This story was updated on Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Eleven candidates spanning six SGPS executive positions spoke to their objectives if elected.
Ahead of the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) 2025-26 elections next week, candidates met on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. over Zoom to discuss how they plan to advocate for graduate and professional students. The all-candidates debate lasted just over an hour following a land acknowledgement from Deputy Speaker Eileen O’Brien.
In attendance were: Destine Lee, Megan Roth, and Rit Nanda.
Vice-President (Campaigns and Community Affairs) candidates Ava Fiorino and Claire Dobbie weren’t present at the debate, in addition to Vice-President (Professional) candidate Amir Shetaia.
The Journal was notified on Jan. 21 that Jacob Brozyna, a candidate for the vice-president (professional) position, had rescinded his nomination. No explanation was provided for his decision.
The debate began with a pre-prepared question period where O’Brien asked one question unique to each position followed by an open question period for attendees.
Transparency with students and istration
A common thread emphasized by several candidates was a focus on transparency for SGPS .
Graduate trustee candidates Matiss and Mertin were asked how they planned on ensuring student engagement and transparency between the SGPS and the University’s Board of Trustees, with both candidates alluding to the role being bound by Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
Matiss stated that to work within the role’s boundaries, he commits to further strengthen transparency initiatives that currently exist in the SGPS. He noted the Tea with Trustees event as an example of an initiative that ensures student dialogue with the SGPS.
Mertin expressed he would like to take a more proactive approach at ensuring transparency by connecting with the broader student body. He plans to work with a variety of student representatives across campus, highlighting the Student Senate Caucus as an example.
When asked how he plans to ensure transparency between SGPS hip and the University, Presidential candidate Dawood stated his plan to periodically provide students with updates on SGPS conversations with the University, in addition to keeping students updated on SGPS finances and the finances of the istration when made public.
Other candidates stressed the importance of transparency in other avenues.
Vice-President (Graduate) candidate Fathi noted the importance of establishing transparency in student financial concerns, specifically to make sure supervisors understand the issue of insufficient funding for graduate students’ costs of living. Dawood highlighted the importance of “making clear and explicit demand and then seeking clear and explicit answers,” when asked how he would navigate adversarial conversations to meet the needs of students.
Financial insecurity and housing crises
Financial stressors were among the greatest issues discussed at the debate, with candidates sharing their goals on how to make graduate students lives easier.
Candidates shared platforms on expanding student housing, with Fathi explaining his hope to create more housing through both Queen’s Community Housing and private landlords.
The priority of graduate student housing was echoed by the other two Vice President (Graduate) candidates. Baruwa stated if elected, he would build upon his work as a member of the Queen’s Community Housing Residents Association and “continue advocating for affordable, fair housing options.”
Velagala said she aims to collaborate with both faculty and local government to research ways of improving food and housing insecurity.
Vice-President (Finance and Services) candidate Bhattacharya emphasized the importance of prioritizing funding for marginalized communities, stating that engaging with students is key to understanding how to best financially them.
Bhattacharya stressed the importance of frequent audits within the SGPS to ensure an effective and responsible use of student fees, in addition to streamlining financing and bursaries for students in a digital manner.
Enhancing job security
The open question period revealed a clear consensus among graduate and professional students: deep concern about the student government’s role in providing for job security and networking opportunities.
Vice-President (Professional) candidate Lee aims to help all students secure jobs that align with their interests, recognizing that each student has unique needs. She envisions collaborating with companies across various industries to organize accessible events like tours, s, and talks. By aligning with hiring cycles, leveraging proactive resources, and tapping into the Queen’s alumninetwork and faculty Career Offices, Lee seeks to connect students with valuable opportunities.
The concern of job security was echoed by opponent Roth, who emphasized the need for different approaches depending on whether students are pursuing professional or graduate opportunities. She highlights the distinct job-search processes for fields like medicine versus graduate programs, aiming to establish clear communication channels, especially for those changing careers.
Vice-President (Professional) candidate Nanda advocates leveraging industry connections to boost job security, drawing from his experience at career fairs where he consistently finds that companies across all industries are seeking medical and law students.
Nanda plans to boost career opportunity visibility by organizing career fairs into sections for law, medicine, education, and other graduate programs to better highlight and promote these fields.
SGPS elections will be held on Jan. 29 and 30 via Simply Voting, with results released at 9 a.m. on Jan. 31.
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