Maëlis Barre (Build Back Better)
Maëlis Barre, a second-year international student studying astrophysics and math, is running uncontested for the vice-president external position in the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) on the Build Back Better slate. She was a volunteer coordinator for the UTMSU last year and is the current president of the physics club.
In an interview with The Varsity, Barre said that she was running because she found a passion for advocacy by volunteering with the UTMSU in fighting for students’ rights.
If elected, Barre plans to focus on a COVID-19 academic accommodation policy and lobby the university administration to support students’ unique needs, especially during the pandemic.
To support students during the pandemic, she plans to advocate for more lenient and flexible approaches to academics, such as through extensions of the credit/no credit policy and academic deadlines.
On student housing, Barre said that she plans to improve students’ understanding of their rights through information sessions and plans to lobby the government as well: “We are planning on meeting up with some other advocacy groups… and lobbying the municipal and federal government for having more safe and livable housing options for all students.”
The voting period for UTMSU elections will run from March 16–18.
