As the executives of the Students’ Union Okanagan (SUO) near the end of their terms, The Phoenix reached out to them to give them a chance to highlight their work. The executive positions take up a lot of time in a student’s life, and even though the newspaper often criticizes the union, it is very easy to miss important and good work going on in the background. Danial Asif and Abby Newman, currently in the positions of President and VP-External, took this opportunity to tell us about the initiatives taken to improve the campus.

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Asif summarizes his work by saying he prioritized initiatives focused on improving student well-being, financial support, and campus inclusivity. He secured a more comprehensive and cost-effective insurance policy, enhancing financial efficiency and protection for SUO operations. He further worked on affordability by initiating a $100,000 transportation bursary to financially support students impacted by Kelowna’s transit limitations, which the students will be able to access in the upcoming weeks. Students often tell the union to “make parking free,” mistaking it to be under the union’s jurisdiction instead of the university's. This bursary is a way in which the union is trying to support students by offsetting their costs of commuting.

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Asif negotiated the naming agreement for student associations, allowing them to use the UBC Okanagan name, thereby enhancing their visibility. He also secured $12.8 million in funding for a new student building, marking a historic victory for student equity. Asif continued promoting student wellness with the Free Gym Pass Initiative, developed an Employee Handbook for staff, and supported the planning of a new recreation facility. Additionally, he aided in the creation of a Graduate Student Association, strengthening graduate student representation.

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Asif and Newman also worked to increase disabled student representation. Asif established a board with the Disabilities Resource Centre (DRC) to amplify the voices of disabled students, allowing direct input from students on DRC programming and accessibility improvements. Newman, in addition to sitting on this board, conducted various tabling initiatives and promoted the Students’ Advocate and Ombuds services. She also worked with the SUO Senate Representative to seek a fair and equitable process to include DRC-registered students for automatic award considerations despite reduced course load accommodations.

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Newman took a lot of initiatives to increase safety and inclusivity. She worked with the Campus Wellness and Education team to create the Party Hard and Party Safe initiative for harm reduction education and practices on campus. She also spearheaded the installation of period product dispensers in all campus bathrooms with an emphasis on gender-inclusive and accessible washrooms. Further, she hosted the Day of the Dot to promote healthy menstruation conversations and the use of sustainable period products.

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Newman launched Smart Meals 2.0, offering free breakfasts and affordable meals to students. She also led the British Columbia Federation of Students (BCFS) Get Out the Vote Campaign, organized a Mental Health Care Café for over 400 students during exam periods, and initiated the Ask Me About Your Student Union campaign to increase awareness of student union services. Additionally, Abby worked on faculty-related advocacy and collaborated with various campus offices. Her efforts resulted in securing over $20,000 in sponsorships for EXPO.

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When asked what his successor should focus on while working in the union the next academic year, Asif said that the future president should maintain a strong focus on financial initiatives and support services to ease students’ financial burdens. He also stressed improving the Rubric system and addressing challenges currently faced by students. Asif has shown his commitment to communicating with the student body by always responding to all questions put forward to him by The Phoenix. He thinks that it is important for his successor to increase transparency and establish clear and consistent channels of communication with the students.

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Newman believes that the VP-External next year should keep an eye on the upcoming federal election as the Kelowna area will receive a new riding and a second MP, and says that cultivating relationships with candidates will be crucial in terms of changes for international students, research funding for graduate students, and the national student loans program, amongst many other things. Additionally, continual transit advocacy, a focus on the ongoing fare review, and working with BCFS is important, she says. 

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Even though a lot of students often ask why we even need a union, the SUO is an important body that continues to provide important services and improve campus life. By electing good leaders, we can make sure that our needs are heard and changes are implemented to improve the student experience.