Presidential Candidate: Norman Potter
Norman Potter
Bachelor of Arts – History Major
1. What is your platform?
My goal is to continue the SAMRU’s hard work to benefit you, the students. This will include working together with the SA, the administration, and students to find creative methods of minimizing the impact of budget cuts on student
life. This may include increased costs for the general public and MRU staff in using recreation services, as well as working toward bringing in more conferences and other events which are a source of revenue for the school. Additionally,
I will push for more information sharing and transparency between the SA and the student body. I will also continue the work of the SA in advocating and lobbying for students on an institutional level, as well as a provincial level. I
believe in long term sustainability of the institution over short term stop gap solutions. I don’t have all the answers, and I don’t believe any one candidate does, but I have the awareness of current issues required to begin the search for
answers.
2. What do you think SAMRU’s role is and why do you think it’s important for students?
SAMRU’s role is much more complex and multifaceted than we often give it credit for. The primary role of the students’ association is to advocate for student needs, while simultaneously being the representatives of the student body.
This is done with an eye toward continued success not only of the institution of MRU as a whole, but of each individual student as well. The SA is crucially important to students because without a collective voice advocating for our
needs, we would be largely powerless in the face of change. SAMRU not only works to make life as MRU students more enjoyable and fun, but also to ensure that our needs are met. Having this voice allows students to be heard on an
institutional level as well as within our government. Making those in power aware of the issues which students face is the only tangible way to influence positive change.
3. What qualifies you to be elected for the position you are running for?
I truly believe that my dedication and passion in regards to improving student life at MRU cannot be matched. Additionally, I’m well connected with students throughout the institution. This has allowed me to see the issues from the
perspectives of students with varying levels of involvement and in varying programs at MRU, and has provided me with some unique insights as to what problems, beyond parking and where to get lunch, plague MRU students. One of
the most concerning things to me in running for this position has been the wide disconnect between what many students know, and what they want to know. Being informed of all the issues seems to be a full time job, and very few
people that I know are able to keep themselves informed, I think I have the tools to begin to change that.