Spread the Word Changes to Election Process, Hires CRO Giorgio Berbatiotis the Chronicle
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See Hedley on page 25 See Hawks on page 32 Read online at @DCUOITChronicle chronicle.durhamcollege.ca VOLUME XLI, ISSUE 14 MARCH 11, 2014 SA makes Spread the word changes to election process, hires CRO Giorgio Berbatiotis The Chronicle ith little fanfare or explana- tion, the Student Association Whas unrolled a series of major changes to election policies and proce- dures. Some seem to follow guidelines set out by the York Federation of Stu- dents. Bradley Chin, who has recently EHHQ FRQ¿UPHG DV WKH FKLHI UHWXUQLQJ RI¿FHUUHVSRQVLEOHIRUUXQQLQJWKHHOHF- tions this year, ran elections at York U this year as well. There he was criticized for allowing a violation of the election policy, and elections, like at many other Sarah Pugsley campuses, were plagued by low voter turnout. SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD: Arien and Neela Rafati sign their names to the Changes to section 5.2.12 of the elec- “End the R-Word” movement , a campaign that asks people to stop saying the R-word as a start- tion policy mean the election committee ing point towards creating more accepting attitude and communities for all people. now holds the power to disqualify any candidate for virtually any infraction, and no longer is that power checked autonomously from any external or Judson, a long-time SA staffer. bylaw, apparently unique to DC/UOIT by the SA board. This means the elec- 6WXGHQW $VVRFLDWLRQ LQÀXHQFHV´ ZKLFK Furthermore, the full hiring com- and York U, which made Skvirsky chair tion committee, chaired by new ex- means the election policy changes, to- mittee, according to Skvirsky, had been of the election committee in perpetuity. ecutive director Dina Skvirsky, would gether with the presence of former YFS involved in an earlier hiring process In the past, Skvirsky has insisted there have a much easier time disqualifying staffers making election-related deci- and picked another candidate as CRO. LVQRFRQÀLFWRILQWHUHVWLQFXUUHQWHOHF- candidates. Another major change to sions at the SA, could be considered That CRO withdrew before accepting tion committee structure. the elections this year is the replacing problematic. The York Federation of the position for reasons the SA did not The paper ballot system is another of the electronic voting systems widely Students is one of the largest unions in reveal. When a second posting was put YFS policy that was strongly criticized used on other campuses with the much the Canadian Federation of Students, up, Skvirsky says none of the other can- in the ombudsmen’s 2010 report, and more uncommon paper ballot system. which has been accused in the past of didates reapplied, so she hired Chin, the our new system will operate in near 2WKHU VLJQL¿FDQW FKDQJHV LQFOXGH PD- interfering in student elections and dis- only person to apply for the position the identical fashion. In his report to the jor changes to section 7.2, which regu- regarding democratic processes. YFS second time. The SA did not reach out YFS, the then CRO noted that “York U lates the platforms of candidates. The employed Skvirsky, a vocal supporter WRWKHRULJLQDODSSOLFDQWVIURPWKH¿UVW is one of the only universities to still use CRO is no longer required to approve of CFS, before she came here. Skvirsky round. a paper ballot system.” The ombuds- platforms, and section 7.2.3 has been replaced former executive director Kelly In 2010, an ombudsman at York U man’s report recommended a return to eliminated completely from the policy. Morrison, who had worked with the SA was asked to investigate after allega- electronic voting, noting that the pa- 6HFWLRQUHTXLUHGFDQGLGDWHVWR¿OO for over a decade and was “terminated tions that the then-CRO was biased in per ballots led to accusations of certain out a form outlining their platform, to without cause” at the beginning of the the politics on campus, and that election voters receiving extra ballots, incorrect be visibly posted at polling stations for year. This termination “without cause” policy there gave an unfair advantage to ballots, and concerns that ballots and students to review. This means there is of a long-time employee cost students well-connected and established student ballot boxes were being tampered with. no requirement to make the candidates’ over $60,000, not including any undis- politicians. This happened after a slew The SA did not acknowledge or explain platforms available at polling stations FORVHGOHJDOIHHVZLWKQRRI¿FLDOUHDVRQ of opposition candidates were disquali- this or the other changes in any of their for students to read before voting. JLYHQIRUWKH¿ULQJDQGQRH[SODQDWLRQ ¿HG7KHRPEXGVPDQGHFULHGVRPHRI announcements regarding the elections, Josh Bickle, a former SA executive of how Skvirsky was chosen as interim. the very policies the SA has now imple- announcing only one change on the who is currently running for Oshawa Chin was also hired under unusual mented. election page: candidates can now run city council, and has participated in 5 SA circumstances. Multiple students on Firstly, the ombudsman criticized as a slate. elections in the past, characterized the the election committee said they had no having a staff member as election chair. ,QWKHSDVWVWDIIHUVDW&)6DI¿OLDWHG changes as bizarre. He was surprised by involvement in Chin’s hiring, and Kyle “Assigning [the role of the election com- unions have been accused of orchestrat- the many unannounced changes, saying, Kellar, the only student representative mittee chair] to the executive director ing or interfering in electoral campaigns “If the Student Association was look- on the hiring committee for the CRO, is unique to the YFS system,” he said. from behind the scenes, to ensure victo- ing for a way to ensure that they were says he never reviewed Chin’s applica- ³7KHUHLVDGLUHFWFRQÀLFWRILQWHUHVWLQ ULHVEHQH¿FLDOWRWKHRUJDQL]DWLRQ putting more barriers into the election tion before his hiring, and was not at all having the executive director serving as process and disengaging students even involved in the hiring process. Skvirsky chair of the electoral process that is re- more, then they have succeeded.” conceded there was no student involve- sponsible for selecting, in effect, his or According to election bylaw 5.2, the ment in the hiring of the CRO, who she her employer.” A major change to our See CRO on page 2 election committee is supposed to “act says was hired by herself and Donna SA election policy this year was the new 2 The Chronicle March 11, 2014 Campus Students eligible for board position Christopher their peers to nominate them. Burrows According to Clark, mem- The Chronicle bers of the board are respon- sible for setting the strategic If you’re a full-time Durham plan of the college, hiring the College student or are part of president and reviewing and the administrative staff, and DSSURYLQJVLJQL¿FDQWGHFLVLRQV you want to take a bigger role in for the college. Members are the governance of the college, also expected to be on at least then you’re in luck. Beginning one of the standing committees in March, the college board of WKDWLQFOXGHDXGLWDQG¿QDQFH governors will be holding elec- governance review and nomi- tions for a student governor nations. and an administrative staff “I would highly recom- governor. mend this opportunity to any “It’s a very important role,” of my administrative staff col- says Jennifer Clark, corporate leagues,” Judith Spring, dean and board secretary for the of- of the school of Business, IT ¿FHRIWKHSUHVLGHQW&ODUNDOVR and Management and outgo- said this is a wonderful way for ing administrative staff board a student or employee to get member, said in an email. “It is an overview of the college, and an excellent opportunity to ex- to see what opportunities and pand your role and participate challenges the college faces. in the governance of Durham Information for the elec- College which, in my opinion, is Christopher Burrows tions can be found on the Dur- the best college in the system.” ham College website, in the Spring is currently in her governance section. Nomina- VHFRQG DQG ¿QDO WKUHH\HDU REPRESENTING THE STUDENTS: First-year 9-1-1 Dispatch students Emily tions for the administrative term on the board. Student White (L) and Sydney Lindo admire the board of governors plaque outside the staff position open at 8:30 a.m. representatives are elected for SUHVLGHQW·VRIÀFH$VIXOOWLPH'XUKDP&ROOHJHVWXGHQWVERWKKDYHWKHRSSRUWX- on March 10, and will remain one year with the opportunity QLW\WRUXQIRUWKHVWXGHQWUHSUHVHQWDWLYHSRVLWLRQRQWKHERDUG open until March 14 at 4:30 to be elected for a second year. p.m. For the student position, “I have certainly liked being that are introduced at Durham During this election period, of governors, and one for the nominations start March 31 at involved in (the) supporting College must receive board ap- Clark wants to remind stu- Student Association, and she 8:30 a.m. and run until April 4 GHFLVLRQV WKDW ZHUH EHQH¿FLDO proval. I was also involved in dents that there are two sepa- says it’s important for students at 4:30 p.m. Anyone interested to our students,” Spring said. the decision to hire Don Lovisa rate elections taking place on to know the difference between LQUXQQLQJQHHGVDWOHDVW¿YHRI “For instance, all new programs as president.” campus, the one for the board the two. SA hires new CRO Man charged in being controlled behind the tee members to act impartially. Continued from page 1 scenes. She explained she felt In the past, the president has she was only brought on board claimed that Skvirsky and a shooting death Alastair Woods, the current for the appearance of ethnic di- handful of “student politicians” CFS-Ontario chair, was ac- versity. were leading the SA behind the cused last year by U of T stu- All this follows recent allega- scenes.