Fernanda Damiani, a third-year international student from Brazil majoring in journalism, wants to be STUSU president to give students a voice.
“I feel that STUSU has to be the voice of the students,” said Damiani. “They have to present what students want to the university. Not the other way around.”
Damiani wants students to feel like their students union is listening to them, so communication will be a priority for her.
“They can message me. They can talk directly to me.”
One issue Damiani is hearing from students is the need for better counseling services at STU. The campus only has one councilor and a mental health champion who doesn’t council full time.
“We have the mental awareness week and blah, blah, blah,” said Damiani. “But in addition to that we don’t need only awareness. We need action. I would love for the university to bring more councilors.”
Damiani also wants to see a series of lectures given at STU by psychologists on mental health issues like depression.
Damiani said the university isn’t doing all it could to give students a taste of the real life job opportunities of their majors. She spoke specifically about internships. But she did say one department is showing promise.
“[In] communications there is an internship in the fourth year that you have to do,” said Damiani. “Most [programs] don’t offer that… For example a [criminology] major could work for as an intern for a parole officer.”
Damiani is facing a campaign most candidates for STUSU president don’t, she is running against an incumbent.
Megan Thomson has been STUSU president for a year, she would have institutional knowledge and contacts that a newcomer wouldn’t. Damiani gave a reason why students should vote against the experienced candidate.
“Change is good. Change is always good,” said Damiani. “It’s good to change because then it’s not always one face.”
When asked what personality trait she would point to that would make her a good STUSU President, Damiani said her listening skills.
“I’m open to listening to people. I like to hear other people’s opinions,” said Damiani. “I like to have a conversation with people.”
