UWSA – University of Windsor Students' Alliance

Candidate: Hussein Samhat

Position: Vice President Finance & Operations

social Media

1. Outline your relevant experience for this position

My experience comes from three areas: Finance & Adminstration, Student Life, and Student Advocacy. In terms of advocacy, I am the co-founder of the BIDE Institute here at the University of Windsor, a student-led EDI Institute that serves to advocate and provide opportunities for students. Over the course of this year, I acted Chief Financial Officer within BIDE, fundraising over $25,000 over the course of six months, and overseeing the budgets and day-to-day operations. Using BIDE and my various experiences on campus has given me the opportunitiy to host events on campus, and support larger ones.

2. What specific initiatives and projects would you undertake related to this role?

If elected, I intend on creating a digitized cheque requisition process to speed reimbursements as that is a recurring concern amongst student groups. Another project I intend on taking on is enhancig the current Health & Dental, looking into moving from Desjardin to Greenshield as our insurer, while looking into options other than StudentCare as our heath care adminstrators. A passion project I intend to take on is increasing the transparency when it comes to University Ancillary Fees, as students have a right to know where their fees are going.

3. How do you plan on facilitating positive work relationships within the UWSA Board, members at large and UWindsor administration?

As VPFO, the Student Groups Coordinator would be reporting to me directly. The portfolio is one I feel is worth revisiting as the SGC takes on a variety of roles. The possibility of dividing the portfolio is one that is on the table as it would serve to make the Coordinators more accessible, all while creating opportunities for students on campus to get involved with the UWSA. As a primary contact for Student Society President, keeping in constant communications is important and to ensure this I would look into the permanence of the Society President Council, with monthly meetings to catch up and address upcomming events, finance questions, etc.

4. Describe the importance of the UWSA in your own words

Being a part of the UWSA over the last couple of years, I have witnessed firsthand just how much committment, energy, and passiong goes into fighting for students and enhancing their experiences on campus. The UWSA represents the students, and being a representative, then senate, and then Co-Chair of Senate Student Caucus has allowed me to work with students and student groups in addressing their concerns. It is so important that students continue to have that support and continue to have that resource that serves to support them.