“You Should Pay Attention, Concordia”

CSU Executive Resigns With Letter Warning Students

NewsCorey Pool — Published September 30, 2012 | Updated October 1, 2012 at 12:46pm

Click here to read an update on this story.

After a long and drawn out saga, Concordia Student Union VP Academic and Advocacy Lucia Gallardo has officially resigned from her position.

During this year’s first regular council meeting on Sept. 19 it was announced that Gallardo was not a student, following a Student Status Verification Report. A majority of council voted for her immediate resignation, yet Gallardo still applied for late registration, asking council to reconsider.

“While I have not yet received the results of my late registration application, and could very well be a registered student on Monday, the manner in which this whole situation has played out has shown me a side to the CSU that I can no longer be a part of,” wrote Gallardo.

The letter, which was released to The Link late Sunday night, is openly critical of the CSU–specifically of a handful of councillors that have fought to have Gallardo removed, and addresses an issue of division within the student union.

“What is currently happening at CSU Council is a disservice to students,” the letter continues. “It is disappointing to see the blatant disregard for the student body and the money it pays its union, for weekly Special Council Meetings full of personal hidden agendas.”

“What is currently happening at CSU Council is a disservice to students,” writes Gallardo. “It is disappointing to see the blatant disregard for the student body and the money it pays its union, for weekly Special Council Meetings full of personal hidden agendas.”

Gallardo mentions several councilors in her letter by name, including Chad Walcott, Gonzo Nieto, Laura Glover and Melissa Kate Wheeler, criticizing their handling of her situation while warning students of their involvement with last year’s executive, alleging them of disregarding CSU Standing Regulations, and conspiring against her.

“You should pay attention Concordia,” writes Gallardo. “Because half of last year’s executives sit on this year’s Council, and demand answers without asking questions, take up seats on committees that prevent newly involved students to take up that chance, try to place their old president [Lex Gill] on the Board of Governors even after their year is over.”

During a Special Council Meeting on Sept. 26 that was forced into approximately two hours of closed session, it was discovered that Gallardo had not been receiving pay from the CSU, but instead choosing to be paid by the Honduras Consulate.

Glover proposed a motion that was adopted that would see the executive produce a report on the legality of this situation by Oct .3, due to a lack of clear bylaws.

More to Come.