Meet the candidates for the KSA general election

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The annual general election is taking place for the Kwantlen Student Association. Students will be able to vote on Feb. 27 at 10:00 am until Feb. 28 at 9:00 pm.

There are five campus rep positions, one per campus. A candidate must be taking at least one class on the campus they want to represent or have taken a class on the campus in the previous semester, or live in the city the campus is located in. Candidates must confirm they meet one of these criteria on the nomination form. 

There are seven constituency rep positions: students of colour, queer, international students, women, Indigenous, disabilities, and mature. Candidates must self-identify as a member of the constituency and indicate so on the nomination form. 

There are 14 faculty rep positions: one for academic and career advancement, three for arts rep, five for business rep, one for design rep, one for health rep, two for science and horticulture rep, and one for trades and technology. Candidates must confirm they are registered in the faculty they seek to represent on the nomination form.

Candidates elected in this election start their term on April 1. 

 

Civic Plaza Campus Representative (1 Position Available)

Harshdeep Singh

MAJOR: Political Science

Why are you running for this position?

When I first enrolled in studying on campus, I saw the situations here. Last semester, my friend got elected for Surrey campus rep, Abdullah Randhawa. I also got encouraged to see the rest of the Civic Plaza campus. It’s a good and beautiful place to study, there are six floors. The main issue is that it is based near a hotel, students are getting noise from the hotel and other issues. So, just to resolve that and make it a peaceful place to study. 

Why should the students vote for you?

The students have their own vote and they have the right to vote, and I can’t tell them to vote for me. I can just say that for a brighter future for their studies, and to develop the Civic Plaza, on my behalf, I will do my best. So, that’s why I just need their votes so that I can come up to work for them. 

What would you like to change about the KSA? 

I think the KSA is doing a good job. Whether it’s the problems of international students or domestic students, but the thing is that sometimes students feel fearful to share their experiences with the KSA. So, I can be a middleman to represent them on behalf of KSA.

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students?

I will be available through emails and I will try my best to answer every email. If there is a need, I would also like to give hours to the students so they can share their problems with me in-person. Some problems are not the kind that can be shared via email, so they also get the time to meet me personally where we can discuss their problem and get to the solution. 

 

Civic Plaza Campus Representative (1 Position Available)

Asad Husain

MAJOR: Operations in Supply Chain Management 

Why are you running for this position?

I feel like in student life, there are a lot of things that can be changed and someone needs to be there at the forefront for student advocacy. Be it anything, for new students, or for existing students. There are a lot of things that students need to be aware of. A lot of information is missing. I think in between, there’s a gap and I want to bridge that gap. I also want to make the students’ university experience worth remembering. 

Why should the students vote for you?

It’s not like I would be a leader for them, I would be representing them and I would just be advocating for them. So, I will not have my own voice, I will be the voice of students. To lead them and help them with what they want. That’s my ultimate goal, to have a fun, loving environment in college, to have events where everyone is part of an inclusive environment, and where you are not discriminated against on the basis of where you come from. Whether you’re a domestic student or an international student. Whatever may be the case, you are all KPU students, you are one community, and you’re part of one team.

What would you like to change about the KSA?

I would like to bring more events where more people are interacting because I do not want to criticize what the KSA is doing right now, but I want it to be more inclusive. These are my personal views and the people I have spoken to at Civic Plaza say they are lacking in a lot of facilities, a lot of things, and people are not aware of things that are happening across all of their campuses. I would bring in more activities to Civic Plaza, more participation from Civic Plaza, more marketing for the events and all the things that are happening. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to the students?

The first thing I would do if I’m elected is I would have a drop box kind of thing where I will get general suggestions from students. I cannot promise that everything would be addressed, but I would have meetings with the students, all across Civic Plaza campus first. Civic Plaza obviously is my first priority but other campuses too, I want to improve them. The students at those campuses as well, and have more events, meet students, understand their views, and what they want. 

 

Langley Campus Representative (1 Position Available) 

Jashan Sekhon

MAJOR: General Studies

Why are you running for this position?

I think there are some major issues in the Langley campus, there is no campus life. There are no events throughout the year as compared to the Surrey campus. There are many other reasons which I want to address. No KSA member who has run in the past, any board of governor, or any other member goes to the Langley campus to know the problems of students. So, I want to work for the betterment of the students. 

Why should the students vote for you?

I have almost one year left and this position is also for one year. I have most of my classes at the Langley campus, so I usually know what problems are at the Langley campus and I can resolve them in a good manner.

What would you like to change about the KSA?

There are many problems. The KSA has not changed. So, if I have a chance to work with the KSA, I will try to change the constitution as the new KSA should have a new constitution. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students?

I’m working part-time right now, so I will spend more time on the Langley campus as compared to the officials who have been elected and usually spend most of their time in the KSA office in Surrey, which is not good. We have to listen to the problems of the students as we are their representatives. Mainly I will focus more on spending time on the Langley campus.

 

Richmond Campus Representative (1 Position Available) 

Jashanpreet Singh Maan

MAJOR: Business Management

Why are you running for this position?

The main point was the bus service at Richmond campus. If we get a class over there and if it’s ending at 10:00 pm, there’s a shuttle service going from 10:10 pm from Surrey to Richmond, and it goes, delays, and comes at 10:40 pm in Richmond. But it’s too late at night and we’re students, who will stand over there if it’s rainy or some other harsh conditions. But because the university is closed by 10:00 pm, we will have to stand over there. So, these are some issues and also university life, basically university life events. 

Why should the students vote for you?

I’m not saying to vote for me, just vote for the right candidate. Take your student issues to a representative. The main issue I have is the bus service. Moreover, we are going to promote the Wilson School of Design to the upper level at KPU, on behalf of KSA especially. Moreover, the student life at the university library, we want events. I think these are some more issues. 

What would you like to change about the KSA?

I think we want transparency back to the KSA and we want to know how to approach KSA.

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students? 

I will give my email to everybody or if they want my number, they can contact that. So, the main issue is to be approachable to the students. 

 

Cloverdale (Tech) Campus Representative (1 Position Available)

Jeremy Law (KSA Secretary, Cloverdale campus rep in 2019) 

MAJOR: Mathematics 

Why are you running for this position?

This is a very special place in my heart because I actually started at the tech campus. It’s often misunderstood and forgotten about because there is a different structure to trades than others. I think there’s so much that can be done. There’s so much that you want to see in terms of on campus activities and involvement after the pandemic because it’s changed so much about the view of what education is and I think it changes the view of what other stakeholders think about education. 

Why should students vote for you?

I’m just really passionate, I love conversing with people. I love listening to the viewpoints of others because I think that if someone votes for me, then I’ll be very open to listening to everything they have to say, but also kind of be able to have that experience I have with the student association and in other organizations. I have worked with policies, and I think I’d be a really great person to just share an issue with and talk to their solutions about. 

What would you like to change about the Kwantlen Student Association?

I would love more unity. Everyone has a different vision, but I think each vision is still distilled into the same thing which is to assist and help students. But how beautiful would it be, for example, if the campus reps all came together and did a KPU wide activity, that there was coordination, and I think that’s a really nice thing. 

Sometimes it’s a little bit separated, where one person has their goals and someone else has their goals, but I think that everyone has the same shared goal which is to benefit students and I think we can unite together and make some change. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students?

First and foremost, my inbox is always open. I’m always sending emails, but as well I’ll be usually in the office. I would have office hours, just so individuals can actually have a discussion. I would also love to do a monthly report about what things I am working on and how we can contribute to it together. 

 

International Students Representative (1 Position Available) 

Abdullah Randhawa (Incumbent Surrey campus rep)

MAJOR: Accounting 

Why are you running for this position?

I think our proper advocacy is not presented in KSA and it needs to be addressed. We have a lot of issues being international students. So, I want to address these issues.

My main point of view for which I’m running is I want to bring transparency, I want to bring accountability to the KSA that is lacking from the last two to three years. We don’t have any minutes and agendas posted for 2021 or 2022, and it’s 2023. We should work on that, we should bring accountability. We should bring transparency over there. Students should know where their money is being spent. 

Why should students vote for you?

I was elected as Surrey campus rep in the byelections. I’m re-running because I was told in the last elections if I didn’t do anything I won’t come again, but I think I have done my part and now it’s your part to vote for me. 

What would you like to change about the Kwantlen Student Association?

I will try my best to advocate for the international students in the best way I can, because I know a lot of issues going on that our students are facing over here and transfer students. I think proper representation is necessary in the KSA council because these points haven’t been raised yet. I’ve been on council for four months and there is no talking about what international student issues are. I’m also trying to get the KPU library hours extended to midnight for weekdays and for weekends. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students? 

I’m available to students. They have my phone number, my email, and I’m mostly seen on the Surrey campus. I usually go to the Richmond campus. 

I don’t want to be personally sitting in the office and just doing the work. I want to be the person who’s getting attached to the students, feeling their issues, what they’re facing and what they’re having there, and bringing a solution for that thing. They should know me because I’ve already run for Surrey campus rep. In that way, I had many new friends and they’re still my friends, and many people I know are also running in elections.

 

Mature Students Representative (1 Position Available) 

Jiwanjot Singh

MAJOR: Accounting

Why are you running for this position?

I’m running for this position because I’ve already graduated and completed my masters. I think that there is no age limit to learn. I represent the mature students, and I know their needs to represent that community. 

Why should students vote for you?

Students should vote for me because I’ve seen the problems students are facing here and I will try to work tirelessly to solve those problems. As a student myself, I’ve been through many problems.

What would you like to change about the Kwantlen Student Association?

There’s a communication gap. When I was going to campus for a nomination, I had to get so many signatures. They didn’t know what the KSA was and what the KSA was doing. So I would like to change that. I would like to cover the communication gap so that the students know what the KSA is and what the KSA does. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students? 

I will be having regular meetings with students because, currently, students don’t even know who the top executives of the KSA are. So, I will try to be physically present at all times and listen to the students. 

 

Students of Colour Representative (1 Position Available) 

Zahra Khan 

MAJOR: Political Science and English

Why are you running for this position? 

I really wanted to see a diverse voice step up that could represent students of colour from all across campus and provide a position of advocacy for their needs and a chance to speak up for what students of colour care about and how they’d like to see each other represented and how they’d like to see their views represented. I think stigma and social support are a huge issue and think that anti-racism at KPU should be centred. That’s why I’m running for students of colour.

Why should students vote for you? 

To see the needs of students and students of colour represented across KPU. You always get the issue for students of colour and the issue for anti-racism is sort of talked about in certain circles and I think it would be best if we could represent that democratically at a larger scale. KSA is a great avenue to do that so I thought I’d step up. 

What would you like to change about the Kwantlen Student Association? 

My biggest priority is destigmatizing student support for students of colour. I’m going to have commitments, points of advocacy, and things that need to be addressed and I feel like sitting on KSA council would be a wonderful way to do so. We can bring those issues to the table and discuss them in an environment where they can be heard. There’s a lot of issues to address, but most important is making sure that students of colour can get their voice heard through their representative on the KSA. There’s a lot to be done and I’m ready. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to your students? 

Remaining accountable to students I think is a matter of talking face-to-face. Making sure that people know what’s going on in the KSA. Within the KSA there should be transparency and external to the KSA there should be transparency in order to make students more aware of what’s going on. Posters, campaigning, and a lot of social media is a great avenue for advocacy. That’s really important to me. 

 

Students of Colour Representative (1 Position Available)

Guruamrit Singh

MAJOR: Public Relations

Why are you running for this position?

When I first entered the college for my first semester classes, I was getting mocked for my colour. I have a lot of friends and they told me that this thing is going around KPU, but no one is taking action against it and no one is rooting for it. 

The basic reason why I’m running for this election is I want to make new rules for the KPU campus. For those who are being racist, there should be strict action against them. If there are laws and someone is breaking the rules in the council, there should be laws for this, like those who are getting more advantages, they should be treated equally. Three of my friends have supported me. So, this gave me the bravery to stand against this, against all odds. That’s the reason I’m standing for this position. 

Why should students vote for you?

There are some students who can’t raise their voice. Some feel shy, some of them don’t want to run for the election. I can be their voice because I have field experience there. For those students, I would like to feel those fears. Please vote for me because my voice is their voice and if their voices rise. 

What would you like to change about the KSA?

I want to make some new rules. Some KSA members don’t like to come to the office. Most of them students are not aware that they can mail about the events being organized. I have observed that in the last seven to eight months, no event has taken place in KSA around colour pride. When there was the movement of Black Lives Matter, the KSA didn’t take any stand. So, I want to organize new campaigns in the KSA, I want to gather multicultural students all together and make them aware that their colour is their pride and we should stay together happily, that’s my motive. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students?

I will share my personal email and my personal number. I am very active on social media. So that’s my plus point for them so they can easily reach me out there. If someone wants to meet me on campus, they can meet with me. 

 

Students with Disabilities Representative (1 Position Available) 

Usha Gunatilake

MAJOR: Creative Writing 

Why are you running for this position?

As a person with visible and invisible disabilities I realized there has to be more scope for students with disabilities to participate in university activities, to be represented in university activities, in events or through a poster. I also noticed there are some great services that we already have that not everyone knows about. So, I want to make things we already have accessible, and also to improve it based on everyone’s needs.

Why should students vote for you?

I do have a little bit of experience myself, and I know my experience is not representative of everyone with disabilities. I know through conversations with some of my friends, there are certain concerns that aren’t really captured because sometimes they are very niche, and that is the nature of disability. It’s a very personal thing that I hope to create a space where I can meet up with those people, maybe in a group setting or like a one-on-one chat, whatever they’re comfortable with. 

What would you like to change about the Kwantlen Student Association?

Representation is a big thing that I would like to change. I’d like to see a place where there are people with disabilities, visible and invisible, just walking around, being ourselves, and not trying to fit into some mould, but just being our free selves. That representation goes in terms of people physically being there, and also in terms of advertising lots of students with abilities, but also students with disabilities, and not for the sake of disabilities. So, that disability focus, I hope to bring into the KSA. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to your students? 

I will share my student email so that if people have a concern or a challenge they can contact me. I’m also trying to put together a little committee where we meet maybe once every two weeks. Students with disabilities can pop-in so we can have a group discussion and talk things out because that needs to be done. Then if there is something that I see and I’m like, ‘Okay, I can address that,’ I can have a conversation with the KSA, the university, and hopefully make it a place for everyone. 

 

Women’s Representative (1 Position Available)

Gurnoor Kaur 

MAJOR: Business

Why are you running for this position?

I feel like there is not much female representation on Surrey campus. I want to create an environment where women can feel safe when they want to talk about something, when they want to share their problems, or when they want to tell people what the problems they’re facing are. Sometimes it becomes very hard for some girls. They feel hesitant to speak because there are a lot of males. I want to remove this kind of problem. That’s my main motive, so that girls can feel free to share their problems or to present their views or ideas. 

Why should students vote for you? 

I feel that I can represent them in a good way because I don’t hesitate to present my views or my ideas in front of people. As a leader, I can direct them in a good way and I can also address their points, views, and problems they’re facing in front of the council. 

What would you like to change about the Kwantlen Student Association? 

We have a good college life here, but some things that I miss here are intercultural activities. Like fun activities in KPU or participation of students. I’m standing to suggest to the council that you should have some intercultural activities here, because most students are international. It’s becoming a barrier because if we see groups, they are the same community, but if we have intercultural activities on campus, it’s going to be helpful for every student to feel free to have a good environment. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students? 

They can easily meet me. I will share my email and they can feel free to email me at any time and I will try my best to be available on campus. I can also share my number so they can contact me. 

 

Arts Representative (3 Positions Available) 

Emmanuel Kiross

MAJOR: Political Science

Why are you running for this position?

The main reason I’m running as someone who is a political science student and as someone who also wants to be involved a lot in student politics. Also, the recent story about the KSA executives adding a tuition benefit of $10,000, I am someone who believes that money could instead be used to better the lives of students, both domestic and international students, better than just going towards executives’ pockets. 

Why should students vote for you?

I believe I’m someone who genuinely is willing to actually fight for students to make a change and be as transparent as I can be with any questions or any concerns that students bring towards me. Many students have mentioned they’re concerned about increased food prices or even a reading week in the fall semester is something that people have told me that they wanted to have. I’m someone who can campaign to potentially address those students’ concerns and be an advocate for them.

What would you like to change about the Kwantlen Student Association?

I would argue to be more transparent and also far more democratic and transparent as it can be currently. There are many issues, even I have, currently with the KSA and the rest of us have with the KSA for valid reasons. I want to properly address those concerns and address the changes that the KSA will need in order to be healthier for the university as a whole. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students? 

Anytime I will give contact information so if there are any concerns that people have towards me they can contact me for that. One of my campaign promises is also better transparency with The Runner. Any questions they will have for me, I’ll try my best to contact them either by email interview or even an in-person interview. 

 

Business Representative (5 Positions Available) 

Pardeep Singh 

MAJOR: Business 

Why are you running for this position? 

From the last two to three years, there’s not a good counsel in the KSA. I chose to run for business rep because everyone runs for Surrey campus and Langley. The seats are low compared to business. 

Why should students vote for you? 

I know there’s a lot of candidates in the business rep for this election, but I am the only one that needs votes from the others because I have a lot of points. I’m the serious and genuine candidate compared to the others because I know the situation from business students. I will be the voice for every business student in the KSA. 

What would you like to change about the Kwantlen Student Association? 

If I get in the KSA, I will demolish these bad roles like the associate president. I disagree with the $10,000 allowance to the executive members of the KSA because the money is generated by each and every student. So, I will be spending this money on the students because this is from them. 

If elected, how will you remain accountable to students? 

I will stand for students. I will be a voice for them. I will go to the dean and talk to them and get some results but we will try our best. 

 

Candidates unavailable for an interview by press time: 

Langley Campus Representative (1 Position Available) 

Gurbir Dhaliwal 

Gurwinder Wander 

Richmond Campus Representative (1 Position Available) 

Amandeep Sidhu

Rahuldeep Trehan 

Surrey Campus Representative (1 Position Available) 

Charanpreet

Jaspreet Singh

Mehakdeep Singh

Cloverdale (Tech) Campus Representative (1 Position Available) 

Jagdeep Kaur

Jashandeep Singh

Prabhjot Singh 

Queer Students Representative (1 Position Available) 

Destiny Lang (Incumbent)

Youraj Singh 

International Student Representative (1 Position Available) 

Ekamjot Singh

Women’s Representative (1 Position Available) 

Amandeep Kaur

Simranjot Kaur

Indigenous Students Representative (1 Position Available) 

Diljot Narula (Incumbent business rep)

Mature Students Representative (1 Position Available) 

Gurtejpreet Kaur Kaliyan 

Students of Colour Representative (1 Position Available) 

Jaspreet Shokar

Arts Representative (3 Positions Available) 

Chanpreet Singh

Gurfateh Singh

Jasmine Kaur Kochlar

Jobanpreet Singh

Kurt Kristoffersen 

Manoviraj Singh

Yugveer Gill 

Business Representative (5 Positions Available) 

Amandeep Brar

Amitoj Singh

Bhavnoor Singh

Gurassis Singh Makkar

Gurjot Singh

Harnoor Singh

Manraj Grewal 

Manroopbir Sidhu 

Nitin Aggarwal 

Parmeet Singh

Prabhdeep Singh Rai

Satwinder Singh

Sukhmeet Kaur

Tarandeep Kaur

Taranpreet Singh

Yuvraj Singh Gill

Science and Horticulture Representative (2 Positions Available) 

Akashdeep Sidhu 

Akashdeep Singh

Gurleen Kaur

Gurismrat Ghuman

Subhseerat Chauhan 

There are no candidates for Trades and Technology Representative.