The Carleton University Students’ Association signed off on its last council meeting ahead of its annual members meetings by condemning the OSAP grant reductions.
The students’ association also announced its former executive director, Ahmad Hashimi, no longer works for CUSA.
The board approved the executive leadership change in line with its duty to maintain the best interests of CUSA and Carleton undergraduate students, CUSA said in a statement.
The students’ association said it cannot presently share further details.
The departure, which happened in late January, will not affect any student services, said Noah Goodgie, CUSA’s board chair.
The students’ association also approved a new anti-semitism definition and heard from the Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG) about a referendum vote set to arrive in students’ inboxes later this month.
CUSA ‘deeply concerned’ by OSAP cuts
The council swiftly passed a motion condemning the OSAP cuts and encouraging students to advocate against the sweeping changes.
It also endorsed the University of Ottawa’s protest and approved a draft statement from the university affairs committee. The statement said CUSA is “deeply concerned” by the changes to OSAP and fears it places a “greater financial pressure on students during a rising cost-of-living crisis.”
OSAP is set to switch to a loans-based model, worrying experts and opposing politicians that it will result in a rise in student debt.
CUSA has also met with the University of Ottawa Students’ Union to discuss collaborating on events, Aidan Kallioinen*, vice-president student issues, wrote in his executive update.
The agenda linked to NDP MPP Teresa Armstrong’s petition against the cuts and to a federal petition to expand the Canada Student Financial Assistance program.
The financial assistance program is also set to be reduced this summer. The program offers grants and loans that supports 60 per cent of students’ post-secondary education costs. Provinces, through programs like OSAP, are responsible for 40 per cent.
The entire motion passed with little disruption or debate, said Maxwell Heroux, the incoming CUSA president.
New antisemitism definition adopted by council
The council unanimously adopted a new definition for antisemitism created by Independent Jewish Voices. The new definition better distinguishes antisemitism from anti-Zionism, the motion reads.
It overwrites the definition from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which has been charged with censoring academics, students and activists, the motion added.
Other Jewish organizations, like the Jewish Faculty Network and the United Jewish People’s Order, have rejected the IHRA definition.
The motion also passed with little debate from councillors.
CASG looks for 88 cent levy increase
CASG is holding a referendum to boost its total levy by 88 cents, or 44 cents per semester. This means its levy would increase from 73 cents per semester to $1.17 per semester.
This would bolster the organization’s day-to-day operational costs, said Alison Kocsis, CASG’s president. Kocsis said the student organization has been forced to cut funding in other places to stay afloat since 2020.
The referendum will hit students’ inboxes on Mar. 10 and 11. Kocsis said voting to increase the levy means protecting students’ academic voice at the university.
“If CASG is unable to secure an increase in student levy fees, students will pay a much higher price than 88 cents,” she said. “It would leave students with less representation on decisions that directly affect their education and fewer resources to support their success.”
CASG’s mandate is to advocate for undergraduate students on academic issues and has a representative on Carleton’s senate. It also offers $16,000 in scholarships, which Kocsis said may take a hit if the higher levy isn’t secured.
*Aidan Kallioinen has previously contributed to the Charlatan
Featured graphic by Alisha Velji/the Charlatan
This article, and all of the Charlatan’s work, is brought to you by an independent student newspaper dedicated to informing, uplifting and entertaining the Carleton University community. We are a levy-funded organization which plays a role in the broader, vibrant student culture on campus. By reading this article, you are supporting our efforts.
