Each time there’s an election for AUSU, the Voice Magazine likes to ask some questions to help Voice readers understand the priorities, goals, and, to some extent, personalities of the candidates. This time is no different, and with voting now open, it’s time for you to be able to see the results.
Nine questions were sent to the nine candidates vying for the two available seats. Eight of the candidates responded to the questionnaire and their answers are printed here, in the order that I received them in email. No editing has been done, with each response being a raw reflection of how they chose to respond. If a candidate who responded chose not to answer one or more of the questions, their name is included under the question, but their response left blank.
Remember that even though this is just a by-election, and a full election will be coming just next year, incumbency is often an advantage.
So the rest, as they say, is up to you.
What faculty are you in, if any, and how much longer do you expect to be studying at AU?
Cassandra MacKay
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. I’m in my second year of a 3 year degree.
Warren Leigh
I am currently an Open Studies/Unclassified student mainly taking Faculty of Business and Legal Studies/Criminal Justice classes. I’ll likely be at AU the next 3-4 years and am still deciding about whether to officially switch into a business program or not.
Bonnie McAndrew
I am currently in the Faculty of Business. I am enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce (Post Diploma) Human Resources Management Manor. I plan to be studying at AU for at least 2 more years, I am working part time on this degree.
Chantel Bradley
Faculty of Business, B. Comm accounting major. I am in my first year of a four-year program.
Manmeet Kaur
I am in the Faculty of Health Sciences pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing since 2019. I will be done with my degree in December.
Mercedes Baglee
I am enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts general studies program and expect to study at AU for at least the next two years.
Deidra Mahabal
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and I expect to study at AU until the end of the year.
Nadia Mackenzie-Vanier
Psychology and Political Science, to be completed by Dec 31, 2023; However, I will never truly be done. I plan to continue to take 1-2 courses per year as a lifelong learner.
Aside from tuition, what do you think is the most important issue AUSU needs to address for students?
Cassandra MacKay
AUSU NEEDS to advocate to AU for disabled students. In the 3.5 years since I started my degree, I’ve noticed the services offered through Accessibility Services are declining while the number of students receiving accommodations has likely increased.
Warren Leigh
Two things: First, AUSU must commit to fighting for the right of every student and prospective student to study without discrimination, including vaccination and medical discrimination. Given that none of the so-called vaccines developed for Covid do anything to prevent contraction or transmission of the virus and have a very poor track record of safety, there is no reason for any post-secondary institution to implement vaccine mandates, especially a distance institution like AU. Second, AUSU must defend the constitutional rights of every student to free speech and free expression. Too many university campuses have become hostile to all speech—even satirical and comedic speech—that is seen as out of line with the current politically correct agenda, and student unions have been at the forefront of this hostility.
Bonnie McAndrew
I believe that Mental Health and Wellness needs of students are not being met. As I have been watching posts on social media sites and the AU app I am seeing a lot of students talking about being overwhelmed and looking for support. I would like to see some programs put there that give students a place to talk about their concerns. Getting a degree is hard even when you physically on a campus but being virtual it can seem very lonely. I will work so hard to have students know they are not alone. I as well would like to have a program in place for the graduating students to help them as they phase of being a student. Instead of them being left in the cold with no help, they should know that at the AUSU there is a place for them and help so they do not have to take the world on alone.
I will also note that while I have been interacting with students I have been seeing a lot of concerns about ProctorU and online only testing. There seems to be issues with hardware, software, skill sets, and functionality. I am hearing students want the choice to have a handwritten exam, mostly in the math and science. I want to work with the AUSU and AU to work towards better exam solutions. Exams are stressful enough and the issues with an online proctor should not be adding to them.
Chantel Bradley
Manmeet Kaur
With the increasing tuition, AUSU can address the issue by making more scholarships and bursaries available to students to reduce the financial strain. Also, for nursing students, more of the students could be accommodated for clinicals so that there is less wait time to do clinical.
Mercedes Baglee
The most important issue AUSU needs to address for students is options for tutor selection and available grading rubrics in all courses.
Deidra Mahabal
Issues such as stress management, a need for ways to adjust to student life and alternatives needed to adapt to any changes made in educational programming that occurs along the way.
To reduce the strain of these issues AUSU can encourage student “diversity” showcasing that through interaction we can learn from each other’s culture, traditions, and languages. By minimizing “inequality” we can highlight our differences in abilities based on our gender identities, age, and personal experiences through AUSU. AUSU can also stress the importance of taking each educational experience and turn it into lifelong learning even when we experience change.
Although AUSU may not be able to avoid a hike in tuition, AUSU can remain proactive and as a representative of AU’S student body AUSU can help students overcome these hardships that trickle down on us after a tuition increase.
Nadia Mackenzie-Vanier
Other than financial reasons regarding tuition. Keeping teachers accountable to their positions, as they are in a position of power and influence.
What’s the best part of an average day for you?
Cassandra MacKay
Working on my courses (Yes…I know I’m a “nerd”)!
Warren Leigh
This is a tough question. I really do enjoy my current classes. I’m also an aspiring entrepreneur who is slowly working at getting a business off the ground and I really love thinking about and further developing the vision for it. But I probably most love hanging out with my nieces and nephew, which usually happens on at least a weekly basis.
Bonnie McAndrew
I would say communicating with my clients at work. I am a legal assistant in a Real Estate Law Office. I really enjoy helping and working with my clients to get them into new homes and selling their old one. I see so many happy people who have just been waiting to find a place, it’s a boost in your day when you know you helped with that. Buying a house can be daunting I like to think I can make it easier for them. I love communicating with clients I always tell them that I am here for them any time they need. I will bring the same enthusiasm to connecting and communicating with students attending AU!
Chantel Bradley
The end of the day. I have so much gratitude for the ability to attend AU, work from home and have a family life. The number of accomplishments I make in a day, truly fills me up.
Manmeet Kaur
The best part of the day is when I get to play with my two-year-old toddler.
Mercedes Baglee
The best part of my day is studying from home and raising my five young children. The flexibility AU offers has allowed me to advance my learning in pursuit of my dreams while maintaining a household and enjoying my children’s early years.
Deidra Mahabal
The best part of an average day for me is waking up and enjoying a freshly brewed coffee while I set daily goals!
Nadia Mackenzie-Vanier
The Best part of an academic average day is when things I have been learning make an impact and click to the point I can apply it to my daily life.
If there was a new service, program, activity, or degree you could convince AU (not AUSU) to offer to students, what would it be?
Cassandra MacKay
A Practical Nursing Diploma. There are a couple colleges that offer it 100% virtually in Canada so it IS possible. And if AU offers post LPN nursing, it should be able to offer the 4 year BScN too.
Warren Leigh
I would like to see AU partner with campus ministry organizations to offer a virtual multifaith chaplaincy program. Almost every traditional brick and mortar campus has multiple religious groups of every faith working on campus to provide religious and spiritual support for students. Universities are also supposed to be institutions designed for the free exchange of ideas and debate, so some kind of virtual debate club or something would also be immensely beneficial. The chaplaincy program could be the start of this.
Bonnie McAndrew
I would like to see AU offer an LLB or Juris Doctor program. As my ultimate goal is to go to Law School I want the option of working full time while I do so. In Canada there appears to be a lack of part time and online schooling for students looking to become a lawyer.
Chantel Bradley
I am still navigating all the programs, which there seems to be many, so I’m not sure I have anything to add to the list, yet.
Manmeet Kaur
I recommend providing more continuing education programs which have become available recently. Many students can take these continuing courses and certificates to advance further in their careers without significant time commitments.
Mercedes Baglee
I would convince them to offer a Juris Doctor program online. This would be amazing!
Deidra Mahabal
“Yes” I would convince AU to offer an Honors Degree in Psychology, and this is because I have seen several undergraduate students successfully graduate with a Psychology degree with Distinction and Great Distinction. Therefore, I know earning an Honors Degree in Psychology is achievable for both current and future AU students which will give such students more opportunities to meet admission requirements when applying to Graduate programs.
Nadia Mackenzie-Vanier
New services that could be implemented could be a law program and degree.
What’s going to be the biggest challenge for you should you get elected?
Cassandra MacKay
I have high goals for myself. I’d like to join the Executive Council. As there’s more councillors than there are executive positions, I’d say that’s my biggest challenge.
Warren Leigh
If elected, my goal is to be a voice for students who feel as if their voices are usually ignored or even outright silenced, both to the AUSU Council and the AU board itself. Although I could be wrong about this, everything I’ve seen so far says that both bodies will likely be antagonistic or even hostile towards those I seek to speak for. Also, my plan is to advocate to the AU Board and General Faculties Council to initiate a systematic comprehensive review of all AU courses to ensure that they are fully updated and continue to deliver real education and not the anti-human neo-Marxist ideology that now infects so many post-secondary programs.
Bonnie McAndrew
My biggest challenge will be that I cannot do everything I want at once. I will need to allow time and proper evaluation into my ideas and suggestions. I like to be able to help people right away and some times having a time restraint is very frustrating. I intend to do my best to represent the students and the actions they would like me to take for them.
Chantel Bradley
I hope that I can be a conduit for the members voice of AUSU. I feel I might struggle internally with questions like “Am I doing enough to share the collective voice of students?” or “Am I showing up for the members who need us and voted me in?”
Manmeet Kaur
My biggest challenge will be connecting with students and getting to know their input and ideas on how things could be improved. I will find different ways to overcome this challenge if I do get elected.
Mercedes Baglee
No challenge is too big!
Deidra Mahabal
The biggest challenge for me if I should get elected is to be able to confidently share my opinions even if they are not similar to the opinions of other AUSU counsel members. However, I believe it is vital to respect, support, and learn from each other’s point of views even more when they differ.
Nadia Mackenzie-Vanier
The biggest challenge will be the learning curve that comes with being of service to others in such an important event/place in people’s lives.
Is there a program or activity AUSU does now that you think it should expand?
Cassandra MacKay
Committees. I don’t want to say too much as this is something I’d be bringing to Council if elected but I will say I feel there are two core needs not being met by the existing committees and I also think it would be great to get a couple non-elected students more involved in committees and council. Last year’s general election did not receive enough applicants to fill all the positions. I feel letting a couple students experience life as a councillor periodically throughout the year could help gain interest.
Warren Leigh
The Forums page on the AUSU website seems rather useless in its current form. It’s also somewhat hard to find. Since this is a key means of candidate campaigning for Council elections, it needs a serious overhaul. Also, why is the 2SLGBTQIA+ the only demographic to get its own designated Discord server or its own community page on the AUSU website? What about the experiences of other student groups, such as indigenous, religious or disability students? Do they not count? If AUSU is serious about real, meaningful diversity, equity and inclusion, it should start by celebrating and supporting diverse groups of people in an equitable, fair and inclusive manner, which means Discord servers for all.
Bonnie McAndrew
I would go back to the Mental Health and Wellness I spoke about before. I do know we have some options to us as students, but I think there needs to be more. Its well known what the pandemic took a toll mentally and students are still recovering and learning the new way things are done. A sense of loneliness has come from most services switching to online only. I would like to see a program for everyone that offers programs ranging from peer to professional help. Students should know that there is support and the AUSU should be at the front of ensuring that they are aware of what is to offer. I want to make sure each student knows what is out there for them they shouldn’t have to dig into layers of a website to find their help.
Chantel Bradley
Hang out sessions. I am hoping to connect with other AU students and become more apart of the community.
Manmeet Kaur
Yes. AUSU has many awards that it provides to students of varying backgrounds. It can further expand on more awards under different yet challenging categories, ultimately intending to aid students financially.
Mercedes Baglee
Yes, more advertising about the services they offer is needed. In addition, the peer review section needs to be improved, and it would be nice to see more students participate in reviewing courses. For example, AUSU could offer a monthly draw to incentivize students to participate and give course feedback.
Deidra Mahabal
A program or activity that AUSU does which I think it should expand on is the Annual Student Survey found in the Voice magazine in terms of survey development. I believe we can receive more updated, relevant, and critical information by providing more surveys to students with the aim of learning more about and to encouraged participation from students who prefer that their identity remains anonymous and their input kept confidential.
Nadia Mackenzie-Vanier
Programs that could be expanded are the medical benefits provided for students. Giving students optional packages to part-take.
Is there a program or activity AUSU does now that you think it could cut back?
Cassandra MacKay
No.
Warren Leigh
I believe it is unfair and inequitable to non 2SLGBTQIA+ students to have more than one Pride Week. No other student demographic or “community”—not even Indigenous or people of colour—gets this kind of attention, which makes having two Pride weeks to be outright discriminatory as well as a clear example of showing favouritism and preferential treatment to one particular group that is not based on merit. I’m sure there must be another student community that could be celebrated in October instead that currently isn’t. In a spirit of diversity, let’s include them too.
Bonnie McAndrew
I do not think taking programs and activities away from AUSU would be beneficial to anyone. I think everything that is offered has someone out there that is using it and benefits from it.
Chantel Bradley
Manmeet Kaur
The AUSU programs and activities are outstanding and are the result of continuous efforts of the past and present AUSU team and should be kept with nothing that should be cut back. Again, it is important to get input from other students about what they think!
Mercedes Baglee
No.
Deidra Mahabal
“No,” I believe the programs/activities that AUSU currently focuses on all have a positive impact on addressing the various issues each and every student encounters as learners with AU.
Nadia Mackenzie-Vanier
Not sure of any program that needs to be cut back on.
What do you hope being elected will bring you personally?
Cassandra MacKay
I’d like a career (or at least a part time career) in politics one day and while AUSU is minuscule compared to the House of Commons, AUSU councillors and politicians have a lot in common: they both vote on policies that will improve peoples’ situations, they both represent their community advocating for change etc.
Warren Leigh
I’ve recently begun studying John and Miriam Carver’s Policy Governance Model for board members but have zero experience sitting on any boards myself. That said, I’ve also recently watched someone I know go through a living hell sitting on a local community town council board that was not run using the Carver’s model. I would like to gain real experience sitting on a board while I continue to study this model of governance, along with Robert’s Rules of Order, with the goal of seeing it implemented if it is not already.
Bonnie McAndrew
If I get elected, I will be part of a community that is here to make things better for there students. That brings me the good feelings that make me feel complete. I am the happiest when I am helping others and my new moto in life has been do what makes you happy.
Chantel Bradley
Growth. Everyday I try to see something that has made me better than yesterday. A saying that has resonated for me “Don’t go through life, Grow through life” – Eric Butterworth. It keeps me striving to grow into the better version of me.
Manmeet Kaur
As an active community contributor, I love to challenge myself with new tasks. Being elected will allow me to expand my problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration skills and allow me to advocate for other students and explore new ideas to solve common issues students face.
Mercedes Baglee
I hope to improve the learning experience for everyone attending Athabasca. I also hope to gain knowledge and experience in governance.
Deidra Mahabal
If I am elected, I hope I can become part of AUSU’S community where I can make personal experiences and connections that I would not be able to form by joining another committee outside of AU. For instance, from a professional perspective as a counsellor I can continue to achieve from other scholar’s career endeavours who are members with AUSU along with AU’S student body to make learning fun for all!
Nadia Mackenzie-Vanier
I hope that if I am elected, I gain relevant experience and knowledge that the service I am providing is making a positive difference for students of AUSU.
Outside of AU, what’s your passion?
Cassandra MacKay
Music, politics, volunteering and travel.
Warren Leigh
My professional passion is to see public trust restored in our societal institutions, be it corporations, academic institutions, governments, churches, or professional certification and licensing bodies. My business that I’m developing will be aimed at doing exactly that. I’m also passionate about defending the right to life, liberty and property, being a voice for voiceless, and studying philosophy and Christian theology, among other things.
Maybe you’ve lost trust in the system yourself, or you’ve been ignored or even had your voice silenced. If so, reach out at wleigh1@learn.athabascau.ca. And vote for me, Warren Leigh, March 16-21. I look forward to meeting and serving you as your voice on Student Council!
Bonnie McAndrew
My pets are my biggest passion, I have 3 cats and a dog. I could talk for hours about them. I just adore animals. I am also extremely passionate about employment law and becoming an Employment Lawyer. I want to represent the little guys that corporations try to walk all over, I am hoping at some point I will be able to offer my services at lower costs or pro bono.
Chantel Bradley
People and service. Being of service to my family and in my communities, always teaches me. People inspire me everyday. Oh, I can not forget nature. I love being outside (preferably when it isn’t -20). I always feel calm and connected when I spend time outside with nature. So, as you can imagine, Alberta winters can be hard for me.
Manmeet Kaur
I am an active volunteer in my community. I like to help others by empowering, mentoring, and guiding them regarding personal skills through EmpowHer. Intending to become a future doctor, I promote health education regarding disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity to improve my community’s health.
Mercedes Baglee
Outside of AU, my passions are kayaking, fishing, hiking, and biking; anything to explore the Yukon’s wide-open wilderness!
Deidra Mahabal
Outside of AU, my passion to help people be the best version of themselves and I truly believe we have the potential as human beings to make our world a better place by humbling one another in all that we do!
Nadia Mackenzie-Vanier
Outside of AU, I am passionate about my kids, pets and advocating for justice.
