Interview with SUS AMS Hopeful Karen Lee

What do you seek to accomplish as SUS AMS Rep?

This past year, I have been increasingly active in the AMS and have experienced the barriers that discourage students from getting involved. Trying to get involved is intimidating and finding information on how council works is not that easy. As SUS AMS Rep, I would like to continue my work as a member-at-large on the Student Life Committee and Document Access Working Group to make information more accessible to students and to find more ways to engage students.

What do you think the biggest problem facing the AMS is today?

There are a number of issues facing the AMS today, but I think the biggest problem is the ongoing structural deficit. The AMS is neither broke nor in debt, but its spending cannot be sustained for more than 5 years. Fortunately, I have witnessed current councilors and committees working hard to fix this problem. Due to their hard work, I am confident that this problem will be resolved before the AMS sustains any serious financial damage.

What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?

I think my greatest strength would be my passion for student involvement and engagement. I feel that UBC has lost the school spirit and pride that was present in the past. Many students today are no longer aware of the goings-on on campus. I feel very strongly about this because I was able to make the transition from un-involved to involved. Since this personal change, I have been able to encourage many people to care and to stay informed on AMS and campus issues today.

For my greatest weakness, I will have to admit that my knowledge of the AMS is not as thorough as I would like it to be. This is why I have been attending council meetings, multiple committee meetings and talking to councilors to learn as much as I can. I have learned a lot in the past year but there is still much more to learn. I can only hope that my thirst for knowledge can be quenched as a SUS AMS Representative.