Controversies Carleton University Students' Association

1 controversies

1.1 anti-choice groups
1.2 shinerama cystic fibrosis controversy

1.2.1 reactions , criticism
1.2.2 subsequent response cusa


1.3 disqualification of president-elect
1.4 2009 cfs referendum petition
1.5 disqualification of vp student services

controversies

there has been discord among carleton student body, of portion view cusa ineffective , self-serving. cusa has been in-and-out of debt several years, adding concerns effective governance of organization.

anti-choice groups

on december 5, 2006, cusa voted 26-6-1-1 (26 in favour, 6 against, 1 abstaining, 1 absent) of becoming officially pro-choice body, , removing of associations support actions claimed anti-choice , drawing critical reactions not pro-life groups, campus groups, such carleton university debating society, claimed cusa stifling open debate. in favour of motion however, defended ensuring women s rights on campus. vote reversed in december 2012.

shinerama cystic fibrosis controversy


moved: donnie northrup

seconded: meera chander

in november 2008, cusa voted drop annual shinerama cystic fibrosis fundraiser, in favour of fundraiser as-yet-undetermined charity, because illness not inclusive enough. shinerama fundraiser held @ universities across canada every fall in support of canadian cystic fibrosis foundation (ccff), first held in 1961; carleton has participated past 25 years , has contributed $1 million cause.

donnie northrup, cusa councillor representing faculty of science, introduced motion stated cystic fibrosis has been revealed affect white people, , men , therefore, inappropriate cusa donate money researching cure. supporters of motion argued orientees , volunteers should feel fundraising efforts serve (sic) diverse communities.

reactions , criticism

the cusa criticized decision since motion did not reveal source of claim cystic fibrosis affects caucasians. in fact, ccff s website states that: disease common in caucasians, can affect races. nick bergamini, cusa council member represents journalism students, stated re playing racial politics supposed bring people - charity. bergamini commented see this, in own twisted way, win diversity. see loss people cystic fibrosis.

cathleen morrison, ceo of ccff, stated in interview ctv news although cystic fibrosis affect caucasian populations primarily, term caucasian includes people south asia, north africa, persian gulf , israel. morrison explained these caucasian populations. these people not have white skin. have cf, seems, in same ratios other caucasian people have white skin. morrison stated cystic fibrosis affects many young girls boys.

jonathan kay, columnist national post, blasted cusa decision. kay stated loopy standards of students governments, has got new low. kay argued cystic fibrosis, although has higher rate of occurrence in caucasian males, affects races , both genders. kay pointed out many charity events raise money breast cancer, though female disease, , tay-sachs, sufferers exclusively jewish. editorial , opinion articles ottawa citizen have condemned cusa s actions editorial declaring when [a student association] ignorant , thoughtless carleton university s did week, country pays attention.

subsequent response cusa

cusa president brittany smyth later stated council has been considering rotating beneficiary of shinerama instead of giving money 1 charity, arguing s people wanting different. smyth said colour of s skin wasn t @ issue; rather, decision made spread university s fundraising efforts other charities. in interview ctv news, smyth stated there discussion issue small. of around switching , doing different change.

cusa released statement on november 26 indicating association s council revisit decision. smyth stated, has become clear there not appetite @ carleton change [shinerama]... responsible thing reverse decision, adding motion never meant imply raising funds cystic fibrosis research not worthwhile cause. smyth announced emergency meeting of cusa s council vote on new motion reinstate charity. unanimous vote @ meeting revoked earlier decision, approved restoration of next year s shinerama campaign , approved publication of apology on matter. donnie northrup, council representative responsible moving original motion cancel shinerama, resigned position @ cusa did councillor, sean maguire. however, on summer of 2009 northrup acclaimed cusa. meeting received petitions demanding resignation of smyth , other councillors, although no actions on these taken.

disqualification of president-elect

on february 13, 2009 bruce kyereh-addo of demand better slate found in violation of consolidated electoral code on multiple counts , subsequently disqualified. date, kyereh-addo s disqualification upheld electoral board.

2009 cfs referendum petition

during 2009-2010 school year, group of students launched petition hold referendum on possible disaffiliation of cusa cfs. stated reasoning referendum counter issues such claimed ineffectiveness of cfs , interference in other university s unions. in press release petitioners stated cfs made no gains lobby group in 30 years of operation. denied cfs.

after several weeks counter petition created try bar issue going university-wide vote, controversially spearheaded several cusa officials. afterward cusa officially endorsed counter-petition vote of 17 in favour, 7 against , 9 abstaining. motion mandates cusa members must advocate in favour of cfs. has attracted more criticism toward cusa students feel should stay neutral , instead try students make informed decision. pro-referendum petition ended garnering on 2300 signatures before submission cfs offices in toronto. despite being hand-delivered bailiff, cfs have stated did not receive petition. referendum @ carleton had been held in 1995, on possibility of joining newly formed canadian alliance of student associations (casa), lost narrowly.

disqualification of vp student services

in 2016, ashley courchene, third year political science major, ran vice president student services under slate change. after winning election 21 votes, chief electoral officer (ceo) matt swain disqualified change slate due serious infraction assistant manager ahmad gitteh , presidential candidate abdul jabar, led ashley courchene s disqualification. mr. courchene appealed disqualification electoral board. carleton appealed constitutional board.(which overrides electoral board) mr. courchene went ontario superior court, reinstated him position of vpss. neither cusa nor carleton appealed court s decision.