Executives provide updates on ongoing initiatives
Tuition freezes and a board unionization proposal were key agenda items discussed at the Central Student Association (CSA) board meeting on March 1.
The first order of business for the night was the de-ratification of two former board members, College of Arts At-Large representative Andrew Contant and College of Arts at-large representative Peter Miller.
The reasons given for the de-ratification were that Contant had not been to any board meetings since the previous semester and Miller submitted his resignation from the board earlier on March 1, which struck his in-camera reprimanding from the agenda.
The board then received updates from the CSA commissioners, who are all in the midst of hiring for the next academic year. Academic and university affairs commissioner Meghan Wing reminded the board of the upcoming Town Hall in McLaughlin Library on March 20 to discuss the renovations that are happening to the building.
Wing also briefly discussed transition documents that will aid in the transferring of responsibilities and training from the current exec to the incoming president and vice presidents.
Communications and corporate affairs commissioner Zoey Ross recently met with Members of Provincial Parliament, including MP Liz Sandals, in conjunction with the Canadian Federation of Students 2017 Lobby Week.One of the primary focuses for discussion was improving mental health resources for students in Ontario post-secondary institutions.
Ross reported that $50 million has been earmarked specifically for mental health, which means that these funds must be used by universities for mental health resources. Ross also informed the board that O-week events for the Fall 2017 semester will all be organized through Gryphlife, allowing for earlier and easier collaboration between event planners.
External affairs commissioner Emily Vance informed the board about a Town Hall on March 14 held by the Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health and Well-being in Peter Clark Hall at 5:30 p.m. Vance announced to the board that a tentative agreement had been reached between CUPE 3913 and the University administration.
Local affairs commissioner Jay Rojas let the board know that, at the following meeting, a presentation will be given by Guelph Transit about upcoming changes to the frequency and routes of the city bus service that could affect students. Rojas also briefly discussed Gryphons Got Talent which will be held in Brass Taps on March 9.Finance and operation commissioner Ryan Shoot was unable to attend the meeting.
Following commissioner updates, the next order of business on the agenda was looking into amending Appendix F 1.2.1. Currently, the board is bound by policy to oppose tuition fee increases and advocate for a tuition freeze, regardless of the opinions held by board directors.
“I don’t believe policy should restrict the board, especially for something that is opinion based,” said College of Arts Student Union representative Aidan Paskinov.
After discussion amongst the board, Appendix F was submitted to the Capacity, Analysis, and Planning Committee (CAPCOM) to assure that any changes are done in a thorough and well thought out manner.
A proposal to unionize the board of directors was put forward, in an effort to “present the board as a unified whole,” according to Student Federation of the Ontario Agricultural College director Karly Rumple.
College of Social and Applied Human Sciences At-Large representative Ryan Bowes asserted that as “a political body,” it is the responsibility of directors to represent their constituents and let them know that their voice is being heard—even if it is not in line with the board’s final decision—and to do so in a respectful manner.
Ontario Veterinary College at-large representative Natalie Chow agreed that directors should have the ability to voice dissenting opinions, and still respect the final decision made by the board. Ultimately, the board voted to send the proposal to CAPCOM to construct a finalized document to be presented to the board at an upcoming meeting.
Photo by Mariah Bridgeman/The Ontario.