Tag: letters

Let’s face it, the escalator situation in the H-building is out of control. Seriously, why are we even paying the infrastructure cost if they’re not going to listen when we tell them that the escalators suck?!?

I knew someone who was at Concordia in 1981 (that’s 30 years ago) and the escalators were still not working… probably a good indication that some sort of change is needed.

Just saying.

Damiano Raveenthiran

 

There are so many legitimate and excellent reasons to criticise the Link and there are extremely intelligent ways to do so via satire and irony. However, The Lynx “Spoof” in the Concordian (March 29, 2011) was not only a pathetic attempt at satire and irony, but a sad and clear reflection of the creative abilities of the Concordian’s editorial staff.

While it may be unfair to compare the creative talent and teams of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report to that of the Concordian, I do hope that the staff who put together The Lynx will be intelligent enough to not include this feature in their portfolios when applying for work at major newspapers or television programs.

Although, if the Concordian staff is so proud of its creation, I challenge the paper to submit The Lynx and back issues of the Link to the head writers of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report for review and judgment.

Irwin Rapoport
Alumnus, History

 

There seems to be one thing that all those involved in this year’s CSU elections, including candidates and student press, can agree on: the chief electoral officer, Oliver Cohen, has not been doing a satisfactory job.

The reality is in fact the opposite. It is incredibly saddening that nobody is able to recognize his professionalism, diligence and dedication. Candidates on either side are outraged at Oliver’s lack of action in favour of their party, each alleging the other has broken electoral rules. However, none have been clearly substantiated to merit action by the CEO. Oliver’s main function is to oversee the smooth functioning of the election, not to be bogged down by shit-throwing and dirty political tactics that inevitably come with CSU elections, nor to deal with every petty and insignificant complaint raised by unreasonable student politicians.

The CSU judicial board will ultimately be consulted if any of the allegations are worthy of sanctions.

Oliver has also been targeted by the student media for not being accessible enough. Considering that he was unfairly blasted in a Concordian editorial for being supposedly MIA after giving them an interview, Oliver is totally justified in being wary of the media because of their constant predilection with sensationalizing the un-sensational.

Oliver is apolitical, fair, and completely independent. In short, he is everything that one would hope for in a CEO. His job is incredibly difficult. This year’s elections have been the most contentious and contested in recent memory. Inundated with countless contestations, often ones that are silly and useless, the CEO has to also deal with student media that is obsessed with lampooning him. Bashed from all sides, Oliver has done remarkably well in his capacities as CEO considering the circumstances.

It is sad that Oliver will be stepping down from his position as he is graduating this semester. Concordia will lose a CEO with integrity. I hope that the next CEO that is appointed can live up to the lofty precedent he has set.

Joel Suss

I recommend Yasir Aziz as a candidate for ENCS Senator. I have known Yasir for over two years. He has been actively involved in various student groups, including being elected VP activities for PSA for the year 2009-2010 and president for 2010-2011. He has also been an active member of Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) Concordia. For the time I have known him, I found him a very dedicated and motivated person; therefore, I truly believe that he has the expertise to be successful as an ENCS senator. Yasir Aziz would be an ideal candidate for this position. On behalf of my association we endorse our full support for team Action and its candidate Yasir Aziz for upcoming election for CSU 2011-2012.

Muhammed Malik
Acting President and Vice President
PSA Concordia

 

I recommend Rasim Hafiz as a candidate for VP services & sustainability. I have personally known Rasim for over two years. He has been actively involved in the improvement of student life at Concordia. He has been the president of Muslim Students Association for the year 2010-2011 and been consecutively elected for two years as an Engineering Councillor on the CSU. For the time I have known him, I found him a very dedicated and motivated person who cares about the betterment of students; therefore, I truly believe that he has proved himself to be worthy of the position of VP services and sustainability.

On behalf of my association we endorse our full support for team Action and its candidate Rasim Hafiz for upcoming election for CSU 2011-2012.

Muhammed Malik
Acting President and Vice President
PSA Concordia

 

I am Khatib Tamal, the President of Bangladeshi Students’ Association, I would like to recommend Rasim Hafiz as a candidate for VP services and sustainability in the CSU. I have known him for the past two years as a very hard working person, I appreciate his involvement in various on campus activities such as being elected president of the Muslim Students’ Association and as the engineering councillor for the CSU for the past two years.

I believe that Rasim with years of experience behind him would be an ideal candidate for this position, and I endorse my full support for team Action in this upcoming CSU election for 2011-2012, on March 29th, 30th and 31st.

Khatib Tamal
President
BSA Concordia

 

I would like to say congratulations to everyone who is running in the CSU elections, it is touching to see how much time and effort students are putting into our student union during election time. However, when it comes to voting, I stand behind the team that I know will continue working this hard next year to improve CSU for students, which is why my vote will be for Your Concordia.

I have had the privilege with working and personally knowing many people on the Your Concordia slate, all of whom are truly amazing individuals. They are a positive, diverse, strong, and passionate group of students who I know will work hard to represent the students responsibly and fairly. In past years CSU has had many troubling incidents, especially regarding transparency, and not enough change has been made to make CSU as great as I know it can be. I know Your Concordia is the fresh face that CSU needs to make positive changes because of their devotion to students and their strong work ethic.

Overall, CSU is a powerful union that represents Concordia’s students. It is largely funded by students’ money, and therefore I hope students educate themselves to make an informed vote at the end of March. Personally, I believe Your Concordia is made up of student leaders who sincerely care about Concordia’s student body, and who strive to work for a better union than we’ve seen in the past. I look forward to saying that our CSU is run by such individuals.

Sophia Mitchell

 

On March 29, I will be voting for Anaii Lee-Ender to represent arts and sciences students on the CSU Council. In the time that I have known Anaii she has shown herself to be a passionate, outspoken and involved individual. There is no doubt in my mind that Anaii will be a vocal addition to council ready and willing to advocate on behalf of her constituents. It is not only because of this strength in character that I will be voting for Anaii, but also because she is concerned about issues that matter to me, namely, fighting tuition fee increases. I believe Anaii and the Your Concordia team will rally students around this issue and make the CSU a champion of the student movement once again. This is why Anaii Lee-Ender and the Your Concordia team have my support and my vote.

Arielle de Pagter

 

I reconnected with Renee Tousignant, an old high school friend, when we both found ourselves in first-year communications nearly two years ago now. I had always known her to be involved and spirited when it came to school activities, and despite the hectic nature of university alone, she has not lost this drive to help shape and improve student life, most notably through her continued involvement in COMS guild.

Renee is a motivated person, a quality that extends beyond her political contributions. I have consistently seen Renee take on extra responsibilities and still endeavor to do well in school, a goal she has achieved by maintaining a high GPA. while staying highly involved in promoting richer student life at Concordia.

The dedication with which she performs any task thrown her way is admirable, and acts as a testament to her commitment to never do anything halfheartedly. My recommendation for you to vote for Renee as arts and science councillor does not stem from my personal appraisal of her, but rather comes from my first-hand look at her ability to get things done in her capacity as a member of the COMS guild. I can only imagine how favourably the ability she has shown there will translate to a new position. This demonstration of drive is why I prompt you to vote for Renee as your new arts and science councillor in the upcoming elections on March 29, 30, and 31.

Justine Israel

 

I write this letter to share how strongly I feel that Concordia undergrads should elect Your Concordia to the CSU. Specifically, I write to endorse two candidates: Melissa Fuller, running for VP Loyola & services, and Renee Tousignant, running as an arts & science councillor.

I have had the pleasure of working with Melissa and Renee over the past year on the COMS guild. Melissa is one of our co-presidents, and I admire her strong passion and dedication for improving student life, especially on the Loyola campus. Melissa’s involvement in student politics is not to gain popularity, but is due to her belief that she has the ability to enact change for the students. I am confident that this is true. Melissa is an extremely hard worker; she is thorough and efficient, somewhat of a perfectionist, who will work as long as she needs to, even if this means pulling an all-nighter.

Despite her lack of sleep, Melissa is always energetic, positive and brave enough to be creative and think differently when addressing student needs. Instead of throwing expensive parties she would speak to the students, and create services and events tailored to what they want.

Melissa is highly approachable. Her open-mindedness and strong beliefs in diversity mean that she will take into account the needs of every student, no matter who they are. Melissa believes in innovation, and does not believe that including the Loyola campus means throwing a few concerts, creating some meager spaces and calling it a day. Although this is Renee’s first year on the COMS guild, her enthusiasm this year is proof enough of her abilities to be a capable representative. She has become involved on numerous ASFA committees this year, and has connected with students all across campus in order to foster goodwill among our programs. Her astounding dedication to the rules has made her one of the most transparent VP finances I have ever encountered.

I believe both Melissa and Renee have the skills necessary to be given this responsibility, and to be in charge of a vast amount of student money.
Team Action advocates that they have more “experience.” However, I do not want the same old people running my student organization. I want people with fresh ideas. I want people who will actually engage with the students. I want a new, better CSU.

Beverly Herscovitch
VP communications COMS guild

 

As you are probably aware, Gonzalo Nieto is running in the upcoming CSU elections on the slate of Your Concordia as VP clubs & student space. As someone who has worked closely with Gonzalo over the course of this past year, I feel confident in putting my support behind his candidacy.

I know Gonzalo through überculture, a Concordia-based student group that aims to resculpt the social dynamics of the world in which we live. Having joined in September of 2010, the impact he has had was immediately felt upon his arrival. This year alone, he has helped with the organization of all of our monthly Really Really Free Market events, has worked to try to secure storage space for überculture (as our miniscule office is packed), was a driving force behind the WHALE assembly on the Reggie’s terrace, and was a restless and passionate volunteer in regards to the campaigning done for the recent student centre referendum, just to name a few of the student-supporting causes to which he has lent his support.

Considering the amount of time he has spent and the precedent he has set for himself in trying to protect what student space there is while trying to secure even more student space, Gonzalo Nieto is more than qualified for the position he now seeks, and I have no qualms about endorsing him as a candidate who will do his best to protect the rights of students.

Vincent Gabriel Hubert
Linguistics

 

In light of the recent Board of Governors debate I was happy to learn that AJ West is running to represent students on BoG next year. I have known AJ for the past several years, working with him in classes and with the Cinema Students Association. In my experience AJ has always been a positive leader and team player. He is a critical thinker and a vocal participant. Above all he is of great integrity and I know he will serve our student body well. I am cheering for Your Concordia.

Lindsey McBride
Cinema

 

Hasan Cheikhzen is one of the kindest; most devoted and determined people that I have ever met. I have known Hasan for a year now and can say with great confidence that he is a very hard-working person. He is always engaging and involved in several activities, everything from sports to  joining the Syrian Association at Concordia University.

Being an ex-member of the Syrian Association myself, it is actually there where I met Hasan. And it is through my experiences there that I can confirm that he clearly has a social commitment to his fellow colleagues. He was always the first one to offer his help whenever we encountered a problem in the association and posseses excellent communication skills. Hasan more than fulfills the characteristics that an ideal CSU executive should possess. In complement to this point, having previously lived in Jeddah, he is also educated in a cross-cultural milieu, which only serves to underscore this.

Hasan strikes me as a person who is deeply reliable, who has a deep sense of self and of his own character. He is a person I trust completely. I believe that he will be a tremendous asset to our CSU and I recommend him to you in full confidence.

Tara Al-Dakkak

 

If councillors are elected to voice our opinion as JMSBers to the entire student body, then the only candidate you should think of voting for is Lorne Segall.
Lorne is the quintessential JMSB student. When we are talking about JMSB, we like to pride ourselves on professionalism, partying hard, getting involved in extra-curricular activities and our diversified interests in relevant issues. Lorne fits the bill for all four.

Lorne has been responsible for caring and advocating for over 500 students over the past two years as a Resident Assistant for Concordia Residences. Ask any one of those 500 people and I can personally guarantee they have nothing bad to say about the guy. They even call him “Big Papa” around the building, because of his caring and considerate personality!

Having spent a lot of time with Lorne in his JMSM office, I saw how dedicated him and his team were in putting together the 15th Annual JMSB Sports Business conference, regarded as the best conference of its kind in Canada. Even with no similar past experiences, Lorne and his team were able to organize the best conference in the history of JMSM. As you can see, Lorne isn’t afraid to jump into new things, so no one should have second thoughts about his lack of prior political experience.

Lorne has a certain type of personality that is magnetizing and commands a room, and it has nothing to do with his linebacker-sized body. He is a genuinely nice person who is always smiling and always trying to do the best for people, even if it means taking one for the team. No doubt in my mind that he is the right man for job.

Come April, having Lorne represent JMSB would be an honour because I know he’s in this race for the right reasons. When he comes around to speak to you next week, don’t shoo him away, listen to what he has to offer you. It will only take you a couple of seconds to realize that Lorne is the guy you want to represent you at the next level.

Search him up on facebook and join his fanpage, “Vote Lorne Segall for JMSB Councillor” where he’s trying to get a feel for what JMSB wants in the near future. (He’s also got some great posters up too!)
Go Lorne! All the best!

Joshua Rubin

 

I have worked with Khalil Haddad on several projects that CUPA put together for the students we represent. I am privileged to work with him and can vouch for his impeccable management skills. He has a remarkable in-depth understanding and appreciation for the constitutional rules that all executives are required to know. He is fiercely dedicated and hard-working, doing his best every day to represent and serve the psychology students, as well as contributing significantly to the other university-related responsibilities he is involved with.

With us, his CUPA team, he understands the concept of democracy and hearing others out

when it is called for, and taking action and making executive decisions when deliberating is no longer useful. He can stay strong when others become overwhelmed with pressure and stay focused when others are distracted. But perhaps his best attribute is his ability to, no matter how busy he is, almost magically create a time slot where he will sit down with you and discuss.

There are many virtues that make a good leader, but there are very few leaders that possess many virtues. With the talent and experience he is sure to provide, Khalil Haddad is one of these leaders. I am very confident that the Concordia Student Union would be amazing under his leadership and would highly recommend all students to vote for team Action on March 29,30 and 31.

Stefan Faina
VP external, Concordia Undergraduate Psychology Association

 

Khalil has over and again shown that he is capable of the vision and commitment so highly sought in a leader and representative. His commitment is tempered with the compassion and empathy that, to me, distinguishes the inspired leaders from the merely competent. All this coupled with bedrock skills like juggling schedules, marshaling forces, and giving support and encouragement. I’ve seldom met someone who I have been so comfortable and assured in working with.

When I heard about the nominations for our association’s VP academic position, I was certain I could handle the job, but it was Khalil that had me convinced that I should run. Along with his professional approach, Khalil is extremely passionate, which to me is invaluable in such endeavours. This was evident to me from the start. From his eagerness in putting together an association team that he felt could truly make a difference to students; to his elation at seeing the excitement and enthusiasm of students and peers at a successful event or even a meeting. I encourage you all to support team Action on March 29, 30 and 31!

Geoff O’Brien
BA Honours Psychology
VP academic, Concordia Undergraduate Psychology Association 2010-2011

 

I met Tanya Ng a year ago, and I would have to say that she has become one of my closest friends. Ever since I got into the John Molson International Exchange committee as VP events, Tanya was and always is there by my side no matter what. When I got very sick before one of our biggest events (JIC goes to NYC 2010), she was the only one that told me that she would take over so that I can rest and get better. Even though her position this year on JIC was VP internal she really outdid herself and helped in every aspect of the team; events, marketing, academics, recruitment, etc.

On a more personal level, I have grown to trust Tanya in a matter of months and personally believe that she is one of the most honest and caring people I know. She is the kind of person that would stay up all night with a friend just to make sure they are alright and I am so grateful for Concordia University for bringing those friendships to life.

Therefore, as a friend and a co-“JICer,” I see Tanya being one of the most trustworthy, hardworking and honest person I know for this position. I believe that if she becomes VP finance for the CSU, with team Action; she will not back out of her job and make sure it is done properly while helping the whole team at the same time. She wants to make sure that the money spent by CSU is money well spent and that this challenge will only make her stronger and an even better person than she is today. I am so proud of what she has accomplished thus far and I will support her and team Action throughout their campaign.

Zuzanna Chudzinski

 

On behalf of Liberal Concordia, I want to claim our support for Georges Alexandar and team Action for the upcoming Concordia Student Union elections. Georges has been involved in numerous student associations, including ours, and he has always helped us out whenever needed. I believe that he has all the qualities needed in order to fulfill the demands of the position he is running for.

Georges has a lot of experience in Concordia’s student life and he is somebody that always gives 100 per cent in everything he does. People who know Georges say that he’s an amazing listener that he takes the time to study any situation well.

We, as Concordia University’s Liberal Association, are supporting Georges Alexandar and Team Action for the upcoming CSU elections on March 29, 30 and 30. We deeply wish that the students get involved and make an informed decision when comes election day.

Catherine L’Italien

 

I first met Natasha Launi during the summer before our year together on the communication studies guild’s executive team. Right from the beginning Natasha was eager, energized, and ready for whatever challenges faced the year ahead. Regardless of having little experience prior to her time at the guild, Nat went about her work with little fear and an open attitude.

In her position as VP social, Nat helped coordinate many events that not only helped strengthen relationships between students within the communication studies department, but also helped in creating a real sense of community and belonging.

Nat’s easy-going, incredibly funny, and open personality made serving on the guild with her far from hard work. After working alongside Nat and observing her work as Co-President of the Coms Guild and as VP communications in ASFA, I cannot adequately express how much confidence I have in Nat Launi’s work ethic and commitment to all students of Concordia. Nat is extremely dedicated and sincere, there is no other candidate that can top her passion and devotion to student life. She is the ideal VP of student life and Loyola.

Terry Cho
Co-President of the Coms Guild

 

With full confidence I support Leslie Reifer in his bid as a potential candidate for a position as a Concordia Student Union executive for the coming 2011 – 2012 term.

As a good friend and fellow peer hailing from the small countries of the Caribbean, Leslie has proven himself to be a hard worker and dedicated member of the CSU. He has regularly volunteered at events, attended CSU meetings and town halls, and has devoted attention to the social and political happenings around the Concordia community.

As a student representative myself, I have devoted much of my time to representing the Concordia undergraduate community, and with full confidence, I therefore believe that Reifer will serve his fellow undergraduates well through transparent and compassionate means.

Marvin Coleby
Action candidate, CSU council

 

It is with great pleasure that I express my support for Leslie Reifer as a candidate in the upcoming CSU elections. Over the past two years, Leslie has demonstrated his outstanding leadership skills through his involvement in residence life, CSU orientation and most notably, the John Molson International Business Association. Leslie’s unmatchable passion and determination make him a true leader, but his ability to work with others is what will benefit the Concordia student body next year.

As VP clubs and promotions, Leslie’s charismatic and energetic demeanour will serve as an excellent asset in unifying the many clubs here at Concordia.
Leslie plans to work closely with club representatives and students at large to ensure club participation and involvement. This would be feasible as Leslie’s positive and friendly attitude make him extremely approachable to fellow students and easy to work with. As a Vice President of the Arts and Science Federation of Associations, I am confident that Leslie will go above and beyond any expectations. I strongly believe that he has the student’s best interest at heart and that he will do anything in his power to ensure the student’s needs are met. Join me in support of a team who will work hard to ensure the growth and success of Concordia as a whole.

Allie McDonald
VP social of ASFA

 

It is sometimes difficult for a student to make an informed decision about a candidate without first getting to know them personally. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to give students my opinion about Khalil Haddad, who is running for president of the Concordia Student Union with team Action.

I have had the occasion to work closely under his leadership over the last year as we both fulfilled our executive positions on the Concordia Undergraduate Psychology Association. As president of CUPA, Khalil clearly demonstrates the skills of a great leader. He is organized, diligent, and thorough. Most importantly, he is passionate about Concordia University and its students. He continually strives to follow through on his commitments to the students and places high value on the feedback and suggestions of others. His mantra to empower students inspires them to become agents of change.

I sincerely believe that if Khalil Haddad were to be elected as president of the CSU, he would fulfill the role with utmost determination and integrity. Make sure you vote for team Action on March 29, 30 and 31!

Jessica Starck
Honours psychology student
VP communications, Concordia Undergraduate Psychology Association 2010-2011

 

Leslie Reifer, is a very dedicated and reliable person. I had the pleasure of working with him in the John Molson International Business Association for the past year. As the association’s VP events, he has accomplished tasks only a credible and trustworthy VP could complete.

The success of our events would not have been possible without Leslie’s perseverance and loyal and charismatic personality. I have full faith in Leslie’s ability as an executive for the CSU. For these reasons, I endorse Leslie Reifer as VP clubs and promotions and the entire Action team! Vote Action this semester!

Anik Laframboise
President-elect
John Molson International Business Association

 

I would like to take an opportunity to offer a formal recommendation for Tanya Ng. As the Vice President of External Affairs of Concordia International Students Association and a current international student in JMSB I have grown to know Tanya and feel that she is a deserving candidate for CSU.

Tanya joined JIC at the start of the academic year and has demonstrated incredible initiative,
creative and organizational skills as well as strong dedication to the society and is an asset to
the executive team.

Tanya leads by example and many people here find her enthusiasm and dedication both
inspiring and motivating. As part of the executive management team, Tanya has worked hard
to build relationships with other International and Canadian students as well as with other
organizations.

I believe Tanya exhibits many of the qualities that are essential to business managers and
business students. These qualities would be an asset to your association and help further CSU
in the future. I highly recommend Tanya Ng for VP Finance and hope that you will carefully
consider her application.

Evelyn McConnell
Vice President External Affairs
Concordia International Students Association

 

I endorse Teresa Seminara and Team Action. I met Teresa nearly a year ago and truly admire her dedication for helping others. She is a social activist as well as an advocate for the Concordia Student Union. Over the past two years, Teresa has been heavily involved in her school community and has demonstrated her leadership capabilities on numerous occasions.

Last summer she was chosen to represent Concordia at the University Scholars Leadership Symposium and was chosen out of 300 top students to be the master of ceremony. Upon her arrival to Montreal, she started the humanitarian affairs chapter. I am very glad to have met someone like Teresa and above all to have work under her leadership this year.

As the VP Academic and Loyola Affairs, for the Arts and Science Federation of Association she has spent countless nights in her office looking for ways to better represent students academic needs. Despite her active role on ASFA, Teresa is also a CSU councillor, senator and member of the Concordia Council of Student Life.

Teresa is constantly motivating others to succeed hence her optimism and altruist nature are traits to be valued. There are many great words one can use to describe a student leader like Teresa, but they would be an understatement. If there is one thing I have learned from her it is that she ensures that her words are led by actions.

Concordians, do not forget to support Teresa in the upcoming elections and vote Action on March 29,30 and 31.

Marissa D’Onofrio
VP External of Humanitarian Affairs

 

Teresa Seminara and along with her team, Action, couldn’t be better candidates to represent our student body in the academic year coming. I’ve known Teresa for many years and have seen her use all her skills and knowledge at its fullest capacity in everything that she does. She is always ready for new challenges and jumps into opportunities to learn, and gain experiences. These are some qualities, to say the least, she is dedicated to fight for ones human rights and is determined to do whatever it takes to make the world a better place. Concordia students, these are the type of people you want not only to represent you and your university, but to accommodate and keep on making our student life a better place to learn and grow. Make your voices heard and VOTE ACTION!!! They are offering us only the best!

Francesca Vardaro

Last week’s CSU council meeting was an astonishing display of contempt for student democracy and parliamentary procedure. All undergraduate students enrolled at Concordia are welcome and are encouraged to attend CSU council meetings as long as they respect the rules in place and the authority of the chairperson.

Council voted in favour of going into closed session to discuss the serious allegations put forth by the ex-VP promotions and sustainability. The parliamentary procedure of “in camera” closed session meetings should be used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.

CSU councillors take their jobs very seriously and constantly strive to best represent students while respecting the integrity and reputations of others. Do not be fooled by those who would tell you that the last council meeting was a victory for anyone. It was in fact an unfortunate loss for all undergraduate students. Because the council meeting was adjourned prematurely, we were not given the opportunity to address the allegations of financial mismanagement and barely covered half the points on the agenda.

Both the CSU’s VP finance and the general manager had gone to great lengths to prepare a comprehensive presentation of the CSU’s operating budget in order to ensure full financial transparency. Presentations from Five Days for the Homeless and the CSU legal information clinic were not given, nor were students able to learn the details of the CSU’s pending lawsuit with the Canadian Federation of Students.

Councillors work hard for students and we want you to know that we are always willing to open a dialogue and are always open to constructive criticism. Disrupting council meetings is ultimately counter -productive and does not accomplish anything meaningful. We plead with undergraduate students to please respect Roberts Rule of Order in the future and allow us to have civilized meetings with productive discussions and resolutions.

Aaron Green
CSU Councillor

 

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After watching some of CUTV’s footage of the CSU meeting that took place on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 I feel obliged to say something. This is not an attack on any individuals; this is not in defence of any of the executives or council members. My goal is, quite simply, to get as many people that read this to think carefully when they vote in this years elections and to encourage as many people as possible to vote […] . Because after watching that meeting, this vote seems more important than ever.

First of all, I am certainly disappointed in all the execs that resigned this year, with the exception of those who did so for job/scholarship reasons. I voted for you, I followed your campaign and I supported you. To see someone resign so close to the end of their term tells me that my vote did not matter. If there were deep seeded issues to be addressed, they should have been addressed with more than four weeks left in the semester.

Secondly, I am flabbergasted at the way the students sitting in on the meeting behaved. Interrupting the Chair, under any circumstances, is (at least to me) uncalled for. Regardless of whether or not I agree with the vote that was passed to enter a closed session, I disagree with the means that opposed it. There were important issues on that agenda, which will now have to wait. That is unfair to the majority of students; who were not at this meeting. Again, the fact that this all happened with four weeks left in the semester and so close to the campaigning season raises red flags for me, and I hope it does for you, too.

Thirdly, do not forget that most of our representatives are not paid. They donate countless hours for you, for me and for themselves. On top of this they are students with exams to study for and essays to prepare. There needs to be a level of mutual respect, and if that cannot be upheld then student politics at Concordia are, pardon my rashness, pretty doomed. If the current union is so corrupt, and I am not arguing one way or the other, then it is a good thing their term is almost up, right? Let us allow cooler heads to prevail on this one. If a similar situation arises with next years student union, let us not wait until the last month of their term to call them on it. To do so is unfair for everyone and will solve nothing.

Lastly, and most importantly, this makes it more important than ever to be active come elections. Encourage your friends and classmates to pay attention to the campaigns and encourage them to vote. Just give yourself five minutes less of Facebook-ing a day and your studies will not even suffer at this crucial time of the semester. Make your vote educated, make your vote count.

It’s in our hands Concordia.

Sarah Holden
BA Political Science

 

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I am a student who was in attendance at the CSU meeting on Wednesday evening. I am greatly disturbed by how the meeting was handled by the CSU and I am left with very little faith in them. Well before Morgan Pudwell’s resignation was discussed, the CSU’s lack of responsibility was revealed with the issues surrounding Queer Concordia and Void Magazine. It was clear that the only reason these issues were being discussed was due to the CSU Executives not fulfilling their duties.

When Pudwell’s resignation came to the table the CSU failed to be open to discussion with the students and a closed council was purposed too soon for the council to understand the student’s perspective. In Heather Lucas’ statement in response to the resignation she spoke of having an open office and being willing to answer questions. However she barely spoke at the meeting and did not show any sign she was interested in students’ concerns.

I am very disappointed by the urgency with which the CSU suggested a closed session. I found a lack of listening from the VPs, especially Hassan Abdullahi, whose quick temper should be an embarrassment for the CSU. I urge students to think carefully about the upcoming elections and not to believe in everything that is promised. Last year I voted on the issue of transparency and this is not what I am seeing.

Jonathan Kobewa

 

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I am an engineering councillor, a position I’ve held for two years consecutively. In these years I have not seen a more uncivilized and disappointing council meeting as the one last Wednesday. The utter disrespect and undisciplined conduct of a certain group of students was unprecedented and it’s my strong conviction that their behaviour does not represent the majority of the student body.

As councillors, we’ve been elected to represent students in a fair and democratic election. Our duty to the students is to oversee the decisions taken by the CSU and monitor its conduct. First and foremost, we ensure that the bylaws and the standing regulations that this union abides by are followed. These rules ensure an efficient and ethical democratic process.

The closed session that was required was not meant to shut out the students but to provide an individual evaluation to a former executive that would guarantee her right to privacy, after which the meeting would have proceeded as usual. The reaction of the visiting students was unjustified and demonstrated that they were unaware or misinformed about the procedures council is required to follow. I stand by the decisions of the council in that meeting.

Rasim Hafiz

MSA Concordia president
CSU engineering councillor

 

After almost two years of campaigning for tuition freeze with Free Education Montreal, I can say with all certainty that I have never seen a CSU executive work so hard for tuition freeze and student democracy as Morgan Pudwell. During and leading up to the WHALE and SGM on February 14th, I personally saw Morgan have sleepless nights, attend countless meetings, post countless posters, make countless phone calls, and coordinate an enormous part of what had to happen for WHALE. Sure it was part of her job; yet Morgan did more than was expected, and clearly she was often alone within the CSU executive doing it. Yet I did not realize until reading her letter of resignation just how alone and excluded she was. I remember being in Morgan’s office one Friday watching her multi-task everything from phone calls and emails to equipment reservation. We had finally found the one place in Montreal that seems to rent out patio heaters, for WHALE, and Morgan did everything she could to make sure we had the safest yet cheapest heaters (a whopping $604.09), so as not to overspend the CSU budget of $1900 for WHALE. This is not an executive who flung money around thoughtlessly. This is an executive who sacrificed her own mental and physical health, not for her career, as is obvious from her resignation, but for her beliefs and convictions, and mostly for the students she represents. Let me tell you that’s rare these days in student politics. We should praise Morgan for her honesty and hard work, and hope that future executives and councillors are inspired by her. With our tuition likely to double starting in 2012, believe me, we need it.

–Nadia Hausfather

 

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When you get involved with fighting for accessible education (and against tuition increases) you quickly discover that a lot of student representatives are virtuosos at pretending to do something about it and taking credit for the work of others.

Believe me, this is not a hopeless fight, and a lot more could be accomplished at Concordia if all undergraduate student representatives were giving their best effort. Unfortunately, when I was involved in organizing the WHALE, of the CSU executives it was only Morgan Pudwell that was around. Of the executives, it was only Morgan that gave material organizing support, and in fact she did an inhuman amount of work. I’m a graduate student, I don’t need to give a damn about the ins and outs of CSU politics, but I hate to see someone who works so hard, and who actually blew me away with her effectiveness, punished because she made Heather Lucas and Adrien Severyns look bad.

Undergraduates, please don’t make me deal with people like this next year.

–Holly Nazar

 

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Morgan has taken the courageous step to resign because of her sincere commitment to students’ interests and her conviction for an accountable and transparent student union.

I have seen her put forth incredible efforts during this school year to carry out her mandate and to represent students on issues including eco-awareness and sustainability, corporate influence on campus and tuition fee increases.

Her tremendous contributions in working together with students-at-large to put together the Special General Meeting WHALE on February 14th have especially left an impression on me.

Morgan has consistently put students’ interests first and her resignation is a testament to that. The factors leading to this are clear.

Morgan was expected to comply while the rest of the executive silenced her and acted directly in conflict with the concerns that students have voiced about purchasing the Faubourg for the student centre and the disarray of the university due to corrupt governance. She was expected to straight-out lie about their finances, while the Student Union was being steered by external forces in a direction detrimental to student interests. That disregards actual student representation and favours instead the administration.

I am certain that in making this difficult decision Morgan had the best interests of the student body in mind and that this was the only way she could be honest and transparent to her constituency.

Morgan has chosen to defend the rights of over 30,000 students she could not know individually, above many of her personal relationships, her reputation and her job. This is admirable. It is the first time I’ve seen real courage and loyalty (to students!) coming from the CSU.

I have the utmost respect for Morgan and I wish her the very best.

–Irmak Bahar

 

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The Cinema Students Association is disappointed to learn that the current CSU executives were not willing to work with Morgan Pudwell, an outstanding leader who has represented students with integrity in her term as VP Promotions and Sustainability.

She was invaluable to councillors during a conflict within the Fine Arts Student Alliance at the beginning of the year, providing support and guidance, and her leadership helped strengthen the Alliance as a whole. She has attended many FASA Council meetings as the Fine Arts representative on the CSU, going above and beyond her position, and was a resource regarding the CSU bylaws during the rewriting of the FASA Constitution.

Morgan Pudwel has been a fierce defender of student rights, active in protesting the tuition increases proposed by the Quebec government. She participated in the student demonstration in Quebec City on Dec. 6, as a representative of the thousands of Concordia students who would be affected by these increases.

Morgan Pudwell was also integral to the WHALE campaign in organizing activities, postering, and cutting through the red tape that accompanies a student assembly of more than 800 people. Though CSU President Heather Lucas spoke on behalf of the executives during WHALE, the organizers relied on Morgan Pudwell for the assistance of the CSU.

The Cinema Students Association witnessed her intense devotion to the campaign at several planning meetings as well as during the assembly, which greatly influenced the success of the campaign.

The Cinema Students would like to extend our gratitude to Morgan Pudwell and her continued dedication to the Fine Arts and Concordia communities.

 

–Ali Moenck
VP Communications
Cinema Students Association
Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema

 

First off, I personally know both these candidates. Yes they are quite good looking, but should that be a crime? Almost every candidate in Concordia election history has basically the same plan when making posters: put a picture of themselves (in case people may recognize their face from class or something), and a few campaign points. Everyone does it. Why blow up on these people just because they are good looking? If they were ugly, and had the exact same posters, with the same size photo etc, would they be criticized? I doubt it. Perhaps you have not ventured into the JMSB building, but most of their candidates have only TWO “promises.” Campaign posters should not be about communicating all your plans and such if elected. That’s what debates, open forums, and the like are for. In fact, all ASFA candidates are required to write “executive summaries” that are available to anyone interested in reading them, both on the ASFA website as well as at the various polling booths. Voter turnout has always been a problem in student politics, and visual posters like these are one way to get student’s attention. For the ones more interested in the intricacies of the election, all they would have to do to find out more about the candidates is read the executive summaries, a fact mentioned in another article in this week’s issue of the Concordian, written by Evan LePage.

I understand this is an opinions piece and the writer is entitled to say whatever she wants, but that does not make it right. The writer goes on to criticize the candidates saying “none of [the ideas] appear to be particularly innovative or realistic.” Yes, maybe to the writer. Among the candidates’ goals are fighting tuition hikes, financial transparency, more electives at Loyola, leadership seminars, winter frosh, internship programs, and many more that are both potentially attainable and quite desirable. Sure, ASFA may not have all the power to actually do these things, but electing candidates that are motivated to try is something we should all want to do.

If the writer is going to criticize the electoral process, then go ahead and do that. But don’t throw out likely false accusations, and criticize students for doing what virtually every candidate in Concordia electoral history has done. That being said, I encourage all ASFA students to do the required research before choosing a candidate, and to do their best to get out the word about the election, so we could finally reverse the trend of low voter turnout that has plagued us for so long.

Jamie Gewurz
Former Concordian sports editor