The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) elected Steve Mansour as its new vice-president (finance) and declared a position in support of human rights and gender equality in Iran in a council meeting Nov. 7.
Mansour, a third-year political science and law student, will replace former vice-president (finance) Gabe Paraskevopulos, who submitted his resignation from CUSA on Sept. 28.
Mansour defeated Saif Zaidan and councillor Jordan Vecchio with 75 per cent of votes in council.
Mansour and Zaidan were recommended by a nominating committee, while Vecchio nominated himself during the meeting.
In his opening statement, Mansour said he aims to improve CUSA’s financial situation and to hold the organization accountable.
“I think the association is in need of adequate financial responsibility [and] transparency,” he said.
Mansour said he plans on holding CUSA executives financially accountable while also taking students’ needs into consideration.
“You have to consider it on a case-by-case basis, and ensure that the general finances of the association are being respected and are being administered in a transparent and responsible way,” he said. “Accountability is very important, whether it be for each individual vice-president or council.”
Council then voted to appoint vice-president (internal) Davin Caratao to represent CUSA in two external organizations. According to CUSA’s external relations policy, Caratao will represent CUSA to the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) and will also replace Paraskevopulos to represent CUSA to the Canadian Federation of Students.
CUSA is not listed as a member of OUSA on the organization’s website. OUSA did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Council also unanimously passed a motion to declare a position in support of freedom, human rights and gender equality in Iran.
Vice-president (student issues) Faris Riazudden said CUSA will try to support Iranian students at Carleton by advocating to the university administration for academic and tuition relief.
“I want to make sure that we, as an association, actually advocate and stand in solidarity,” Riazudden said.
He added he wanted to call on Carleton to follow the University of Manitoba’s example in extending tuition payment deadlines for Iranian international students.
A full statement is available on CUSA’s website and Instagram.
CUSA’s next council meeting is not yet scheduled.
This story was last updated on Nov. 10.
Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.
