weekly Inside theCORD Senate Platforms 8 Hoosiers, Radio 12-13 Men's Bball Ends 19 Volume 27 Wilfrid Laurier Number 22 University, Waterloo Thursday, March 5, 1987 Status of pill referendum obscured by majority question By Catherine McCauley based on talking to the members and my personal interpretation. I Despite an apparently decisive just ran the election, I don't want to secret ballot at the last WLUSU get involved in this," Shannon said. board meeting, controversy still Yet following the March 1 meeting, brews over the correct majority of some people are still upset over the student voters needed to pass a possible contravention of the bylaws. referendum. The directors are split on this issue Last Sunday night, the directors between those who believe the board defeated a motion to recognize the of directors made an incorrect majority needed in referenda as 50% decision on Sunday by voting that plus one. The motion, made by the two-thirds majority should stand, Grad Director Shelley Potter and and those who believe that simple seconded by Business Director- majority (50% plus one) is correct. /President-elect Dave Bussiere, According to Potter, "the board is would have meant that the recent contravening their own constitution. referendum on a contraceptive ad- The Development Fund and dition to the health plan passed. Executive Development (November Potter and Bussiere previously 13, 1986 general meeting) were demanded documented proof that a passed at 50% plus one, they should two-thirds majority was required at not have passed the two-thirds. The the pill referendum. This figure is board of directors don't even have a not stated specifically in the WLUSU copy of the by-laws. They (directors) bylaws. Due to varying interpre- think it is a matter of interpretation. tations, conflict within WLUSU has When they read it as it stands it's a Cord photo by Debbie escalated between those favouring majority. Simple majority according Hurst simple majority — 50 percent plus to Robert's Rule of Orders is 50% more reaches for the one — versus the implied two-thirds. plus one. The by-laws are the only The World's Largest Meccano Set? No, of course impressive each week as it (See related story, this page.) accountability that the students can it's the framework for the new Arts Centre, growing sky. At last it is beginning to look like a real building The pill referendum on February hold up to the board." 5 fell short of a two-thirds majority, "It would make a lot more sense as they did. The President and it was so clearly laid out in the by- defend them until the end. We have only getting 52% of total votes — not to remedy the situation and go by Executive Vice-President both told laws. People were thinking 'pill' when the ability to change things. I'm a enough for the "yes" side to win. what the by-laws state. This is a the board how the by-laws worked they should have been thinking little disappointed that the vote went Chief Returning Officer (CRO) most serious offense," Potter added. and they (the board) still voted for 'by-laws.'" to secret ballot. They (board) Cathy Shannon assumed the two- In agreement with Potter, Arts two-thirds majority. If it had been According to Executive Vice- shouldn't be afraid to let their vote thirds majority was needed. "I inter- Director Tom Mcßride said, "I find it anything else (other than the pill) it President Andrew Reid, "I believe in be known." continued page 4 preted the two-thirds majority vote unacceptable that the board acted would have been reversed because admitting our mistakes, not to on Bylaw confusion leaves Board to decide By Catherine McCauley forms of collecting money from "Dues" specifies that a level of needed from the general members referendum — 50% plus one. In this students, fees and dues. According confirmation would require two- (students) should also be two-thirds. case the pill referendum would have A number of references are cited to a memo sent out by WLUSU thirds support by the Board of This was the interpretion made by been passed. as lending to the confusion over President Brian Thompson, a due Directors. This same vote would Chief Returning Officer (CRO) At the September 21st board WLUSU'sbylaws concerning referen- would be levied in exchange for have to be confirmed at an Annual Cathy Shannon. meeting, the directors decided to da and majorities. specific services; for example in- General Meeting or General follow a precedent set in 1982 in Under section 129 of the volvement within a health plan. Meeting. Section 35 of bylaw four, entitled another health insurance referen- Corporations Act there are two Section 30 of by-law 4 entitled It is assumed that the majority 'Voting of Members,' states that "at dum, which used the two-thirds all meetings every question shall be majority. The 1982 referendum did decided by a majority of voters of not pass a two-thirds majority, but Sorbara announces OSAP revisions the members present in person or got almost 57%. By Erika Sajnovic allowances for students studying represented by proxy." The inter- If two-thirds is a correct inter- away from home from $99 to $106 a pretation of this by-law is that simple pretation, the pill should not have On February 26, Minister of week. majority is required to pass a been passed. Colleges and Universities Gregory A major boost was also given in Sorbara, announced substantial funding for the Ontario Work-Study increases to the Ontario Student Program of $700,000. 800 new Board discusses Assistance Program (OSAP). campus jobs for students who need "Today I announced a $25.2 financial assistance will be created million (17 percent) increase in the from the $1.5 million available. majority budget rules of the 1987-88 OSAP pro- Sorbara also stressed that more gram," wrote Sorbara in a letter to assistance to students from farm By Eric Beyer motion tabled to the Dean's Advisory Brian Thompson, President of families would be implimented. From Council (DAC), a student court of Wilfrid Laurier University Students' now on, since most times the farm Discussion about majorities and appeal which would deliberate on Union. families' assets reduce their chil- bylaws, and possible implications the question. One of important the most dren's eligibility for financial as- for the Pill referendum, was the Burchill's motion was passed. changes was a sharp 1 reduction in sistnace, the farm assets will count focus of the March WLUSU Board "Another decision we have failed the from meeting. financial contribution as one half ofthe family's net income. to make, thank-you very much ladies parents of students from low-income There was also an introduction of During Andrew Reid's as and gentlemen," Potter said after families. interest relief on loans for graduating report Executive Vice-President, the motion had been tabled to the Sorbara gave the example of a students who cannot find employ- debate arose over the clarity of the bylaws DAC. $30,000 income family who send ment or have low incomes. with respect to the two-thirds However, motion was their child to an out-of-town univer- Sorbara said OSAP extend Burchill's will majority presumably required sity and would therefore be eligible grant assistance to students to later rescinded when it was learned at- pass a referendum. for a $4000 grant of assistance, an tending degree-granting religious that the DAC's interpretation would increase of $990 or 33 percent. schools and approved creative arts Shelley Potter, GraduateDirector, be binding on appeals of this nature. Other improvements included: schools. Until now, these students introduced a motion to have the Business Director Gesa Wisch • said that Directors were made aware a new program for sole-support have only been eligible to loan as- bylaws interpreted in such a way of the DAC's ultimate authority parents, who willreceive a maximum sistance. that a majority constitutes 50 per- during grant assistance of $3500 a term, an An announcement was also made cent plus one vote. This would mean the five-minute recess pre- ceding the in-camera part increase of $1000. The increase will $1500. to now have students who attend that the "Yes" side of last February of the cover meeting. all educational costs including • an increase of 50 percent in post-secondary schools anywhere 6th's Pill referendum was successful, child care and lower the need for grant assistance for students at- in Canada eligible for provincial loan by capturing 52 per cent of the vote. During the "other business" part loans. tending approved, private post- assistance. of the meeting, Business Director • an Jeff Burchill, Vice-President: increase in the grantceilings secondary institutions, from $ 1000a Grant eligibility periods are still Josie Altobelli asked to reconsider for single, University Affairs introduced independent students of term to $1500. continued on page 4 31 another motion to have Potter's continued on page 4 percent, from $1150 per term to • an increase in [personal living THE CORD WEEKLY 2 THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1987 theCORD weekly March 5,1987 RED CROSS BLOOD DONORCLINIC Volume 27, Number 22 Thursday, March 12th Editor-in-Chief Malt Johnston Come and give a part of yourself to NEWS Editor Erlka Sajnovic someone who needs you. Associate Eric Beyer It onlv takes a few minutes! Contributors Alex Greer Sandra Haley Debbie Hurst fl BLOOPGtVE BLOODGIVE BLOODGIVE BLOODGIVE BLCX Liz Jefferson Kevin Klein Catherine McCauley Kevin Montgomery William Penny Tim Wills Wine Appreciation Night FEATURES Tuesday, March 10 Coordinator Heather McAsh From 7:00-9:00 p.m.