The stage is set for the St. Thomas University Students’ Union spring general elections, which is scheduled for Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.
Nominations closed Friday for nine positions, six of which are contested.
Melissa Bastarache, Ella Henry, and Mark Livingstone are competing for president of the students’ union, while incumbent Mary-Dan Johnston and first-year liaison Justin Marshall are vying for vice president administration.
Bastarache is the student advocate for the STUSU, while Henry is the current vice president education.
The other executive seats are uncontested.
Craig Mazzerole is running for vice president education, and Lydia MacDonell for vice president student life.
There will also be a referendum question included on the ballots concerning the issue of bottled water on campus, which will read:
“Considering the environmental and social impacts of bottled water, do you support the Student Union advocating that the University phase out the sale of bottled water on campus?”
Student council is looking for a student mandate before it lobbies the university to phase out the sale of bottled water on campus.
Even if students vote in favour of supporting a ban, it won’t necessarily mean the end of bottled water at STU.
The university is currently in the second year of a seven-year contract with Pepsi that would have to be revisited before a decision can be made, STU spokesperson Jeffrey Carleton has said.
Sean Thompson, who recently replaced Mike Thorne as chief returning officer, is asking anyone who wishes to campaign for or against a ban on bottled water to register with the STUSU help desk and have their material approved by the CRO.
Any unapproved campaign materials will be taken down without notice.
Candidate speeches will take place Feb. 18 at 11:30 a.m., followed by a forum on the referendum question. Both events will take place in James Dunn Hall.
Speeches will continue on Feb. 22 at 11:30 a.m. in JDH.
The last day of campaigning is Feb. 23
No nominations were submitted for Aquinian Board of Directors Second, Third, or Fourth Year Representative.
All nominations are considered unofficial until the prospective candidates are verified by the Registrar’s office to meet the minimum required GPA of 2.3.
