Letter
Strike Three
In order to empower students to organize Special General Meetings without having to rely on executives or administration, as of March 1, 2012, the Concordia Student Union was forced to change quorum from 2.5 per cent to 450 students (effectually, at this time, 1.25 per cent).
While changing quorum was previously against the bylaws, this was altered during the November referendum—finally allowing for quick and easy political decisions to be made here at Concordia University. Strike one.
Due to our “uniquely” apathetic student body, only three rooms could be booked between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on March 7.
Usually votes span over the course of three days, yet for something so high-priority it became apparent that we, the student body, needed to act with approximation and immediacy.
Rather than combating student apathy—much like the move to halve quorum—the CSU hurriedly executed the best plan they could come up with: four rooms bridged by shoddy technology, which unexpectedly presented more difficulties than solutions. Strike two.
So the overflow was guided to assemble in the library, where AJ West—who looks to ensure students’ “integrity and accountability”—repeated how “surprised” he was at the turnout.
Where’d the apathy go all of a sudden?
In total, 2,128 people were able to register to vote, though only 1,726 placards were counted. ( That leaves nearly 400 votes unresolved.) Some are left wondering why, others followed VP External Chad Walcott’s directive to “shut up.”
Strike three?
Although concern was expressed for part-time students—students still obliged to attend class—these inconveniences were apologized for and put aside.
Thankfully, those who missed out on the presentation are invited to read all about it in Concordia media—such as The Link, a publication that has no qualms with being subsidized through student tuition.
Though readers may feel misled at times, caught between “op-ed” and “news-news,” Editor-in-Chief Laura Beeston warns on Twitter, “Well, if you don’t like reading [The Link ]… there are plenty of options out there.” Home run!
Going on strike from March 15 to March 22 eats into the CSU elections campaign—but who cares. Certainly not me, the student body I belong to, nor those elected to represent us.
—Jack Allen
BA Honours English & Creative Writing
