On Feb. 4, the executive candidate debate for the York Federation of Students (YFS) annual general elections was held in the First Student Centre at 10:00 a.m., giving nominees the chance to make their cases on why they should be elected. Attendees could also access the debate virtually through Zoom. After the nomination period, which ran from Jan. 14 to Jan. 30, candidates met at the end of January and began campaigning as of Feb. 2.
Candidate Adam Epstein spoke first, running for Vice President Operations. Coming from what YFS calls a “clubs background,” he is currently involved in four different clubs, one of which is the Model United Nations, where he acts as internal secretary. Epstein stated that he would prioritize financial transparency, as he claims York has “invested in seriously scandalous things that students should not have to pay their money towards.”
Opposite to him sat his rival, Shallin Scott, who stated she is running to be the “first Indigenous exec[utive] for YFS.” A member of Community Action Together (CAT), she has helped fight for Indigenous rights at York, and was the former vice president of the Indigenous Students Association of students and chair for the Canadian Federation of Students Circle. She too highlighted the importance of financial transparency, and she concluded that universities should “disclose and divest, as money is being spent and it is not specifically beneficial for York University students.”
Next to speak was Adrianna Wintermans, running for Vice President Equity. She highlighted her experience volunteering toward equity-related causes since age eleven. Presently, she serves as the Academic Director for the Criminology Society. If elected, she stated that among her goals is a priority to help with accessibility on campus. Opposite to her was Asil Ahmed of CAT. As the only black and visibly Muslim student growing up, she stated that this campaign is personal for her as someone involved in equity-centered work both on and off campus. She also stated that “the York administration needs to be held accountable for the lack of priority for students within marginalized communities.”
Vice President Campus Life was the final debate to be held. Candidate Lakshika Khurana spoke first, and kept it very simple. She stated that while she loved the campus, loving something “does not mean it’s perfect.” Campus services and resources, many unknown to students, were the central points of her campaign. She added that if elected, she wants to make campus life feel a “bit more human” for students, prioritizing access to safety for students, transparency around costs, and more.
Opposite to her was opponent Shahzeb Saleem of CAT, a current Calumet College council executive who is also involved in several clubs. If elected, he plans to introduce a social events feedback form and lead a student-led roundtable for college executives, helping to support them and ensure a smooth and easier term transition. Through his active involvement on other campuses, he also drew attention to unaffordable food options for students. The third candidate for VP Campus Life, Varun Sharma, was not present at the debate.
Some candidates ran unopposed, with CAT members Symone Lennon and Farida Fouad running as solo candidates. Lennon is running for President, while Fouad is running for Vice President Campaigns and Advocacy.
The campaign period will end on Feb. 13, and the voting period will run from Tuesday, Feb. 10, 9:00 a.m., to Friday, Feb. 13, 4:00 p.m. There will be 12 polling stations available on the Keele, Glendon, and Markham campuses, as well as virtual voting.
Further information can be found on the YFS website here.
