Just confirmed with the Senate Secretariat that Mr. Geoff Costeloe, of Terry fame, was elected to the position of Vice-Chair of the Vancouver Senate this Wednesday.
This is the first time a student has been elected to the position since its creation in 1916. No one formally asked for the tally, but I’m told it was “close”.
The role of the Vice-Chair is to be speaker of the Vancouver Senate in the absence of the Chair, Prof. Stephen Toope.
The last election of the Vice-Chair, student senator Mr. Blake Frederick lost to incumbent Vice-Chair Dr. Rhodri Windsor-Liscombe in a close tally of 36:23.
This would mean in the occasional absence of the President, a student reigns over the most powerful academic body at UBC Vancouver. The vote indicates a strong show of support and trust in the student body by the faculty, alumni and administration, and a progressive vision for the current Senate.
Fantastic!
Cool, what a great way to show that students actually are considered in academics at this school.
Now if only they knew what Senate was…
Priority one should be making sure all positions are contested. Egg on our face for last round, unfortunately, but we’re still doing better than the faculty members.