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NPSP Platform

SCSU Elections

2014-2015

Habiba Desai- Presidential Candidate

By


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Who We Are: The New Political Student Party......................................... 3Habiba Desai- Presidential Candidate ......................................................... 3Shauna Nandkissore- Vice President of Academics and University Affairs

Candidate .................................................................................................... 4List of NPSP Directors .................................................................................. 5Mission Statement ...................................................................................... 6Pillar One: Improving Student Life............................................................ 7School Spirit ................................................................................................ 7E-Mentoring Program ................................................................................. 7Thursday Night Shows ................................................................................ 7Sports Night Out ......................................................................................... 7Homecoming ............................................................................................... 7Game Board ................................................................................................ 7Gym Schedule ............................................................................................. 8Mascot Change ........................................................................................... 8Walk Home Program ................................................................................... 8Parkette MakeOver ..................................................................................... 8Multicultural Gala- Celebrating UTSC Diversity .......................................... 9UTSC Clothing Line ...................................................................................... 9Student Center Makeover .......................................................................... 9Daily Events Board ...................................................................................... 9Fusion Radio- FM transmission ................................................................. 10Pillar Two: Advocating Student Issues.................................................... 10


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TA Evaluations ........................................................................................... 10Marking Schemes- Understanding Vs. Memorizing ................................. 10Offering a Grammar Course ...................................................................... 11Student Spaces Vs. Study Spaces .............................................................. 11Pillar Three: Rexs Menu Make Over....................................................... 12Pillar Four: Learning is Fun....................................................................... 12Professor Mentorship ............................................................................... 12Educational Groups- Enhance Skills .......................................................... 13Pillar Five: SCSU Mandatory Updating............................................. 13Club Funding ............................................................................................. 13Efficiency and Productivity Campaign ...................................................... 14Accountability and Transparency ............................................................. 14Participatory Budgeting ............................................................................ 14Conclusion................................................................................................ 14


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WHO WE ARE: THE NEW POLITICAL STUDENT PARTY

HABIBA DESAI- PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Dear UTSC Students,

My name is Habiba Desai and I am the NPSP Presidential

Candidate for the SCSU Elections 2014-2015. I am in my fourth year

studying International Development and Economics.

UTSC is my second home. Ive been involved on campus over the

years as President of the Pre-Law Society, Fundraising Director for the

MSA, an executive for the Sovereignty club, First Year Mentor and also a

part of the Green Dot Training Program with UTSC Campus Police.

Outside of school I was the Outreach Director for Kids Help Phone and

worked at my local MPs office for three years as anadministrative

assistant. Just on paper alone I have over 1000 volunteer hours. I was

also a manager at a caf and did a summer internship as a marketing

intern under the supervision of a Schulich CEO.

My skills are in organizational management, finance and making

sure things get done. My values revolve around Justice, my nickname isJustice Desai. I want everything to be fair, and I don't think campus is a

fair environment.

I came to UTSC not only because it offered one of the greatest

International Development programs in Canada but also because I

wanted to be surrounded by the diversity and natural beauty our campus

holds. Before my first year at UTSC, my cousins came to this campus and I

attended many events with them. As a result, I fell in love with the UTSC

campus.

NPSP believes in our campus, we see the potential our campus

holds and we want to unleash it. By focusing on small doable changes to

the daily life on campus, we believe we will achieve this! Through

improving student life, academics and the overall environment of the


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campus, you will not want to leave UTSC. We have great plans such as

homecoming, TA evaluations and efficiency campaigns.

Please read our platform to understand what we have in store for

the next year. I am humbled by the privilege of running for President of

SCSU. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to serving you.

Its time for a better student union,

Habiba Desai

SHAUNA NANDKISSORE- VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMICS AND UNIVERSITY

AFFAIRS CANDIDATE

My name is Shauna Nandkissore, and I am the Vice President of

Academics and University Affairs candidate for the New Student PoliticalParty. I am a third year student, specializing in English and minoring in

Psychology. Over the past three years, I have experienced all the small

yet extremely irritating problems which affect every student, yet are

never addressed. I have felt the frustration and anger that every student

has felt after paying thousands of dollars only to have a grade that does

not reflect their true capabilities.

First, I would like to introduce TA evaluations. Through

experience, I have had the fortune of meeting TAs who teach

wonderfully. But, I have also been taught by TAs whom sometimes do not

fulfill the requirements of their job description. To avoid the latter issue

for current and future students, TAs should be evaluated just like

Professors, as our grades also depend on them. I also strongly believe

students should be allowed to use an Exam Aid during exams, as this

would allow students to demonstrate their full potential.

Another goal would be to create a Grammar Course that could be

taken as a breadth requirement. This would help all students on their

essay writing skills and improve grades.

Another extremely irritating problem, is the unreliable WiFi. WiFi

should be accessible and reliable for all students in every part of the

school.


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I currently work as a Student Library Assistant for UTSC. I have

worked with the Business and Conference Services department, and the

Green Path program. For the last three years of my academic life, I was a

part of the University Staff, striving towards a better school. I am now

asking for a chance to make a bigger impact on this school for thestudents. Your voice. Your choice.

LIST OF NPSP DIRECTORS

Anthropology Alexson Philipiah

Arts, Culture & Media Kristina Zaja

Biological Sciences Novie Saura

Computer Science & Mathematics Sophie Wang

English Rumaisa Khan

French & Linguistics Louisa Julius

Human Geography Farishta Barez

Management Simran Manghirmalani

Philosophy Davinia Chew

Physical & Environmental Science Anesh Jeyakumar

Political Science Barrah Faysal

Psychology Rekha Thayaparan

Sociology Director Marc Laurin


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MISSION STATEMENT

The New Political Student Party was created to build the best

campus possible! The University of Toronto is one of the most widely-

acclaimed, established universities and we want UTSC to be just that. Our

focus is on improving the lives of UTSC students academically,

professionally and socially.

We will accomplish this by tackling daily student problems

through small doable changes. We aim to implement strategies such as

TA Evaluations, salted parking lots, fresh fast food and heated bus

shelters.

We do not intend on campaigning, endorsing or advocating issues

that do not affect the UTSC student community. The NPSP envisions a

campus environment that empowers you as a student to meet your

potential. Lets unleash it!

We are a team of students that believe it is time for a better

student union. As fresh faces to the Union, we will bring change through

innovative ideas and solutions.

We hope you see the vision of what our campus can be and join

us in making UTSC a hallmark of diversity, knowledge and innovation by

making meaningful doable changes to student life.

We are the student union you want. The New Political Student

Party. Your Voice. Your Choice.


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PILLAR ONE: IMPROVING STUDENT LIFE

Improving student life on campus is our first pillar. We plan to work with

the VP of Campus Life, Department of Student Life, directors and the rest

of the SCSU team to create the best experience for current and future

students at UTSC.

SCHOOL SPIRIT

E-MENTORING PROGRAM

The E-Mentoring Program is a way for students to connect with alumni

through email. We will create a program which would allow for alumni

and students to join. Once we get started, it will only grow larger. This

allows for better networking, job recruitment and stronger school spirit.

THURSDAY NIGHT SHOWS

We want to create an environment that students love. This means

Thursday nights on campus will be rockin. We will showcase UTSC talent

by allowing student bands, comedians, poets, actors and dancers to

perform in the student center.

SPORTS NIGHT OUT

We aim to turn final matches into events with halftime shows thatinclude performances by UTSC talent and the UTSC Cheer Team.

HOMECOMING

We intend on incorporating the SCAA in our work by beginning a tradition

of having a football game at the beginning of the school year in the

valley. This will be the annual Homecoming. Whats a university

experience without Homecoming?

GAME BOARD

We have great sports teams but many students are unaware of game

times. We will create a game board in the Student Center that includes

daily game times so students can have fun and support our athletes in

maroon!


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GYM SCHEDULE

We have heard many concerns from students about the Gym being

booked but not used. We will work with the SCAA and Athletics

department to create a 15 minute rule. If the team booked to use the

gym does not arrive within 15 minutes of their booked time, the gym will

open for other students to use.

MASCOT CHANGE

As much as we love our beloved Raccoon, it doesnt make for the

greatest mascot. We want to hold a school wide online vote to decide on

a new mascot. Rex the Raccoon will be an option but other choices will

be available. In addition to the mascot, we wish to create a cheer so even

when students have graduated, school spirit still remains.

These are all doable changes that will make

our school spirit stronger and UTSC a lot

more fun.

WALK HOME PROGRAM

We are concerned for your safety! We aim to commence a walk home

program for the students that live off residence and study late on

campus. Our plan is to get students to meet at the student center oncetheyre done studying and walk to the bus stops together. The times will

be 12AM, 1AM and 2AM during exam periods. We aim to have students

feel safer during their late nights on campus.

PARKETTE MAKEOVER

We aim to work with the City of Toronto to make a pathway and add

lights to the park across campus. Its a shortcut commonly used by

students walking to their cars or home but is not the safest. We wish to

add an emergency red box in the walkway to make it as safe as possible

for students walking.


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MULTICULTURAL GALA- CELEBRATING UTSC DIVERSITY

We aim to unite our diverse student population by hosting a Multicultural

Gala. It will be a glamorous night where students dress up in their cultural

clothing, be it a little black dress, sari, abaya, cheongsam, thobe or suits.Let's celebrate the diversity on campus together!

We aim to hold it at the end of first semester. It will be an annual

tradition. Next year, we aim to hold it during the Pan-Am Games. In

addition, we aim to invite guests from the Games to celebrate the

diversity of cultures. The Pan-Am Games may bring the world together

for a few weeks, but at UTSC we aim to work together in unity for the

pursuit of knowledge and moving humanity forward.

Tomorrow is created here.

UTSC CLOTHING LINE

We want school gear that is not for the sole purpose of working out.

Working with students we wish to design a UTSC clothing line. We also

wish to create graduation memorabilia such as a UTSC Graduation Ring.

Another idea would be to create Graduation Watches. Furthermore, we

believe that with the development of UTSC leather jackets will create

more campus spirit and love. We will work with the UTSC Bookstore to

bring this tradition to our campus.

STUDENT CENTER MAKEOVER

DAILY EVENTS BOARD

Many great events happen around campus each day. Students do not

attend because they are unaware of the occurrence of such events.

Although the Intranet posts events, most students do not use the

Intranet because almost all courses are accessed through Blackboard. We

aim to create a post-it board in the student center with posters of the

events happening that day. Have time to kill between classes? Check the

board and head on over.


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FUSION RADIO- FM TRANSMISSION

By making Fusion Radio an FM channel, we will not only increase our

revenue, but it will create more school spirit. Students will be able to

tune in on music chosen by their own peers. Furthermore, we want toalso create an inclusive campus for international students. One idea is to

create a weekly show in Mandarin as well as one in Hindi/Urdu that talks

about international headlines and issues relevant to the respective

community.

These are just some of our ideas in making

UTSC a great undergraduate experience.

We will work with students and the rest of

our team to create even more greatness!

PILLAR TWO: ADVOCATING STUDENT ISSUES

TA EVALUATIONS

An issue that students face at UTSC are TAs and the issue of

accountability. Most students have experienced TAs who do not fulfill the

requirements of their job description. We aim to fix these problems by

working with the University to create TA evaluations.

Working with the newly elected VP of Academics we aim to create an

evaluation survey and will collaborate with Registrar to implement them.

This will be a collaborative project with the different departments on our

campus.

MARKING SCHEMES- UNDERSTANDING VS. MEMORIZING

Another issue that UTSC students face are courses with a 40/60 or 50/50

exams in which the studentsentire grade is based on the midterm and

final exam. This is especially the case for large classes, which take place in

first year. The first year of university is a hard transition from high school

and this style of grading increases stress levels. This leads to many

students not at their peak performance in first year and having their

GPAs pay the price.


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We want to work with Professors to allow students the chance to be

graded on what they truly understand instead of how well students

regurgitate. We aim to standardize an acceptable exam aid for all future

exams. This allows professors to grade students on understanding instead

of memorization skills. Students get the chance to demonstrate their truepotential.

OFFERING A GRAMMAR COURSE

There are set breadth requirements that must be completed before

graduation. One of the breadth requirements is Arts, Literature, and

Language. We believe that learning about poetry or childrens literature

may not help students who are science or psychology majors.

A solution would be to create a Grammar Course. This enhancesstudentswriting skills in essays, resumes and for future employment

opportunities. Many student will be provided the opportunity to use this

towards graduating instead of taking electives that do not necessarily

pertain to their future career choice.

STUDENT SPACES VS. STUDY SPACES

We are a commuter campus. This means that most students are on

campus while they are between classes. The issue we believe is not only

the lack of study space, but the lack of spaces to hang out.

Occasionally, study spaces are being used to relax which creates

incredibly unproductive environments for students who wish to study.

We wish to create more spaces where students are able to freely relax,

eat, talk, play pool and enjoy being a UTSC student.

Students spend a large amount of time on campus. We would like to

make this experience as comfortable as possible to promote a productive

atmosphere. We aim to place heaters in the bus stops for the student

who use public transit. In addition, we wish to ensure that there is WiFi inall parts of campus for better accessibility.

Campaigning and advocating for issues that

affect you as a UTSC student.


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PILLAR THREE: REXS MENU MAKE OVER

After speaking to many students, we have discovered that students want

fresh fast food options on campus. By fresh fast food, we do not mean

fast food corporations. Instead we aim to have food on campus that is

not processed, frozen or comes in powder form.

We have a simple solution that not only will fix this issue but will help

create profits for Rex's which has been losing money for the past few

years. The SCSU provides Rex's Den with a subsidy for $130 000. This

money can be used to purchase the equipment and food.

During exam time, we will bring in waffles with various toppings

available. We aim to bring in a salad bar and dinner will be home cooked

meal style. We will have limited options but the food will be fresh and

delicious.

Having a small simple menu will allow us to buy more of the same

ingredients and make food in a large quantity in order to keep costs low.

Since it will ready to plate, it will make for delicious fresh fast food.

Simple, delicious, fresh fast food

PILLAR FOUR: LEARNING IS FUN

PROFESSOR MENTORSHIP

We want to create a flourishing academic life on campus. We want

students to love learning, and we plan on doing this by tapping into one

of our most underused valuable resources; professors. We aim to create

monthly events where professors can discuss anything new and

interesting in their respective fields. Imagine TED inspired talks

happening every month to keep us motivated and informed. It also gives

students from different programs the chance to learn about things thatinterest them outside of their studies.


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EDUCATIONAL GROUPS- ENHANCE SKILLS

We wish to enhance UTSC students skills beyond academics by funding

student educational groups providing students the opportunity to teach

other students. Our three group plans are entrepreneurial, computerprogramming and fashion design. These groups will also work with the

SCSU to gain valuable work related experience.

For example the fashion group will help design our new school gear and

also work on the multicultural galas fashion show. We also want to give

students computer skills to add to their resume. Basic programming is

becoming an asset in all job markets, so we want to set up classes where

students teach students. This gives students volunteer experience and

provides other students learning experience.

Furthermore we will aim to make all sessions lecture casted so that

students who are unable to attend can watch online.

Imagine a university campus flourishing

with ideas, and students excited about

learning

PILLAR FIVE: SCSU MANDATORY UPDATING

We plan to do full reviews of the SCSU office, in order to create efficiency

and productivity. We will be fair and create opportunities for all our

students. Furthermore we are going to create a new commission open to

all students and advertised formally, that will make sure the deficiencies

in our student union do not occur.

CLUB FUNDING

We will review the funding process, the documentation required andhow much funding is provided for different events- we want to know

whats going on at campus and how we can help you.


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EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY CAMPAIGN

We will do a full review of the SCSU office, Fusion Radio, Rexs Den, Hero

Burger, and KFC to find new innovative ways to create efficiency and

productivity so that things get done. This will include going over thewages and benefits which are the SCSU largest expense, to see where we

can create innovative methods for less spending. We also want to

breakdown all expenses per receipt to understand our finances better.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

We want to be transparent and accountable. This will be done by

updating our monthly progress, spending and hiring on the SCSU website.

If students feel they have found an issue, it will be addressed and

resolved. We also want you to know the SCSU. We aim to hold discussion

sessions in the student center monthly to discuss any issues or concerns.

PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING

We want to work with students to spend our money. This means we want

to give a portion of the net budget to students, to nominate ideas and

vote on where the money should be spent that year. It will create

opportunity for involvement from the student body, fresh new ideas and

an additional student issue will be solved.

Its time for a better student union

CONCLUSION

We know this was a long read, but we want to show you just how serious

we are about change and the ideas we have to make our campus the best

it can be. From homecoming, to salted parking lots, student participation,

TA evaluations, galas and much more, we are the student union you

want!It's time for a better student union. The New Political Student Party.

Your Voice. Your Choice.

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