As 2019 brings new stories, The Charlatan looks back at the major stories that hit campuses last term. These are the national stories that have generated the most coverage, conversation, and controversy.
Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) Fallout
In September, the University of Ottawa administration announced it will terminate its agreement with the SFUO after learning of allegations of financial mismanagement involving members of the SFUO executive.
The SFUO asked the university to draft a new agreement as they await the results of the forensic audit, which was released in November.
The report by audit firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), found that the fraud allegations against SFUO executives were not supported, but it included evidence that contracts were awarded to relatives of the president and the executive director.
Four of the six executives resigned, and a byelection was held for two of the positions, but no candidates came forward.
Meanwhile, a group of students formed, called the University of Ottawa Student Union, seeking to replace the SFUO.
The university administration later decided to sign a temporary agreement with SFUO and announced that elections for a new student government will take place in March.
National cannabis legalization
Following cannabis legalization in Canada, campuses adjusted their policies to fit the new legislation.
Most universities banned cannabis, while some have designated specific areas for consumption.
At Carleton, consumption of cannabis is banned in areas further prohibited by the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. The administration updated its policy on substance use to regulate recreational use on campus.
According to Carleton’s policy, students over the age of 19 will be able to possess 30 grams of dried cannabis, but will not be allowed to consume or grow cannabis or have it delivered to campus.
The University of the British Columbia was notably the school with the most liberal policy, allowing cannabis consumption on campus.
Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) defederations
In February 2018, Students at the University of Manitoba voted for the University of Manitoba Student Union (UMSU) to remain a member of the CFS in a non-binding plebiscite. Eight months later, the UMSU board voted to not affirm membership with the CFS at an emergency meeting. The next step is a referendum, which The Manitoban reported won’t occur until the fall semester of 2019.
In October, Carleton University held a similar referendum. The Carleton University Students’ Association spearheaded the “Vote No” campaign, but ultimately students voted in favour of remaining part of the federation by a small margin of 262 votes.
In June, after a four year-long battle over the governance of the CFS in British Colombia, the CFS voted to end its relationship with all member organizations of the British Columbia Federation of Students, which includes 12 student unions.
Free speech policies
In August 2018, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that universities will have to implement free speech policies by Jan. 1, 2019 or risk possible funding cuts.
Some schools drafted new policies, while some confirmed their commitment to their current policy.
The University of Toronto Students’ Union rejected the mandate at its 2018 Annual General Meeting, saying its current free speech policy—drafted in 1992—is working.
The University of British Columbia, and Western University created committees to work on the policies.
Carleton’s Senate created a task force to draft a policy in September and presented students with a draft of the policy in October. The policy was finalized in December 2018.
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