back at how he improved Ryerson, but the board played a large role in many of his successes.
The board is responsible for determining revenues, such as tuition and fees, as how that money gets spent. Some of their most recent projects have been the building of the new Student Learning Centre and acquiring the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
Along with managing Ryerson’s finances, the board takes care of the university’s property, business affairs and strategic planning.
Eight students are running for three open spots on the board. All candidates have been very active in various Ryerson groups.
Here is a list of the candidates and their platforms:
UR Vision
The UR Vision team consists of Hannah Van Dyk, Michael Zelma and Cormac Mcgee. They plan to re-furnish student lounges, provide designated nap rooms and get discounts on hotels in the area for commuters. They also hope to redesign the Ryerson mobile app and make it an easier one-stop shop for all student needs. They say they want to keep students informed on what’s happening within the Board.
Dwayne Anderson
Dwayne Anderson is running independently. He is a student at the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, completing his post-baccalaureate in public administration and leadership. Anderson is currently a vice-president for the Continuing Education Students’ Association of Ryerson (CESAR). He sees students as Ryerson’s primary stakeholders. If elected, he says he would like to add a fourth seat for an elected student—one for a continuing education student, since he feels they lack a presence.
UR Choice
The UR Choice team consists of David Kwok, Jessica Machado and Sriganeshan Thavarajah. Some of their objectives include improving relationships between undergraduates and alumni, increasing collaborations between faculties, and funding more learning opportunities. They also hope to liven up campus atmosphere by improving school spirit and making safety and accessibility on campus a priority.
Mikhail Morozov
Mikhail Morozov is a student in the Faculty of Community Services. He says he wants to ensure Ryerson remains accessible to many students by addressing the issues of high tuition and the cost of living in Ryerson’s residence. Morozov says his focus will be on broader student engagement in decision-making. He says he will work to maintain the inclusiveness, cultural diversity and equity of all students. Morozov was not available for an audio interview.
This is a joint byline.
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