concordia’s independent newspaper bromancing The Aquinian since 1980 Disclosing the debt: CSU INVESTIGATION UNDER WAY IN LIGHT OF MISMANAGEMENT OF STUDENT FUNDS • PAGE 3 • News page 4 ConU’s big dig: tunnel under de Maisonneuve in the works • Features page 8 Better than a nail in the face, Concordia student brings the side-show home Men’s hockey team off to perfect start in second half of the season • Sports page 16 volume 29, issue 18 • Tuesday, January 13, 2009 • thelinknewspaper.ca volume 29, issue 18 • Tuesday, THE LINK • JANUARY 13, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS NEWS 03 2006-07 Negligence pushes CSU (433,488) deficit over $500,000 Former employee spent union into the red during 2005, 2006, 2007 • TERRINE FRIDAY where we are by far,” Leroy said. The current numbers provided by Keyana Kashfi says she’s concerned the CSU are those available to all under- about rumours surrounding the graduate students and not those written Concordia Student Union’s finances and in the financial investigation report how undergraduate students may inter- launched by former VP finance Fauve pret them. Castagna in June of 2007, which the Kashfi, president of the CSU, wants CSU has refused to disclose. to put allegations and questions regard- ing the finances of the CSU to rest by A non-bargain opening up to the student press. In addition to the deficit incurred for This comes in light of various accusa- the 2005-2007 academic years, the tions made against the student union, alleged culprit may be held accountable which include everything from embez- for other damages. zlement to non-disclosure. In light of the allegations, the CSU “It’s my job to look out for the inter- approached The Link to disclose more ests of the student union,” Kashfi said in confidential information to its reader- an interview with The Link. “Wrong ship—but only on the condition that The information is damaging to the CSU.” Link sign an agreement that would have Amidst confusion and the buzz of compromised The Link’s editorial con- questionable finances, the CSU has trol, which according to The Link and its decided to open up—but without dis- legal counsel, was not in the best inter- The CSU remains adamant about not letting the cat out of the bag. closing too many details. est of the paper and its readership. GRAPHIC GINGER COONS When The Link refused to sign the Cat out of the bag agreement, the CSU contacted The take a year,” Blais said. “The numbers On Nov. 25, 2008, The Link reported Gazette, confirmed Kashfi. “These kids don’t were never kept away from CSU mem- of questionable finances on the part of bers.” the CSU based on information obtained Speaking Out know what the Blais said he’s still waiting for the from confidential sources. Former student union executives current deficit numbers to be made According to both CSU councillors have spoken out about the financial dis- hell they’re public and overall, wants a transparent and the CSU executive, the closed ses- array. student union. sion that wrapped up the Nov. 12 A former CSU executive, who wishes doing.” “What I do know is there is a CSU Council meeting had an item that was to not be named, is concerned for the executive […] who aren’t telling people not on the agenda. current executives. —former CSU what’s the real deal here.” The last item on the agenda read “These kids don’t know what the hell “Budget,” but only part of the discussion they’re doing,” the former executive executive Tomorrow’s Another Day surrounded the budget. The rest was said. “This is very, very serious […] This Kashfi and the VP finance ensure about previous mismanagement of is not something you play around with.” from a chartered accountant is unrea- that the current financial situation is funds by persons no longer associated This former executive said full disclo- sonable,” Shuriye said. “I’m appalled under control and everything they with the CSU. All councillors signed a sure is the best solution for the CSU and that this executive has the tenacity to know has been conveyed to The Link. legal confidentiality agreement before its membership: undergraduate stu- question my judgment especially since However updated figures were not details of the financial irregularity were dents who pay fees to them. they’re being recalled.” disclosed, nor has an interview with disclosed. But this former executive questions Both Shuriye and Kashfi concur that the CSU’s former VP finance—who “That’s why things were discussed in the role of the councillors. all notices sent by the federal and undertook the investigation during closed session,” said Elie Chivi, VP com- “Fingers start pointing at councillors. provincial government were addressed the 2007-2008 school year—been munications for the CSU. “This isn’t a Why didn’t they ask where the audits to the alleged culprit and not to any of granted. very cut and dry situation and we’re still were? This is huge.” the executives. Kashfi says the alleged culprit still trying to figure out what happened.” Mohamed Shuriye, former CSU “I didn’t open the mail, it’s a federal has not been charged with any offence president for 2005-2006, confirmed he offence,” Shuriye said, noting that a year and that the investigation is ongoing. Half a million gone was contacted by The Gazette and is after his mandate expired, “the [CSU “The numbers are going to change, According to the CSU, negligence on afraid his name will be tarnished due to executives] realized [the alleged culprit] but the people involved will not,” the part of a former employee, as well as the investigation. didn’t even open the mail,” which Kashfi confirmed. former executives of the union, caused According to Kashfi, Shuriye and the detailed delinquency in tax payment. Kashfi summed the CSU to incur a combined deficit of alleged culprit did not handle student Former CSU president and VP up the financial 2005-06 nearly $500,000 for the fiscal years money responsibly by keeping track of finance Patrice Blais doesn’t seem sur- disorder: “It’s a (85,763) ending May 31, 2006 and May 31, 2007. financial transactions. prised by the news of questionable bigger thing than The CSU must pay back-taxes for the “They didn’t know where they finances, but is disappointed with the just money miss- affected fiscal years—which was realized [stood], but they just kept spending,” ongoing investigation, which has ing or that there’s when a former executive couldn’t with- Kashfi said, “so as long as their cheques already taken more than a year. a deficit.” draw money “because our bank cleared, they kept spending.” Blais was VP finance in 2001, shortly accounts were seized,” said Kashfi. But Shuriye said he could not have after Sheryll Navidad, former VP VP Finance of the CSU, Andre Leroy, foreseen the mismanagement by an finance of the CSU, was accused of 2004-05 said that the deficit figure is probably employee, especially since he wasn’t the embezzling almost $200,000 in student (19,707) inflated because an investigation is still one in charge of the books. money. ongoing. “For this current executive to say that “A forensic accountant was hired and A graphic representation of the CSU’s increase in debt as per their “These numbers are not close to we should have questioned the numbers [the investigation into Navidad] didn’t end-of-year financial statements. GRAPHIC GINGER COONS 04 NEWS THE LINK • JANUARY 13, 2009 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS Money missing, CASA’s Gold suspicious Co-organizer claims money missing from Hallowe’en event • TERRINE FRIDAY I have all the receipts to prove it.” attempts to meet with Alejandro Lobo-Guerrero also claims the the case.” Gold, who was co-collaborator and have been cancelled on each accusations of mismanagement Arts and science councillor Arts and science councillor of the event, says it isn’t so. and every time, some cancella- come amidst his refusal to share Louise Birdsell-Bauer defended Alejandro Lobo-Gerrero says he’s According to Gold, the event— tions being made minutes leading the financial burden of the upcom- Lobo-Guerrero and called the on a mission to clear his name, which was co-hosted by ASFA, up to it.” ing spring break New York trip mass email “a character assassina- even if it means taking legal CASA and the Engineering and with the Concordia Student tion on Alejandro.” action. Computer Science Association— “I said ‘I don’t think Union, as proposed by ASFA “Even if the accusations were Lobo-Gerrero, VP social for the saw two separate monetary issues it’s a good idea,’ given President Peek. true, why would [Gold] send an Arts and Science Faculty of under the supervision of Lobo- all [the CSU’s] “I said ‘I don’t think it’s a good email to councillors instead of Associations, is under scrutiny for Guerrero: the cost of missing idea,’ given all [the CSU’s] prob- bringing it up three months ago?” questionable finances for last drink tickets and the cost of the problems right now.” lems right now.” Birdsell-Bauer said. semester’s Halloween party. door prizes, the latter of which was —Alejandro Lobo-Gerrero, According to Peek, “Alejandro But according to Gold, repeated In an email sent out by Adam supposed to be provided for free. VP Social for the Arts and actually pursued the CSU himself arrangements were made to meet Gold, president of the Commerce “Alejandro assured us the Science Faculty before the Christmas break.” Peek with Lobo-Guerrero to discuss the and Administration Students’ Daytona [door prize] tickets [...] said that firing Alejandro seemed losses incurred.