CSA election pivots to online format

TAYLOR PIPE

The pandemic has put many things on hold for the foreseeable future, but the CSA election is not one of them.

The election, which usually consists of halls filled with campaign posters and campaigners visiting lecture halls, will be moving completely online for the winter semester.

In an email to The Ontarion, current CSA President Tyler Poirer outlined some of the ways in which the election will be changing.

Typically, prospective candidates for executive positions would collect 100 signatures from undergraduate students and present them in addition to any visual campaign materials.

The general election has all executive and director positions available. On Jan. 25, nominations were announced and campaigning takes place from Feb. 1 to Feb 11 with a voting period taking place Feb. 8 to Feb. 11.

“We would hold our Executive Forum in the University Centre where students could bring questions forward to candidates running in the election,” Poirer said. “The most hectic week was voting week. All candidates were running to classes between their own, while the CSA’s social media and all staff were at full tilt promoting it in order to reach the coveted quorum for votes.”

This year, the number of signatures needed has been reduced to 50 due to accessibility issues and potential for barriers during campaigning.

“We feel this strikes a balance between accountability of potential candidates and electoral fairness in procedure,” said Poirer.

Due to lack of students on campus, there will be no on-campus promotion this year. All campaigning will be done virtually through various meetings, class-talks and forums. The CSA is also ramping up its social media presence during the election to amplify candidates’ voices.

“We switched to an online election back in September, when VP Academic Sean Mitchell was elected, and we learned a lot,” said Poirer. “We have a great set of election’s staff ready for the W21 General Election, and we’re excited for University of Guelph student leaders to step forward during the election.”

Candidates have to get all promotional materials approved by the CSA, but are allowed to conduct their own outreach with students by working with professors and arranging times for class-talks. Students can also post to their own social media after posts have been approved by the CSA.

“There might be some individuals who are really adept with social media, and may enjoy using it a lot,” said Poirer. “We’ve also loosened some of the restrictions on the use of it because in the past some of our rules and policies were a little bit restrictive… This allows people to get a little more interaction online.”

It’s not just the election that’s shifted to online formats.

While The Bullring and Guelph Student FoodBank are the only programs operating on campus, the CSA clubs staff, and Student Help and Advocacy Centre have shifted to a virtual format.

The CSA had also been streaming performances on Twitch this past fall, but due to new restrictions the association is working creatively to still provide entertainment to students.

“So much has changed, but the work doesn’t stop. Things take longer in a virtual space, and we’re working through the semester the best we can,” Poirer said.

Poirer reflected on his time as President of the CSA and said “it’s an awesome opportunity for so many reasons.”

“I can’t explain how amazing the experience has been specifically as an executive,” he said. “Regardless of what degree you are in, these positions will offer you something that I’ve never experienced. It’s going to be useful, no matter where you go.”