Centred on representation: a conversation with the Governing Council election winners
Areeb Naeem and Samuel Kamalendran reflect on their campaigns, priorities and what representation means to them.

Following the recent Governing Council (GC) elections, newly elected student representatives Areeb Naeem and Samuel Kamalendran are preparing to take up the responsibility to shape decisions across the University of Toronto’s (U of T) tri-campus system.

Although Naeem and Kamalendran carry unique plans and ideas, both point to a similar starting point—most students feel disconnected from how the university is run.

In an interview with The Medium, Kamalendran said his immediate focus is to get ready for his role. “There’s some time before my term starts,” he said. “I got my first set of emails today, and I’ve been in contact with members of this year’s Governing Council to better understand the responsibilities.”

Kamalendran described the election as competitive and shared that the number of votes visualized his responsibility. “The responsibility is huge because of how many people voted,” he said.

During his campaign, Kamalendran spent much of his time talking to students directly through outreach and tabling. Those conversations shaped what he now sees as his priorities. “Talking to people and getting to know what’s on people’s minds was a big part of campaigning,” he said.

One of the issues that came up most often was the flexibility for Credit/No Credit (CR/NCR), along with concerns about academic deadlines. Kamalendran said that he wants to address them, especially by working with student unions across campuses.

“My first plan of action is working with the three unions of U of T,” he said. Kamalendran added that the GC can also be used to create more opportunities for students, including co-op placements and research positions.

He also acknowledged that many students do not feel connected to governance decisions. “I want to make those decisions more transparent and improve [the council’s] ability to communicate with students,” he said.

Kamalendran plans to use social media, particularly Instagram, to carry out these communications. He shared practical examples, such as providing updates and breaking down meeting content in a way that was digestible for students.

Naeem raised a similar concern, but spoke more directly about how unclear the governing system feels to students. “Most people don’t really know what the Governing Council does,” he said. “Even though it’s deciding most of [U of T’s] major policies.”

He explained that while the GC makes final decisions, much of the actual policy work happens earlier in smaller boards and committees. 

For Naeem, the problem does not lie in the secrecy of information. Rather, details are difficult to access in meaningful ways. “Everything is technically public,” he said. “But it’s all buried in long, formal documents. Nobody has the time to read a 60-page report.”

Instead, Naeem aims to focus on making information more accessible and easier to understand. He also spoke about the lack of clear channels for students to raise concerns.

“If you have a problem, most people don’t even know who to contact, so they just give up,” he said. Naeem shared that his role will consist of serving as a point of contact, as someone students can actually reach out to when they have concerns or ideas.

Both representatives discussed the importance of representation and hearing from a wide range of students. Kamalendran noted that while some demographic-specific initiatives fall under student unions, the importance of outreach is not to be undermined.

Naeem agreed, adding that real understanding comes from talking to people directly and listening to different perspectives. “Everyone’s opinions are welcome,” he said, explaining that better decisions come from listening to a wider range of voices.

As Naeem and Kamalendran prepare for their terms, both view their roles with similar objectives. For them, it is less about holding a position and more about making the system more approachable for students.

“As a GC member, all my initiatives align with students’ interests,” said Kamalendran. “My goal is to support students, and I will always keep their interests as my priority.”

Naeem and Kamalendran’s terms will begin in the coming months, where they will take part in meetings and committees to shape policies that affect U of T’s entire student body.

Editor’s note: Samuel Kamalendran was not involved in the writing or editing of this article.