JESS DELA CRUZ for VP Events and Student Affairs
My name is Jess Dela Cruz and I am ready to serve as VP Events and Students Affairs! I am in my third year majoring in English with a double-minor in History and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies for teaching. 

I want to bring connectivity and engagement to the SFSS through an equitable framework. This prioritizes inclusivity and social justice through workshops and events with YOU in mind to strengthen and defend the power of students for progressive change.

Over the last three years, I have served as a FASS Mentor and worked as the FASS Engagement Programming Assistant (EPA) where I oversaw FASS DSU’s, the Mentorship Program, and assisted with various Welcome Days. I also have experience as a Campus Tour Guide, Friends of Simon Tutor, and News Writer for The Peak! 

Ever heard of TEDxSFU, FASS On a Boat, or FASS Fest? I helped plan those! I also served as student union executive and currently, I am a SFSS University of Academic Affairs Member-At-Large. 

Working with such a diverse group of people has only shown how much change still needs to be done! All this, to strengthen student power.

As your VP Events and Student Affairs, I will commit to: 

Host Events Through An Equitable Framework 
  • Bring in experienced speakers to host workshops that teach and provide guidance to help student unions and clubs host equitable, accessible, and inclusive events
  • Collaborate with VPES to create open resource documents that include information on anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and anti-discriminatory work 
Student Union Building 
  • Create a grand-opening plan for the SUB to welcome back students when we resume in-person classes
  • Ensure a smooth transition for constituency groups and student societies into the SUB (Women’s Centre, Out on Campus, FNSA, DNA, SOCA, SFPIRG, CJSF and Embark)  

Student Volunteer Appreciation Night
  • Bring back student appreciation nights to celebrate student volunteers with awards
  • Host welcome events to connect new students with community services, student groups, and support
  • Team up with SFU Alumni and local businesses to host student-centric workshops (e.g. personal growth, financial tips, tech start-ups)

Collaborate & Support Societies, Unions, and Clubs 
  • Improve and expand SFSS toolkits for running remote and in-person events
  • Raise awareness and have conversations around Black History Month, Pride Month, International Women’s Day, Orange Shirt Day, etc. by joining forces with individuals and student groups to create informative sessions and events. 
  • Continue the #StudentsDeserveSpace Campaign to secure student union spaces
  • Proactively consult with unions and clubs about ongoing social justice, academic, student life and affair issues on campus
  • Work with Student Unions to follow-up on their public statements regarding social justice or solidarity work so that marginalized students feel included and empowered ,and that change is being worked towards.

SFSS Funding
  • Collaborate with VPFS to develop community awards for society, union, and club volunteers 
  • Push for increasing spending limits and options for grants to reduce costs for students out of pocket
 
 
Vote on Feb 16-18!
#SFUProgressives #Jess4VPESA 

Website: bit.ly/Jess4VPESA
Email: jessd@sfu.ca
Pledge to Vote: bit.ly/vote-Jess
FB: @Jess4VPESA
​IG:  @dlcjess
Team Website: bit.ly/SFUProgressives