Michael Sobowale, a fifth-year student majoring in political science and international development, is running for the position of president of the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU).
Sobowale was appointed as the SCSU’s vice-president campus life earlier this year. He has also acted as an orientation coordinator for two years and volunteered at the SCSU’s food centre. In an interview with The Varsity, Sobowale noted that his prior experience has brought him into close contact with students and helped him gather their opinions and perspectives.
Sobowale hopes that as the president, he can direct the SCSU toward lobbying for a post-pandemic recovery plan. According to his platform, this would include advocating for hybrid learning models so that students can safely attend classes.
“It’s important that when students come back to school, they feel safe, [and] that they have the necessary tools to continue that education and campus life,” Sobowale said.
Moreover, Sobowale plans to support international students by advocating for lower international tuition and exemptions for in-person classes, as well as lobbying for international students to be covered under the OHIP. He will also try to implement a Community Care Centre to ease first-year students’s transition to university and support climate justice initiatives.
Sobowale also plans to improve communication between the union and its membership. He will do so by releasing regular surveys to capture student feedback on the workings of the SCSU.
The voting period for the SCSU elections is happening from March 1–3.
