Bylaws for Undergrads: What the Rules Represent

NewsLaura Beeston — Published September 6, 2011

There are major, imminent changes to the Concordia Bylaws and Charter over the next few months that will affect the undergraduate student representation. Here is what will be reported to the Board of Governors on Sept. 28.

Undergraduate Representation:
Article 23 (g): This is by far the most contentious article of all the recommendations for students, as undergraduate representation goes from four members down to only one, despite Concordia undergraduates—at 30,000 plus strong—accounting for the largest demographic of the campus community. As a point of comparison, the graduate students will maintain their single Board representative, despite having approximately one tenth as many students.

The Alternate Governor:
The committee has proposed, however, that the CSU may nominate an undergrad student as an “Alternate Governor,” who will stand in for the other undergrad rep in cases of their absence. This member shall have the right to be present but not to speak at all regular and special meetings as well as in closed sessions.

They will also be considered as an internal Governor, with voting and speaking powers, as a member on the Standing Committees of the Board.

The New President:
Article 53 (h): The Board’s Human Resources Committee has been given the mandate to put together a profile on what to look for in a new president. While who will take over from current Interim President Frederick Lowy is not yet clear, the selection process has already included the larger Concordia community. Board Chair Peter Kruyt sent out a mass e-mail in August soliciting nominations and ideas on who should fill the position. You can fill that out until Sept. 16 at surveymonkey.com/s/H7GZVJN

Staff, faculty and students are encouraged to send written comments about the recommendations to danielle.tessier@concordia.ca.

This article originally appeared in Volume 32, Issue 02, published September 6, 2011.