The race to become a director of the University Neighbourhoods Association is officially underway.
A total of nine candidates are running for a spot on the board including; Wesbrook residents Eagle Glassheim, Yanbo (Paul) Li, Evan Luo, Rochelle Mazar, and Nidhi Raina; Hampton Place residents Ronald Bourgeois, Jake Wiebe, and Hawthorn Place residents Michael Kerns and Sandy Song.
Glassheim is the only incumbent seeking re-election, having first been voted in 2021, when the elections were last held.
For the first time, residents will be able to vote electronically using a system that UNA staff say is secure and designed to make voting simpler and more accessible. Voting can be done through a smartphone, computer, tablet device, or in person at two kiosks set up at the Wesbrook Community Centre.
The voting period began on Nov. 4, and concludes on Nov. 26 with the announcement of the results.
One resident told The Campus Resident voting online at their home was straightforward and they were able to cast their ballot without issue.
To be eligible to vote, one must hold UNA society membership, which allows residents to participate in local governance through voting rights. Holding a valid UNA card does not make a resident a society member, the UNA says, as society membership must be applied for separately from the UNA card.
Coinciding with the voting period, the UNA will be hosting an all-candidates forum on Nov. 14 at the Wesbrook Community Centre.
At the forum, candidates will have the opportunity to engage in an open debate on relevant issues. UNA society members will have the opportunity to ask candidates questions.
Elections are held every three years, and residents are not allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms as a director. And under UNA bylaws, voting is designed to have all neighbourhoods represented on the Board. As a result, voting is structured in a way that the number of winning candidates from a particular UNA neighbourhood is capped, with candidates from under-represented areas able to be voted in as directors even if another candidate may earn more votes, as per the provisions in UNA Bylaw 5.18.
To give readers greater insight about who is running in the election, The Campus Resident has published candidate profiles, which include a short question and answer section to provide some insight on where they stand on a number of issues.
Click on the following to learn more about all 9 candidates:
Wesbrook Residents
Hampton Place
Hawthorn Place
Upon election, incoming directors will vote for a new board chair.
UNA directors are paid a stipend for their service. In 2023, directors were paid $6,944, with the chair collecting $10,416.
EMMANUEL SAMOGLOU IS THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE CAMPUS RESIDENT.