WLUSP Candidate Platforms

Emily Crump- Presidential Candidate

In the past year and a half, I have had many opportunities thanks to WLUSP. I have worked with Radio Laurier as a DJ, a street team member, a manager and now program director. I have worked hard to help recruit and grow this department and hope to do more for the entire organization.

I believe to continue to grow we need to promote cohesiveness as an organization. I hope to ensure that all departments have the resources they need to reach their full potential. I will encourage working together through promotion across campuses and departments. If I am elected president I would like to ensure a stronger board presence and ensure that all volunteers are aware of whom each member of the administration is.

I would like to foster strong relationships with each department. My year with Radio Laurier has given me an in depth understanding of the workings of the department, I hope to have the same understanding of all departments. In my position at Radio Laurier I have learned communication and interpersonal skills, which has enabled me to develop relationships with people throughout the organization. I would like to encourage all volunteers to do the same.

I would like to provide the support and guidance needed to all department heads to help them run their department to their full capabilities. I believe that many of our dual campus productions can be expanded. If I am elected president I will help strengthen our organization.

Nathanael Lewis – Presidential Candidate

Starting as a volunteer at the beginning of 2013 and transitioning through Advertising Assistant, News Editor and eventually finding myself as the Brantford Manager of Operations by 2014 was not easy. But if anything, I can tell you that those experiences have made me familiar with almost every level of WLUSP.

Over the past year as Brantford’s administrative member, I have come to learn two things: communication is crucial and professionalism is the key to success.

Throughout this year, I have built strong relationships with people from both the Brantford and Waterloo campuses. I have attempted to further equality between offices as far as my position would allow me, and I have tried to contribute to the publications I directly have a hand in.

WLUSP Brantford and Waterloo need to be looking at a more unified system which supports long term forms of reliable income, stronger content, a more comprehensive policy, and better training practices.

Change is a necessary component when building a stronger, more unified organization. There are some things which will take the next ten years to attain, but there are others still that need to change starting on May 1, 2015. I have always liked the idea of thoughtful solutions rather than prolonged problems – I believe any staff member would agree that this is exactly what WLUSP needs.

I hope to be able to work alongside a strong, unified, multi-campus staff over the next year to see WLUSP come closer to even a few of these goals.

Bryan Stephens – Presidential Candidate

Being president and publisher should be about serving the interests of a student body that is producing high quality publications and providing meaningful student opportunities. Transparency, accountability and upholding morality are the kinds of traits that this position should facilitate for WLUSP.

I want to see the management of WLUSP reflect the incredible staff working within it. The work that is being cultivated within this organization reflects this commitment to quality. When I started at The Cord two years ago, I quickly discovered that the work environment would help create a memorable experience that added meaning to working for the paper. Contributing stories on a weekly basis was more than a repetitive work schedule but something I looked forward to. It’s this experience that I want to help others experience as part of WLUSP. I want to see volunteers be comfortable here and realize that their work and contributions are the core of WLUSP.

From the work I have accomplished as Arts & Life Editor, I understand that facilitating a positive and encouraging experience for volunteers is at the core of what makes their participation within WLUSP a positive one. Countless hours of hard work and determination towards creating an engaging, high-quality publication have shown me that without the efforts of volunteers the larger bodies their work contributes to wouldn’t be possible. I want to create an environment that empowers volunteers to act as a catalyst for ensuring WLUSP remains a premier student media organization in Canada.

Thomas Lillo – Board of Directors Candidate

If elected to the board of directors I will ensure that I make educated decisions when dealing with matters of importance, and I will work with the rest of the board to expand Wilfrid Laurier Student Publications in a sustainable manner. I hope to find new and creative ways to save the company money without sacrificing the quality of our publications. I will make sure that I have good professional relationships with members of WLUSP management, and am always available to talk. I plan on being as transparent as possible and work on communicating board decisions to who they will affect.

Rafey Sattar – Board of Directors Candidate

With experience working for a regional magazine in my hometown and The Cord I consider myself to be an ideal candidate to contribute to the strategic governance of WLUSP. As an associate at the Oakville Voice magazine I experienced the breadth of functions required to run a successful publication, including advertising, distribution and public relations. My experience in the most crucial aspects of a community paper’s operations puts me in a unique position to understand and advise on the future of WLUSP. Most importantly, as a staff writer for The Cord and a guest on Radio Laurier, I bring an appreciation for the diverse opportunities for self-expression, discovery and personal growth that WLUSP and its various publications provide for students. Working with WLUSP has been one of the most rewarding parts of my undergraduate experience. As a second year BBA student here at Laurier, and I’d look forward to serving on the BOD next year.

Abdiasis Issa – Board of Directors Candidate

Over the past year I have the distinct honour and privilege of serving WLUSP as a member of the board and as vice-chair. My experience with WLUSP has been nothing short of extraordinary! From the amazing volunteers that keep WLUSP in operation to the unprecedented and unmatched publications produced, WLUSP continues to be the voice for Laurier students. At the centre of WLUSP’s success is it’s volunteers; there is no doubt that their hard work and commitment enables WLUSP to continue producing quality, meaningful and engaging content. I intend to further support WLUSP’s volunteers by acting as a liaison between the Board and the frontline volunteers that make WLUSP possible. I believe that make experience on WLUSP along with my vision for WLUSP in partnership with fellow board members and the President will enable WLUSP to provide the best possible experience to Laurier students.

John Pehar – Board of Directors Candidate

As an Economics student with a background in finance and accounting, I have been fortunate to sit as Treasurer on the WLUSP Board of Directors for the past five months.  I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in this role and I am interested in continuing in this position for another term.

As custodian of the WLUSP Board of Directors, I will guide the actions of the Board with economic facts.  During the past five months, I have proven that I am capable of handling figures and cash.  I have an orderly mind and methodical way of thinking.  I have a proven track record of providing accurate and timely updates to ensure WLUSP stayed on budget.  My understanding of the cash inflows and outflows of the organization, as well as my experience with reviewing this fiscal year’s budget, would allow for a seamless continuation in this role.