Saima Nur Chowdhury for VP Finance and Services
Students need better benefits, more support, and an SFSS that works for them!

Hello, I’m Saima Nur Chowdhury and I’m running for VP Finance and Services. I’m a 3rd year double major in International Studies and Political Science. I have been involved extensively with clubs, student unions and independent student societies where I’ve learned about and worked on issues important to both international and domestic students.

In 2019, I served as a director in Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG)  providing grants and opportunities to students and as the VP Events for International Studies Students’ Association. Currently I’m an SFU Senator and CJSF 90.1 Radio show host. Furthermore, I have volunteered with the SFU SVSPO’s Active Bystander Network.

In the SFSS, I have volunteered in the SFSS Women’s Center, and helped the Bangladeshi Students’ Association, Indian Students’ Federation, Pakistani Students’ Association at events. 

The SFSS has gone through many positive changes in the last two years with the SUB being finished, shrunk admin costs, and the new Council powers. Now, students need more support, more dedicated funds, and better benefits. 

As your VP Finance and Services, I will work to:
Restructure the SFSS’s Finances 
  • Research and implement a new financial model for the SFSS so that important SFSS services and supports have stable and dedicated funding
  • Create an annual budget for the Space Expansion Fund and use it to fund upgrades for student union offices and common spaces
  • Task Finance Office staff to develop a multi-year financial budget based on the SFSS’s new strategic plan, so that students know what things will cost
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Increase Student Benefits
  • Work with other executives to bring more COVID-19 support to campus including N95 masks, pop up clinics, and emergency funding support
  • Survey students for areas to Improve Health and Dental Plan benefits and work with Studentcare to implement what students need
  • Research an SFSS Rent Bank to support student renters who need short-term help when money gets tight
  • Work with DNA and the Accessibility Committee to use the Accessibility Fund for an Accessibility Bursary to remove barriers to education for disabled students

Improve Member Services
  • Consult with student unions, clubs, and constituency groups to increase and expand the funding and services the receive from the SFSS
  • Develop a Fall referendum campaign for dedicated fees to increase student union, club, and constituency group grant, core, and travel funds

Support International Students
  • Work with FIC students to hold a referendum to join the SFSS as Associate Members to obtain full voting rights and membership benefits like the UPass
  • Support the VP External and Community Affairs, Migrant Students United, and ISA to push for MSP, tuition funding, and other supports for international students

Please remember to vote on February 15-17 through SFU Mail! 
Pledge to vote at www.bit.ly/vote-Saima
Website: www.bit.ly/Saima4VPFS 
IG: @Saima4VPFS
Email: snchowdh@sfu.ca / saimanur1998@gmail.com