STRENGTHENING STUDENT INFLUENCE

Students today receive loans from the government, accept funds from family members and work multiple jobs in the effort to create a better future through education. One of the primary roles of the AMS is to represent student interests at multiple levels of government and at every level of the university administration. The AMS should be using it’s income from student fees in the most effective ways possible, to lobby these organizations to ensure student’s interests are furthered at the university and in the province.

Transparent Student Government

Each year every student pays nearly $100 to the AMS for a range of programs, services, events, and advocacy. It is important for students to know that their money is being spent in the right places on initiatives that matter to them. A culture of transparency in the AMS can be encouraged though initiatives designed to shine light on AMS programs and finances. A staff member responsible for internal auditing who reports to AMS council directly can maintain constant communication and reporting while keeping the happenings of the society in the open. A transparent student government is an accountable one.

Harmonized Lobbying Initiatives

A unified student voice will increase influence in relations with the university and external bodies. The creation of a provincial lobby group will unite students and strengthen their influence on decisions at the BC Provincial Government level. This lobby group would integrate not only the voices of 48,000 UBC students who are members of the AMS but students all over the province as well. The impact of this group would be a far more powerful voice in speaking about challenges in accessing high quality education.

Coordinated Approach to Governance

This year the issue of the future of governance at UBC will be of great importance. My involvement in 2010 Land Use Plan consultations as the official representative of the AMS to the University’s Campus and Community Planning body helped me strengthen student interests. I will continue to represent the student voice through a coordinated approach to governance. The AMS will demand greater clarity and specificity on the position and path of UBC, establish a defined timeline for progress towards a reasonable and sustainable solution, establish strong relationships with third party groups to find mutual advantages and consult with students on the direction they best see fit. The official AMS policy on governance will be developed with these principles in mind so that future developments in governance will have a coordinated framework by which students can increase their influence.