Photo by Cole Breiland
VP Finance and GIC director not attending meetings
Stacey Goyan
News Editor
GIC director calls out board
Gender Issues Centre director, David Ivany, announced to the board the he would no longer be attending meetings unless to give reports for his centre.
Ivany, a familiar face within LUSU, held the ex-officio non-voting seat on the board as the Gender Issues Centre director. Ivany stated that he felt “unsafe and uncomfortable participating” in meetings of the board of directors.
“I do not see a positive place for change here,” said Ivany.
Ivany denounced the board for stifling debates about issues with “posturing.”
“I believe that my time in this position would be better spent participating in social change on and off campus and I gladly take my Thursday evenings back for this purpose.”
VP Finance not attending meetings?
Chairperson, Margaret Ryan announced that Vice President Finance, Josh Kolic, would no longer be attending board of director meetings.
When the issue was called into question by the board, Ryan stated that the reason could not be revealed publicly and the board would decide on the matter during an “in camera” session.
The issue was tabled until the next meeting, which is set for an unspecified date. The board could not release specific details about the issue.
Talks positive on LUSU space in new Orillia campus
President Dave Grad, who attended the meeting via teleconference, announced that talks with Orillia administration have been positive in regards to finding space for the student union on campus.
LUSU had concerns that the plans for the new satellite campus did not include space for the student union.
Grad said that one idea being presented is for LUSU to share space with the Office of Student Affairs. The new campus is set to open in September 2010.
Board approves Thunderwolves sponsorship
LUSU approved $1500 for a sponsorship of the Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey team at the Cavendish Cup.
In the proposal, LUSU would be given tickets to Thunderwolves games during the tournament, which they could sell for a discount. Vice President of Student Issues, Trevor Cava, stated that the sponsorship is intended to bring more students to the Cavendish Cup.
Director Slim Babay voiced concerns that Lakehead administration was using the student union to subsidize costs. Cava argued that Thunderwolves Athletics is a separate corporation from the university. Babay went on to remind the board that since students did not support the Varsity Pass in last year’s referendum, then this should also not be supported. Director Katrinna Scheibler-Smith felt that the sponsorship would give positive recognition to the student union.
Ultimately the sponsorship passed with two board members against and two abstentions.
Cava stated that LUSU would be finalizing the deal with Athletics and announcing more details at a press conference next week.
Annual General Meeting date announced
After much discussion, the board was able to finalize a date for the Annual General Meeting. This year’s AGM will take place Monday, March 1st at 5:30 in The Study. Cava confirmed that video-conferencing would be set up to include Orillia students.