Jasper Lorien is running to be student governor on a platform centered around freezing tuition and housing fees, divestment from companies complicit in human rights violations and increasing student housing construction.
The first-year arts student supports recent student protests and wants to see the Board divest from “companies complicit in universal human rights abuses and violations” around the world.
“The general sentiment is becoming very, very clear in the student population that we do not want our money to go to places that hurt people.”
In 2022, the university declined to support an AMS motion calling for it to divest from companies complicit in Palestinian human rights violations and support the Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) movement. UBC reaffirmed its stance against BDS in 2023.
Lorien acknowledged these set-backs but noted a precedent of UBC’s divestment from fossil fuel companies. In 2019, the university committed to divest from fossil fuels despite the Board’s Finance Committee originally advising against.
“Yes, it's a long process,” said Lorien. “But, the question that you're asking me now was asked for fossil fuels … it is possible because we've seen UBC divest already.”
They also hope to push all UBC-held funds to divest from fossil fuels. Currently, UBC is committed to make its endowment fund and pension fund free of fossil fuel investment by 2030. The working capital fund was not included in the original motion.
Cost of living is another concern of Lorien. They want to ensure students are not priced out of a UBC education.
“When UBC is prioritizing market housing for profit over students being able to study here, that's a massive issue,” they said. “If this is going to continue to be a world class institution, we need to be able to continue to have the best students be able to study here."
In December 2023, the university approved tuition fee increases of two per cent for domestic students, three per cent for continuing international students and five per cent for new international students in the next academic year. Student housing fees, which are not covered by the BC's Residential Tenancy Act, are also set to increase up to six per cent this year. Students have protested both increases.
Lorien is optimistic the board is “shifting in the direction” students want as this year’s tuition increase passed with a slimmer margin than previous years.
They hope to bring their advocacy experience with Climate Justice UBC and Disabilities United Collective to be an effective student governor.
“I know how to work with administration. I've done it already. I'm not an unfamiliar face to some of these people.”
Lorien also said they hope to restore the Broad’s Sustainability and Climate Action Committee, which was previously folded into the Finance Committee in 2023.
“You're putting climate action in the hands of people that have been appointed because of their financial expertise, you miss a really, really important perspective.”
Lorien is running against incumbent governor Eshana Bhangu and newcomers Kamil Kanji, Ferdinand Rother, Siddharth Rout, Leonard Wang and Enav Zusman.
This article is part of our 2024 AMS Elections coverage. Follow us at @UbysseyNews on X (formerly Twitter) and follow our election coverage starting February 27.