The questions:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 senseFor 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
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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.
