Kourtney Smith

Exclusive Interview

Profile

It worries VP student life candidate Kourtney Smith to think she may no longer serve as an SA executive.
“I think a lot of my initiatives and ideas are good ones that students would appreciate,” Smith said.
She pointed to the Freedom of Expression Gallery for art, slated to open in winter semester on the second floor of Wyckham House. Smith said she has discussed possible consignment options for the gallery, similar to the used textbook sale in Copywrite.
“I think it would help a lot of students out because they would have a few extra dollars to spend on textbooks or beer or whatever it is that they spend money on,” Smith said. “A subcommittee has been established . . . the committee will look at the art entries to determine whether they are appropriate.”
Smith plans to host a battle of the bands competition, open to any MRC musicians, in January. She is also in early discussions over possibly creating an on-campus grocery store.
Smith said the arbitration process, stemming from last spring’s election, has been unfair to students.
“Just knowing how much money has been wasted and how much has come out of students’ pockets, they are the ones that ultimately suffer,” she explained.
If elected, Smith plans to run again in the spring election.
“I feel like I could accomplish so much more in my second year because I would already know the job and what to expect.”

–Jeremy Nolais

---

Platform

Hello Mount Royal! As your VP student life for the last seven months, and as a fellow student, I have worked relentlessly to serve you in every way that I could. Between sitting on almost 30 committees within the college and the Students' Association, I have also worked on many different initiatives to bring ideas that I've heard from you all to the forefront. Some of the initiatives that I've started are:

1. Battle of the Bands – to take place next semester, this event will encourage students who are involved in any type of band to be able to compete with each other for a really spectacular grand prize. This event will give these students an opportunity to play for a live audience, gaining exposure, and also give all students something awesome that they can attend and take part in.
2. The Freedom of Expression Gallery – this is an art gallery that will be opening in Wyckham House next semester exclusively for students. You will all be invited to submit any kind of artwork at all, and have the opportunity to display it in the gallery. I have also been looking at consignment possibilities to enable students to attach their own pricetag to their work and sell it to anyone interested, thus making a few extra dollars to get you through the semester!
3. Exam Relief – this initiative was started by a previous council years ago. As the commissioner for the VP of student life last year I was given the priviledge of helping out with this initiative, which entailed making bag lunches to hand out to students for free during the exam period. It was something that I enjoyed so much and felt that we were doing something really great for hungry students, that I decided to take it to another level as an executive this year. If I am given the opportunity to be in office again, by you the students, I will ensure that not only are free lunches given out, but I will be working on turning Wyckham House itself into a study lounge for students. This will be complete with signage noting a request for a quiet noise level, meditation music, yoga workshops, nutritional seminars, and a “Flip Out tournament” (water-drinking relay race) for any interested students to compete in!
4. On-Campus Grocery Store – this is something that I believe would be an incredible initiative that all students and faculty could utilize. How awesome would it be to do your grocery shopping after class, without even leaving campus? This idea is still in the very early stages, but if I am reinstated as the VP of student life, I will continue to work on bringing this idea to fruition!

I encourage you if you have any questions for me at all, please look for me in the hallway during the election and I will be happy to answer anything! I would love the opportunity to continue serving you as your VP of student life in the next semester, all I ask is that you vote for Kourtney!

Candidates main page