www.TheReflector.ca FREE November 27, 2008 …See pg. 2 Full SAMRC Let’s talk Bright, Lady ballers byelection about sex Arts bright, shooting News coverage baby! Twilight Sports for first Features 3 7 11 15 A costly election Student fees will pay $65,000 in legal costs over SA election dispute by Rachel Maclean The Reflector The Students’ Association Footing of Mount Royal College will have to fork out approximately $65,000 of students’ money the bill because of disputes over last spring’s election. Arbitration costs: Matt Koczkur, VP external, said the numbers are not $10,000 finalized but the SA will have to pay $10,000 to an arbitrator, approximately $25,000 for SA legal fees, and approximately SA legal fees: $25,000 for arbitration applicants’ legal fees. $25,000 This comes after nine months of an arbitration case over the disqualification of Liz McKeown and Travis McIntosh Applicants’ legal fees: NEWS EDITOR: in the 2008 spring executive Alan Mattson election. The arbitrator, $25,000 [email protected] Jim McCartney, found in accordance with the Alberta Arbitration Act that McKeown and McIntosh were wrongly Byelection costs: November 27, 2008 disqualified, the SA is required to pay for the arbitration and $5,000 the applicants’ legal fees, the award decision would be posted on the SA website, and Total: there would be a byelection BRIEFS for the executive posts of president and VP student life. $65,000 “These are very complicated Photo illustration by Alan Mattson issues, with a lot of variables,” *All numbers approximate r. Frances Koczkur said, “and in the end Students can vote in the SAMRC byelection poll near the DWiddowson, a there were mistakes made West Gate enterance on Dec. 2 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mount Royal policy on the part of the (Chief studies instructor, Returning Officer) and the arbitration. asked them to give up their been incurred by the Students’ Association during this whole will speak about her appeal board share and how “It was pretty ridiculous jobs. they were governing the that it took so long,” Rothery “The people who stood process.” controversial book process. So we are very much said. “It could have already to lose were making the Rothery believes this process Disrobing the Aboriginal taking it seriously and we been resolved and saved so decisions,” Rothery said. of arbitration represents deep, Industry at a forum on have nothing but the intention much time and money. And “So there was a conflict of ongoing systemic problems Dec. 1. In the book, she of addressing the problems now there will be back-to- interest.” with the SA. “We felt we had a really challenges the “romantic highlighted by the arbitrator.” back elections, one now and At the byelection debate on Tami Rothery, a former one in (the spring), which is Nov. 24, McKeown and Smith strong case,” Rothery said. “We mythology” of an VP student life, explained confusing for students.” were asked how they felt about told them if they wanted to advanced native culture that the process started After appealing to the the arbitration costs. save the cost of the arbitrator before Europeans when she created a Facebook CRO and chair of the appeal “I am very sad that this and lawyer costs all they had arrived in North page, which led to the board on the disqualification, didn’t end many, many to do was hold a byelection.” Rothery is very pleased with America. The forum will Chief Returning Officer Rothery told the SA the months ago,” McKeown said. Jim Robertson’s decision appellants would seek “Hopefully the Students’ the result of the arbitration be held in the Jenkins to disqualify candidates. arbitration. She believes Association will move forward and hopes the new outcome Theatre from 1 p.m. to 3 Rothery said she and the other the arbitration went ahead and learn from its mistakes so allows students to be more p.m. applicants of the arbitration because the decision-making that no more student revenue engaged in the SA processes — McIntosh and McKeown process inside the SA was is wasted in this way.” and what the SA does with students’ money. odeo is now the — gave the SA plenty of flawed, with Jeff Agnew and Smith said she was opportunity to stop the Kourtney Smith both involved “disappointed, just because of Koczkur said CRO Robertson Rofficial sport process before and during the in a decision that essentially the time and costs that have and appeal board chair Erin of Alberta. The Ludwig have resigned and provincial legislature will be replaced for the new overwhelmingly passed byelection coming up on Dec. Get out and vote! 2. He also reported the SA is Liberal leader Kevin trying to be as “cost effective Taft’s motion on Nov. 24. Every credit student is a Online voting In-person voting Monday, Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. to Monday, Dec. 1 — 10 a.m. as possible.” The byelection “No other sport carries member of the Students’ will cost the SA $5,000 to Association and can vote Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. such a deep connection Voting online takes seconds. Tuesday, Dec. 2 — 10 a.m. administer for staffing and online or in person. Election communication. to our province’s land day is Tuesday, Dec. 2. all you need is your name to 5 p.m. and wildlife,” Taft said. and student ID number. The polling station is located www.samrc.com at the West Gate Entrance See MONEY pg. 5 ozens of students Dacross Calgary were Late February February 26 suspended after “Kick a Former VP Student Life Tami Rothery creates a Facebook page called Robertson emails Rothery asking about her involvement in Ginger” day on Nov. 20. “I’m voting for Travis, Liz, Matt, and Marie—the dream team!” Presidential the campaign, and she replies that she’s a “regular student” Inspired by a South Park candidate Travis McIntosh and VP External Matt Koczkur both join the group, after years of involvement in campaigns. The CRO decides to but VP Student Life candidate Liz McKeown and VP Academic candidate Marie investigate. episode and subsequent Barnes do not. Facebook group, the students assaulted their SA Arbitration timeline February 25 redheaded peers. Candidate Jeff Agnew emails Chief Returning Officer Jim Robertson, complaining about the group. “It appears like a slate since a few of the candidates in the name of the group have joined,” Agnew wrote. Running as a slate of candidates is prohibited under the SAMRC’s election bylaws. November 27, 2008 • THE REFLECTOR 3 On the trail Candidates go door-to-door to spread their message Dylan Clarkson — presidential candidate Standing in the Liberty Lounge as a “The biggest thing I have heard people bouncer for the past three years, Dylan rage about is how expensive it is,” said Clarkson has seen Students’ Association Clarkson. “I’ve had people tell me they can’t politics at its best. go to the bar because they are getting killed “I’ve worked in the bar, and that is where on tuition.” real politics happen,” said Clarkson. “That’s Personally, Clarkson holds three jobs where everyone after a couple of beers himself to get him through school, along tells you what is really happening…. I have with planning for his journalism internship. listened to those people and I have learned a He also believes that student council lot through them.” meetings are too long and more efficiency is In his third year of studying journalism needed in the SA, which is what he plans to here at the college, this will be Clarkson’s bring to the table. first attempt to join student politics as he “If you’re afraid of offending people or runs for the position of president in the being liked by everyone you are not going to byelection. get things accomplished. So I am not afraid Clarkson said he has always wanted to try to make a few enemies to get things done for politics and feels he has good life experience the Students’ Association.” for the position. Clarkson believes he has a good feeling for what is missing and he —Rachel Maclean could really add a new voice to the SAMRC. Jeff Agnew — presidential candidate Since coming to Mount Royal after losing. He was still able College in 2003, Jeff Agnew has to participate by campaigning run for executive office at the in favour of the U-Pass Students’ Association five times. referendum. This year, he finally got a chance Now, he is at the centre of a to serve as president. “crazy” byelection (see timeline “It felt amazing,” he said. below). However, he said, “I’m proud of the fight I’ve put “to be quite honest my fellow in. To have a strong voice here, candidates have been quite which I’ve always been able to respectful.” provide as a student, and now Agnew has been in office for as an executive, it’s just been an about seven months, and wants amazing experience.” to continue after the byelection. Agnew is a Athabasca “A lot of the work you want University transfer student in to get done takes at least two history and political science, years,” he said. “Everything and has always been drawn to you put out there can’t always student politics, although not be accomplished in a day … I without controversy. look forward to getting back In 2004, he was disqualified to work and seeing what I can in his race for VP external for accomplish for the next few not handing in his campaign months.” receipts after another candidate told him they weren’t needed — Alan Mattson Paton James by Photos Travis McIntosh — SA presidential candidate Don’t be surprised to see SA If he gains the presidency, said re-tooling the SA election presidential candidate Travis McIntosh, a fourth-year applied policy would be a top priority, McIntosh out talking to MRC policy studies student, hopes to along with creating economic students with wife Rita and raise Mount Royal’s exposure incentives for students who ride four-month-old son Liam in on a worldwide scale.