MUNSU General Election: Town Hall Highlights

Isabel Ojeda is a fourth-year Political Science student involved with CFSNL for two years. She is heavily involved in the Education Is A Right Campaign and believes the union needs to have a strong stance regarding Tuition Hikes. Isabel will work to amplify the student movement. She knows the history of MUNL’s tuition freeze. She is looking forward to seeing MUNSU in a less hectic situation as we move forward from hybrid learning. Isabel is also looking forward to meeting students who wouldn’t access social media posts. In her perspective, the most beneficial organizing happens when you can reach people on the ground.  

Eva is passionate about communications and has worked as social media coordinator for NLEats and doing volunteer marketing work for SASF, Mosaic Campus Church, and relay for life. Her involvement with the undergraduate community and the Student Union at MUNL began from her first semester, growing her as a person, student, advocate and leader. She emphasizes that having been involved with many different communities at MUNL will help her form a background and understand various perspectives within the undergraduate community. She plans to lead with passion, presence, and purpose. She wants to break the barrier between student and director and create a space where students can come together and work together towards a common goal. Her purpose is to build union to a place where all undergraduate students can feel welcome and excited to be involved while never giving up on the fight for education.

@eva4externalaffairs on Instagram

Mashrur’s goal as he runs for Executive Director of Finance and Services is to tap into the untapped potential of students. He plans to keep what’s working and add what’s missing- while maintaining the present systems and culture, such as the Attic’s diverse workforce. At the same time, he wants to implement valuable resources many students are unaware of, such as Safe Drive. Mashrur plans to tap into student resources. For example, he would like to see Computer Science and Engineering students make apps and websites. In this case, the web developers will benefit financially while the student body will benefit from the services. Mashrur was also previously involved in MUNSU through student residences, but since residences left MUNSU- Student res experience has plummeted. As a result, he will use his knowledge of residences processes to revive the bridge with MUNSU and student residences through financing and connections to recreate the bridge that was there before. Mashrur also wishes to promote more events and cultural events between MUNSU and student life for more engagement and student benefit.

His philosophy for this position is: “I ask not what my community can do for me, but I ask what I can do for my community,” Students are the present, and He does not fear responsibility instead welcomes it. 

Was not present for the Town Hall. The candidacy description is available here on MUNSU’s Website.

Mackenzie is a double major in Musicology and Philosophy from Fogo Island, currently living in St. John’s. She is running for the Executive Director of Advocacy because she is tired of the university administration not listening to students and MUNSU allowing the administration to do so. Mackenzie is the co-president of the Music Society, has organized community events, acquired funding for various initiatives, and helped develop a pre mentorship within The School of Music. She is willing to be vocal in advocating for students groups, individuals, and the entire student body. If elected, Mackenzie plans to review outdated policies and endorse better healthcare for international students and gender-diverse individuals. Mackenzie was also the first to fill the trans student rep position, which she proposed at CFS’s Fall general meeting. Mackenzie believes students in this province deserve an executive that will stand for them and represent what they need and want. Executives need to be in it for the students.

@mackenzie4munsuadvocacy on Instagram

Faisal is a 2nd-year business and International student from Palestine, currently living in St. John’s. He has worked a MUCEP position with MUNSU for the fall and winter 2021-2022 semester and is a huge advocate for human rights. Faisal states, “Advocating for human rights has been his thing his whole life, so advocating for student life comes very naturally because
I come from an area where you need to advocate for human rights in order to survive”. As a result, Faisal promises to advocate for student rights no matter how small or minor the issue, as that is important to MUNSU.

@faisalforadvocacy on Instagram

Emmanuel Gonese is running for the Executive Director of Student Life because he wants to revive the experiences he acquired in his first two years at MUNL. Emmanuel has lived in residence for two years (Bowater). He wants to put energy into making Welcome Week & Winter Carnival an excellent experience for others. He wants students to know there is a larger community on campus. His plan, if elected, would be to form a Winter Carnival committee early. Emmanuel highlights his experience with societies and his team player personality- which will help events run smoothly. He also plans to support clubs and societies with ratification that are not directly affiliated with a faculty. He wants to highlight the diversity and variety MUN offers and help form new clubs and societies to represent the diverse culture and ideas of the MUN Student Body. Emmanuel also plans to promote local talent at events and open mics once The Breezeway renovations are complete.

@emmanuelgoneseforstudentlife on Instagram

Ely Pittman is a 5th-year student studying law and society and English literature. Since her second semester, they have volunteered with undergraduate communities, helped plan and organize events, advertised opportunities around campus, and inspire students to become leaders. If voted in, Ely claims they will make student life accessible, exciting, and interactive. This includes bringing back events on campus such as live performances and game nights.” Ely has noticed that student life has declined over the past two years. Hence, she believes MUNSU needs to up our social media presence and host more online events to create a welcoming and safe environment for all. Ely believes, “students who do not feel safe coming to campus should have an opportunity to be involved at MUNL, whether it is through online study sessions, live streams, or social media challenges.” They also believe “since going online MUNL students have been feeling uninvolved and uninspired missing vital experiences that help them thrive as students, make new friends, and become the leaders I know they can be.” As a result, Ely promises she will help advertise clubs and, societies, student events and promote volunteering on campus as much as possible. 

“Vote Ely Pittman to make campus experience as accessible, empowering, and inspiring as possible.” 

@ely4studentlife on Instagram