Running uncontested to be next year’s executive team of the Commerce Society (ComSoc), team SJA says they’re prioritizing ability and transparency.
Presidential candidate Sagaana Sivathason, Comm ’25, is running alongside Jillian Weatherby, Comm ’25, for vice-president (student affairs), and Ashton Seebaran, Comm ’25, for vice-president (operations) to lead the society amidst a volatile year for ComSoc’s finances.
Last September, a leaked presentation showed funding requests from clubs in the Commerce Society sured the society’s budgetary capacity for the entire year by over $74,000. In April, ComSoc raised its student fee from $55 to $85 to create paid positions and strengthen ComSoc’s operating fund. The society doesn’t publicize its finances.
After a stint as ComSoc’s chief financial officer (CFO) last year, Seebaran is running for vice-president (operations). Seebaran is on exchange and was unable to attend ComSoc’s town hall on Feb. 1 via Zoom. He didn’t respond to The Journal’s requests for comment before the time of publication.
Seebaran’s platform includes ensuring “effective management” of finances within the society and creating sample budgets to provide club co-chairs with best practices. Seebaran promises to promote an understanding of ComSoc’s policies and plans on reviewing them to identify any root problems.
Sivathason feels her two years of experience in ComSoc and her time as the chair of orientation have prepared her for the role of president. Sivathason is ionate about giving back to the society which has taught her so much during her time as the talent strategy officer and intern to the president.
“I think each year, they have all elevated ComSoc to a different level and I think SJA would be honored to be able to do the same this 2024-25 year,” Sivathason said at the town hall on Feb. 1.
Her presidential platform is focused on student engagement and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives.
Vice-president (student affairs) (VPSA) candidate Jillian Weatherby, who previously served as ComSoc ombudsperson and EDII officer, is eager to make Commerce at Queen’s a place for everyone. Her VPSA platform advocates for international and domestic students and promotes public engagement.
Although it’s Weatherby’s first time working in the Student Affairs portfolio, she consulted the past vice-president on the portfolio to prepare for the role.
“We’re greatly aware of the past here at Smith, being ‘Stolen by Smith.’ These horrific experiences and instances that were detailed on that that students had to experience in this program, and potentially continue to experience in this program,” Sivathason said at the town hall.
Stolen by Smith was a student-run Instagram that detailed experiences of racism, queerphobia, and other forms of discrimination at the business school. Weatherby acknowledged as a white, cisgender, heterosexual student she might not be able to speak about discrimination at Smith, but believes in her ability to amplify the voices of other students.
The team promised to conduct club-wide EDII training, bring down barriers to student engagement, and address students’ complaints.
Team SJA reaffirmed its commitment to student safety amid hazing concerns.
“I know many folks do come from different perspectives when it comes to [hazing] but I think as the Commerce Society, our priority is the safety of students,” Sivathason said.
Weatherby wants to improve student engagement and lean into the community at Smith. Sivathason acknowledged that though applications to student clubs have risen, attendance at events and conferences hasn’t recovered since the pandemic. For Team SJA, research is needed to address these gaps.
Though the team knows listening is the first step, they’re ready to advocate for their students in all realms, including at AMS assembly. SJA promises to be transparent and voice their concerns at Assembly.
Sivathason believes cross-faculty collaboration next year will be important, as other faculties might be facing the same challenges and have ideas for solutions.
“We hope to represent a new generation of students, students who have gone through a time, like COVID-19, who are bouncing back with energy we haven’t seen in quite a while, who are coming together with so much,” Sivathason said.
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