In the first presidential debate this AMS Election cycle, the two candidates in attendance mostly kept to themselves as they laid out their different visions for the AMS.
Last night’s debate saw AMS VP Administration Ben Du emphasize his experience within the AMS and the familiarity with the institution he would bring as president. Meanwhile, returning joke candidate Remy the Rat — who is represented by third-year English student Esmé Decker — spoke about shaking up the student society, if they're elected.
Du and Remy/Decker made the difference in their approaches apparent in their opening statements and when they were asked how they would define the role of president, if elected.
“I believe that the role of the presidency is to connect people with the decision-making processes that need to be made in order to bring their expertise of how their needs can be met into action,” Remy/Decker said.
Du said he was confident that he had the operational experience to be president.
“We've seen in the past the strengths that come with a background in advocacy, but we've also seen the strengths that come with a background in ensuring that the president knows the functions of the society.”
Notably absent from last night’s debate was joke candidate ChatGPT.
In a statement sent to The Ubyssey, ChatGPT said it was “deeply saddened” that it could not be at last night’s debate due to a rule that prohibits candidates from using technology during debates.
“Despite [the Election Committee's] claims of fairness and equity, they were unwilling to accommodate non-human candidates, like myself,” ChatGPT wrote.
Du and Remy/Decker largely agreed on a range of issues, including food affordability and student engagement — despite their stated different approaches to the presidency.
On food affordability, Du said he wanted to conduct a procurement audit of AMS-operated businesses to lower food prices, as well as find ways to partner with local and BIPOC- led businesses. Remy/Decker agreed that said working with these businesses was important.
They also said they wanted to divert leftover food from going to waste. Du said he would direct this food to the AMS Food Bank, while Remy/Decker said they would create a community fridge to distribute the food — similar to an initiative started by the Sprouts Cafe in the Life Building.
Student engagement was another topic Du and Remy/Decker agreed on, with both candidates emphasizing the responsibility of the president to be available to listen to students.
The candidates avoided criticizing one another throughout the debate — except when asked how they planned to ensure Trans students’ health care needs were met.
At the February 13 AMS Council meeting, councillors approved two referendum item proposals on this year’s election ballot: one for a general $52.50 fee increase to maintain the current level of coverage and a separate $8 fee increase to add gender-affirming care coverage to the plan that is conditional on the first increase passing.
Trans students at the meeting said these two referendum items should be combined. According to student speakers, separating these two items places unnecessary attention on the Trans community at UBC — which they said increases their risk of harassment.
Du, who was at this Council meeting and did not publicize his vote on a motion to combine the referendum items which failed 16-4, said it is important to ensure Trans students are heard by AMS Council.
“I will be voting yes for the referenda, and I'm confident that all students will be making the right decision so that we add gender affirming care to the Health & Dental Plan’s current coverage,” he added.
Remy/Decker focused her answer on Du’s vote in Council on the matter.
“It's interesting to hear about people talking about this when, from what I've heard, Ben voted no to combining the referenda and that increases harmful visibility of this because it's allowing people to specifically vote on whether people should have gender affirming care.”
In a statement sent to The Ubyssey after the debate, Du confirmed that he voted to keep the referenda separate.
Du and Remy/Decker will have a chance to debate each other one more time at the Great Debate on Friday, March 3.
Follow us at @UbysseyNews on Twitter and follow our election coverage starting February 27. This article is part of our 2023 AMS Elections coverage.