University of British Columbia (Okanagan) Elections
In 2004, the provincial government decided to split up Okanagan University College into two components: UBC Okanagan, which would have university courses, and Okanagan College, which would have college courses. Students protested this arrangement, but then got around to business, creating two separate student associations for the two campuses: UBC Students' Union (UBCSU) and Okanagan College Students' Union (OCSU). These two associations do a lot together: their websites are made by the same company, and they even have the same general manager, Rob Nagai. The OCSU opted for an "apple" logo, whereas the UBCSU decided to adopt a logo of a bomb carefully nestled between a couple of mountains.
And, it appears that the UBCSU may indeed be experiencing a calamity of explosive proportions. Their website reports that the nomination period for their elections is now open. This information is (surprise, surprise!) out of date; the nomination period closed on March 10. But it would be reasonable to assume that elections are either underway, or are just recently closed. And who is in charge of these elections? None other than the Chief Returning Officer, Dave Lubbers. Apparently, the smart folks on the UBCSU council have decided that the best way to avoid a potential scandal that might be created by appointing one of their own executives as CRO would be... to appoint an executive from their sister student union as CRO! That's right, Dave Lubbers is on the executive of the OCSU, with the absolutely delightful title of "Federation Representative".
Now, folks, let me be perfectly clear: I am not saying that Mr. Lubbers is a partisan hack whom Rob Nagai got on board to ensure the election of a slate friendly to his interests. All I'm saying is what I've said before: it's not a good idea to allow employees, or people involved in the student movement in a partisan capacity, in charge of your elections, if only to avoid the perception if impropriety.
It will be interesting to see who wins/has won the election for the UBC Students' Union.
In 2004, the provincial government decided to split up Okanagan University College into two components: UBC Okanagan, which would have university courses, and Okanagan College, which would have college courses. Students protested this arrangement, but then got around to business, creating two separate student associations for the two campuses: UBC Students' Union (UBCSU) and Okanagan College Students' Union (OCSU). These two associations do a lot together: their websites are made by the same company, and they even have the same general manager, Rob Nagai. The OCSU opted for an "apple" logo, whereas the UBCSU decided to adopt a logo of a bomb carefully nestled between a couple of mountains.
And, it appears that the UBCSU may indeed be experiencing a calamity of explosive proportions. Their website reports that the nomination period for their elections is now open. This information is (surprise, surprise!) out of date; the nomination period closed on March 10. But it would be reasonable to assume that elections are either underway, or are just recently closed. And who is in charge of these elections? None other than the Chief Returning Officer, Dave Lubbers. Apparently, the smart folks on the UBCSU council have decided that the best way to avoid a potential scandal that might be created by appointing one of their own executives as CRO would be... to appoint an executive from their sister student union as CRO! That's right, Dave Lubbers is on the executive of the OCSU, with the absolutely delightful title of "Federation Representative".
Now, folks, let me be perfectly clear: I am not saying that Mr. Lubbers is a partisan hack whom Rob Nagai got on board to ensure the election of a slate friendly to his interests. All I'm saying is what I've said before: it's not a good idea to allow employees, or people involved in the student movement in a partisan capacity, in charge of your elections, if only to avoid the perception if impropriety.
It will be interesting to see who wins/has won the election for the UBC Students' Union.
Labels: ubc
1 Comments:
You may be interested in the fact that Mr. Lubbers now sits on the executive of the Students' Union at UBC Okanagan as the external coordinator. He was voted in a few weeks after the "elections."
He is still majorly involved in the Okanagan College Students' Union. I think as a rep for the CFS.
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