concordia’s independent newspaper shah of the office since 1980 • News 5 Pakistani students clash over religious scholar • News 4 volume 31, issue 3 • tuesday, august 31, 2010 • thelinknewspaper.ca volume 31, issue 3 • tuesday, 10 FRINGE ARTS 12 FEATURES 13LITERARY ARTS 14 SPORTS 16 OPINIONS CFS: NATIONAL LOBBY GROUP GETS TOUGH WITH STUDENT UNIONS President Lucas takes office New Concordia Student Union president doesn’t believe in ‘half-assing it’ • CHRISTOPHER CURTIS Heather Lucas has already made her mark on the Concordia Student Union’s presidential of- fice. After taking over as CSU presi- dent when Prince Ralph Osei’s res- ignation took effect on Aug. 25, Lucas gradually plastered her new office in Post-It notes. Dozens of the fluorescent, color-coded squares now cling to picture frames, cork boards, a computer screen and an assortment of other office supplies. “I definitely have a different leadership style [than Osei],” said Lucas. “I’m a little more organized, a little more structured—and I’m not saying [Osei] wasn’t—there is just a higher level of work ethic I expect from the other executives because I don’t believe in half-ass- CSU President Heather Lucas believes Quebec University students could strike during the 2011-2012 school year. PHOTO GAUL PORAT ing things.” Lucas is still learning the ropes it’s the situation at hand. These ap- a series of accounting reforms de- tration as long as they support tu- something they can connect to,” at her new job, but the former VP pointments all happened within signed to correct sloppy account- ition increases,” said Lucas. “Que- said Lucas. “Concordia is an ethni- Services is also carrying out her old our bylaws. I don’t think it hurts ing practices that resulted in about bec’s tuition is affordable because cally diverse school and we’ve ad- duties while a replacement is being [the CSU’s] credibility,” said $15,000 of misplaced funds dur- of [the province’s] student move- dressed that with an ethnically trained. In addition to having the Lucas. ing the 2008-2009 term. ment. And we intend to keep it that diverse executive. Our referendum tall order of campaign promises to The neo-liberal Republican The new CSU President, a self way. We’ll go to every protest we to build a student center didn’t fulfill, including the fight against described Republican, has had to can and get as many students be- pass, but we want to keep pressing impending tuition increases, this Lucas arrived at Concordia divorce her personal politics from hind us as possible.” for one. Students need a place of year’s CSU executive has gone University three years ago after her slate’s left leaning platform. When asked about the possibil- their own on campus.” through an elaborate shuffle. transferring from the University of “My personal beliefs will not ity of a student strike, Lucas said it With her plate already full, In April, newly elected VP Fi- California’s Riverside campus. She have an effect on what the students was “unlikely” for the coming Lucas will also face obstacles nance Nikki Tsoflikis left her post. was born in Texas but Lucas spent want,” said Lucas. “Who cares school year. within her own student govern- Zhuo Ling, who was elected to most of her life travelling the globe what party I’m a part of? I’m here “There’s a very high possibility ment. After former CSU President serve as a John Molson School of with her father, who works as an to do what the students want me to of a student strike in 2011,” contin- Osei’s presidential decree author- Business Senator, was then ap- engineer for Boeing. do, whether it’s marching down ued Lucas. “There’s not much else izing a loan of $45,000 to the Con- pointed to replace Tsoflikis. “I grew up in Asia,” said Lucas. the streets or doing something we can do within the confines of cordia Volunteer Abroad Program Lucas vacated her post on Aug. “I lived in Japan, Singapore and in crazy that I ideologically disagree government. If we all chose to was only openly opposed by one 25 when she took Osei’s place, the Philippines. I also lived in San with.” strike at the same time there won’t CSU Councilor, a number of coun- leaving a vacancy at VP Services. Francisco and Los Angeles. I have Forcasting a student strike be any students to pay tuition. cilors allegedly voiced silent oppo- The Link has since learned that a diverse background and I’m ba- That will force a compromise.” sition to the decree after it was Arts and Science Senator Georges sically able to get along with any- On Aug. 30, Lucas met with Perhaps Lucas’ biggest chal- endorsed at an Aug. 23 meeting. Alexandar will likely be filling that one.” Concordia University President lenge will be mobilizing the stu- “I think they’re new and unfa- vacancy. As a result of these After her first year at Concor- Judith Woodsworth to discuss dent body, as less than 10 per cent miliar with Robert’s Rules of changes, nearly half of the CSU ex- dia, Lucas was elected VP Internal Woodsworth’s proposed tuition of Concordia students turned out Order. They could also be shy and ecutives were not elected to their for the Arts and Science Federa- increases. to vote in March’s CSU general we’ll work on that,” said Lucas as current positions. tion of Associations’. During her “I made it clear that we will elections. she scribbled a note onto a Post-It “It’s not an ideal situation, but term as VP Internal, ASFA passed fight against her and the adminis- “We need to give students and stuck it to her desk. 04 news the link • august 31, 2010 • thelinknewspaper.ca/news Pakistani Student Association shaken by resignations Two VPs resign and accuse president of religious discrimination for blocking speaker • CHRISTOPHER CURTIS themselves Muslims, using the do with Ahmed’s religion. ber of the CCMW, has a hard time me I would get what was coming Earlier this month, two Pak- traditional Islamic greeting or “I respect [Ahmed’s] religion,” believing Aziz’s cancelation was to me later in life.” istani Student Association VPs re- publishing religious materials. he said. “These allegations are just for security reasons. The second email, written on signed from their posts accusing On May 28, suicide bombers personal attacks against me. I can- “[Former PSA VP] Sana Khalil Aug. 5, was a letter of resignation. the association’s president of reli- attacked two Ahmadi mosques in celled the event because of secu- called me and asked me if Ahmed The following day, Khalil resigned gious discrimination. Pakistan, killing nearly 100 peo- rity reasons. We booked the event was an Ahmadiyya Muslim,” said as well. In July, the PSA along with the ple. at the last minute and didn’t fol- Ashraf. “I said yes, but that doesn’t The CSU VP contends that nei- Canadian Council for Muslim “Aziz told me it would be un- low the right security procedures. matter because this is about edu- ther resignation was due to reli- Women booked Durre Ahmed—a ethical to allow a non-Muslim to Ask anyone at the Concordia Stu- cation, not religion. Then she told gious discrimination. religious scholar, author and lec- speak about Islam,” said Sana dent Union.” me that President Aziz wanted to “One of the executives resigned turer—to speak at Concordia Uni- Khalil, the former PSA VP Inter- Aziz consulted with CSU VP know what sect of Islam she was because the PSA is really busy versity. nal, who resigned due to the can- Clubs and Outreach Ramy Khori- from. After he found out, he can- right now,” said Khoriaty. “The “Dr. Ahmed was scheduled to cellation. “That kind of narrow aty a few days before the event. celled the event on Facebook say- other because she had to move speak at Java U [on Aug. 5],” said mindedness is very sad to me.” “I asked [Aziz] if there would ing it was because Ahmed could away.” Saad Sarfriz, one of the PSA VPs Despite the PSA’s last minute be any security problems a few not make it to Montreal. That was On Aug. 30, The Link obtained who resigned. “Just a few days be- cancellation, Ahmed spoke at the days before the event,” said Kho- a lie.” a copy of Khalil’s resignation let- fore, [PSA President Yassir] Aziz Java U in Concordia’s Hall build- riaty. “He said no. A few days later Ashraf called Concordia Secu- ter. In the letter Khalil wrote that found out that she is an Ah- ing on Aug. 5. The CCMW hosted he came back and said there rity on the morning of the talk to she decided to leave the PSA be- madiyya Muslim. The night before the event without Aziz’s support would be a risk of [violence]. I told ensure that security would be at cause it was “full of intolerance for the event, around 11 p.m., Aziz but Sarfriz said the PSA’s attempt him the PSA couldn’t host the the event. The speech was held other religious views.” cancelled the speech without con- to cancel the event negatively af- event but the CCMW could. We without incident. Khalil is now living in Ottawa sulting with me. Aziz and [PSA VP fected turnout. can’t run the risk of a Concordia After Ahmed’s speech, former studying for her Masters in Social External] Mohammad Malik told “We were expecting over 100 club being liable if something bad PSA VP Sarfriz wrote two emails Work.