Photo Courtesy / Khush Bhandari

As far as campus celebrities go, Arjune Selvarajan just might be the cream of the crop. He is somewhat of a household name at UTSC, a trait earned via his unwavering commitment to campus involvement. He has done just about everything there is to do on this campus, and having recently completed his studies, he has found it hard to leave these halls. He now works as a freelance web designer for the campus. The Underground had a chance to sit down with this humble overachiever to find out just what motivates his extreme campus involvement:

UG: What was the first thing that you got involved in at UTSC and why?

AS: Probably the Model United Nations Club just because I did some debating in high school so I figured it might be a natural fit. I previously planned on doing law so I thought it was fitting.

UG: What are some of the other things you’ve been involved with at UTSC?

AS: [In] first year, I was a member of the model UN club, I was a DJ for Fusion Radio; then [I became the] second-year social sciences director for the SCSU and chair of the standing committee on finance and services, group leader for orientation, then [in] third-year I was vice-president of the SCSU and the chief financial officer. In fourth-year, I was a member of the South Asian Alliance and my partner, Kyle Prescod, and I started “Students For a Cause” where we literally threw parties for a cause; I also managed the finances for that. I was also the lead web and print designer for the Department of Student Life. And finally, presently, I’m a social media consultant for Student Housing (and Residence Life). I am [also] freelancing for the SCSU, Seneca College, and Rotman Commerce to name a few and working on the Black Book Group which is the event planning company I started up with my partner Kyle.

UG: What motivated you to get involved at UTSC?

AS: I wanted to do something. Either I can stay outside and complain about it or run for it and actually do something.

UG: How did you balance studies, work and your campus work?

AS: My friends think that I’m a robot and consider me a workaholic. I do take my work home with me but I enjoy what I do, so I consider it a pastime. Don’t get me wrong though, I have my “me” moments but even then I’m thinking about something. But I do go by a schedule, just to organize myself.

UG: Who would you say are your role models?

AS: My parents have always been my role models, just because I will be the first generation in my family to have graduated university. Also, my former colleague and a good friend of mine, Drew Dudley.

UG: UTSC is not really known for its “university experience”, can we see UTSC as the next best campus to experience?

AS: This campus is one to look out for in the future, and I’m proud to be part of it. On my resume I don’t put U of T, I put UTSC. They’ll say why put Scarborough, and I’ll simply say I’m proud of where I come from. Moreover, UTSC has an amazing expansion plan. The campus is going to be expanding immensely, especially with the Pan Am games coming. I told a lot of people when I was going through school, you make your own university experience.

UG: What is ‘campus life’ to you?

AS: Campus life is what you make of it. You can be that person that is part of everything and super involved and has great moments all the time. I mean I did two jobs and all the campus work. You have to be organized and passionate about what you’re doing.

UG: What are your future plans?

AS: I don’t know how long I will be at UTSC, but I’m going have to leave here eventually. UTSC is like a safety bubble, but eventually I would like to get my MBA and probably [get into] marketing

UG: With all that you have accomplished, can we see you as our next Prime Minister in the near future?

AS: (Laughs) No! I’ve done my politics at UTSC, and it’s a microcosm of what’s actually out there. I think that I’m too nice for my own good; a lot of people have said that to me and it still hasn’t stuck in my head. My friends say “Arjune will say yes to anything you ask him, just go see.” Other than that, just remember everyone makes their own experience at university, so make the best of it.