Who’s new on the SRA

By Vanessa Polojac

On Jan. 18 and 19, the SRA by-election took place. This is when Student Representative Assembly, the governing body of the MSU that is composed of undergraduate students elect new members inside specific academic faculties.

During these elections, Josh Arbess was elected as a representative for SRA (Engineering) and Kenzie Shin as a representative for SRA (Kinesiology). Sergio Raez Villanueva claimed the SRA (Science) seat, with no others running for the position.

The McMaster Students Union serves students in two main areas: political representation and the enhancement of student life. They provide political representation and advocate for decisions that are in students’ best interests at the university, municipal, provincial and federal levels.

Josh Arbess is a Level I Engineering student. During his time on the SRA, Arbess plans to introduce and advocate for many initiatives that will benefit Engineering students, and the entire undergraduate body on campus.

He advocates for better representation of diversity by raising attention to groups supporting minorities in engineering, and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard through a more coherent system for religious and spiritual accommodations in regards to academics.

“Through the SRA, I can advocate for the needs and requests of the faculty ensuring that engineering students voices are heard,” said Arbess.

Transit is another issue that Arbess is willing to address while on the SRA. He hopes to increase bus service on key university routes and promises to improve religious, Indigenous and spiritual observances with more diversity in university clubs and initiatives.

Additionally, Arbess plans to educate the faculty body on what the SRA does, and how they can get more involved in MSU operations.

“Speaking with a number of my peers, very few of them knew what the SRA did, or even what it was, before this election,” said Arbess.

Arbess believes that accountability measures, such as increasing the use of social media to publicize initiatives and meeting information, will get more students involved in the governance that affects their university experience.

Arbess also believes accessibility and communication are crucial to being a student leader. To become an active advocate, Arbess will also hold and participate in office hours, attending all times mandated in addition to chatting with peers about issues affecting them outside of regular office hours.

“Speaking with a number of my peers, very few of them knew what the SRA did, or even what it was, before this election.”

Josh Arbess, SRA (Engineering)

Third time’s the charm for Kenzie Shin who has already run twice prior to her third and final election run. Shin is a Level IV Kinesiology student. Shin’s platform focuses on transit and cost reduction in regards to university hospitality services.

Shin promises to uphold her position and represent all kinesiology students.

Shin hopes to advocate for the installation of WiFi to inaccessible spaces on campus such as bus stops. Her platform also focuses on lowering food costs and reducing taxes.

Both Arbess and Shin will work to provide the best possible MSU services and departments, represent and address the concerns of undergraduate students, and lobby the university to improve McMaster’s academic quality.

The representatives are vocal about getting the McMaster community involved with the MSU. To find out if there is a position open in your faculty, or for further information on running for a position within the SRA, contact the MSU chief returning officer at [email protected].