Q&A with DSU board of governors representative candidate, Steven Mata

Steven Mata is a third-year microbiology and immunology student running in the Dalhousie Student Union election for a board of governors representative position.

Mata is one of two candidates running for this role, alongside Mizel Cluett. He is the current faculty of science representative for the DSU. 

This interview has been edited for clarity, grammar and length.

Why are you running for this position?

I spent the last year seeing how the DSU operates and works, and it was very fun. But I realized a lot of big decisions being made that will influence the students on campus are happening at the board level. I want to take that step further to make sure that the high-level decisions [the board] is making are matching the student experience here on campus. 

What experience do you have that makes you the best candidate for this position? 

Some qualities that are needed for this role are leadership, advocacy and financial literacy skills, which I have obtained from multiple positions on campus. Being in general council meetings with the DSU, where I was a part of the budget confirmation process for the Abstract Café and the new Market. I was in the grant and sponsorship committee, where I allocated funds across different student societies, as well as the senate discipline committee, where we hear all the complaints, allegations and academic integrity violations. The format of these council meetings is very similar to the board of governors meetings. I also hold a couple of executive roles with societies. I’m the president of the Dalhousie Science Scholars and Leaders Society, where we advocate for diversity in STEM, and I’m the vice-president of finance for the Dalhousie Black Science Society. We do a similar thing, advocating for Black science students here on campus, but also bringing awareness to the historical contributions of Black scientists. I’m the co-president of the Dalhousie Pre-Dental Society, so I have a bit of organization, administration and networking skills from there as well.

Have you ever sat on a board before?

Even though I haven’t been on the board, I have professional relations with a couple of the current board members, so I’ve heard what it’s like to be up there. It’s similar to the DSU council and senate disciplinary committee. 

What would you say are the three most important things your campaign is based on? 

Fairness, advocacy and connection are the top three. I’m obviously not able to just go in there and build brand new buildings overnight; however, I could vote for or against certain things to make sure that students’ needs are met in those situations. It’s a unique position where I’m a student representative. A regular group of students can’t necessarily email the chancellor or the president of Dalhousie; they’re not going to respond to those emails. Because we have a position like this where [students] could email me personally or come to DSU meetings and present these cases, I’m able to be the bridge that brings student problems to board meetings.

What do you think you could bring to the board that the other candidate can’t?

A unique perspective I bring is not only my experience within the university level itself, but a young voice that could speak for the current experiences that are happening on campus.

The board has been a contentious point amongst the student population following last semester’s lockout. How are you going to make sure the student body is properly represented at the table?

In this position, I’d be teamed up with two other people. Whenever people come into our meeting and present their concerns, we will write these down, and it’ll be a team with the three of us. We’ll be collaborating with students and discussing that among our little caucus before presenting it at the board level.