The final meeting of the semester
On April 6, 2016, the University of Guelph’s CSA held the final official meeting for the Winter 2016 semester. The meeting was chaired by former human resources and operations (HRO) commissioner Joshua Ofori-Darko. Current HRO Matthew Campbell was once again absent.
Before officially adopting the agenda, the board made a few changes to the evening’s proceedings. An action item aimed at establishing a committee to investigate better uses of CSA programming and entertainment funds was removed from the agenda. The item was put forth by members of this year’s executive.
“I still think that the committee is of value, and it’s a conversation that needs to happen, but I can see how some folks feel that it came pre-emptively before holistic conversations,” said communications commissioner Sonia Chwalek. “Honestly, I can’t say whether I’m in favour—I’m a little bit torn.”
Following brief comments from chair Ofori-Darko, the board moved in-camera at 6:27 p.m. to approve previous in-camera board minutes. The board soon moved out of camera to discuss commissioner reports.
Academic affairs commissioner Peter Miller spoke about his term at the CSA. Commissioner Miller discussed his work with the Pay More, Get Less campaign.
When asked about his involvement with the resolution of the thecannon.ca issue raised at the previous meeting, commissioner Miller explained that a meeting was scheduled for the week of April 10, 2016. Miller will be replaced by academic and university affairs commissioner-elect Meghan Wing on May 1, 2016.
Commissioner Chwalek provided brief words about the conclusion of hiring, as well as preparing herself for the transition. Chwalek will be replaced by communications and corporate affairs commissioner-elect Zoey Ross on May 1, 2016.
Finally, local affairs commissioner Scarlett Raczycki summarized the progress made resulting for the successful bus pass referendum.
“I’ve also just been doing everything with [the] bus pass and going into contracts signing and reviewing,” said commissioner Raczycki. “We don’t have the contract yet, but I suspect transit will be giving it to us soon for review.”
Raczycki will no longer be in the role of local affairs commissioner as of May 1, 2016; however, her replacement has yet to be elected.
Policy and transition manager Sarah Cooper delivered her final board report. Cooper highlighted her work aiding in the transition of CSA general manager Dave Eaton. Cooper’s last day is May 1, 2016.
Director reports were brief.
The board began business by discussing the adoption of the official budget for 2016/2017.
“[This budget] is basically a reflection of the board’s decisions at the previously scheduled board meeting that required changes to the budget,” explained commissioner Chwalek.
“Our business manager went through each employee’s salary and fine-tuned it to make sure that it reflects their actual cost to the association.”
Before approving the budget, the board made an amendment to increase the funding for student leadership.
Commissioner-elect Zoey Ross suggested subtracting $1,000 from the travel and conference fund for CFS events, and adding that amount to student leadership.
Commissioner Chwalek responded by suggesting that only $500 be deducted from the CFS events fund, matching the $1,000 by taking $500 from the board training fund.
Following discussion, the board approved both Chwalek’s amendment, as well as the official budget for the upcoming year.
The board proceeded to discuss formatting changes for CSA bylaws. The status of alternate directors under the Ontario Corporations Act was brought up, as well as the qualifications required for an individual to be a member of the CSA.
Following extensive discussion, as well as several attempts to postpone the approval of the changes until the next official board meeting, the 2015/2016 board approved the changes to CSA bylaw.
Later in the meeting, the board ratified the incoming executive commissioners for the 2016/2017 year. Ryan Shoot, Meghan Wing, and Zoey Ross were all ratified, along with external affairs commissioner-elect Miriam Kearney.
The board moved in-camera at 9:44 p.m. to discuss an item titled “Reprimand.” The board moved out of camera at 10:08 p.m.
The final meeting of the semester, and the 2015/2016 year concluded with announcements. Members of the board were appreciative of their time spent at meetings. Commissioners Raczycki and Chwalek, however, expressed exasperation.
“I had to relive some trauma [this year],” said Racyzcki. “We’re all laughing here, smiling about how awful it was, but there was some f***** up s**t. Some f***** up s**t [went] down here. There was some f***** up s**t this year. It’s very difficult for me to sit and smile and laugh, and I think the fact that I can sit here and do that is a testament to my abilities more than anyone else in this room.”
“Don’t take away representation from student who don’t feel represented,” said Chwalek. “Not everyone feels like they have representation in this board.”
At-large College of Biological Sciences representative Nick Kowaleski concluded by thanking The Ontarion for their coverage of the CSA’s board meetings.
Academic affairs commissioner Miller added, “It’s a good thing no one reads it.”
At the CSA will return under the leadership of the incoming News Editor for the 2016/2017 year.