Ryc-Talk

BOA January 2010 Part 1

BOA Newsflash - What the Faculty Director's are up to...

Dear members of the federation,

Sometimes, meetings are boring. Or long. Or both. Like this one right now. So what are people up to at the table?

A certain faculty director may or may not be studying for an exam next week.

A certain faculty director may or may not be checking their live feed on facebook.

A certain faculty director may or may not be playing Meerca Chase II.

A certain faculty director may or may not be reaquainting themselves with Neopets as well.

Your turn to talk...

Let's call this a new social media project. If you have a question that you would like to ask a candidate, howsabout you post it on youtube, and I show the candidate the question?

Try responding to the video above, and we can have some fun.

Wolfe Talk

SFUO President and outgoing advocate Seamus Wolfe talks about bi-elections at the Student Federation, and has a special message for the Engineers Student Society.

The Horses Mouth - Richard Mah

Sleep deprived, possibly drunk, Richard Mah was found wandering the Jock-Turcot Student Centre



Transcription to follow...

Movin' on...

Greetings again! And this is Kyle Ryc from the SFUO blog! Sorry about that...
Umm.. I'm sitting here, outside the Agora, in the University Centre, at the beginning of Tools of Change: An Activist Assembly. The SFUO is putting on an event this weekend to help people know how they can get involved on campus, different groups they can work with, tactics and tools to promote change around here. I'm here with the Muggy Monday's table, because Muggy Monday's likes to show up to these events... And, oh, look who it is! We have... Ted Horton! Oh my god! VP University Affairs of the Student Federation. And we're just chatting right now about the upcoming by-elections of the SFUO and a lot of our Federated Bodies... Who happen to be missing a bunch of VP Socials; other than engineering, who just completed, last night... I don't know if... Are the elections results out for Engineering... Who won? Oh, I'll find that myself. Okay. Well, doesn't matter. I'll post up some information about that in a few minutes. Hopefully will be able to talk with the Engineering elections, Richard Mah. But, just to let you know that the SFUOblog is up and running and maybe I'll get a haircut if the polls...


Sorry for the lack of formatting. On a high note, I will now have close captioning on my videos.

Also, if you can comment on whether you want videos like this (where I talk) or videos of interviews (where they talk), or a mix of both, that would be very helpful.

Upcoming Elections Coverage...

Apparently, there are bi-elections coming up at the SFUO, and to its federated bodies.

SFUO blog will (hopefully) be gearing up to deal with these elections really soon.

The Legacy of Mark Kelly

Today was going to be the beginning of a bright new summer, one filled with blogs perhaps. However, something has soured this day. I had it in my mind to go and start something cool, like liveblogging a Senate meeting with the new student senators. Perhaps interview a few, and show the blogosphere another aspect of student governance here at uOttawa. But I cannot. A tangible reminder of of this past year greeted me at the entrance to Tabaret 083. Two lovely Protection officers and a nice lady with a list. An invitation list. A member's only list.

Now I could rant and rave about a lack of acess and that the university is trying to cover things up, but, once again, I cannot. For the sake of the business of this institution, Mr. Rock has to restrict acess to one of the more entertaining political bodies on our campus. And I agree with him. I want the Senate to go about its business, and get things done. Create new programs, new degrees, and new classes! Abolish things that are not up to snuff. Make this institution better than what it is. Engage, educate, and inspire us to ever greater feats.

Maybe this will eventually happen, but not without outside ideas. The BOA works, in part, because of that all important open forum at the end. The Senate met earlier this year in the chapel, specifically to allow more people to participate in the process, the struggle, to make this place better. Now, I, an engaged student, someone who strives to enjoy his student experience, has to sit on the steps of Tabaret because another student took issue with his coursework. Perhaps the Senate should take a lesson from another governing body nearby. If someone is disruptive, kick them out. If someone just wants to show up, let them stay.

Success!

Two months and five days later...

A New Video from uOttawa

The Global and Community Service Office is one of the new initiatives of the Alan Rock administration here at uOttawa. The idea, as far as I can tell, is to form a comprehensive volunteer opportunity database. For those of us still looking for a job, they are currently hiring (although the position in charge of the office needs something like 10 years of fund raising practice?).

On all points, however, I must give this video props. It successfully incorporates both English and French, and keeps you listening if you do not understand both languages. Familiar, and influential faces, such as those of Jon Rausseo (uOttawa Sustainability Coordinator), Jason Benovoy (Shared World Initiative), and Alan Rock himself, make appearances. If only I could find out what the music is.

P.S. To all the folks out there looking for their video fix, we will probably be getting started again soon.

PIDSSA Elections?

A rogue HSS student has invaded a packed LMX 220. Look at the crowd!

Post-Election blues? Nick Taylor-Vaisey

Former head of the anti-student movement on campus, and general layabout, Nick TV managed to take a break from his busy, go gettem life and chat about life after student politics.

Candid Talk - Enoch Kwok

Candid Talk - Logan Ouellette

Special thanks to Logan, who transcribed his own interview, and then translated it!

SFUOBlog: OK, and we’re still in the University Centre couch lounge, and I’m here with Logan, who is currently running for the presidency of the Communication Student Association.

Logan: Yes sir.

SFUOBlog: So, you list on your poster that you have dedication and organization. What does that mean to the CSA?

Logan: Well, I’ve been a dedicated member of the CSA since I finished my 101 Week. I got involved with the Commie Crew, which is the social crew that helps the VP Socials organize and plan their events. After that, I got involved during the summer with Shinerama, during which myself and Emily Selst (Shinerama Coordinator for the CSA) raised over $4500 throughout the summer, between the two of us basically, for our student association and that was a lot of fun. Also, during the summer, I worked on a new initiative for the CSA with Sarah Burke, our VP University Affairs. We started the “CMN Challenge”, which was a challenge that brought the practical side of communication back to the students who might be lost in a sea of theory and words, so we gave them a little bit of a hands-on experience. I’ve also been going to all the events and making lots of friends, and I’ve just really been enjoying my time with Communication.

SFUOBlog: What do you bring to the table that is unique compared to anyone else who would approach the presidency?

Logan: Well, one of the things I talk about on my poster is organization. I’m a very organized individual, if you just ask Amanda (Marochko, my roommate). I keep my room very clean, I lead a very organized life, but that doesn’t exactly relate… In relation to job experience, right now I’m currently the Registration Chair for Relay for Life, so I send out daily emails to the volunteers just reminding them of their shifts. I keep the schedule updated with input from dozens of volunteers every day, and I’m really enjoying that, it’s been a really great experience so far, and I look forward to Relay for Life on March 27th.

SFUOBlog: You were recently nominated for the Support & Teamwork volunteer award. What does a nomination like that mean to you?

Logan: It means a lot actually; it was a really, really great feeling. Of course, I lost out to you, Kyle Ryc, but I’m not going to be bitter about it, I think you really deserved it. It was great just to get my name out there and get a little recognition for all the volunteering I’ve done these past two years, and I was just really happy to be nominated, you know? I’ve got two more years ahead of me; I’ve got a lot more volunteering up my sleeve, so maybe next year or the year after? We’ll see.

SFUOBlog: What do you think is the biggest problem facing the Communication Student Association at this point?

Logan: I think one of the problems we face is that we kind of lose our 101ers after 101 Week. I remember last year, a few of us got involved, but I would like to find a way to get our 101ers to stay involved but also reach out to students in older years who might feel alienated because we focus too much on 101ers. So, something I’d like to do is to make every Communication student feel like they’re a part of our association, as they should. We are an association of roughly 1000 members, but usually our events bring in, I would say, around 20 or 30 centered members in our association. So I’d like to see events that can get a greater participation from all of our students, and hopefully reach out to 3rd and 4th years who are probably very focused on their studies, but they need to have fun too.

SFUOBlog: The CSA office is right next to CHUO (radio station). If you could have a radio show, what would be its’ name?

Logan: Uh, that’s a tough question! Kyle, you and the tough questions. You know what, I would probably call it the “Loganizer Hour” and I would play lots of Britney Spears and Lady GaGa.*

SFUOBlog: OK, thank you very much.

Logan: Thank YOU.



SFUOBlog : Bon, alors nous sommes encore dans le salon des canapés du Centre universitaire, ici avec Logan, candidat pour la présidence de l’Association des étudiants et étudiantes en communication.

Logan : Oui, monsieur.

SFUOBlog : Alors, vous démontrez sur votre affiche électorale que vous êtes dévoués et organiser. Qu’est-ce que cela veut dire pour l’AÉÉC ?

Logan : Bien, mois j’ai été un membre dévoué de l’AÉÉC depuis la fin de ma semaine 101. Je me suis impliqué avec le « Commie Crew », ce qui est le comité social qui assiste aux V.-p. aux affaires sociales avec leurs événements. Après ça, je me suis impliqué durant l’été avec notre coordonatrice de Shinerama, Emily Selst, et ensemble nous avons soulevées plus de 4 500$ entre nous deux au nom de notre association étudiante. Aussi durant l’été, j’ai assisté à une nouvelle initiative pour l’AÉÉC en collaboration avec notre V.-p. aux affaires universitaires, Sarah Burke. Nous avons commencé le « Défi de communication », ce qui était un défi pour but d’amener les aspects pratiques de la communication aux étudiants qui se sent submergé par la théorie, alors on voulait leurs apportés la chance d’avoir des activités plutôt à main. J’ai aussi assisté à tous nos événements et fais beaucoup d’amis, alors je dirais que je me suis beaucoup amuser avec l’AÉÉC jusqu’à l’heure.

SFUOBlog : Qu’est-ce que tu apportes à la table en termes d’aspect unique comparé aux autres candidats qui se soumettent à la présidence ?

Logan : Une des choses donc je parle dans mon affiche électorale c’est l’organisation. Je suis un individu qui est pleinement organisé dans ma vie, fais juste demander mon collègue Amanda (Marochko). Je garde ma chambre très nette, mais ce n’est pas un aspect qui est entièrement relié à mon expérience comme président… En termes d’expérience de travail, je suis actuellement chargé de l’inscription et les tables d’informations pour le « Relais pour la vie », avec des responsabilités qui incluent la dissémination de courriels quotidien et la gérance de l’horaire des bénévoles que je garde à jour avec la contribution d’une couple de douzaines de bénévoles. Ca fait une expérience très jouissant jusqu’à date et je me réjouis au Relais le vendredi, 27 mars.

SFUOBlog : Vous avez été nommé récemment comme candidat pour la bourse « Bouchard & Latreille d’appui et travail d’équipe ». Comment est-ce cette nomination te fais ressentir?

Logan : Il signifie beaucoup effectivement; ca me donne un très grand sentiment. Bien sûr, j’ai perdu contre vous, Kyle Ryc, mais je ne vais pas être amer à ce sujet, je pense que vous l’avez vraiment mérité. Il a été très juste pour obtenir mon nom là-bas et obtenir un peu de reconnaissance pour tout le bénévolat que j'ai fait ces deux dernières années, et j'ai été vraiment heureux d'être nommés. J'ai encore deux ans d'avance sur moi, j'ai beaucoup plus de bénévolat à faire, alors peut-être l'année prochaine ou l'année d'après ? Nous verrons.

SFUOBlog : Que pensez-vous est le plus grand problème auquel l’AÉÉC doit faire face en ce moment?

Logan : Je pense que l'un des problèmes auxquels nous sommes confrontés est que nous perdons nos étudiant(e)s 101s après la Semaine 101. Je me souviens l'an dernier, un peu d'entre nous se sont impliqués, mais je voudrais trouver un moyen pour soutenir nos 101s à rester en jeu, mais aussi tendre la main aux étudiants en année plus âgés qui pourraient se sentir exclus, car nous nous concentrons peut-être trop sur les 101s. Alors, quelque chose que je voudrais faire c’est de faire certain que chaque étudiant(e) en communication à l’impression qu'ils font partie de notre association, comme ils le devraient. Nous sommes une association d'environ 1000 membres, mais en tant que participation à nos manifestations, nous avons seulement environ 20 ou 30 membres impliqués qui nous soutiennent. Donc, je voudrais voir des événements qui peuvent avoir une plus grande participation de l'ensemble de nos étudiants, et nous espérons atteindre les étudiant(e)s en 3ième et 4ième années qui sont probablement très centrés sur leurs études, mais ils ont besoin d'avoir du plaisir eux aussi.

SFUOBlog : Le bureau de l'AÉÉC est à côté de la station radio CHUO. Si vous pouviez avoir une émission de radio, qu’est-ce qui serait son nom?

Logan : Euh, c'est une question difficile! Kyle, vous et les questions difficiles. Bon, vous savez quoi, je doute appeler mon émission « L’heure Loganizer », et je jouerai beaucoup de Britney Spears et Lady Gaga.*

SFUOBlog : D’accord, je vous remercie.

Logan : Merci, Kyle!

Candid Talk - Amanda Marochko

Board of Administration - Friday, March 13th, 2009

The inauspicious day of reckoning cometh. A motion has been proposed, read it for yourself:

Whereas there is a case contesting the 2009 elections between Garner, Hasinoff, and Chaput v. Wolfe, Dubois, Séguin and Guillaume, hereafter referred to as “the case”.

Whereas irregularies in the process of the case before the Student Arbitration Committee have put the credibility of the committee into question.

Whereas the decision rendered by the Student Arbitration Committee could potentially violate the constitution of the Federation.

Whereas the implications involved in allowing this case to continue in the present context could cause legal ramifications for the Federation.

Whereas the Board of Administration has the following powers, as outlined in the constitution and state the following:

The Board of Administration administers the affairs of the Federation in every respect and has full powers to manage the affairs of the federation, conclude or cause to be concluded, in its name, any contract that it may legally conclude and, subject to the bylaws, exercise in general all powers and take measures allowed by the letters patent and applicable laws.

Whereas the ultimate decision making body of the Federation is the Board of Administration.

Whereas the hearings into the case have shown to pose a possible threat to a members’ right to a positive space.

Whereas the hearings must be heard in a way that is fair and just.

Whereas it was suggested by the Federation’s solicitor to the Student Arbitration Committee to request direction from the Board of Administration, before concluding its latest decision.

Whereas it is a Federation member’s right to contest the elections.

Whereas the advice of the Federation’s solicitor, Vice Hunter Labrosse LLP, as per: Marc R. Labrosse was sought on this matter, and that his recommendations were as follows:

…that if the BOA first determines that it is in the best interests of the SFUO to restore some calm to the situation and intervene, the following three options which we discussed with you would be reasonable:

1. To appoint three (3) new members to the SAC and allow the participants to exercise their rights under section 8.6.1.4;
2. To allow the parties to exercise similar rights as under 8.6.1.4 and select from amongst the members of the BOA who would be prepared to sit at ad hoc arbitrators despite 8.3.1.1;
3. Appoint an independent arbitrator (with formal legal training) to hear the appeal.

Be it resolved that the Board of Administration of the Federation reorder a new hearing into the contest of Garner, Hasinoff, and Chaput v. Wolfe, Dubois, Séguin and Guillaume, presently before the Student Arbitration Committee.

Be it further resolved that the Board of Administration of the Federation relieve the Student Arbitration Committee from the current case and set in place a panel of three directors of the Board of Administration of the Federation to hear the case.

Be it further resolved that Garner, Hasinoff, Chaput select one of three directors on the panel; that Wolfe, Dubois, Séguin, Guillaume select one of the three directors on the panel, and by doing so the parties agree to the decision of the panel; and that the two directors on the panel selected by each party shall decide upon the third director on the panel, whom shall chair the panel.

Be it further resolved that the Board of Administration of the Federation shall choose the final director on the panel, should the directors selected to be on the panel be unable to come to a decision on the third director on the panel.

Be it further resolved that a director on the panel must not be in her own cause, a witness or a representative of the implicated parties.

Be it further resolved that the panel will follow the minimum guidelines to abide by in relation to sections 8.4.2.2 and 8.4.3 of the constitution of the Federation.

Be it further resolved that the full procedure and any rulings in regards to procedure will be agreed upon by a two-thirds vote of the directors on the panel.

Be it further resolved that minutes of all meetings and panel hearings of the meetings shall be voice recorded and released to the public.

Be it further resolved that the panel hearings ensure a positive space, that they are video recorded for public distribution, that they are closed to the general public, and that they are open to the following:
(a) All directors of the Federation, including the executive of the Federation
(b) The chairperson of the board of administration of the Federation
(c) All parties involved in the contest of the elections
(d) Counsel of all parties involved, pursuant to 8.7.1 of the constitution of the Federation
(e) Any witnesses called to the hearing by the parties involved in the contest of the elections
(f) One staff member from “The Fulcrum”
(g) One staff member from “La Rotonde”

Be it further resolved that the decision will be rendered by a two-thirds vote of the directors on the panel.

Be it further resolved that the decision will be rendered as soon as possible.

Be it further resolved that the decision may be appealed within two business days of the decision being rendered by the panel to the board of administration by one of the parties by submitting a request in writing to the chairperson of the Board of Administration of the Federation. The Board of Administration of the Federation may only overturn the decision of the panel by a vote of two-thirds of the directors present. The decision on the appeal is final.

Motion presented by:
Dean Haldenby, President of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa
president@sfuo.ca / 613.808.1393 / 613.562.5800 x4061
March 11, 2009 at 3:00am

Seen in the UCU... Office of the President Elect

Seamus Wolfe had a present waiting for him when he (eventually) got to work today.