Photo by Cole Breiland

Budget ratified and CUPE challenges board

Stacey Goyan

News Editor

Vice-president finance drama erupted at board on Thursday night when issues surrounding VP finance-elect Chris Vaillant’s ability to fulfill his term were brought to light.

Outgoing Chief Returning Officer, Tomas Valiquette, distributed packages to the board containing emails received from Dr. Phillip Allingham, an associate professor in the Faculty of Education.

The emails revealed that because Vaillant did not complete one of his crucial education courses, he is required to retake it before being allowed to do his teaching placement.

While Vaillant would be permitted to take courses as a LUSU executive, if he took his placement later than March 2011, he would be forced to graduate in November of that year and be unable to teach until September of 2012.

Valiquette presented the board with two options: first, the board could vote to allow Vaillant an additional 15 days of holidays above the 10 that are allotted, and the second option would be for Vaillant to either put off graduation or resign the position of VP Finance.

Vaillant argued that he felt able to fulfill his responsibilities as VP finance despite having to complete his placement.

President-elect Mike Snoddon admitted he was torn regarding the situation, but stressed that the board should think of students when making their decision.

Concern was raised around the precedent set if Vaillant was allowed the additional time off. Some members of the board argued that if Vaillant were permitted the additional time off, then this would allow both present and future executives to have extended time away from the office.

The board explored various options, including revoking pay for the days off, or requiring Vaillant to make up the time. Once the question was called, the board decided in a tight vote not to allow Vaillant the additional days off. The vote was 7 for, 6 against, and 1 abstention.

Vaillant agreed that he would notify LUSU of his decision by Monday.

CUPE talks back

In response to last week’s decision to revoke their space, members of CUPE came to board to question their decision.

CUPE president, Ron Berg addressed the board, offering that they were willing to share space with the chemistry club, despite concerns about confidential documents that the union houses.

VP finance, Josh Kolic, admitted that he did not know that a chemistry club existed prior to the controversy. Kolic noted that he had not received a constitution or club package from a chemistry club, or permitted them to have the space.

Despite this, the VP Finance revealed that after meetings with the chemistry club, it was agreed that the two groups would share the space until the end of the year. LUSU would then look into a new space for either the chemistry club or CUPE. Kolic said this would be decided when the two clubs meet with LUSU to discuss the issue.

Berg retorted that the chemistry club has been using the space for study purposes, while CUPE has used it to run their day-to-day operations. He argued that not all faculties have access to exclusive study space.

Vice-president student issues Trevor Cava felt that it was inappropriate to privilege CUPE’s work over the chemistry club’s work.

Budget frozen, approved, but not available online

Kolic presented board with next year’s operating budget to be ratified. The VP Finance stated that despite small increases, the budget will be frozen, or relatively unchanged from last year. Kolic noted that any increases in the budget were made to reflect the actual costs of the budget lines, as opposed to what had been projected.

One exception was a substantial cut from $50,500 to $18,000 in the sustainability budget. Sustainability’s budget returned to the original $18,000 that was provided by the referenda, after a $27,000 grant that allowed the initiative to operate full-time expired.

Director Louise Haukeness argued that the board should take a week to review the budget, because many board members had only received it a few hours before the meeting.

Kolic pointed out that with the last meeting of the year taking place the following week, board could risk ending the year without a ratified budget. The board voted and accepted the budget.

Representative from BDO Dunwoody, Blair Smith, attended the meeting to discuss the feasibility of putting LUSU’s operational budget online.

Smith said that it is not common practice among student unions and non-profit organizations to put operational budgets online, because it could release confidential information such as wages, which are protected by privacy laws

As well, Smith pointed out that making budgets for The Outpost, and The Study available online could give important information away to competitors, hurting business.

The board voted down the motion to put the budgets available online later in the meeting.