Union Hired Position Opportunity: Chief Returning Officer 

 Payment: $250 Honorarium

 

If you are not aware, in a few weeks time nominations will open for the 2012-2013 KSU Executive positions. What are those positions, you may ask? Well, there's me, VP Communications, as well as VP Financial, VP Student Life, VP External, and President. There are also two positions as Board of Governors Representatives. If you are interested in running for any of these positions, or are even considering it, I invite you to read the one of the documents I have attached. It's the KSU Constitution, and outlines the responsibilities of all executive and board of governor positions (if I put it in here all the punctuation will turn to upside down question marks). 

As exciting as all these elections will be, they cannot be organized by current members of the KSU Executive (for obvious reasons). That is why organizing elections on election days, getting people out to vote, making sure nominees follow election procedure, and getting the Elections Committee together to count ballots is the responsibility of the Chief Returning Officer (CRO). The CRO is also not allowed to run for any positions and must remain neutral and impartial to all candidates. 

This is where we come to the "urgent" part. Stephanie Duchon, the elected CRO for the 2011-2012 school year, has resigned from her position in order to run as a candidate in the upcoming election. 

Candidate nominations open on Feb. 3, next Friday. The next week, from Feb. 5 - 9, is for campaigning. Election speeches typically happen on the Tuesday of the next week, with voting on Wednesday and Thursday. This means that the KSU is in urgent need of a CRO to take the helm with the upcoming nominations, campaign week, and election.

Hey folks, the second and last referendum votes are IN! The results are posted below:

 

The results of the KSU Referendum RE: King's Galley, January 15-20th

For: 282 Votes - 75.8%

Against: 87 Votes - 23.4%

Spoiled: 3 Votes - 0.8%

Total votes: 372 - 29.7% of student population

Thanks everyone for voting, even a second time, you are all outstanding individuals who truly value our union's democratic process.  

And with a majority vote, King's students have decided to pass the referendum!

Expect the King's Galley to up and running in the VERY NEAR FUTURE. Mmmm...Java Blend coffee...food from Local Source.. congrats everyone, this was a long haul, but I'm sure we will all find that it was worth it in the end!  

 

 

Message from the CRO

Hello everyone!

As you may or may not have heard, the referendum you voted in last week was deemed void by Council on Sunday. This happened because there was misinformation on the ballot where it read "2011-2012 year."

The new ballot will read:
"BIRT a $14 levy be collected from all full time students of the University of King's College for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years to be used to help fund the King's Galley. BIFRT the King's Students' Union dissolve its $83 380.45 GIC to be used as start up funding for the King's Galley."

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come out and vote in this rereferendum to have your voice heard!

A for/against discussion will be held on Tuesday January 17th in the Wardroom at 7pm. Anyone willing to speak either for or against the question will be welcome to contact me (cro@ksu.ca).

In an effort to allow people time to plan the voting will take place Thursday the 19th and Friday the 20th 9am-5pm outside Prince Hall.


Remember, It is your democratic right to vote in this referendum so come down, vote, and tell your friends!

Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/346238158722475/


Formal Ruling from the Chair of the Union:

Whereas it is impossible to collect a levy for the 2011/2012 academic year, and whereas the question presented to the general membership during the January 11th and 12th referendum was out of order, I hereby declare the results of said referendum to be void.

However, whereas council mandated that the general membership were to have the final say on the question of the canteen, and whereas that mandate has yet to be fullfilled, I hereby direct the Chief Returning Officer to hold another referendum within the next three weeks, following all guidelines laid out in our governing documents considering referenda policy, to resolve the following question:

"BIRT a $14 levy be collected from all full time students of the University of King's College for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years to be used to help fund the King's Galley. BIFRT the King's Students' Union dissolve its $83 380.45 GIC to be used as start up funding for the King's Galley."

Whereas the results of the Jan vote could only hope to interfere with an open and direct discussion of this question, I hereby instruct the Chief Returning Officer to extend the embargo on the Jan. 11th and 12th results until Feb. 5th, 2012.

Sincerely,
David Etherington



Formal apology from the KSU:

Students, Faculty, and King's Community Members,

The energy and excitement we saw around the possibility of a student-run canteen last week was inspiring.  Students voted in astounding numbers at the referendum we held to determine if we could proceed in the process of establishing the King's Galley. That's why it is all the more frustrating to know that we cannot use the referendum results to carry forward -- not yet, at least. On Sunday, the KSU's Chair, David Etherington, ruled the the results of the last referendum are void due to a mistake on the ballot, one that had slipped by unnoticed by almost everyone at King's before it was noticed at the very last minute of voting. For the KSU, elections are foundational and legitimize our institution, and that is why we must re-do a referendum, to occur on Thursday and Friday this week (with an election forum on Tuesday night), with a properly updated referendum question. Not only is it the most procedurally correct way to proceed, it's also the fairest to you -- students deserve the right to have faith in their elections and to know precisely what they are voting for. That being said, I encourage you all to vote this coming week. It would surely be a shame for such a mistake as a typo to jeopardize the possibility of the King's Galley, but if we're going to take on such a major project, we need to make sure we're doing it right.

On behalf of the King's Students' Union, I truly apologize for the inconvenience.

Yours,
Gabe Hoogers

Message from the CRO

Hello everyone!

As you may or may not have heard, the referendum you voted in last week was deemed void by Council on Sunday. This happened because there was misinformation on the ballot where it read "2011-2012 year."

The new ballot will read:
"BIRT a $14 levy be collected from all full time students of the University of King's College for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years to be used to help fund the King's Galley. BIFRT the King's Students' Union dissolve its $83 380.45 GIC to be used as start up funding for the King's Galley."

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come out and vote in this rereferendum to have your voice heard!

A for/against discussion will be held on Tuesday January 17th in the Wardroom at 7pm. Anyone willing to speak either for or against the question will be welcome to contact me (cro@ksu.ca).

In an effort to allow people time to plan the voting will take place Thursday the 19th and Friday the 20th 9am-5pm outside Prince Hall.


Remember, It is your democratic right to vote in this referendum so come down, vote, and tell your friends!

Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/346238158722475/


Formal Ruling from the Chair of the Union:

Whereas it is impossible to collect a levy for the 2011/2012 academic year, and whereas the question presented to the general membership during the January 11th and 12th referendum was out of order, I hereby declare the results of said referendum to be void.

However, whereas council mandated that the general membership were to have the final say on the question of the canteen, and whereas that mandate has yet to be fullfilled, I hereby direct the Chief Returning Officer to hold another referendum within the next three weeks, following all guidelines laid out in our governing documents considering referenda policy, to resolve the following question:

"BIRT a $14 levy be collected from all full time students of the University of King's College for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years to be used to help fund the King's Galley. BIFRT the King's Students' Union dissolve its $83 380.45 GIC to be used as start up funding for the King's Galley."

Whereas the results of the Jan vote could only hope to interfere with an open and direct discussion of this question, I hereby instruct the Chief Returning Officer to extend the embargo on the Jan. 11th and 12th results until Feb. 5th, 2012.

Sincerely,
David Etherington



Formal apology from the KSU:

Students, Faculty, and King's Community Members,

The energy and excitement we saw around the possibility of a student-run canteen last week was inspiring.  Students voted in astounding numbers at the referendum we held to determine if we could proceed in the process of establishing the King's Galley. That's why it is all the more frustrating to know that we cannot use the referendum results to carry forward -- not yet, at least. On Sunday, the KSU's Chair, David Etherington, ruled the the results of the last referendum are void due to a mistake on the ballot, one that had slipped by unnoticed by almost everyone at King's before it was noticed at the very last minute of voting. For the KSU, elections are foundational and legitimize our institution, and that is why we must re-do a referendum, to occur on Thursday and Friday this week (with an election forum on Tuesday night), with a properly updated referendum question. Not only is it the most procedurally correct way to proceed, it's also the fairest to you -- students deserve the right to have faith in their elections and to know precisely what they are voting for. That being said, I encourage you all to vote this coming week. It would surely be a shame for such a mistake as a typo to jeopardize the possibility of the King's Galley, but if we're going to take on such a major project, we need to make sure we're doing it right.

On behalf of the King's Students' Union, I truly apologize for the inconvenience.

Yours,
Gabe Hoogers

Dear Students,

As you may know, the KSU has been in the midst of negotiations with the administration of our university in respect to the new canteen space in the Wardroom. It's been a long semester, we're sure there have been mixed messages and rumors and we are sure you are anxious for an update.  Here is an overview of where we are, and how we got here:

In our first days of the semester, the KSU coordinated a boycott of the Wardroom Canteen, and presented a list of demands to the administration.  These demands were met, and as a result the boycott ended.  The two demands were:
1) To strike an independent committee concerned with food services on campus with student representation.  (There are now three KSU reps on the King's Food Advisory Committee)
2) To allow the King's Students' Union to propose a business plan for the canteen space in the Wardy. (That's why you're reading this)

As a result, the KSU Council formed an ad-hoc committee committee named the KSU Food Advocacy Committee, mandated to advise food student reps and produce a business plan for we hope to call the HMCS King's Galley.

After a month, dozens of meetings, and a town hall, the committee sent representatives to pitch the plan to our President.  The plan included a soft opening in which, had the proposal been accepted, the HMCS King's Galley Canteen would have opened in the first week of December.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the negotiations, finalizing the agreement has taken longer than anticipated, and here we are.  We know how important it is to have a canteen in the Wardroom, and we know, especially at this time of year, the craving for coffee and delicious baked goods are at an all time high. 

This is why we are happy to announce that we have sent President Leavitt and our lawyers our final proposal, and are hopeful that bath parties can reach an agreement as soon as possible.  While we cannot promise anything, we hope to hear the result of our proposal before the end of exam period, as the canteen space in scheduled to open in the new year. 

If you have any questions, comments or queries, I invite you to email the chair of the Food Advocacy Committee, (myself, Anna Dubinski), at slvp@ksu.ca. 

Thank you for your time and support, we will continue to keep you updated,

Best,

Food Advocacy Committee
KSU Council of Students

Thanks for another round of successful KSU elections! Unlike in Ontario, voter turnout was up! We're pleased to announce the results below.

 

First Year Representative

Michaela Sam: 69 votes – 31.7%

Lyon Lay: 56 votes – 25.7%

Parker Cumming: 50 votes – 22.9%

Ben Snair: 43 votes – 19.7%

R.O.N. – 0 votes

Total votes: 218

 

Arts Representative

Dylan Anderson: 250 votes – 79.9%

R.O.N. – 57 – 18.9%

Spoiled: 6 – 1.9%

Total votes: 313

 

Journalism Representative

Jennifer Graham: 64 votes – 83.1%

R.O.N.: 13 votes – 16.9%

Total votes: 77

 

Science Representative

Emilie Novaczek: 24 Votes – 88.9%

R.O.N.: 3 votes – 11.1%

Total votes: 27

 

Member at Large

Stefanie Bliss: 234 votes – 56%

James Shields: 150 votes – 35.9%

R.O.N.: 26 votes – 6.2%

Spoiled: 8 votes – 1.9%

Total votes: 418

 

Total Number of Votes: 418 – 33.6% of all King’s Students 

Last Friday, Omri Haiven and I had a meeting with Nick Hatt (Dean of Residence), Celine Beland (Sodexo Manager), and Dr. Anne Leavitt (President of King’s). At the meeting we submitted the KSU’s list of demands to Sodexo and the Administration with the understanding that should those demands be agreed to, the KSU boycott of Sodexo would come to an end. Those demands are attached here.

I’m happy to report that the meeting was productive and positive. The result is a letter that Dr. Leavitt delivered to me last Friday afternoon. The letter states that a Food Advisory Committee will be struck as soon as possible. Three student representatives will sit on the committee, which will direct and advise contract re-negotiations now, and continue to advise food services on campus well into the future.

Further, the letter affirms that the King’s Students’ Union can assume management of the canteen at the Wardroom as soon as a proper business proposal is submitted. This marks the beginning of student-run food at King’s and is a great leap ahead for the priorities of students on campus. We look forward to implementing the KSU-run canteen as soon as possible.

This is all to say the KSU boycott of Sodexo is a success and that the boycott is now over. Students were heard loud and clear, and our energy and passion carried us to achieve our goals. Our victory ensures that students have, for the first time, a direct voice in food services on campus. This represents a big step for student interests in food services, but there’s still much to be done. We now have a mechanism by which students can affect change in food services, but we still need to continue to work hard to get a food system that works for all of us. This campaign has seen a huge amount of student involvement and passion, and we need to carry that through to ensure that food services cater to students’ needs first and foremost.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone for all their help during this campaign. Most importantly, I’d like to thank Zona, who can now rest assured knowing that though she leaves King’s behind soon, she leaves behind a food system that will work better because she sparked a movement. I thank her for that, and I thank her for everything she’s done over the years to help students.

Proudly yours,
Gabe Hoogers

Last Monday marked the first day of a KSU endorsed boycott of Sodexo services on campus. As a part of the boycott, we urge that as you return to campus, you seek alternatives to the Sodexo canteen in the Wardroom. 

A letter sent to the Sodexo District Manager, Anne McFetridge, notifying her of the boycott, explains our motivations, namely, that Sodexo has been unwilling to respond to the concerns of students: ethical food options remain unavailable, and those with dietary restrictions are often left hungry. Also importantly and very unfortunately, Zona has decided not to return to work for Sodexo this September and will be moving back to Newfoundland. Her reasons for leaving are the result of the way the corporation has treated her over the last several months, and because she was going to be moved to work in the kitchen at least half the time. As many of you know, Zona is beloved on campus, and her departure will be a significant loss to the campus culture of King's. Her removal from the canteen is very much indicative of the way Sodexo has always treated students and their interests.

We must acknowledge that a boycott will not effect Zona's decision to leave, but students have much to gain because of this campaign. A boycott, we hope, will empower students in the lead-up to the 2013 contract renegotiations with Sodexo and give students a guiding voice in that process so that we can address many of the concerns we all have with the way the corporation operates at King's.

We would like to make clear to everyone that this boycott is not meant to target any of the Sodexo staff or management who work at King's. They work hard and try to work with students to better their service and make it work for all. Instead, we're targeting the Sodexo corporation itself. As a part of that, we've sent out a press release this morning that we hope will attract some public attention. 

Most importantly, in order for this campaign to work, we need YOUR help. Educate incoming students (there will be a presentation during frosh week to help with that), talk to your friends, post messages on facebook and twitter, and share your ideas for campaign events so that we can keep this boycott vigorous. 

Thank you so much for your understanding and cooperation. Please don't hesitate to ask questions and raise your concerns.