SMUSA’s New President: An Interview with Franklyn Southwell
Written by Sophie Downie Allen
@sophiecdownie
Photos by Franklyn Southwell
Franklyn Southwell - New SMUSA President
On March 8-9th, 2021, students at SMU voted in the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA) election to decide on the new members of the SMUSA Board of Directors and the new SMUSA President. This year, there was only one candidate running for the position of SMUSA CEO and President: Franklyn Southwell. Franklyn is a fourth-year student who has been an active participant in the SMU community throughout his time at the school. In order to be elected as the new president of SMUSA, Franklyn needed to obtain a 2/3 majority through a yes/no style vote, which he achieved when 78.8% of student voters cast a vote in his favour. As such, Franklyn Southwell has officially been announced as the new SMUSA CEO and President for the 2021-2022 academic year. Congratulations to Franklyn!
Following his win in the election, I was fortunate enough to be able to conduct an interview with Franklyn, who spoke about stepping into his role as President and what the future holds in that regard. For any students or members of the SMU community who are interested in learning more about the person who will soon be overseeing all of SMUSA’s operations, this interview will provide you with those insights. This interview has been edited for clarity.
Sophie Downie Allen: What was your reaction to finding out that you had been elected as the next CEO and President of SMUSA?
Franklyn Southwell: I was elated and thrilled when I learned of my election victory. My campaign took weeks of planning for my campaign theme, preparing for the debate and managing my time for the election while balancing class. So, it was a relief to know that my dedication and sacrifice paid off and bore fruit.
SDA: What is the first major goal or project that you are looking to tackle as SMUSA President?
FS: My first goal as president is to form an executive team in order to start brainstorming ideas for our plan for the 2021/2022 academic year, then we will immediately start surveying students on what are the most prominent challenges they have faced this past year during the pandemic. Then, we will present all these matters to the Academic Senate and Board of governors in order to formulate a method of addressing these concerns and rectifying them however we can. I would also seek to coordinate with the university on how to reopen more facilities on campus for our students and consult with the experts such as the risk and liability departments on the best way to move forward safely.
SDA: During the presidential debate, you mentioned that if you were elected, you would ensure that SMUSA is made up of a body which is both diverse and feminist. What other elements do you think are important to developing a good team?
FS: Aside from ensuring our team is ethnically diverse, it is important my team is well informed of prevalent and prominent student issues and concerns. It is important my team are experienced leaders who are capable of organizing events, efficient time management, and it is important that my team are well versed on general SMUSA policies. They need to be brave and comfortable speaking on major platforms and meetings such as on the Senate, board of governors, and taking charge of students. Lastly, my team needs to be flexible and available as much as possible. They must also always regard all student issues with utmost importance and respect, all student issues are pertinent issues.
SDA: How do you think your previous involvement with SMUSA as a member of the Board of Directors will help you be successful as SMUSA President?
FS: I understand the BOD’s roles with respect to SMUSA, which is mainly oversight of the executive, and reviewing SMUSA’S policy. As president, my relationship with the board will be ensuring I give them an official monthly report of all of SMUSA’s operational duties, and work with them on committee assignments as well. As a good gesture I will welcome advice and ideas from the board chair on any matter they think is relevant to student affairs on campus.
SDA: What aspect of SMUSA do you think has the most potential for improvement in the coming academic year?
FS: SMUSA can definitely do more for student engagement. Putting students on committees to help with policy consultation on SMUSA agenda is ideal for getting students involved in our operations. Also, creating inclusive social events to welcome more students, and of course putting emphasis on student participation for our virtual events is important.
SDA: What are three long-term goals you hope to achieve during your tenure as SMUSA President?
FS: My long-term goals include creating policy and structure that will improve the life of students on campus by providing resources that all our students need. I would also like to create a transition policy that will serve to ensure the next administration will have a smoother process of taking over the executive roles and continuing projects that the preceding executive started. Also, I want to work towards creating a hiring process policy that will give a definitive and straight forward outline of how students will be hired to positions in SMUSA on the executive and other operational positions.
SDA: Going forward, what excites you the most about your role as SMUSA President? What events or opportunities should students get excited about?
FS: Students should look forward to an executive that is transparent, and accessible to them at all times, and one that consults with them first on all major policy and structural changes that will directly affect them. Being optimistic, I hope we can welcome back students to campus for events, activities and on-campus resources. I will also be lobbying for a blended model of online learning and in-class options. Given the travel restrictions especially for internationals, it is important and necessary that students have flexible options for choosing their class outline and structure. The pandemic has also highlighted that the online model of learning is ideal for some students with disabilities, students who need to work, and for students with families who they must prioritize to take care of such as for mothers, fathers and students who help with the elderly in their families. Online learning has also been difficult for others, so students can look forward to the executive team working towards creating a model that suits everyone.
For more information on Franklyn Southwell and his role as the President and CEO of SMUSA, be sure to visit https://www.smusa.ca, or you can contact Franklyn directly through his email. For continuous updates about SMUSA, be sure to visit https://www.thesmujournal.ca.