Motion to convert feminist centre into open student lounge space fails
Following an electronic vote, the University Centre board of directors has decided to go through with the proposed UC renovation plans with the exception of converting the current Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity (GRCGED) into student lounge space.
At the five-hour Oct. 4 board meeting, a motion was put forward to split the original proposal to renovate spaces on the first floor and basement into six separate motions: to convert the old convenience store location into new washrooms; to convert UC 103 and Click Signs space into student lounge space; to convert the current washroom area into student lounge space; to renovate Peter Clark Hall as a whole; to convert the vault space (located across from GRCGED) into meeting room space; and to convert GRCGED’s current space into student lounge space.
Throughout the renovation proposal process, GRCGED has been advocating to keep their current space in UC 107 and has formed a coalition with other special status groups (SSGs) and student service groups to campaign for better student organizational space on campus as a whole. At the Oct. 4 board meeting, the board was presented with a space needs report as well as a letter of solidarity from the coalition.
““It is in the interest of all students to protect and expand space given to voices that are often otherwise suppressed…”
“It is in the interest of all students to protect and expand space given to voices that are often otherwise suppressed and to those which are inherently critical of our institution, each other, and wider society,” read the solidarity letter.
At the Oct. 4 meeting, following lengthy discussions between board members and guests, the first two motions were passed by the board with little opposition. When the third motion to convert the current washroom space into student lounge space was opened to discussion, student representative Peter Miller proposed an amendment to instead convert the current washrooms into student organizational space. When the amendment failed and the original motion was passed, several student reps on the board prompted a walkout which caused a loss of quorum and prevented the board from voting on the remaining three motions at that meeting.
“I think it was clear from discussions that there was a bit of a gap in understanding and perspective between student members of the board and other members,” said student representative Sonia Chwalek following the meeting. “It was really frustrating to see that the board wasn’t really taking into consideration the report that the students had brought forward and so stepping out of the meeting was the best way to reflect that concern.”
“The board voted to pass the motions to renovate Peter Clark Hall and to convert the vault space into meeting room space, but when it came to GRCGED …”
The remaining three motions were put to an electronic vote the next day and board members were given 48 hours to respond. The board voted to pass the motions to renovate Peter Clark Hall and to convert the vault space into meeting room space, but when it came to GRCGED being converted into student lounge space, the motion failed.
“I was surprised,” said Lori Guest, volunteer and resource coordinator for GRCGED. “The tone of the meeting on Tuesday was not one that I thought was positive for the Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity [and] I’m really wondering if having that couple of days to look at documents and to think about the arguments that were presented actually changed some people’s minds.”
Miller, one of the student representatives who instigated the walkout, said, “I’m really happy about that result. I think it was good that board members—and especially students on the board—made sure GRCGED could have a voice there, as well as other special status groups and just students interested in general about that issue.”
Ryan Shoot, chair of the UC board, said that using an electronic vote was permitted according to Robert’s Rules.
“…I did not think it was fair for this opportunity to just disappear or sit on the table incomplete…”
“As chair, wanting to have all voices heard on the matter, I agreed to the idea when quorum was lost because I did not think it was fair for this opportunity to just disappear or sit on the table incomplete,” said Shoot in an email to The Ontarion. “Even though we lost quorum I think it was important to complete the vote and discuss with the opportunity for all voices to be heard.”
In his email, Shoot also said that Don O’Leary, vice-president of finance for the University, plans to move forward with all of the passed motions, accepting the board’s amendment to the original proposal and floorplan. If all goes according to plan, renovations will start on the first floor and basement over summer 2017.
Going forward with future renovations and space allocation within the UC, Shoot said that the board plans to review and utilize the SSGs’ space needs report.
“If all goes according to plan, renovations will start on the first floor and basement over summer 2017.”
“I think the next step for the board is to take the advice of special status groups and get consulting a lot more with students and especially student groups,” said Miller. “There are groups that should have prominent location on campus, like Guelph Queer Equality and the Guelph Black Students’ Association, so making sure we’re talking with them [is important].”
Brad Evoy, a member of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group Guelph who has been involved in organizing the coalition of SSGs said of the board’s decision, “I think that the fact that what seemed to be the prevailing opinion on the board has definitely shifted is a good sign for all of us. I think it definitely gives a lot of hope for further mobilization and movement of these kinds of issues.”
With further renovations of the UC to be discussed down the road, Miller said, “Students should be ready to have their voices heard and make sure they ask for what they want.”
Photo by Mariah Bridgeman/The Ontarion.