for President
ABOUT ME
My name is Brandon Wong (he/him), and I am a third-year Microbiology and Immunology student running to be your next Science Undergraduate Society President! As your current SUS VP Administration, past Associate VP Administration (2021/22), and past First Year Representative (2020/21), I built a comprehensive understanding of the organization and workings of SUS, allowing me to create a well-informed platform based on seeing the strengths and shortcomings of SUS. As President, my mission for SUS is to (i) help science students build community and meet the diverse student population, (ii) provide science students with equitable resources and opportunities, and (iii) advocate for issues science students face.
As President, I will make it my priority to increase transparency between SUS and the science student body in order to further establish trust and represent student voices accurately. The 2023/24 SUS budget, Council minutes, and SUS Governance documents will be accessible on the SUS website by October. A form will be launched to receive students' feedback about the budget usage to guide budget allocations for the following years.
What does the SUS President do?
Oversees the entirety of SUS
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Ensures all 8 portfolios (academic, administration, communications, external, finance, internal, presidential, and student life) are supported and run smoothly
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Plan the itinerary for Council and SUS Executive meetings
Lead Committees under the Presidential Portfolio
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EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) Working Group
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Human Resources Commission
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NEW: Projects Commission (read more about it in my platform)
Attend Other Meetings
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Science Planning for Future Meetings
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Science Caucus Meetings
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AMS President’s Council Meetings
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Faculty of Science Meetings
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Neuroscience Steering Committee Meetings
MY PLATFORM
🤝 STRENGTHEN FACULTY AND INTERFACULTY RELATIONS 🤝
SUS is in a unique position where we interact with both the Faculty of Science representatives and UBC science students, ultimately serving as a bridge between the two. As President, I aim to strengthen this connection with the Faculty and help foster a sense of belonging amongst science students through various initiatives. To successfully do so, I plan to do the following:
1. Adopt clear lines of communication, relay expectations, and establish mutual goals with the Faculty of Science by organizing meetings as early as May.
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Through these interactions, I hope to pitch new collaborations and strengthen previous initiatives, including the Faculty Fair which highlights science clubs on Imagine Day.
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With meaningful and productive conversation, SUS will have a stronger relationship with the Faculty moving forward.
2. Launch a new working group called the Projects Commission under the Presidential Portfolio to introduce a larger capacity for unique collaboration projects that appeal to diverse student groups across the science student population.
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For example, I am passionate about launching events like Ski with (S)US and Beach Cleanup with (S)US.
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The role of this commission is to take on new initiatives and collaborations or communicate these opportunities to pre-existing working groups.
3. Foster strong relations with science clubs by assisting the VP Admin in liaising with them. As President, I plan to provide science clubs with higher value grants and plan media projects that feature and advertise clubs.
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Currently, the money allocated towards club grants are never being fully used. Therefore, by increasing grant values, SUS will be able to give the money allocated to clubs to assist them.
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Media projects will launch at the start of the winter term. SUS will help script and produce the videos to create an engaging approach to advertise clubs to students.
❤️ INCLUSIVITY ❤️
SUS aims to be a community for all science students. As President, I plan to implement meaningful change to create a welcoming environment for all students. To do so, I plan to do the following:
1. Refocus the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) Working Group’s role towards addressing the needs and concerns of underrepresented groups by seeking input from the underrepresented students themselves.
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The EDI Working Group will reach out to various on-campus clubs and organizations that support underrepresented students and seek input on how SUS can support them.
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Through this guidance and increased collaboration, the EDI Working Group can offer meaningful support.
2. Introduce a BIPOC Food Market to support BIPOC-owned food businesses to complement the current BIPOC Community Market.
3. Incorporate cultural artwork such as Indigenous art in the Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre (ALSSC) based on student recommendations to emphasize that the ALSSC is a home away from home for all UBC science students.
📣 ADVOCACY 📣
As a constituency, SUS represents the diverse voices of UBC science students and can fight for students' needs. As President, I aim to incorporate student voices by increasing opportunities for science students to share their opinions. To accomplish this goal, I plan to do the following for meaningful advocacy and accurate science student voice representation:
1. Work with the SUS VP Academic to create a student-focused survey to gather feedback on issues important to science students in order to effectively represent those voices in discussions with the Faculty of Science and the AMS.
2. Hold mandatory internal workshops for all SUS VPs and chairs to develop stronger community-building and inclusivity practices.
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This will encourage discussion on how to support diverse teams and promote a welcoming and safe environment in SUS, ensuring all student voices are listened to and equally valued.
🏛 VP SUPPORT 🏛
The Vice Presidents of SUS oversee 7 respective portfolios that aim to benefit all science students. Vice Presidents can feel overwhelmed during busier periods of the year, so to help support each Vice President, I hope to:
1. Host 1-on-1 meetings at the beginning of our terms in May to brainstorm realistic timelines for their portfolios.
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By doing so, I hope to identify which projects will require increased assistance and proactively arrange support and additional meetings.
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Ultimately, having VPs receive strong structure and guidance will lead to many events and benefits for the science student population.
2. Provide additional training to VPs regarding leadership, event planning, and marketing. In addition, I plan to implement special education for the topics of sexualized violence so VPs feel adequately prepared to handle these situations.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCES
My Qualifications
Vice President, Administration,
Science Undergraduate Society
First Year Representative and
First Year Committee,
Science Undergraduate Society
Associate Vice-President, Administration,
Science Undergraduate Society
JumpStart Senior Orientation Leader,
Faculty of Science
Vice President Membership,
Richmond Toastmasters Gavel Club
Presenter,
UBC Vaccine Literacy Club
Secretary,
Richmond Toastmasters Gavel Club
JumpStart Orientation Leader,
Faculty of Science
Imagine Day Orientation Leader,
Faculty of Science
Academic Standing Committee,
Science Undergraduate Society
Outreach Committee,
UBC Vaccine Literacy Club
Endorsements
Listen up, UBC Science!! I’m excited to endorse Brandon Wong for your next SUS President! If you’ve ever talked face-to-face with Brandon, you’ll immediately notice that he has the ability to make you feel appreciated, seen, and heard. But Brandon’s skills go beyond that.
As one of his Associate Vice Presidents, I’ve seen first-hand how exceptionally capable, diligent, and organized Brandon is. He’s able to stay focused on the big picture while never forgetting small but crucial details. No matter how much he has on his plate, he always stays incredibly organized, reminding his teams about upcoming deadlines and never missing a meeting. Most importantly, Brandon tackles problems with such passion and excitement that it automatically excites those around him too. This is what sets his leadership style apart from others - he’s not just focused on getting things done, but also ensures his teams have a great time doing so. I have no doubt that Brandon will carry his passion for supporting students into his role as your next SUS President.
CINDY CUI
Associate Vice-President, Administration
Hi there, fellow UBC science students It is with utmost pleasure that I endorse Brandon for your next SUS president. I have had the opportunity to work alongside him for the past two years, first as Sustainability coordinator during his time as an AVP and currently as Sustainability Chair while he is contributing his time as Vice President, Admin. He has continually gone the extra mile to ensure the Sustainability working group is supported financially, logistically by helping with the planning component, and physically, by offering to help with setup, takedown as well as sticking around for the duration of the event(s).
Although he overlooks multiple commissions falling under the Administration portfolio, he personally sees to it that they all receive the support they need for successful execution of events and/or projects. Brandon’s ability to succeed during even the most time-consuming tasks amazes me, as well as his cheerful personality has always motivated everyone around him to work just as hard for the group’s success. He is a natural leader and problem solver, easily identifying and proposing solutions to any road bumps that the team hits along the way. He has displayed the skills required to be a true leader, more than once, on different occasions, speaking to his eligibility to be an excellent team worker. Brandon, undoubtedly is the best candidate for the SUS President position, with respects to not only his past relevant leadership experience but also his sheer commitment to work for and with the Science students. You will not regret voting for him!
Sanvi Jethi
Sustainability Chair
Hi UBC Science! The role of SUS President is a daunting one, overseeing all the portfolios and numerous career development, social, and/or research events throughout the year - given the importance of the position, I see no one better than Brandon to take on the role.
I have known Brandon since first year while working with him since 2020/21 as a First Year Representative and throughout the years in SUS. This year as VP Admin, I have once again seen his commitment first hand in his various SUS positions which he always takes on with genuine interest and the best interests of his portfolio and science student body in mind. For instance, as a Code and Policy Committee member, Brandon is always present at our meetings and communicates his thoughts to us, hears out our ideas with an open mind, and relays it smoothly to the rest of SUS execs. There’s not a moment where myself and others working with Brandon are boring or uncomfortable; he always finds a way to keep things interesting and enjoyable for everyone involved. I am sure these qualities and the commitment that he has to the Science student body will allow him to continue excelling as SUS President :))
CHRISTOPHER DONG
Code and Policy Member and
2021/22 Associate Vice-President, Academic
Brandon is a man who needs no endorsement. If you have ever spoken once with Brandon before, you will know that he is the man for the job.
Having worked with him in SUS this past year, Brandon is someone who is genuinely committed and passionate to helping Science Students. Under his leadership as VP Administration in the Code and Policy Committee, we reviewed the SUS Bylaws and implemented critical amendments to improve clarity and ameliorate protocols that will positively impact SUS day-to-day function. Brandon will make sure you voice is heard and implement meaningful change. Brandon breathes SUS. Brandon lives and eats SUS. There is no better person than Brandon to be the next SUS President.
Brian Deng
Code and Policy Member
Hey UBC Science!
I would proudly like to endorse Brandon Wong for your next SUS President! As the SUS clubs commissioner for the 2022/23 year, Brandon has treated me with the utmost respect. He perfectly balances a fun working environment and a productive working environment. Brandon keeps our meetings well organized and makes sure that we are able to take on our tasks. He is very understanding and always makes sure that your voice is heard. Whether it be conflicts with scheduling or important event planning, Brandon maintains his composure and efficiently leads our committee. It has been an honor to work with Brandon this year! If ever given the opportunity, I would not hesitate to work with him again.
NATHAN SIHOMBING
Clubs Commissioner
