Editorial

We Can Do Better

OpinionsJustin Giovannetti — Published November 23, 2010

In coffee shops from St. Henri to the Plateau, the discussion has centered this weekend around one topic, muttered in the open and inviting debate: the student centre.

“What is the building about? Did you hear the cost? Where is it?” Students have been asking those questions and more in the company of friends.

The whole affair is wonderful.

On Thursday I watched as two students without a political past put sharpies to paper and created political propaganda. Earlier the same week, two graduating students with no interest in political office were going from class to class telling students to vote No to a $50 million investment done without enough details. At the same time, the Hall building’s 12th floor was plastered with posters telling students to vote No.

This is true democracy. It is organic, it is unpredictable and it is exciting.

At this time it seems like five groups are running No campaigns, but who can be sure? Juxtaposed with this flowering student debate and engagement is the Concordia Student Union and its engagement in this campaign. With the CSU having taken on the Yes campaign for itself, some have called this election a scandal.

The Chief Electoral Officer and the CSU’s Judicial Board will be under pressure over the next few weeks to throw this election out. If they ask for my opinion, I will side with the view that too many rules have been broken over the past two week to qualify this vote as fair.

While I have spoken to Adrien Severyns, the CSU’s VP External & Projects, about this vote extensively and I can attest that he ran his campaign without malice, the overburdened poster boards speak for themselves.

The vote, based on Concordia’s rules for referendum questions, is illegal in virtue of the rules that were broken.

The question, where the rhetoric of 50 cents has found such a cozy home, is misleading. While I understand the need to minimize sticker shock, students will be paying $4.50 per credit within five semesters if the question passes—a far cry from 50 cents.

The Faubourg itself is questionable as a venue for students. Anyone who has sat through a class in the mall’s basement during the winter will attest to how cold it gets. Questions of asbestos and the flooding of the structure earlier this year remain unanswered. Students could very well be buying a $50 million lemon.

While Severyns has been quick to point out that students will control the building, the contract CSU President Keyana Kashfi, his conflict-prone predecessor, signed with Concordia’s administration leaves much to be desired.

In many ways, this whole project just seems a little dated. Instead of investing in a giant building that invites giant investment, giant external influence and, perhaps, giant misconduct, why don’t we dream at a more human scale?

Why don’t we buy or build a constellation of buildings, instead of a centre? I have a name for it: student space. A building or two with study space, one with clubs space, and another for sustainable startups. As much or as little space as students need.

Instead of retreating to a downtrodden mall, why don’t we populate Quartier Concordia with…students?

Make up your own mind about how you vote this week, but I think we can do better. Don’t you?

—Justin Giovanetti,
Editor-in-chief

This article originally appeared in Volume 31, Issue 15, published November 23, 2010.