SSMU's Relation with Faculty Level Student Governance -Justin Fletcher

McGill student governance is unique because we have both university-level representation (SSMU) and faculty-level representation (e.g., AUS, SUS, etc.). If you're elected SSMU President, you will have overlapping constituencies with faculty societies, which are of equal legal and representative standing. Keeping this in mind, how do you envision your relationship with faculty associations next year, what will you do to engage faculties yet respect their independence, and what do you see SSMU's role vis-à-vis faculty associations?
Thanks for your time!

As president, I would be coordinating SSMU’s relations with faculty and student associations in collaboration with the VP Internal. To directly answer your questions, I see the relationship as mutually beneficial! I think right from the start, communicating with presidents round table regarding my support would be imperative. Additionally, SSMU should be more aware of the major happenings of the faculties in order to avoid scheduling conflicts that force students who are involved in both a faculty level of representation and SSMU level representation. Orientation Week planning is an area of much collaboration and I hope to continue that relationship. The SEAMLESS conference which brings together student leaders across campus is fantastic. I also think it is very important to give those elected to represent their constituents and faculties at council a fair voice and to listen to them as seriously as any other council member. I hope this helps answer your question! I am looking forward to learning much more about this dynamic and significant relationship between SSMU and the faculties.