UNBSU December by-election results have declared Téa Fazio as unofficial VP Advocacy, with minimal voter turnout of 4.6 per cent. The results were released on December 4, but will remain unofficial until the UNBSU council is able to ratify them in January 2021.
Fazio ran against Kordell Walsh and Melissa Ghanem in an extremely close race, with Fazio obtaining 106 votes, while Walsh and Ghanem garnered 96 and 91, respectively.
“I am humbled by all the support I have received throughout my campaign and along my growth as a student leader over the past four years with the UNBSU. I want to acknowledge the courage and hard work of every candidate that stepped up to run for a role in this by-election to better the lives of students,” Fazio said about her unofficial win. “I look forward to working hard, through collaboration and advocacy, to create meaningful, actionable change for students with the incredible UNBSU leadership!”
Ghanem, who held the position of Interim VP Advocacy following the resignation of Kelsi Evans, expressed her support for Fazio.
“Both candidates for VP Advocacy did a great job campaigning. I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to run alongside these individuals, and I wish them both the absolute best,” said Ghanem. “I look forward to continuing working with Téa in the future – I’m sure she’ll do amazing things!”
Walsh, a fourth-year student at Renaissance College, congratulated everyone who was voted in and shared disappointment at the low voter turnout.
“I have absolute faith that the Student Union has a great group of individuals with unique perspectives coming into the fold,” Walsh said. “Although it was disappointing to see such a low turnout, this presents an opportunity for ourselves as candidates and the Student Union as an organization to work to learn how we can engage with students in ways that will increase turnout in elections to come.”
This election also saw students campaigning for several representative positions. Elizabeth Herbert, a student in the Faculty of Education, was unofficially voted in as Education Representative with votes unanimously in her favour. She expressed her admiration for all who ran in the by-election, and communicated her excitement to get started.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, especially my fellow education students. I look forward to representing our faculty and interests this year as Education Councillor,” said Herbert.
Abhiiraj Nikam, first year Software Engineering student, was unofficially voted in as Engineering Representative and aims to become a “pillar” for students to rely on.
“Let us take a step together to decrease vulnerability and to bring in diversity, making this trail better than ever before because you matter,” Nikam expressed.
Anna Lee LeBlanc, third-year Kinesiology Science student, was unofficially declared Kinesiology Representative. She aims to produce positive outcomes amidst the pandemic while working alongside other student leaders.
“While in my position of UNBSU Kinesiology Councillor, I am looking to conduct a review of the Faculty of Kinesiology classes. I believe this project will benefit the students, the professors, and our faculty as a whole,” said LeBlanc.
Mridul Sharma, first-year Software Engineering student, was appointed unofficial First Year Student Representative and aims to collaborate with peers in different faculties to increase student engagement.
“There are so many activities people don’t know about since they aren’t active on social media,” said Sharma, explaining that he also intends to focus on creating a positive experience for international students.