Letter: Vote Yes to ASFA Referendum

LettersIan Campbell — Published March 7, 2016 | Updated March 8, 2016 at 4:55am

On March 15, 16 and 17 there will be a referendum to decide whether or not ASFA should be subject to massive institutional restructuring. Everyone should vote “yes.”

The proposed changes would see ASFA reduced in size and headed by fewer executives with more clearly defined mandates, and with the goal of being able support the autonomy and interests of the student associations they represent.

The plethora of problems associated with ASFA are both deeply embedded and diverse in nature, ranging from cantankerous and unproductive council meetings, to the condoning of sexist and racist conduct. One might justifiably add many more. However, some might perceive these things as problems not to be solved with a hasty referendum.

So what is voting against this referendum is supporting?

By keeping ASFA the way it is we are further entrenching institutional practices, which fail to represent student interests, perpetuate unaccountability, and have no clear direction.

These practices actively violate student academic interests and the welfare students are supposed to derive from having a student organization. These are not the characteristics of a representative institution, they are the characteristics of a tyrannical club, depraved and perverted with power.

Despicable enough to willingly use its students as nothing more than a means to deriving income, to be tapped in order to fund extravagant parties, parties organized with a complete disregard for consent or any other sexual violence.

Having fewer executives and committees that are mandated to listening to students and fostering the autonomy of the student associations representing each department is a step away from the toxic mess that is ASFA.

Next week the students of Arts and Science will decide, and only voting “yes” will move us forward. Voting “no” will ensure that ASFA remains unapologetically opposed to the well-being of the students it represents, and indifferent to the problems of the past.

I hope students will restructure the decrepit institution that is ASFA, and to the disdain of the old guard that stood by and help perpetrate the vulgar policies and practices of the past, and who now pathetically veil their contempt for students well-being with accusations that the referendum is “overly simplistic,” “hasn’t been thought through,” or “hasn’t taken everyone’s opinion into account.”

I have faith that next week students will rise above this deception, restructure ASFA and take it away from the tyrants.

—Ian Campbell