New President for SSMU

Fernando Butani | Kate Rhodes came to McGill from New Jersey to pursue adventure. She's certainly found it as the newly elected president of the Students Society of McGill University.

Her interest in becoming president, a position vacated by Naeem Datoo, comes from her days as an associate editor-in-chief of the McGill Tribune. Rhodes' up-front look at student politics ignited her desire to govern.

Rhodes, who plans to attend law school next fall, thinks that her double major in Political Science and English Literature make her the perfect candidate for the challenging role. "I start my days at 8:30 am and sometimes I don't finish until 8 pm," she says. "I had to change my student status to part-time so that I can graduate at the end of summer next year."

Despite her mid-term arrival, relations with other SSMU leaders have been very good. "They are all very passionate about their jobs and they have welcomed me," she says.

During her mandate, Rhodes plans to focus on three different functions: internal relations, university relations and external relations. Rhodes wants to increase student activities and undergraduates' awareness of SSMU's connection to those events. She also wishes to boost interest in SSMU issues among university administration, by participating in meetings with the Board of Governors.

"My main goal for this year is to make sure what's in students hands stays in the control of SSMU," Rhodes says. She also wants to increase communications at SSMU and act in favour of the new plan for unification of Quebec tuition fees.

Rhodes will continue to push for more renovations to University Centre, which started after the Renovation Fee Referendum was passed. The yearly $10 student contribution will be invested in increased seating space at the Players Theatre, a new kitchen to offer free vegan breakfast every day, the expansion of the centre's fourth floor and possibly creating McGill's first gender-neutral bathroom.

Rhodes also has her eye on succession. "I would like to help other executives in the future to make a smooth transition," she says. "If I can achieve this by working with already existing structures, then my goals will be fulfilled."