Photo by Cole Breiland
LUSU reverses October decision in contentious meeting
Ian Kaufman
Features Editor
The issue that has distracted and divided LUSU’s board of directors for months has finally been resolved – again. Life Support, a group that campaigns against abortion (as well as addressing euthanasia, suicide, and a handful of other issues), was granted club status in a vote of 9-5, with 3 abstentions. The motion specified that the club will not receive any funding.
Back on October 29th, the board voted 7-6 to deny Life Support club status. One of the main topics of discussion leading to that decision was a student complaint filed against Life Support. The student reported to LUSU that on September 17th – club day – she approached the Life Support table, where one of the representatives of the club referred to women who undergo abortions as “baby killers,” among other comments.
The most vocal critic of the club, VP finance Josh Kolic, stated that the decision not to ratify Life Support rested not on that complaint, but on their “atrocious” record, and that it was consistent with LUSU’s official pro-choice stance adopted in 2008. Other directors, however, seemed to factor the complaint into their votes.
At the next meeting, Life Support challenged the validity of the complaint, pointing out that LUSU had not verified it, nor followed up on it. The only people present during the alleged incident were the complainant, and members of Life Support, who deny it ever having taken place. Director Katrina Scheibler-Smith proposed a motion to rescind the previous week’s decision, but her motion was tabled until Life Support had the opportunity to consult with the student union’s judicial review committee about the complaint.
The JRC informed the board at last week’s meeting that the complaint should not play a role in their decision on the group’s club status. The removal of that issue from the table was apparently enough to sway the board into approving the club. Although Life Support will not receive any funding, some directors have expressed concern over the fact that LUSU might be held legally responsible for their actions.
Student needs being met?
VP student issues Trevor Cava raised some serious questions about the response of Lakehead faculty and administration to student concerns. LUSU is essentially being ignored when it approaches faculty with student issues, he said, singling out the faculties of Engineering, Nursing, and Education as particularly problematic. “Students aren’t being treated fairly in these programs,” he asserted.
Cava’s comment seemed to be the opening the board had been waiting for to delve into what director Edward Paddock referred to as a “veritable goldmine of students getting treated like crap.” A few directors questioned what happened to the student bill of rights proposed last year by Anna Wease, the VPSI at the time. The board has resolved to confront these problems over the remainder of the school year.
Sustainable Communities in the North
The board unanimously approved the Sustainability Initiative’s request for $3000 for the upcoming Sustainable Communities in the North conference. The conference has covered $47,000 of its $55,000 budget through sponsorships and donations. SI commissioner and conference chair Alex Boulet explains that “because of the low costs [of the] tickets, we cannot expect to make up the full amount remaining from attendees.” Tickets are $75 for the general public and $20 for students and include four meals.
Haiti relief
LUSU president Dave Grad reported LUSU has set a goal of $10,000 in fundraising for Haiti relief efforts. He has asked faculty to match student contributions. Jars for these donations can be found at the Study and Tim Hortons on-campus, and the Hoito, Red Earth, and Calico’s off-campus.
Orillia campus
Grad expressed dismay over a statement by Lakehead President Fred Gilbert that there will be no LUSU space created in Orillia unless it is funded by the student union itself. Meanwhile, the campus is also facing a referendum on a U-Pass, similar to that in Thunder Bay, which would cost students there a yearly $100. LUSU’s executive called the emergency referendum after receiving a petition signed by 13% of the student body. It is largely dependent on the success of a subsequent city council vote to make Orillia’s bus service more extensive. See page six for more details.