Democracy Thirsts for Ryerson Students
According to a recent poll conducted by first-year journalism students in March, a greater number of Ryerson students haven’t voted in the Ryerson Students’ Union’s elections in the past.
The survey shows a progressive reduction in the number of students interested in the RSU elections over the past few years.
Moreover, in accordance with the RSU, it aims to empower students and build community on Ryerson’s campus by advocating for students’ rights, supporting student groups, events and initiatives, and providing discounted services to save students’ money.
Though this year’s results don’t differ much from previous years, there’s been a 5.3 per cent decrease and an increase in the number of students who said they had and hadn’t voted in the past RSU elections in 2019.
“I don’t think the union actually really does anything, neither has it affected me in any way that would make me want to vote,” said Omar Eikerm, a third-year business management student at Ryerson.
When asked why the lack of participation in the RSU elections, most of the students interviewed said that though they believe voting is necessary, the students’ union didn’t serve its purpose, so they see no reason to engage in its elections.
In the same poll, students were also asked whether they knew the RSU’s role and what it does. Only 52.5 per cent of participants said they know what the RSU’s role is and what it does, while 47.5 per cent said they don’t.
Third-year sports media student Nicholas Reis said although he did vote in the RSU 2019 elections, he still can’t see much of what the union is doing or what he voted for.
Four of the 2020 poll questions were regarding the RSU. Some concerned students’ participation in the new student government elections the university administration plans to create.
Third-year business management student, Amy Lee, said the union should consciously encourage students to vote instead of the “basic campaigns” every time.
“Maybe try something new, like including these campaigns in lectures or labs as starter videos for the class,” she said.
First-year Ryerson School of Journalism students surveyed 1,302 Ryerson University students in person and online between February 27 and March 3, 2020.
Results for the full sample have a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points 19 times out of 20; it may be larger for subgroups.
The RSU hopes to increase voter turnout in the coming years as they begin to take more measures to encourage student voting.
