On January 17, the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) held its monthly Board of Directors (BOD), where it elected Vyshnavi Kanagarajamuthaly as the union’s new vice president (VP) equity. The BOD also scheduled the union’s Winter General Meeting for March 25. 

New VP Equity

During the meeting, the SCSU executive team presented two candidates for VP equity to the board, which picked Kanagarajamuthaly as the new VP equity. The union’s former VP Equity Denise Nmashie stepped down from her role in December to better pursue her academic goals.

“I definitely love the work that SCSU has been doing thus far,” said Kanagarajamuthaly in an interview with The Varsity, noting her excitement to work with the rest of the executive committee for the next four months.

Kanagarajamuthaly — a fourth year studying international development studies and public policy — previously worked as president of the International Development Studies Students’ Association at UTSC but stepped down in order to fulfill her new role. She also previously served as a part-time director for the union.

According to SCSU President Amrith David, during Kanagarajamuthaly’s interview with the SCSU, she said that she’s interested in working alongside the Palestinian Cultural Club and other equity-deserving organizations and racialized clubs to ensure that they are given a platform. She also hopes to work on providing accommodations for international students from war-torn countries. 

“It is really imperative that we have a VP equity that’s making the different issues affecting different populations across the UTSC community heard, seen, and represented properly,” she told The Varsity. 

The SCSU hoped to appoint a new VP equity in time to plan Black History Month programming, and the union has already begun planning different events. Kanagarajamuthaly told The Varsity that she views Black History Month as “of the utmost importance,” particularly given the large Black and African diasporic community at UTSC.

“I’m really excited about the new VP equities appointment,” said David. “I’ve seen the increase in student engagement as well as the work that she’s been putting in within the IDSSA, as well as for equity issues on campus.”

Kanagarajamuthaly will serve as VP equity until April 2024, when a new set of executives to be elected during the Spring General Elections will take office. 

Spring General Elections

January 17 also marked the first day for the Spring General Elections nomination period, which will last until February 5. According to David, students interested in campaigning during the upcoming election must collect nomination packages from the SCSU office and gather signatures for their respective roles. Director candidates have to get 50 signatures to appear on the ballot, whereas executive candidates need 100 signatures. 

“I hope there’s more students that actually end up running this year, I really wish to see more engagement,” said David. 

On February 12, the SCSU will host an all candidates forum, where all the candidates running for the elections will be present. The voting period will run from March 4–6. Students can vote in the Instructional Centre, Student Centre, and Bladen Wing hallway.