Cristobal Vasquez
Year: Third
Major: Double honors in political science and great ideas
Hometown: Lima, Peru
STUSU experience: Current vice-president external, Rigby Hall
International student inspired by close-knit community
Growing up in Lima, Peru has molded vice-president student life candidate Cristobal Vasquez. He said the city of eight million isn’t the nicest and prepared him for the worst. The sense of community he’s discovered at STU has given him a strength he hopes to build a union on.
“I was talking to a student from off-campus and they asked me what I’m going to do for OC students, and I said, ‘Well, what do you want?’
“We have an advantage as a small university to ask that.”
The second-year is hoping to double honor in political science and great ideas. He’s lived in Rigby Hall both years, this year serving as vice-president external, and sitting on the activities and finance committees. His experience with the union gives him understanding of areas to improve, he said.
Vasquez wants to promote involvement and give students a voice.
“People try to go their own way,” said Vasquez. “But I try to go on everyone’s way, and see what works most efficiently.”
With the “sin of being an overachiever,” Vasquez finds peace in playing guitar. He likes playing at campus coffeehouses – when he’s not playing intramural soccer, that is.
And his way to de-stress? Washing his hands.
Vasquez appreciates the the little things at STU – the humane perspective found in his classes, which “is so scarce nowadays,” the colour magenta and the feel of the campus at 8 a.m.
“I’m a hungry guy,” he said. “When I want something, I want it really bad.”
He hopes to help students take advantage of all the services STU has to offer.
“If the student union is strong and motivated, then the student body tends to partake on the same mentality,” said Vasquez. “Instead of following, I think we need to take the lead.”
Nicole Pozer
Year: Third
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Miramichi, N.B.
STUSU experience: Welcome week chair, social issues advocate
Pozer wants more school spirit
After three years at St. Thomas University and time spent as welcome week chair, Nicole Pozer feels it’s time to step into an executive position.
The Miramichi, N.B. native knows her busy schedule won’t make the job as vice-president student life easy, but she knows she can handle the extra stress. Pozer is confident in her abilities.
The third-year psychology major lived in Rigby Hall, sitting on residence council in her first year. Some of her favorite memories come from her second year, when she was Rigby‘s president. This year, she served as welcome week chair and she “really had fun with the cheer-off,” adding lights and music. She is also a residence advisor in Vanier, and the social issues advocate on the STUSU.
“You really learn a lot about yourself in a high-pressure situation,” she said.
Her involvements gave her team training and the skills to handle loads of work.
“When I’m stressed, I sleep,” said Pozer. “And when I’m not stressed, I sleep.”
Although she caught some Z’s in McCain Hall’s reading room once last year, she said it wasn’t on purpose.
Pozer loves the cafeteria’s chili and wraps. She feels that her easy-going and enthusiastic attitude is just what the students’ union needs and wants to infuse some spirit into the school.
“I have a different sort of humour,” said Pozer, with a laugh. “I’m an optimistic, sarcastic person.”
From talking to students on campus, she learned some are unaware of the union. Pozer thinks it’s a shame that students are paying for services they don’t even know about
“I don’t understand why we can’t have an organized and accessible union and still have a great year.”
