NUGSS president Arctica Cunningham (left) and Trina Johnson, president, NBCGSS – photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – There are two new leaders on campus at the University of Northern British Columbia.

Trina Johnson took on the presidency of the Northern BC Graduate Students Society (NBCGSS) in January while Arctica Cunningham became president of the Northern Undergraduate Student Society (NUGSS) starting May 1st.

Both note their main priorities are to represent the interests of students.

“To make sure students get the support they need from faculty, administration and their cohorts,” says Johnson, a second year Masters student majoring in English.

“And because graduate students are typically isolated in doing their thesis, especially towards the end of their studies.”

Cunningham, a third year student with a joint major in environmental studies and political science, is bringing the same focus to her position.

“NUGSS represents all undergraduate students and as the president, I’m kind of spearheading that and making sure that we are representing everyone, which means reaching out to all faculties, all students and try to raise awareness of the advocacy we can do.”

She says that includes a wide range of services.

“For instance NUGSS has a food bank that’s open to all students and that’s recognizing food security with students. We also support programs like the Pride Centre which is located in our building.”

And along with their student advocacy work, they both acknowledge the James Moore controversy lurks in the background though they say it’s time to move on and make the next chancellor appointment more transparent.

“We’ve done I think everything we can as societies to voice their opinions,” says Johnson.”Until people start listening to students, things will not necessarily change.”

“Of the people we talked to, the majority of then felt it was not a good idea (Moore appointment) and that the process was not what they would have expected,” adds Cunningham.

“There wasn’t enough feedback elicited before the appointment was made. However we don’t want to see this be an issue that tears the school apart. We think at some point you do have to accept that and move forward.”