Dastur runs for EVP uncontested after Zahra withdraws from race
Mahtab Dastur, a current Duncan College New Student Representative, is campaigning for External Vice President uncontested. She was previously running against McMurtry College sophomore Lajward Zahra, who announced her withdrawal from the race, citing “unforeseen personal circumstances,” at the Student Association debate Feb. 24. At the debate, Zahra endorsed Dastur for the role.
Dastur, a freshman, said her experience included her term as an NSR, where she served on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission.
“I shadowed the [IVP], and so I know how the commissions work both when you’re in a commission, and then also when you’re leading the commissions,” Dastur said. “ I’m involved in a few initiatives that [the Executive Board is] working on. So I know the relationship between the SA with students, the SA and administration, the SA and businesses.”
Dastur emphasized student connection and representation as a part of her platform. She said that one of her main goals is launching a ‘VP Passion Fund’ from the SA’s general project fund. The fund would allow individuals to host events open to all Rice students to support their passions or initiatives without requiring club sponsorship.
“The VP Passion Fund is there to lend a hand, to reach out to other resources, see how else we can support this initiative or this passion that you have,” Dastur said.
Dastur said she would also advocate for free printing, increasing the number of donated meal swipes and transparency between the SA and student body.
“If the students don’t believe in the SA, it’s very difficult for the SA to then represent those students,” Dastur said. “A big portion of that is communication and transparency, being very clear with the student body about what we’re trying to do, being very clear that really it’s them that give us the power.”
Dastur said she hopes to increase the SA’s accessibility and student input. She said she wants to host weekly office hours and monthly roundtables to improve communication. For students who wouldn’t feel comfortable speaking in person, she said she planned on setting up a box in the Rice Memorial Center where individuals could submit anonymous feedback.
“I plan on holding something along the lines of a press briefing after every Senate — giving a chance [for] reporters, student body members and club representatives to listen to what was discussed during the Senate meeting,” Dastur wrote in an email to the Thresher. “Alongside this, I also would enact a summary email of sorts going out to all members of the student body about what was discussed in Senate, so that everyone remains updated.”
The EVP role may change if the student body approves Constitutional Amendment number 2, with the EVP now overseeing commissions and liaising with university and community “entities” to strengthen the Student Association’s influence. Dastur said she would embrace this change to connect with students more directly.
Dastur said she chose to run for EVP with these potential changes in mind.
“I really like outreach and advocacy as a whole,” Dastur said. “The IVP position, if the constitutional amendments are passed, will become more operational, and the EVP will become more outreach and advocacy driven.”
Dastur said she is confident in her ability to fulfill her promises.
“I wanted to be NSR for the same reason that I ask the [Housing & Dining] workers what their names are, and that I say good morning to them,” Dastur said. “We have an opportunity at Rice to be a space for individuals and to be home for everybody. And so we don’t necessarily have to connect with everyone, but we can certainly create a space where everyone feels connected to someone.”
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