With just one month left, clubs and councils all over campus are arranging their executive teams for next year before the madness of exam season begins. This transition has been especially apparent at Innis over the past month, with endless campaign announcements flooding social media. The Innis Residence Council (IRC) is also in the midst of preparing for next year, under the direction of their newly elected president, Joel Colby. I had a chance to interview Joel and learn about his plans for the future of Innis residence.

Joel is currently a second year computer science student. His involvement with the IRC began as a Junior House Representative on the Council during his first year. He credits his upper year mentors as the reason why he was so keen on becoming involved within the residence right away. In his second year, he was chosen as a Senior House Representative, and became a mentor himself for other first year students. Nicole Bell, the Junior House Rep that worked with him this year, praises, “Joel was a really great Senior House Rep! He was down to earth, and an overall chill guy. He’s got lots of ideas and I can’t wait to see what he brings to the table as the next IRC President.”

The most surprising thing was that he was never going to run for the position in the first place. When executive applications first came out, Joel was interested in a completely different post. He recalls, “I was initially going to run for Secretary, only because I was particularly interested in re-formatting the Constitution.” However, he decided to run for president when he received persistent encouragement from other residents.

Current IRC President, Christian Ramirez, says, “Joel is going to be an amazing president because of his passion for both the Council and the residence as a whole. Yes, he has the knowledge and experience, but his passion can’t be taught, and it is what will help move the IRC forward.”

Joel’s excitement for the IRC clearly shone through during our interview. In regards to his plans for next year, he has several issues that he wants to address. His primary concern is making the council more welcoming to residents. Initiatives such as a suggestion box and open meetings are ideas that he plans to implement. Joel comments, “My primary aim is to have more residents attend IRC meetings who are not necessarily in positions. Ultimately, we are supposed to be representatives for them, and the best way to address issues is to hear about them directly from the source.”

Another aspect of residence life that the IRC executive team plans to improve on is the inclusion of international students. Joel recalls, “The last time I talked with Tim, the Dean of Students and Residence, I learned that the Innis residence was composed of roughly 33 per cent international students, and I don’t feel like we’re giving as many people in that category enough attention.” To try and resolve this issue, the IRC is working with the Office of Student Life to make the residence newsletter as well as promotional material for events available in multiple languages.

When asked about the rest of the executive team, Joel had nothing but positive things to say about Vice President Joe Yule, Social Director Will Luke, Treasurer Miranda Lees, and Secretary Ethan Kim. However, he assured me that their friendship will not stand in the way of making decisions on behalf of the residence, since no one is afraid to play devil’s advocate. With a cohesive executive team and a solid group of Senior House Reps in place, the IRC has promising student leaders to coordinate residence life next year. The final question I had for Joel concerned his legacy as IRC President, and what he wants to be remembered for. He vehemently opposed this inquiry, and promised that his only concern is representing Innis residents.

“I think at the end of the day, if you’re going to be remembered for something, be remembered for the work that you did. My job is not to leave a legacy, that is not the position I’m in. The position I’m in is to represent the residents. And that’s exactly what I intend on doing.” So there you have it –the IRC seems to be in capable hands.

The printed story incorrectly stated that Ethan Kim is Treasurer and Miranda Lees is Secretary on the 2016/17 IRC. 

Featured photo courtesy of Chiao Sun