SA candidates debate Blanket Tax, DEI

By Noa Berz     2/26/25 12:06am

Candidates for Student Association president, internal vice president and external vice president took to Pub’s stage Feb. 24 to answer questions about their candidacy and the future of the SA. They debated topics like SA efficacy, budget concerns and national politics.

Dastur shares External Vice President platform

Candidates Lajward Zahra and Mahtab Dastur were slated to run against each other in the upcoming SA elections until Monday night, when Zahra announced she was dropping out of the race due to “unanticipated personal circumstances.” She endorsed Dastur’s candidacy before stepping off the stage. 

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Dastur, a Duncan College freshman, said she is using the acronym “CAMPP” to represent her campaign: communication, advocacy, meal swipes, free printing and passion funds. 

During her term, Dastur, who is a Duncan New Student Representative, said she hopes to instate post-Senate press briefings, credits that can be used for printing and a ‘VP Passion Fund’ to support students who want to host non-club affiliated events. 

Although a freshman, Dastur said her role as NSR, along with her involvement in the Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy Commission and time spent shadowing SA Vice Presidents Crystal Unegbu and Asianna Junge have helped her prepare for her advocacy-centered candidacy. 

“I’m the only undergraduate Zoroastrian on campus, and that’s how it’s been my entire life,” Dastur said. “I understand what it means to not be represented and to not feel like there’s someone for you.” 

Sandhu and Nair face off for Internal Vice President

Sohani Sandhu and Ananya Nair presented differing views on student representation, accessibility of student government and the presence of politics within the SA. 

Sandhu, a McMurtry College junior, cited her experiences as NSR and chair of the diversity, equity and inclusion commission as a basis for her platform. Many students don’t get involved with the SA because they don’t understand its mechanisms, she said. 

“Now that we’ve laid the foundation of an SA that does things, I want to make sure we are reaching out to the student body and asking them what we can do for them,” Sandhu said.

Nair, a McMurtry freshman, said she agrees with the widespread impression that the SA is inaccessible. She plans to be a “hands-on IVP,” she said, speaking directly with students and creating opportunities to increase involvement in the SA. 

When the question of political statements arose, Nair said the SA should accurately represent the political sentiments of Rice students — but localized issues like dietary inclusivity, campus transportation options and security should take precedence.

“Before we start taking political stances, I think we should always take everyone’s input,” Nair said. “We have so many day-to-day problems that students are facing, so we need to first fix those issues.”

Sandhu also said she would prioritize representing a range of political opinions, and that she values the SA’s role in amplifying student opinions.

“The Student Association is there for the student body,” Sandhu said. “When the student body has something that they want to say, even if it can be considered political … they should be given that platform to do that.” 

President candidates, Tobey and write-in Flemister, discuss SA experience 

Trevor Tobey and write-in candidate Callum Flemister discussed their visions for the presidency, and answered questions about funding, public party restrictions and diversity. 

Flemister, a Duncan College junior, first addressed their write-in candidacy, and said they weren’t previously aware of the elections timeline. 

Flemister has not previously been involved in the SA, and said they aim to bring a new perspective to the position. 

“I think that we need someone new and someone who is excited about change to come in and re-excite the Student Association,” Flemister said.

The debate marked Tobey’s second time on the Pub stage. 

Tobey, who unsuccessfully vied for the presidency last year, said his experiences as NSR, senator and parliamentarian has helped prepare him for the presidency.

“I’ve seen [the SA] firsthand, and I know how this works. I’ve seen what it means to make a proposal and present that to administration,” Tobey said. “I’m ready to carry that out immediately.”

Tobey also responded to an audience question about the four constitutional amendments that he recently initiated, including one that restructures the Blanket Tax Committee. He said the change will mitigate potential conflicts of interest with Blanket Tax Organization officers participating in the committee that distributes $400k annually.

“I think that the idea that this is a power grab is just not factual,” Tobey said. “I think most people would agree that we want elected representatives … having the final say over the [Blanket Tax] budget.”

Tobey said more carefully evaluating spending and rotating ‘themes’ for Initiative Fund allocations could improve Blanket Tax use. 

Flemister questioned how the SA receives its funding, suggesting the SA ask administration for money instead of relying only on the Blanket Tax.

“The only way we can really raise the Blanket Tax and get more money for the Student Association is by charging students more,” Tobey countered. “We can’t just ask administration to give us that money.”

Flemister also emphasized the importance of DEI, and said the SA should help foster environments where students feel safe and accepted — regardless of national attitudes toward diversity programming. 

“I’m non-binary. I’m a person of color. My father was an immigrant. I don’t think that these are things that are inherently political, but I also know that there are people that refuse to talk on it,” Flemister said. “If it is affecting the students on campus … then it is the responsibility of the Student Association.” 

On the other hand, Tobey expressed the SA’s need to foster political dialogues, but said it should avoid explicit partisanship.

“It’s important that we as a Student Association are not taking explicitly political stances, because the student body is not unanimous on these issues,” Tobey said. “I think we could do a better job promoting understanding on national and international issues, not necessarily endorsing a side.” 

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