& ft : Page 3 f Al mpla Dec. 14, 2007

Student Union denies association with CFS

Organizations clash over representation Issue

By Jarrod Yeo

A small fortune.

That's what the Canadian Federation for Students (CFS) is accusing the UPEI Student Union of owing for unpaid membership _ fees dating back to last year.

Amanda Azid, the national chair- person for the CFS said her records indicate UPEI owes for two years of membership fees.

"UPEI's student union is behind in remitting membership fees for 2005 and 2006, so that's going to have to be taken care of."

The CFS charges UPEI $7.64 per student per academic year. With 3,321 full-time students enrolled, it equals $50,000 for the two years, not including part-time stu- dent fees.

However, this contrasts sharply with the SU's stance on the issue. SU president Willy Gauthier says UPEI owes the CFS nothing.

"The student union holds the position that we are not and never were members of the CFS and the CFS does not provide us with any service."

Relations between UPEI and the CFS, which date back to the early 1980s, have always been the sub- ject of debate. In 1981, the CFS expressed interest in recruiting UPEI as a member, and the feeling was reciprocated. In a report to council dated Jan. 31, 1981 to then SU president Terry Palmer and John MacDougall, an elected rep- resentative to the CFS, reported if the UPEI SU wished to become a full-time member, the student body would have to hold a referendum and gain two-thirds of the popular vote.

Although no official UPEISU records exist detailing the outcome of the referendum, media accounts of the referendum results, as print- ed on Feb. 10, 1984, indicate the pro-CFS position received 182 votes in favour of joining the fed- eration while 140 votes were against, representing less than the two-thirds requirement.

In January 1996, a referendum for deconfederation was held under the leadership of then presi- dent Amber Allin. The pro-decon- federation side won in a landslide, 261-91.

Azid, who has held her position since last year, said she was unaware of any previous efforts by UPEI to sever ties with the federa-

tion.

"The process for leaving is the same for joining. The student body holds a referendum, needing two- thirds of students to vote yes to act either way.

“T'm not aware of this ever hap- pening."

However, in a letter dated Feb. 16, 1996, the former national chairperson of the CFS, Guy Caron, said the CFS would not accept the results.

"The Federation.cannot recognize the results of this referendum because of the fundamental flaws in the process."

He went on to cite problems with voter lists and polling stations attendants and indicated the CFS's willingness to go to court. The ref- erendum results were subsequently overturned.

Further efforts to cut ties in the 2000s also proved ineffective. In 2002, the then SU President Brandon MacKenzie filed a 35- page report indicating interest in severing ties once and for all. MacKenzie's report scathed the

_ CFS for lobbying on issues not

pertinent to education. It also reported that at the time, the SU paid approximately $18,090 annu- ally for services including ISIC Cards, Student saver cards, as well as the use of a Maritime field worker.

It was demonstrated how the SU could obtain better service from

~ other national representation for

one-third the cost

Matters were further complicated when students voted to join the Canadian Alliance for Student Associations (CASA) in October. The goal of both organizations is to defend the interests of post-sec- ondary students across Canada to federal and intra-provincial levels of government. UPEI is a member with both organizations, according to their respective websites.

Other Maritime members of CASA include Acadia, Dalhousie, St. Mary's, St. FX, St. Thomas, UNB and UPEI.

Today there is no record of a signed contract or any other legal- ly binding document within the UPEI SU regarding membership with the CFS.

At this time, Azid says the organ- ization won't legal action against the SU.

"I'm sure the student union will live up to their legal and contractu- al obligations."

April 8th, 1970 - UPEI SU founded.

1984 - Original partnership between UPEI Student Union and the CFS is formed, with

students voting 182-140 in

favour.

2002 - UPEI renews efforts to terminate relations with the CFS.

2006 - Students vote to join CASA.

1981 - CFS founded.

1995-1996 - UPEI hosts referendum to sever all relations with the CFS. The pro-defederation position defeats the CFS 'yes' position by a margin of 261-91.

2004 - UPEI SU President Brandon MacKenzie prepares a 35-page report examin- ing the relationship between UPEI and the CFS. It criticized the CFS for lobbying on ‘non-educational issues, from the war in Irag to supporting illegal strikes.

Anderson House seeks charitable donations for Christmas Season

What is Anderson house?

The Anderson House is the provincial emergency shelter for abused women and children.

How you can help:

- Donate an in-need item -Drop off in-need items by Dec. 24 into the Christmas boxes located at the front desks in: student services, the sports centre and the library.