Calling all candidates

For the first time in two years, Kayla Kurin isn’t preparing an election campaign this January.

After two terms as vice-president internal of the Dalhousie Student Union, Ms. Kurin is looking forward to being a spectator for this year’s DSU elections, and has a simple piece of advice for students thinking about throwing their hat into the field.

“Just go for it,” she says. “Running a campaign is an experience in and of itself. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot fun. Don’t doubt yourself; it’s worth it.”

Nominations for the DSU elections open Monday, Jan. 23 and close on February 1. There are four executive positions up for grabs: president, vice-president internal, vice-president academic and external, and vice-president student life. Students can also run for one of two student positions on the Dalhousie Board of Governors and one of four student spots on the University Senate (one of which is reserved for a graduate student).

The election campaign is scheduled to take place February 6-13, with voting taking place online from February 14-16.

“We really work to make it as easy as possible to vote,” explains Katelynn Northam, a fifth-year IDS student who is serving as chief returning officer this year. “We set up laptop voting stations around campus, and because it’s done online, students can vote on their own time, wherever is convenient.”

She echoes the call for students to consider running.

“These positions represent 17,000 Dalhousie students to the university and the wider community. There aren't that many opportunties to earn that  sort of experience while you’re in your early 20s.”

“We get to help so many people, and the people we work with are amazing,” says Ms. Kurin, who adds that her time on the executive working with societies and students of all stripes has given her a real appreciation for the breadth of student life on campus.

“Everyone here is so passionate about what they do.”

Students who are interested in running can pick up a nomination package starting Monday at the DSU info desk, the DSU reception desk (second floor of the SUB) or online at dsuelections.ca. Candidates need to collect 25 signatures from Dalhousie students to be nominated.