Candidates highlight key campus issues, outlining platforms on transparency, resource allocation and student engagement
The 2025 McMaster Students Union presidential debate took place on Jan. 28, 2025, in the McMaster University Student Centre atrium from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event coincides with the voting period, taking place from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, 2025.
This year's debate saw three presidential candidates, Simon Mills, Olami Olalere and Piper Plavins, answer questions about key issues ranging from club sustainability to general awareness of services offered by the MSU.
The debate provided insights into how each candidate plans to shape the future of the MSU and ensure the well-being of McMaster students. Each candidate was given the opportunity to speak on their platform and respond to questions from both the moderators and the audience, with a chance for rebuttals to further clarify and defend their positions.
For added context and clarity, the Silhouette has fact-checked and provided commentary on the candidates' responses.
Regarding this topic, Plavins called for more awareness campaigns, noting that students need to know about the available support systems. She suggested her platform promise of "MSU Week", separate from Welcome Week, to highlight MSU services and engage the campus community. It is worth noting that Plavins has not presented a plan to fund this proposed initiative.
Mills echoed that promoting services by leveraging existing resources, like the Silhouette and social media, could help increase overall awareness of the MSU.
Olalere argued that the MSU shouldn't wait for students to approach them. Instead, the MSU should be more proactive, engaging students through platforms such as his proposed "MSUTV" initiative and highlighting services regularly.
Olalere has not presented a plan to fund "MSUTV" nor has he indicated how this will operate alongside existing campus-media, including the Silhouette and 93.3 CFMU.
It is also worth referencing the Campus Media Merger that was unanimously passed by the Student Representative Assembly on Jan. 12, 2025. This will promote more cross-collaborative video, print and broadcast initiatives by merging the Silhouette under CFMU Radio Incorporated.
There is currently no information if "MSUTV" would be a part of this newly-merged campus-media department.
Mills supported the Homecoming and Large Events referendum, as well as the Food Accessibility Initiative referendum, emphasizing their importance for student life and mental health. However, he opposed the Engineers Without Borders referendum, citing concerns about how funds are allocated, stating that he believes the fee should not be kept in place.
Olalere also supported the Homecoming and Large Events and Food Accessibility Initiative referenda, but opposed the EWB one, stressing the need for transparency in MSU leadership.
Plavins was also in favour of the Food Accessibility Initiative referendum but opposed the Homecoming and Large Events referendum, suggesting that the funds
Plavins also criticized the EWB referendum, questioning the proper use of MSU funds.
It is worth noting that Engineers Without Borders is outside the purview of MSU leadership, as it is a Bylaw-9 group that is "administered by non-MSU, non-University bodies".
When asked about their platforms, Olalere reiterated his focus on identifying what hinders students and designing his platform around addressing these challenges.
Plavins emphasized that her platform was driven by student feedback, suggesting that many students were unaware of the MSU's existing services and programs.
Mills focused on the 30 consultations he claimed to have conducted with McMaster faculty and MSU officials. In regards to increasing MSU club engagement, he referenced his proposed club matchmaking system. Mills also discussed the importance of addressing mental health issues and improving student engagement.
The candidates also criticized each other's platforms.
Plavins criticized Olalere's proposal for not offering enough detailed solutions, emphasizing that platform promises should be executable with a clear plan and not just vague promises. It is worth noting that the Silhouette stated in Plavins' critique that she also lacked detailed solutions and funding models for her platform. According to a Silhouette critique, Mills also lacked detailed solutions and funding models.
Mills argued that the role of Olalere's proposed "MSUTV" should be clearly defined and that new initiatives might be redundant when existing platforms already serve a similar purpose. The Silhouette also identified this in Olalere's critique, citing a similarity to the initiatives that both the Silhouette and 93.3 CFMU have already been working on.
Olalere and Mills criticized Plavins' idea to include an ice rink at the MSU Holiday Market, questioning its feasibility and the need for such a large expenditure. There is currently no estimate into how much the proposed rink would cost students, nor where the money to fund such a project would come from.
However, neither Olalere nor Plavins directly addressed how they would engage with the government to advocate for students.
When asked about supporting student movements like McMaster's Apartheid Divestment, Mills noted that while he may not be an expert on every issue, he would support student movements by being well-informed and d
Olalere proposed more consistent engagement with students through town halls, ensuring they are aware of the actions the MSU is taking.
Plavins emphasized the need for an open-door policy and a commitment to listening to students and supporting advocacy efforts across campus.
None of the candidates clearly gave their position on this specific matter.
Regarding transportation, Mills proposed working with parking services to improve parking availability as well as his platform promise to combat what he claims to be predatory enforcement and issuing of parking fine around McMaster. He also suggested a need to push for more HSR routes.
Olalere also argued that HSR services must expand, especially in areas "up the mountain", to accommodate students better. He also suggested pushing for more GO transit initiatives and adding more routes westward from Hamilton.
None of the candidates clearly identified who they would specifically work with to ensure their goals were achieved.
Lastly, the candidates discussed expanding peer support services, especially for at-risk and marginalized students.
Plavins pointed to the importance of recognizing barriers faced by marginalized students, such as those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and making sure they feel safe and supported on campus.
Olalere stated that "one of the biggest peer-support services" was the Emergency First Response Team. However, as defined in MSU Operating Policy 2 — Services, EFRT is a student-life enhancement service that primarily provides emergency medical assistance rather than peer support. Other student-life enhancement services include the Maroons, Spark, Macademics, Food Collective Centre and the Student Walk Home Attendant Team.
The MSU’s dedicated peer-support services, which focus on supporting at-risk and marginalized students, include the Diversity and Equity Network, Maccess, the Pride Community Centre, the Student Health Education Centre and the Women and Gender Equity Network.
Students will have the opportunity to cast their votes on the three presidential candidates and the three concurrent referenda during the 2025 MSU presidential election period. Voting will occur online via the SimplyVoting platform from Jan. 28 to 30, 2025.
In the race for MSU presidency, McMaster socialite Piper Plavins hopes to improve student advocacy, resource awareness and implement practical reform
McMaster Students Union 2025 presidential candidate Piper Plavins' platform is focused on three major pillars: improving the everyday experience of students, improving the student voice through advocacy and increased student involvement in campus politics, and improving the services of the MSU.
Enhancing Access and Awareness of Student Resources and Services
Recognizing the importance of student involvement and believing it important to address a lack of student awareness surrounding extracurricular opportunities and MSU services, Plavins proposes to create and implement an event called "MSU Week" to promote the services and events offered by the establishment.
The week would consist of five days of activities designed to highlight the various services, clubs and resources available through the MSU. Each day will focus on a specific theme. Plavins proposes that the first day would be a job fair for students to learn about MSU job opportunities, with the other days dedicated to MSU services and initiatives, student advocacy opportunities, financial management and the various support and resources available to students.
Plavin also wants to improve campus events and further utilize campus resources to improve campus life and student experience. These include ideas such as comedy nights and maintaining a commitment to Homecoming.
Her platform also proposes an expansion of the Holiday Market expansion, with the intention of having an artificial skating rink at the market and a focus on student-run small businesses and "a diverse range of cultural vendors."
Plavins' final point of her first platform pillar is to build a sense of community in the Student Representative Assembly. Plavins proposes an SRA exclusive retreat to encourage a more collaborative form of student governance. She believes an SRA with a stronger sense of community will foster a more positive atmosphere and greater cooperation within the assembly and the MSU.
Improving Student Advocacy
Plavins' platform proposes a restructuring of club policy aimed at enabling students to create "higher-level clubs" and encouraging student-run clubs to become more self-sufficient by implementing training to find sponsors.
Her platform also voices support for current McMaster MSU President Jovan Popovic’s Soup and Bread Initiative. In addition, she has indicated the program should offer different traditional options from various backgrounds to make the program more inclusive.
Her platform on food insecurity proposes an increase in the Food Collective Centre budget by $5,000. The FCC is the MSU's student-run food security resource, committed to alleviating food insecurity among students.
Advocating for accessibility is another component of her advocacy promises. Her platform includes advocating for classrooms to be made to be more accessible to all students. She suggests this would minimize the need for individual accommodations and foster a more inclusive learning environment for everyone.
Plavins' platform also advocates for continued support from the MSU regarding housing. She claims she recognizes the work of the MSU on this issue, but says in her platform she thinks the MSU needs to provide further support for students finding housing.
Operational Excellence of the MSU
Plavins claims the Lot M bus schedule is unreliable, so she proposes to collaborate with Parking Services to establish a consistent and reliable bus schedule. For those commuting to campus and in need of parking, Plavins proposes a more affordable parking pass option with a proposed student "flex pass" so that students can pay for a set number of hours to park in different locations. She indicates these platform points are aimed at improving life for commuter students.
The platform also suggests that the design and image of TwelvEighty Bar & Grill should be changed to reflect what she says is The Grind's more casual atmosphere.
In the final aspect of her platform, Plavins proposes a new program pairing 2SLGBTQIA+ first-year students with upper-year mentors. She proposes this would be run through the Pride Community Centre. It would aim to address unique challenges faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ students, such as issues in transitioning to university and feeling less connected to school and experiencing discrimination.
Overall, Piper Plavins' platform focuses on enhancing student life through increasing the MSU's advocacy efforts, student advocacy, along with proposals to expand and support student clubs and certain MSU services.
Following re-election as MSU president, Jovan Popovic sat down with the Silhouette to discuss the election, plans for his second term and student voter turnout.
Current McMaster Students Union president Jovan Popovic won the 2024 election and will be serving a second term. Popovic’s platform this year touched on several diverse topics, with a focus on addressing some prominent struggles faced by students, including food and housing insecurity.
One highlight of his platform was his proposed soup and bread initiative. With the aim of helping to alleviate student food insecurity, this program would serve complimentary soup and bread on campus. Popovic stated that students will be served four days a week and the initiative will be funded by a five dollar increase of the MSU membership fee.
Popovic added that the soup and bread initiative is a major priority, as rates of food insecurity among students are rapidly rising.
“I’ve had way too many students tell me they’re regularly skipping meals just to save money and that’s completely unacceptable,” said Popvoic.
Another notable point in Popovic's platform was the promised return of an on-campus homecoming in 2024. In a previous interview with the Silhouette during the 2023 presidential race, Popovic noted that McMaster has not hosted an on-campus homecoming event since before the COVID-19 pandemic and he remains committed to bringing this event back for students.
On the housing crisis, Popovic stated that he intends push McMaster to commit to not increase enrollment numbers any further. He cited that presently there is not even enough room for all first-year students to be guaranteed the option to live in residence and as such, increasing enrollment numbers would only add to the issues.
Popovic noted that presently first year students need a high school average of at least 90 per cent to be guaranteed residence.
“I think all first years should be given residence. All of them should have a place to live and this is why putting a cap on enrollment is so important” stated Popovic.
Popovic also stated that he fears the construction of new residences on campus, such as Peter George Centre for Living and Learning and Lincoln Alexander Hall, are being built to plan for increasing enrollment numbers, though these residences will still collectively house a relatively small number students compared to the continuously rising student population.
Another key pillar of Popovic's platform is to help student athletes and sports teams. Popovic aims to allow teams to fundraise by hosting free events at MSU-operated venues. Popovic stated he will dedicate a budget line for sports teams to host fundraising events at venues such as the TwelvEighty Bar and Grill in the McMaster University Student Centre.
Finally, Popovic promised to continue advocating for more liberal guidelines on the use of generative AI in academic work, as compared to the current ones. Popovic also stated in the interview that he advocated and continues to advocate against the use of AI grading and assessment by professor’s and teaching staff.
Following his return to work after a leave of absence during the election, Popovic stated that both the soup and bread program and the return of homecoming will be his top priorities.
Before the election, Popovic stated that he plans to hold a referendum for the increased fee to fund the program to take place next year. Post-election, Popovic believed that holding a referendum this semester to have the program running for next fall is best way forward.
“There is potential to get [the soup and bread program] operational for September, if a referendum is run right now,” stated Popovic.
In contrast, if a referendum was held in the fall, the program likely wouldn't be operational until Fall 2025.
Popovic was also asked during the sit down, if there were any aspects of his opponents platforms that he sees merit in and would consider building into his plans for next year.
In response, Popovic stated that aspects of Luca Bernardini’s proposed MSU app were interesting and held merit. Though, Popovic stated he thought an app would be difficult to build and furthermore difficult to garner traction with the student body.
Popovic highlighted that he thought Bernardini’s idea of having a reward system for students who attend MSU and club events would be an excellent way to increase student engagement on campus. Popovic also stated he thinks students are hesitant to attend events for the first time, but once they do, they come out again more often.
Reflecting on the MSU presidential debate, Popovic noted that it was carried out professionally and respectfully. He stated that himself and his opponents did attack one another, but did so only in ways that pertained to their platform points, without making any personal attacks.
“There were also candidates going at each other, but I think that's positive. It’s called a debate for a reason,” stated Popovic.
However, Popovic noted the turnout to the debate was relatively low and disappointing. He stated that this low turnout may have been due to a problem with the audio system, resulting in only students actively watching the debate being able to hear it in the MUSC atrium.
Overall, Popovic stated he believed he performed well at the debate. He stated that the questions he was asked were valid and that he was not faced with any to which he could not adequately answer.
“I wish I knew each candidate's platform a little bit more in depth. I didn’t know a lot of the specifics of each person’s platform, which meant that I was very focused on myself,” said Popovic.
Popovic stated that in comparison to last year, voter turnout was 16.4 per cent, which is up 56 per cent compared to last year. However, Popovic stated that voter turnout is still very low.
“Years back we would consistently reach about 25 per cent," stated Popovic.
Despite the low turnout, though Popovic reflected positively on the increase in engagement. He stated that last year’s election saw the lowest historical turnout, at just 10.2 per cent. Popovic also stated this increase was more than he had hoped for and that it will take several years to achieve a voter turnout per cent in the high twenties again.
Concluding the interview, Popovic was asked if he would consider running for a third term next year.
Popovic responded that he does not intend to run again next year.
“While I think that continuity is good from time to time. . . I think that having an element of change is a really positive thing for the organization. Ultimately, we’ll see what I’m able to do in the year ahead," stated Popovic.
Though he stated that if he sees ways he could further improve the MSU by running for a third term he may consider it, he does not presently think he will.
"I think I will be able to accomplish all that is important this term, but you never know. It depends on what opportunities arise, if I think that I could really help the MSU a lot more, but I think I'll be able to leave my mark after two years of service,” stated Popovic.