At the AMS VP student life debate Wednesday night, candidates discussed their differing visions on how to best support campus spirit and students’ mental health concerns.
This debate was the first and only public forum for the two by-election candidates — Kevin Heieis and Dominic Tomkowicz — before voting opens. This by-election marks the first time a VP student life will be elected since it was approved by referendum in March.
Since the debate, Tomkowicz announced on his Instagram Thursday night his intention to withdraw from the race, meaning Heieis is running unopposed for VP student life.
According to a job description provided to candidates by the AMS Elections Committee, the position is “responsible for advancing student engagement, campus spirit, and holistic wellbeing through the strategic development and delivery of events, orientation programming, first-year initiatives, and mental health supports.”
Candidates were asked Wednesday night what knowledge, experience and personal qualities would make them the best person for the position.
Heieis cited his “many years” of involvement with clubs, design teams and his familiarity with the AMS. He is the current interim VP student life, appointed in May by AMS Council.
“I am part of communities on campus, and I'm a leader. I like bringing communities together, and I know how the systems operate to truly help students find community on campus, and that's what makes me perfect for the VP student life position,” he said.
Tomkowicz emphasized his passion for “connecting with people where they are,” highlighting his social media presence and his ability to know what makes students excited.
Better known by his alias “Scooter Dom,” Tomkowicz has built an online following through videos of him and others on his electric scooter.
“Beyond my content and social media,” he said, “I have a clear platform; structured support for clubs, funding for cultural collaborations and accessible, affordable events. And this job isn't about being flashy, it's about setting strategy and making sure students feel seen, and I'm ready to translate that energy into results.”
When pressed on events he would like to run if elected, Heieis noted that many event ideas have been run before by the AMS as well as other student groups.
“I think what's actually more important for the VP student life is to support student groups to build up their own events … the student life role is about being a friend to these different campus groups to support their cultures,” he said.
In contrast, Tomkowicz proposed a “Thunderbird spirit week” — a festival with interfaculty competitions, a clubs showcase, concerts and a night market. He also suggested a winter lights festival at the Nest, which would “bring in Indigenous artists and choirs, small business booths and even have quiet sensory friendly hours for people to relax.”
The focus on sensory friendly hours was one part of Tomkowicz’s campaign pledge for improved accessibility and inclusion at student events on campus. “Inclusion means thinking ahead,” he said. “My events plan has built accessibility into the design … I know fun is only fun if everyone feels welcome, and that is one of my campaign goals.”
The candidates were also asked how they planned to fund their campaign promises. Tomkowicz suggested cutting funding for things “not useful to students,” such as AMS-branded agendas, and using the proceeds for “what students actually want, because something that isn't going to be useful is just going to suck up funds from the AMS.”
Heieis pushed back against Tomkowicz’s plan. “The budget has already been approved, so there is no money available for new funds,” Heieis said. “There are limited resources available, but cutting resources for students is not the answer. Providing things for students is valuable.”
His spending plan centred around mental health week. “I plan to use sponsorships to create a large, inclusive mental health week that is inclusive to all students, and can really fill a gap in mental health programming,” Heieis said. As well, he expressed a desire to revive an AMS hosted welcome back concert, something that Heieis said was “explicitly cut because of funding.”
Both candidates brought different solutions to supporting mental health on campus.
Heieis stated that the funding cuts across UBC departments and programming has affected the university’s ability to support students’ mental health, meaning that the AMS should bring back more mental health programming.
“I've already started planning for the first mental health week on UBC in-person since 2017. This will include collaborations with constituencies to provide direct training for things that are relevant to students,” Heieis said.
Tomkowicz said that in addition to quiet rooms at AMS events, he would like to start “Wellness Wednesdays,” weekly events with therapy dogs that would allow students to tell each other about their problems. “People could open up to each other … Just share their emotions and their feelings. The important part is to remind students that they're not alone.”
Despite disagreements in matters of policy, Heieis and Tomkowicz shared admiration for each other’s platform.
“I have the utmost respect for [Tomkowicz] here … Some of his campaign goals lie outside of what the VP portfolio is. But the key thing about this role is the passion you bring into it and your relationship building skills … Because at the end of the day, it doesn't matter who's in the role,” Heieis said.
In response, Tomkowicz stated that Heieis has done well as interim VP.
“I think Kevin is a great, great leader, and he would be absolutely great for this role,” Tomkowicz said. “His interim position as VP student life has already shown that he wants this role and that he would definitely make our campus more fun and lively … No matter the outcome of the election, I definitely believe Kevin would be great if he won, and I don't see any faults in his campaign.”
Voting for the by-election opens on September 19 and closes September 24 at 4 p.m. Unofficial results will be available after voting closes.
