In a finale to the de-slated AMS executive election, AMS Assembly members elected Owen Rocchi, CompSci ’24, Ayan Chowdhury, ArtSci ’24, and Ruth Osunde, ArtSci ‘25, to be the next leaders of undergraduate student government at Queen’s.
During the Feb. 29 Special Assembly, seven students presented their platforms and answered questions from Assembly and members at large. Hot topics included the JDUC revitalization plan, student engagement, and food insecurity on campus.
After hours of debate and questions, Assembly members huddled in the middle of the room to discuss the debate while candidates waited outside. This portion of the meeting was intended to be an opportunity for “debate and discussion in open session,” according to the original agenda. Without microphones, students watching from the livestream couldn’t hear the conversations.
Presidential candidates
Assembly opened with presentations from AMS presidential candidates Rocchi, Jason Kim, Comm ’24, and Nicolas Brasset Duque, ArtSci ’24.
Rocchi, AMS President-elect, wants to rejuvenate the Queen’s identity. For him, the JDUC is vital to achieving this goal. Rocchi believes in meeting Queen’s at the bargaining table and highlighting the dissatisfaction on campus amongst students, while researching other universities, he will be able to resolve the situation before the AMS becomes a remote workspace.
“When students don’t see themselves as Queen’s students, they won’t feel safe and they won’t get involved,” Rocchi said.
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Rocchi’s top priority is to get more students in positions of power on campus. He will work with faculty societies, as representatives of the greater student body. Referencing budget cuts,
Rocchi promises to follow up with the Provost and Principal if students’ questions regarding transparency go unanswered.
“It will be me who will come knocking when students’ questions go unanswered,” Rocchi said.
Duque, who previously ran for vice-president (operations) within Team JNN at the beginning of AMS election season, made food insecurity and housing central to his platform, promising to collaborate with the Kingston community to solve the issues on campus.
In terms of student engagement with the AMS, Duque argued removing barriers and becoming more transparent would help. Duque called on the AMS Board of Directors, which oversees the organization’s financial and strategic management, to hold open sessions.
“The issue I personally have with [the AMS Board of Directors] is the refusal to have open sessions. When it comes to the AMS Board of Directors, that’s my primary concern,” Duque said.
For Kim, former presidential candidate of Team JNN, improving student engagement will come with increasing student representatives at AMS Assembly, as more students would hold power within student government.
Kim promised to tackle issues such as accessibility on campus and said showing face at events would be a big part of the job.
“I want to be able to show people I’m someone who always has my door open,” Kim said.
For him, collaborating and communicating about the budget deficit is essential to help students advocate for themselves in the future. Earlier that day, Kim met with the Provost and called their dialogue positive.
Duque and Kim, once teammates, fielded questions about their ability to work in teams after the disbandment of the “brotherhood.”
READ MORE: Nico Brasset Duque drops out of JNN, cites difference of opinions
“I was very unprepared initially, and faced the consequences,” Kim said about his previous run for AMS executive.
Rocchi was elected the next AMS President by Assembly.
Vice-president (operations) candidates
Going head-to-head for the position of Vice-President (Operations) were Ayan Chowdhury, ArtSci ’24 and Tyler Tâm Trần, Comm ’25, who shared their visions for the future of the AMS’s 13 services.
Having been involved in the AMS since his second year, Chowdhury was ultimately elected for the position. He pitched the possibility of splitting the vice president (operations) position into two, dividing the workload but increasing expenses.
As the current Head Manager of Tricolour Outlet, he plans to start a thrifting program, and promote other sustainable and cost-saving initiatives across the services.
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Chowdhury promised to rebrand the StuCons as a peer support service, not a security service, providing equity training for all services across the AMS. The AMS Food Bank will be a top priority, Chowdhury told Assembly, and he hopes to pass a fee increase at referendum.
When questioned about The Queen’s Journal’s future space and editorial autonomy by members at large, Chowdhury promised to support the service while expanding its reach at Queen’s.
Dialing in from France at 2 a.m., Trần felt confident in his ability to manage the demands of the position while on exchange. He promised to be consistently reachable and highlighted open communication with his staff.
“I can assure you one of my main pillars is creating an empathetic and open environment where criticism is encouraged,” Trần said.
Fielding questions from EngSoc representatives, Trần promised Clark Hall Pub would exist symbiotically with Queen’s Pub when it comes back into play next year, as the competition will allow for both pubs to differentiate.
Chowdhury clinched the Vice-President (Operations) spot with 18 votes.
Vice-president (university affairs) candidates
Vice President (University Affairs) candidates Katarina Bojic, ArtSci ’24, and Ruth Osunde, ArtSci ’25, answered questions about orientation week, antisemitism on campus, and breaking down barriers to equity at Queen’s.
For Osunde, the biggest part of her role will be supporting her staff, something she admires about outgoing Vice President (University Affairs) Victoria Mills. Osunde plans to build on the work that has already been done, acknowledging her biggest successes might be realized after her term is over. Osunde plans to de-slate the AMS executive election, believing it will remove barriers for students to participate in student government.
As the current Social Issues Commissioner (internal), Osunde promised to support students across campus. Fielding criticisms from members at large about the Social Issues Commission’s response to desecrations of Jewish religious symbols in residence, Osunde reminded those in attendance the AMS is an apolitical body. The responsibility to respond fell on the current AMS executive to reach out to affected groups on campus.
READ MORE: Students reflect on last week’s AMS Assembly
Bojic discussed treating all students with dignity. She told Assembly she’s proud of her ability to form relationships and believes it’s important to have clear communication with faculty societies.
A current co-president of Vogue Charity Fashion Show, Bojic spoke to improving financial accessibility for clubs, and wanted to make sure all students can access the future JDUC.
Osunde secured 25 votes, compared to Bojic’s one, becoming the next AMS Vice-President (University Affairs) at the end of the night.
Tags
AMS, Assembly, elections 2024, Team OAR
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