Vice-president Student Services

Ronnie Cruz, former UMSU vice-president student services

Ronnie Cruz, United

What would you like to achieve?

I would like to promote and encourage student groups to have more events on campus, in order to contribute to intellectual, political, social and cultural diversity on campus. I would also like to provide more assistance to student groups to hold events on campus, such as helping with financial planning, fundraising, applying for funding and room bookings.

What non-academic experience do you bring to the position?

My very well rounded personality. I get along with a lot of people. I’m an international student from Brunei, so I grew up in a very multicultural country. I’m interested in a lot of things, whether it be sports, arts, photography, everything, so I feel that I will be able to interact with a lot of people with diverse interests and needs.

How would you improve services for student groups?

Right now, I’ve heard that not a lot of student group executives attend the student group executive meetings. I would like to promote that more, to hear the issues and ideas of all student groups. I would also like to provide food at those meetings.

I would also like to be able to have more rooms for them to book and a good relationship with Conference and Catering services. Hopefully better equipment as well.

How would you work to improve and increase the amount of activities on campus, to give students something to do outside of their classes?

I would try to host more events, and encourage student groups to have more events on campus. They have that funding available to them and it’s not being used. I’d also provide workshops on how to host events and apply for funding and support on campus.

What events would you like to help organize?

I would like to see more international week events. Like the Malaysian student group, I’d like to have more events on campus that introduce their culture and food . . . to have more variety on campus.

I love sports, so I would like to be able to have good networks with [Bison Sports], to support them as well.