If the current Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) councillors and executives actually care so much about the students who elected them, could they please step aside?
When they ended the almost five-month-long battle that pitted one side of council against the other, both sides made generous, optimistic statements. They said they’d put their differences behind them and move forward. But if the Jan. 10 council meeting is any indication, a happy middle ground doesn’t look likely.
The first CUSA Inc. meeting back ended with vice-president (finance) Karim Khamisa and vice-president (internal) Ariel Norman walking out less than 44 minutes in. The first council meeting just days later lasted more than four hours, but accomplished very little. Time was spent debating procedure rather than the 27 items on the agenda, which dozens of students turned out to speak about.
Ask either side a question and they ‘ll do their best to reassure you (quite passionately) they care so much for students and they’re really just doing it all in the best interest of students. If that’s the case, could they please not run for re-election?
There’s no hope for council this year. The divisions run too deep. But there is hope for a functional, effective council next year and if we want that hope to be an actual possibility, current councillors need to step aside. Students need fresh blood. They need students who’ve spent more time being students than being councillors spouting rhetoric in CUSA meetings.
With all due respect to the process, you don’t need to clarify Roberts Rules of Order to the extent that it impedes the work you could be doing as a council. This may come as a surprise, but students don’t think you’re doing a good job.
