Vote For Real Action

LettersNadia Hausfather — Published March 29, 2011

Action does not mean taking fancy mug shots of yourself at a protest that you didn’t even bother to join other Concordia students for, nor does Action mean encouraging students to protest without explaining why or how.

Action is hard work. It requires hours of research, education, preparation and organization for it to be meaningful and effective.

Real action is demonstrated through the tactics with which Your Concordia has run their campaign. Their tactics speak to a change in the way the CSU runs, showing action in practice before elections have even taken place, by actively publicizing, listening and responding to students’ concerns.

Real action is illustrated by the solid group of Your Concordia executives: Scanning hundreds of students’ comments, creating diverse videos that don’t rely on propaganda or clichés, but that focus on information, education and critical thought and ideas.

Real action is exemplified by Irmak Bahar. She coordinated and presented the original petition for the CSU Special General Meeting. She created the volunteer lists for WHALE. Rewind further back, and you’ll find out a few more secrets about Irmak. Since last year she has been fighting for quality, accessible education and has taken initiative that is more than admirable with no credit, and sacrificed a heck of a lot of her personal life.

Real action is demonstrated by Laura Beach. It is hard to find someone more committed to transparency, accountability and the proper representation of students on the Board of Governors. She has been volunteering with TAPthirst since 2007, campaigning for student inclusion in the decision-making processes around Concordia’s controversial exclusivity contract with Pepsi.

Real action is experienced by Eva-Loan Ponton, who has been involved in the struggle against tuition increase since her time in CEGEP.

Real action means that for the first time in a decade, a CSU election doesn’t have to be a choice between unsure and uncertain, but a choice between a status quo that’s failed to address student interests, and a meaningful change with the demonstrated competence, creativity and courage to not only take —but inspire —action.

Real action is not for the money or fame: It is done without credit simply because it’s important, as Alex Matak and Kelly Pennington have shown for months now.

If you believe in action, do it the right way: Vote independent candidates Alex Matak and Kelly Pennington and Your Concordia Executive and candidates.

— Nadia Hausfather,
Councillor-elect,
Graduate Students’ Association

This article originally appeared in Volume 31, Issue 28, published March 29, 2011.