So far, Nova is the only team who's managed to come out and say what actually makes them different from the others. I don't know any of the candidates personally, but Nova seems to know the most about what they're doing, and they've been the only team to give me real reasons to vote for them over the others. So they have my vote.
I find Green's approach to mental health completely offensive. Suggesting that what students suffering from mental issues on this campus need most is 'a quiet space to think and meditate by themselves,' completely trivializes mental illness. Maybe focus on things like, I dunno, advocating for more counsellors?! Or dealing with the natural stigma around mental illness that is still MASSIVE on this campus. Or perhaps using FEDS to offer REAL mental health resources to students. A lounge ain't gonna cut it!!!
Agreed. As someone who has been in and out of counselling for a couple years, and has trouble getting an appointment more than once a month (even though I really need it), I'd be seriously pissed off if someone gave me a quiet room to sit in like they thought it would help.
You seem to be equating mental health with mental illness. Good mental health practices (like places to destress/relax) are a totally separate thing from mental illness (clinical depression, anxiety, etc.) support. FEDS isn't staffed by medical personnel, so it seems much more appropriate they're not making promises re: mental illness treatment, as they have zero expertise in the area. And "advocacy" isn't a glamorous platform point and you'd probably blast them for saying that anyway because it's not "doing something".
Look, things aren't great on campus but don't develop a persecution complex over it. It would be much more productive to channel your energy into doing something about it, as opposed to bitching on OMGUW.
I think Team Green is looking to reduce students' stress, I've been to counselling before because I felt overwhelmed which led to depression. A fall reading break or a quiet room would have been very helpful and then students with other difficulties would have had to wait for less time to see a councillor.
7b, good mental health practices are absolutely NOT a separate thing from mental illness. The two are intricately connected, and mental illness is not necessarily medical in nature. What if FEDS and the University worked together to jointly provide more space for counselling services, coupled with more counsellors? There could be more workshops, group sessions, maybe even counselling offered in the SLC (instead of having to go to Needles Hall all the time). FEDS could also work to actively combat the stigma surrounding mental illness, which is very real, and very hard to deal with.
Math Comfy lounge is the most disgusting thing and nobody ever gets place. They're talking about a moderated quiet place for some god damned peace not snoring people.
@7: in the past for me, during the fucking horrific mental breakdowns I've suffered, a Fall reading would kick ass. I'm talking preventing me from cutting kick-ass. Green is the *only* team that seems dedicated to this.
On the other hand, Nova is warning people about how scary a Fall reading week is because "oh noes, it might cut a day or two out of orientation!!" As if they can't plan activities during reading week or something. If they claim they give a shit about school spirit, they shouldn't insist on lumping it into a single week a year (and a not particularly inclusive week, I might add...)
First things first. Many UW women, including my friends and I won't go to Counselling Services until it becomes a safe space for us. Until they clean house we're staying away. Unfortunately that means we're not getting the mental health/illness/whatever counselling services we're paying for. We haven't heard any candidates talk about this real issue of vulnerability in the department we need it most.
We didn't pay high fees to be counselled by a department that won't address and punish sexual harassment within its own walls, and instead allow the perpetrator to continue meeting unsuspecting vulnerable young female patients/interns/staff in private, and punish/shun female staff who speak out against this. What kind of conflicted advice are counsellors who support the perpetrator (or -shudder- the perpetrator himself) giving to us if we go in with a sexual abuse/assault problem? Get rid of the hazard first, make it safe, and then we'll think of stepping into that place. Until then, CS leaders should be ashamed to continue taking salaries largely funded from women's tuitions and fees.
Unless a candidate speaks out on this specific campus mental health issue, it doesn't matter who gets elected. They won't try to fix it.
Because Stephane is the only one on that team with actual experience. The rest of them are running because he found them and persuaded them to run with him. He's been planning this for over a year.
nobody seems to remember that Renish was also on the University Senate (main academic decision-making body), and a delegate to OUSA (drafting policies for OUSA to lobby to the provincial governmentt, on educational issues) THOSE are her key assets in my opinion, at least for the position of VPED
He has the most experience working with the University and Politicians, he has been President, Vice President Academic, and Vice President Events of MathSoc, he is on Education Advisory Committee. Sure he hasn't been on Senate(like Renish) and Adam's Co-op(like Luke) but neither of those experiences would have prepared him for the VPED position as much as the roles he's been in.
Stephane's team may not win, but Stephane will.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be 2 from green and 2 from spark
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteHopefully zip from Nova!
DeleteSo far, Nova is the only team who's managed to come out and say what actually makes them different from the others. I don't know any of the candidates personally, but Nova seems to know the most about what they're doing, and they've been the only team to give me real reasons to vote for them over the others. So they have my vote.
DeleteI'm predicting Stephane wins, Nova sweeps everything else.
DeleteGO STEPHANE!
ReplyDelete*waves green flags*
Their VP OF has a solid platform too. More achievable that Nova and more substantial than Spark :D
ReplyDeleteHer platform is mostly stuff from their VPIN. Not exactly solid.
Delete@4, what did u like about their VP OF's platform?
ReplyDeleteIf Stephane doesn't win this, I would be shocked.
ReplyDeleteI find Green's approach to mental health completely offensive. Suggesting that what students suffering from mental issues on this campus need most is 'a quiet space to think and meditate by themselves,' completely trivializes mental illness. Maybe focus on things like, I dunno, advocating for more counsellors?! Or dealing with the natural stigma around mental illness that is still MASSIVE on this campus. Or perhaps using FEDS to offer REAL mental health resources to students. A lounge ain't gonna cut it!!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. As someone who has been in and out of counselling for a couple years, and has trouble getting an appointment more than once a month (even though I really need it), I'd be seriously pissed off if someone gave me a quiet room to sit in like they thought it would help.
DeleteYou seem to be equating mental health with mental illness. Good mental health practices (like places to destress/relax) are a totally separate thing from mental illness (clinical depression, anxiety, etc.) support. FEDS isn't staffed by medical personnel, so it seems much more appropriate they're not making promises re: mental illness treatment, as they have zero expertise in the area. And "advocacy" isn't a glamorous platform point and you'd probably blast them for saying that anyway because it's not "doing something".
DeleteLook, things aren't great on campus but don't develop a persecution complex over it. It would be much more productive to channel your energy into doing something about it, as opposed to bitching on OMGUW.
I think Team Green is looking to reduce students' stress, I've been to counselling before because I felt overwhelmed which led to depression. A fall reading break or a quiet room would have been very helpful and then students with other difficulties would have had to wait for less time to see a councillor.
Delete7b, good mental health practices are absolutely NOT a separate thing from mental illness. The two are intricately connected, and mental illness is not necessarily medical in nature.
DeleteWhat if FEDS and the University worked together to jointly provide more space for counselling services, coupled with more counsellors? There could be more workshops, group sessions, maybe even counselling offered in the SLC (instead of having to go to Needles Hall all the time). FEDS could also work to actively combat the stigma surrounding mental illness, which is very real, and very hard to deal with.
7c, there are so many of those lounges on campus. Ever been to the Math Comfy?
DeleteAgreed with e. Not saying we don't need more, but it's not the top issue on campus, at all.
DeleteMath Comfy lounge is the most disgusting thing and nobody ever gets place. They're talking about a moderated quiet place for some god damned peace not snoring people.
Delete@7: in the past for me, during the fucking horrific mental breakdowns I've suffered, a Fall reading would kick ass. I'm talking preventing me from cutting kick-ass. Green is the *only* team that seems dedicated to this.
DeleteOn the other hand, Nova is warning people about how scary a Fall reading week is because "oh noes, it might cut a day or two out of orientation!!" As if they can't plan activities during reading week or something. If they claim they give a shit about school spirit, they shouldn't insist on lumping it into a single week a year (and a not particularly inclusive week, I might add...)
First things first. Many UW women, including my friends and I won't go to Counselling Services until it becomes a safe space for us. Until they clean house we're staying away. Unfortunately that means we're not getting the mental health/illness/whatever counselling services we're paying for. We haven't heard any candidates talk about this real issue of vulnerability in the department we need it most.
DeleteWe didn't pay high fees to be counselled by a department that won't address and punish sexual harassment within its own walls, and instead allow the perpetrator to continue meeting unsuspecting vulnerable young female patients/interns/staff in private, and punish/shun female staff who speak out against this. What kind of conflicted advice are counsellors who support the perpetrator (or -shudder- the perpetrator himself) giving to us if we go in with a sexual abuse/assault problem?
Get rid of the hazard first, make it safe, and then we'll think of stepping into that place. Until then, CS leaders should be ashamed to continue taking salaries largely funded from women's tuitions and fees.
Unless a candidate speaks out on this specific campus mental health issue, it doesn't matter who gets elected. They won't try to fix it.
why stephane?
ReplyDeleteBecause Stephane is the only one on that team with actual experience. The rest of them are running because he found them and persuaded them to run with him. He's been planning this for over a year.
DeleteStephane is also the only VPED candidate with the capacity to do the job.
DeleteStephane is the only anything candidate with the capacity to do the job.
DeleteSpark will win but Green will catch the snitch.
ReplyDeletethe other VPED candidate is prez on the asu. She was VP Academic last year too.
ReplyDeletelet the battles begin.
As an arts student, ASU does NOTHING. I'm voting against the asu president just because of how shitty asu is.
Deletenobody seems to remember that Renish was also on the University Senate (main academic decision-making body), and a delegate to OUSA (drafting policies for OUSA to lobby to the provincial governmentt, on educational issues)
DeleteTHOSE are her key assets in my opinion, at least for the position of VPED
Stephane is fucking ass
ReplyDeleteKickass, you mean?
DeleteYeah Stephane is asshole
ReplyDeleteStephane experience is biggest problem for him. I m 100% sure he will loose
ReplyDeleteHe has the most experience working with the University and Politicians, he has been President, Vice President Academic, and Vice President Events of MathSoc, he is on Education Advisory Committee. Sure he hasn't been on Senate(like Renish) and Adam's Co-op(like Luke) but neither of those experiences would have prepared him for the VPED position as much as the roles he's been in.
Delete