Who are you voting for? The Cord profiles your candidates

The questions:

1. Why did you choose to meet here and
   how is this spot meaningful to you?

   Aside from the goal of representing
   and serving students, why do you
   want to be president?

   How well do you think WLUSU
   management is operating currently?
   What would you do better?

   What would make you a better
   president than your opponents?

   What is something about you that the
   electorate may not know?

Nick Gibson

Location: 24 Hour Lounge

Gibson is a fourth-year Political Science student with a minor in Psychology and French. He has been a three-time Icebreaker at O-Week, a Fashion ‘N Motion Volunteer and a member of the External Affairs Committee within the Students’ Union. He has also been president of the Laurier Young Liberals for two years and a member of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity.

1. I enjoy the 24 lounge. It’s a very
   social atmosphere, you can also get
   your work out and things like that.
   Around exam time maybe not so much
   because it gets a little bit busy in
   here…. I just enjoy when I’m
   studying, for example sitting at a
   table and laboring over my work,
   being in a comfortable position….
   It’s that sort of balance between
   all of that … not stressing out
   too much.

   Well, I didn’t really think of it
   much beyond that. I guess I’m not
   sure if I’m really answering beyond
   that but I’ve enjoyed every single
   experience I’ve had at Laurier.
   Obviously there are days that are
   not the best in the world but every
   day and ever since I came to this
   campus I’ve just had a really good
   feeling about it. I sort of enjoy
   that I can give myself an
   opportunity to give back. But it’s
   sort of a combination of that and
   that I think I’d be good in the
   role.

   I sound like a broken record here
   but I think we run internally pretty
   well. Spending wise we need to be a
   lot more accountable. We were just
   talking about with things like the
   terrace expansion. Spending was not
   even the biggest problem. The
   biggest problem was the
   communication was awful and we broke
   procedure…. Those are problems. But
   the biggest thing like I said is
   that we have a lot of power in the
   students’ union and we need to get
   that psychology back that says ‘We
   are a strong union, we’re going to
   work with the university in a
   professional manner but we’re not
   going to get walked all over.’…
   Damaging the relationship with the
   university shouldn’t be our reason
   for not pushing for more.

   I think it goes back to this notion
   of balance. I think that the most
   important thing for a president is
   to have that knowledge … knowing
   exactly what they’re getting into.
   Obviously they’re going to have that
   learning curve going into it. The
   only person that wouldn’t have it is
   a returning president…. But I
   believe with my knowledge and
   background I may have a pretty small
   learning curve. But I also think I
   bring that balance in the sense that
   I’m someone who’s very approachable.
   I like to interact with students. I
   genuinely feel like I connect with
   students and I talk about their
   issues and their concerns. I think
   that sort of two-pronged balance is
   very important.

   I guess I can say two things. The
   first thing is for people who may
   not know me they see me as a guy
   doing flash mobs and commercials and
   stuff like that. The reason why I
   did that is because I don’t
   necessarily have the best name
   recognition, so I was trying to get
   my name out there … trying to have
   some fun during this campaign and I
   think it’s really important to
   engage students. But I do bring some
   substance. I do think my platform is
   very comprehensive but achievable….
   I guess in a fun sense people may
   not know that I’m a Leafs fan … it’s
   one of the more delusional things I
   have. I’m also a Jays fan which is a
   bit less delusional.

Aeron Lawrence

Location: 24 hour lounge computer lab

Lawrence is a fourth-year business student. He has been involved with DU@L (Discussing University at Laurier), Residence Life and was a Head Ice Breaker for Orientation Week. He has also been involved with A-Team, Habitat for Humanity and has worked as a Special Constables Dispatcher. Within Laurier Athletics, Lawrence has participated in men’s varsity rugby.

1. The reason I chose to meet here is
   that it’s a place I find I get the
   most work done…. I spend most of my
   time on campus. I need some sort of
   noise while I’m studying … it’s
   something that I’ve grown to like.
   You get to see a lot of people
   coming in here too so it’s nice to
   see some friends on a daily basis.

   I’d like to be president because in
   my four years I’ve really gone
   around and tried to meet as many
   people and I truly have had an
   amazing experience…. Just the
   ability to stay around a year longer
   … I’m truly in love with the culture
   here. I’ve truly grown to love it.
   I’ve had a lot of experiences here
   that I’ve learned from…. I’m
   learning every day…. I love now
   having the chance go and possibly
   affect it the other way. I can’t
   imagine leaving right now. I think
   it’s a good next step to affect the
   campus but also to learn more.

   I think they’re doing a good job. In
   talking to them myself, they have
   good ideas. They have some things
   that can be improved. I think a big
   thing right now is a lack of
   information students are getting.
   While the information is there,
   we’ll say it’s a lack of a
   communication medium…. I don’t find
   the WLUSU website very interactive….
   Even just having a calendar of
   knowing when events are, there are a
   lot of students who want to know
   what is going on or where resources
   are.

   I think I would make a better
   president than my opponents because
   I think we all have very deep
   involvement, but in saying that, I
   know I’ve gone through my experience
   already to go out and meet people….
   I’ve gone and met a lot of people
   and taken the time to get to know a
   lot of people and have conversations
   with them, to make the connections
   with them. Many of the other
   candidates may not have such strong
   relationships because of the choices
   that they’ve made.

   I’ve heard other people saying that
   I’m pretty casual and laid back….
   People have called me lazy and not
   hard working. One thing that may be
   important for students to realize is
   that I’m very passionate about
   school. I love this school more than
   be put into words. People who know
   me know that when I’m truly
   passionate about something I give
   everything I can to make it the best
   that it can be and this is something
   that I’m truly passionate about….
   I’m a very approachable person but
   I’m very hard working. I’ve heard
   people to say to me that I’m like a
   chicken with my head cut off but I
   have destinations where I’m going.

Dan La Cute

*Location: Hall of Fame *

La Cute is a fourth-year Communication Studies student. He was President of Activities for his House Council and a member of A-Team for two years. He has worked at Wilf’s as Programming Assistant. La Cute has also been a Residence Life Don for two years, has volunteered with 5 Days for the Homeless and worked as a Student Ambassador.

1. The reason why I chose the Hall of
   Fame is that we wanted to meet in
   Wilf’s but unfortunately because it
   would be actively campaigning we
   weren’t allowed to. Wilf’s has been
   pretty important to me in terms of
   my extra-curricular involvement. In
   my first two years I did A-Team for
   two years and then in my third year
   I was also the Alumni and Promotions
   person for Winter Carnival and then
   I worked in the kitchen and then
   this year I’m a program person for
   Wilf’s and the Turret. So I’ve spent
   a lot of time in Wilf’s and I think
   that that’s had a huge impact on my
   extra-curricular involvement and
   definitely made me into the person
   that I am today.

   I think this is a great opportunity
   to get to know more students and get
   to hear about their needs. I would
   consider myself a very approachable
   person and I think that because of
   that I can actually get out there
   and get to know what students
   actually want. I know that past
   presidents haven’t always been the
   most open to hearing new ideas and
   they’re busy with policies but I
   really want to make myself more
   approachable to all students.

   I think WLUSU management is doing a
   really great job. I think that Kyle,
   although he received a little bit of
   flack on the Terrace expansion, a
   lot of the finances were out of his
   control. And although we did have to
   spend that additional money I think
   that it’s benefitting students in
   the long run. And in the sense of
   the VPs and the management group I
   think they’re doing a great job. But
   I think one of the main things that
   I hear from students time and time
   again is just communication.
   Students don’t know who are the
   management group… so I think it’s
   about getting out there and making
   sure students are aware.

   My involvement on campus. Because of
   the fact that I’ve done so many
   things I think I can pull my various
   experiences together to pull towards
   it. I’m also actively engaged in the
   community. I know a lot of people on
   campus…. Because if I feel like I
   know many people then I can just go
   talk to people.

   I’m the oldest of four kids. My
   sister goes to Western, both my
   brothers are in high school back
   home in Orangeville. Maybe something
   that they wouldn’t know is that my
   parents have been really supportive
   of me and my family is actually
   coming to hear the results on
   Thursday. So if everyone comes out
   to hear the results on Thursday you
   can meet my dad, my sister and my
   brother.

## Matt Park ##

Location: The Concourse

Park is a sixth-year Political Science student. He has served as a director and chair on the WLUSU Board of Directors. Along with serving on the Board of Governors, he has sat on several advisory councils regarding Student Services and the One Card. Park has also been Vice President and President of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and worked as a Residence Life Don.

1. I think it’s because it’s a central
   location. For me a lot of it was
   when I chose to come where I wanted
   to be on campus for the interview a
   whole lot of places went through my
   mind: somewhere in residence, maybe
   in Wilf’s…. But I basically fell
   back to this idea. I’ve spent so
   much time in here writing papers,
   I’ve spent so much time in here
   talking to friends and just
   wandering around even that the
   Concourse made the most sense

   For me the final decision factor
   came down to I was looking around
   campus one day and I still felt like
   there were a lot of things that
   could be changed. This is my last
   year as a student and it just didn’t
   seem right to say ‘Alright well
   things aren’t right but I’m just
   going to leave’. I’ve gotten a lot
   from Laurier. I’ve met some amazing
   people and I feel like it’s really
   changed how I am and my outlook on
   life. And I feel like it would be
   really selfish to just say ‘Well,
   I’m going to leave. I’m not going to
   try and change anything’

   I think what I can do better is for
   one bring a wealth of experience to
   the organization. Like I said I’ve
   got a certain amount of experience
   at the management level of the
   students’ union so I’m not going to
   have to spend a long amount of time
   figuring out how a $13 million
   budget works…. Instead of sitting in
   a boardroom or in an office and
   thinking ‘Why aren’t students
   interested in what we’re doing?’…
   it’s getting out of that room and
   talking to them. Management isn’t
   doing that right now. And the
   easiest way to solve that is to just
   get out and talk to them.

   I don’t really think it’s about me.
   I don’t really think it’s about
   them. A lot of what I think it
   breaks down to is an experienced
   standpoint…. I’m the only
   candidate who’s been involved in
   management in the Students’ Union
   before, I’m the only candidate who’s
   done budgeting for the Students’
   Union before, I’m the only candidate
   who’s done VP Hiring before…. With
   the exception of Nick Gibson I’m the
   only candidate who’s been lobbying
   government. And I think that that
   has a huge impact. Instead of
   learning what all of that means, I
   can go to the office on day one, I
   can prioritize and I can start
   working on what my platform
   initiatives are.

   I think that the biggest thing is
   people feel like I might not be that
   personable or that I’m just not
   interested. And it couldn’t be
   further from the truth. Throughout
   this campaign students aren’t going
   to see me out dancing and singing …
   it’s not my personality. But I
   couldn’t be more interested in who
   they are, why they’re here and what
   they want to get out of the
   university. My passion may not be
   perfectly visible every time. But
   when we start talking about the
   issues I think it will really come
   across.

The key issues this election

• Brantford autonomy — This campaign
  season, there has been discussion of
  whether the campus should be given an
  independent Students’ Union.

  Fall reading week — Universities
  across Canada have been debating
  whether to implement a fall Reading
  Week and candidates have discussed
  how they would lobby the university
  to achieve this goal.

  WLUSU spending — After the cost of
  the terrace expansion went over
  budget by $430,541.13, there were
  questions as to whether the Students’
  Union has spent responsibly and
  whether this was the fault of the
  current board, management or the
  president.

  Campus safety — After a string of
  crime on the Waterloo campus, many
  candidates have mentioned student
  safety on and around campus as a key
  issue that needs to be addressed.