Clear divide at UTSU meeting
By Sean MacKay, Managing Editor
Issue date: 11/26/09 Section: News
Though some students were obviously displeased with this decision, Vice President of University Affairs, Adam Awad explained that the AGM is not meant for long debates regarding specific issues.
"All of the college councils have ex-officio seats on our Board and all students are welcome, and encouraged, to come to our meetings to discuss issues. The AGM is a relatively formal process that doesn't really allow the back-and-forth necessary to address a lot of these concerns," he said.
Despite the apparent negative feelings toward the UTSU executive, there remained a large group who voiced their support for the union throughout the meeting.
Walied Khogali, a UTM student, congratulated the union on their recent successful campaign to reduce the cost of metro-passes for students, while others praised the accessibility and openness of the members of the executive.
According to UTSU's Vice President Internal Adnan Najmi, the meeting minutes will not be available until they are approved at the 2010 AGM.
"All of the college councils have ex-officio seats on our Board and all students are welcome, and encouraged, to come to our meetings to discuss issues. The AGM is a relatively formal process that doesn't really allow the back-and-forth necessary to address a lot of these concerns," he said.
Despite the apparent negative feelings toward the UTSU executive, there remained a large group who voiced their support for the union throughout the meeting.
Walied Khogali, a UTM student, congratulated the union on their recent successful campaign to reduce the cost of metro-passes for students, while others praised the accessibility and openness of the members of the executive.
According to UTSU's Vice President Internal Adnan Najmi, the meeting minutes will not be available until they are approved at the 2010 AGM.
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Kvn
Kevin Philipupillai
posted 12/01/09 @ 7:30 PM EST
Thanks for doing the legwork, Sean.
1) On the observation that UTM students can participate both in UTM and UTSU elections/meetings: (i) does that mean that they could vote twice in the AGM process, or (ii) is this the more general observation that they vote to elect UTM executives as well as UTSU executives?
I'm asking for clarification because (i) would be problematic but (ii) would be perfectly acceptable -- that's exactly what happens with St George students. (Continued…)
Sean
posted 12/02/09 @ 8:40 PM EST
Hey Kevin: to clarify, UTM students do not vote twice at the AGM, though they do vote in both UTMSU & UTSU elections.
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