Presidential Candidate: Harbaksh Singh Sekhon

Harbaksh Singh Sekhon
Early Childcare and Learning Development

1. What is your platform?

My original platform consisted of the following:

·         Lobby on behalf of returning the fine arts and engineering program.

·         Lobby for returning the nursing program to its original level of funding.

·         Create a volunteer desk in the library so that it has extended hours.

·         Ask the library to allow students to rent laptops for 24 hour periods before applying fines.

·         Allow SAMRU clubs to fundraise in the Hub.

·         Create after-hours printer access in Whykham (sic) house

·         Create a website where students can submit ideas for improvement around the university, where council has to respond after 500 co-voters on the idea (I think this number might have to be changed or become a percentage instead).

·         Install a coffee/tea machine in Whykham (sic) house.

Since I have started campaigning and engaging with fellow students I have tried to add to my platform. These are other ideas that I am hoping to implement if not bring up for discussion at the bare minimum.

·         Allow full-time students irrespective of program to be eligible for U-passes. (This includes the AEP, ESL, Upgrading program, and Aboriginal program students)

·         Get more microwaves installed around campus, especially in the EC building.

·         Allow students who only drive to campus to opt out of the U-pass program without losing their other student benefits.

·         Increase SAMRU’s presence in the MRU board of governors.

·         Initiate closer ties with the President of the faculty association as well as the staff association.

·         Consider ways to improve/reconsider the way student transcripts are read.

·         Consider allowing professors to put anecdotal notes so that students and prospective employers can see why a student got a B and not an A.

This being said I am always looking for more ideas and am happy to implement them if they show merit.

2.       What do you think SAMRU’s role is and why do you think it’s important for students?

In my opinion SAMRU’s role is one that should better advocate for student rights both as a whole, as well as on an individual basis. After all it is elected by the students for the students. Without an organization like this, I feel students

do not have the ability nor power to best represent themselves both within the university as well as outside it.

3.       What qualifies you to be elected for the position you are running for?

The first thing that qualifies me for this position is my ability to engage with students irrespective of their faculty or any other stratification.

The second quality that makes me right for this position is when I get engaged in something, I do everything in my power and ability for the organization/cause. Both of these qualities I feel make me the ideal candidate for the position I am running for.