With voting day looming, it’s important to get to know our last candidate, Jack Harding, the one and only Vice President Academic candidate running in the election.
Jack was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Lethbridge, Alberta. He also lived and went to school for a year in Sapporo, Japan, and near Dijon, France. In his first year, he lived in MacIsaac Hall and is currently taking an honours degree in Public Policy and Governance with a subsidiary in Political Science. He says that when he is finished at StFX, he hopes to continue his education and pursue work in politics or law.
Mr. Harding has been heavily involved during his time at StFX, saying “over the past three years, I’ve gained so much out of becoming involved with the U. In my first year, I sat on the MacIsaac Hall House Council as the Charity Representative, as well as sitting on the External Advisory Committee as a Student-at-Large.” He continues by describing his second and third years, saying “I was elected to serve on the StFX Students’ Union Representative council as the Faculty of Arts Representative. This role entails promoting and representing the best interests of all Arts students at StFX, overseeing programs and services to enhance the student experience, and sitting on the StFX Students’ Union Council and StFX Senate, along with committees to advocate for my peers. In this role, I have spent a significant amount of that time advocating for the academic needs of students, working to keep the university accountable on its commitments to those academic needs, and working with the U’s executive team to create the best direction for the U going forward.”
In addition to his involvement with the Students’ Union, he is the StFX Model United Nations’ society president, and for the past three years has been a part of the StFX rowing team, which he says, “has been one of the most important parts of my university experience so far.” Further, Mr. Harding says, “this past year, I was elected as the Vice-President of our rowing club. Competing at the national level, putting in hundreds of hours of 6 a.m. practices, and appreciating the reliance rowing has on teamwork to succeed, have all have prepared me for this important role as VPA.” The lists continue, with his role as an executive for the Antigonish League of People for Climate Action (ALPACA), an environmental action society. In this role Jack says, “I’ve worked with this group advocating for climate action, organizing climate awareness events, and talking with members around our wider community about the issue of the climate crisis. This is an issue which is both very important to me personally, as well as a topic that is in desperate need of attention from the university. In this role, I have been leading a push to bring to light to danger of StFX using a Bunker-C oil plant in the middle of campus as our heating source for campus buildings.” Further, Jack says “we recently held a rally outside of Mulroney to raise awareness of the fact that we are burning highly polluting toxic oil non-renewably in the heart of our campus. I believe it is best for students, employees and the Antigonish community if StFX change to a renewable energy source…. I have met with Monica Foster, the university’s Vice-President of Finance, and have a scheduled presentation with the Board of Governors Investment and Audit Committee to continue advocating for this action, trying to hold StFX accountable as an institution to the pressing issue of the climate crisis.”
After speaking with Jack about his involvement at StFX, we moved on to his platform as the VPA candidate. When asked why he would like to be the next VPA of the Students’ Union Jack stated, “I want to be your VPA because through my time at X, I’ve seen and experienced the amazing work that the U does and the incredible number of hours put in behind the scenes to improve every aspect of the student experience, and I want to work to protect all students at StFX. I want to be a part of this leadership team, both to continue the hard work that past teams have accomplished, and to work to make changes where change is needed. I have the experience needed to bring effective change to the U and our university where it needs to happen. As your VPA, I will work with students to prioritize every voice on campus and the conversations that have been left to the side until now, to see real, tangible, effective, and long-lasting change.”
When asked what he believed was currently the most important and pressing issue on campus, Jack answered that “the most important and pressing issue on our campus right now is prioritizing the prevention of and response to sexual violence, especially sexual violence against women and LGBTQ2S+ people. I promise that I will do everything in my power to fight to make StFX a campus where all people – and especially women and LGBTQ2S+ people – are safe from experiencing sexualized violence, where there is accountability and action when and if violence does occur. It disgusts me that this is still a major issue across our campus and that every woman I know has a story. As VPA, I am committed to making it a priority both for victims to share their stories, and for the university to take legitimate, decisive action against those who commit sexual violence.” He continues, saying that as VPA he wants to “bring a new focus to the serious need for expanded mental health services and support around campus. Any student struggling with mental health issues and disabilities knows there is a great need for additional support, available services, and follow through on issues that are brought forward.” Additionally, Mr. Harding says that he will “keep equity, diversity, and inclusion at the forefront of all of my action in this role through consultation, both frequently and constituently, among all traditionally underrepresented groups on campus.” Noting that he “will continue advocating for the need of Indigenous consultation in terms of academics on campus to work to end perpetuated legacies of colonialism that are still present within our academics and courses, StFX should be a place that is accessible and inclusive for everyone, no matter your background or identification.” Jack then stated that he believes StFX is far behind the curve in terms of supports to international students, and that he will work with the executive team next year to do everything he can to limit the barriers that international students face at StFX. Lastly, Jack added that he will use his position to work to make university a more affordable path for everyone. He will be advocating for access to Open Educational Resources, such as free or inexpensive e-textbook options in courses and will advocate for more experiential learning and co-op work experience opportunities to help students pay for their education while getting valuable workplace experience in their field of study.
Jack concluded the conversation by saying, “what I’ll bring to the U as your VPA is an effective, experienced, and accountable advocate for each student at X. Reach out to me, let me know the challenges you are facing, and I can offer you transparency, honesty, and action on those issues. Coming out of the past few years of the pandemic, I see this upcoming year as a chance to redefine student life and academics at StFX, and I want to help lead that change. I’m looking forward to the rest of the campaign and with your support, to be your Vice-President Academic. Get out and vote!”
Like Jack said, “get out and vote!” Polls open tomorrow and will continue to be open through Friday. Every vote matters! Use your voice and vote for what is important to you!
