Photo by Cole Breiland
Engineers look to solar power bike shack, Judicial Committee ratified, and Centre coordinators give updates
Stacey Goyan
News Editor
Last Thursday’s board meeting saw a surprising motion brought forward by President Dave Grad encouraging LUSU to develop a five-year strategic plan.
The board passed the motion that will see goals set for the student union’s future.
Grad felt the plan would make LUSU more accountable and focused in its direction.
Sustainability commissioner Alex Boulet distributed a tentative timeline for the strategic plan, which would see a committee formed with students, the LUSU executive, and board members. Board of Director, Rochelle Fiorito, felt centre coordinators should also be active on the committee.
Grad stated that the plan would be a lengthy process and would not be finalized in time to present at the Annual General Meeting, which takes place in the spring. The process would involve a survey to collect students’ opinions, and various other stages before being finalized.
No specific details were available regarding what LUSU had in mind for its strategic plan.
In stark contrast to the previous week, Thursday’s meeting saw only two student deputations. The first offered an opinion on the ongoing Life Support debate, while the other was resolved during an in camera session.
After some debate, the board ratified three members of the Judicial Review Committee. Chief Justice Arlette Carrier was on hand to urge the board to action. The committee was set to discuss a pending complaint last week, but was unable to do so, as no committee members were ratified.
Concerns were brought forward that some of the individuals considered for ratification had publicly expressed their opinions on the issue being discussed, and thus, may appear biased.
Carrier told the board they had broken the constitution by not giving a response to the complaint within two business days, and that they ought to act.
Board member Katrina Scheibler-Smith moved the board into recess to allow time for the constitution to be consulted. Grad noted that while he would back the decision of the board, he felt a decision at that time might be rushed. The board ratified the members despite this.
Coordinators from the Aboriginal Awareness Centre, Multicultural Centre, and the Sustainability Initiative were on hand to deliver updates on their respective services.
Sustainability commissioner Alex Boulet outlined his work on campus in promoting food security, the Braun Building courtyard, and composting on campus.
Boulet announced the partnership between the sustainability initiative and a group of engineering students in developing a solar power system for the bike shack.
Zac Trolley, President of the Engineering Students Society, spoke of the project to the board of directors. He asserted that LUSU should promote more students in university projects, such as the parking lot and developing a more efficient lighting system for the library.
“We are designing it to be implemented, not a pie-in-the-sky ideal,” said Trolley on the project.
Brent Kelso spoke to the board about his work to engage more students with the Aboriginal Awareness Centre. The coordinator unveiled the new logo and design for the centre, and showcased a signed hockey stick from Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo, which he plans to raffle off.
Multicultural Centre coordinator Neva Bassingthwaite brought the board up-to-date on the centre’s events thus far in the year. The centre has been busy hosting cultural and hand-drumming workshops, as well as working on the upcoming World AIDS Day Benefit.
The meeting concluded with a pitch from sustainability commissioner Alex Boulet for LUSU to work with Bullfrog Power. LUSU would pay approximately $0.30 per kilowatt-hour for the company to inject an equivalent amount of green energy to offset the power used by LUSU.
Board members Mario Nucci and Andrew Cudowski, who spoke against the pitch, were skeptical of the company. Ultimately LUSU did not adopt a motion on the issue.