I Love CFS...

(...and other fairy tales)

I couldn't resist.

In all seriousness, CFS has their heart in the right place. Promises of lower tuition fees, being a member of a student movement, free ISIC and student saver cards. Ahhh, all the things that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Back to reality...

But the problem really lies in the lack of causal link between a vote for CFS and lower tuition fees. By voting for CFS, can they honestly promise me my tuition fees will go down next year? That's a bit of a stretch. The cost? Almost $400, 000. I'm not a gambler, but that's one high risk game.

But ask the average student: What's the first thing you would think of doing with $400, 000? I'm sure it would not be to join another student federation. There's so many other causes that are much worthier...creating bursaries for low-income students, more money for the student food bank.

And let me put my fiscal conservative hat on for a second. Uncle Joe will indulge in a bit of Economics 101: we have unlimited wants, and limited resources. Though the Student Federation is carrying a surplus of $90, 000, the rest of us are living through some of the worst economic times in recent memory. One of my fellow law students, whose family's income is directly linked to the state of the economy, had to drop out of a class in order to put extra hours in at work.

So, I ask: Is the most judicious use of $400, 000, joining a student federation? While it might be nice, a luxory if you will, it would be what I call in French a dedoublement de services (duplication of services). Our student leadership has to set priorities because leaders set priorities, leaders get things done (Never again will I repeat that phrase).

So what are our priorities as students? Mr. Haldenby was elected partially on a platform of promising to build a new student centre. Perhaps, a great idea! Price tag? In the millions. Who will finance it? Probably you. My crystal ball tells me there will be a referendum question in the near future asking you for an increase of your student levies once again. Year after year, in the five years I've been here, it seems the student federation, concots plans on how to raise your student levies. But I digress.

Prudent financial planning offers simple solutions to these and other conundrums. Building a new student centre is arguably a more pressing issue than joining CFS. More immediate and certain results would result from Option A, while Option B is like playing craps. Economics teaches us that because we CAN'T have everything, and we have to make choices. In socio-political speak that means priorities. Otherwise, student debt loads increases through continual levy hikes, and the Fed swells to a size that is unmanageable, and it loses its focus of lobbying for students rights. As my old eco prof taught us, "you can try to go against economic theory, but you will always lose".

My friends, that's it. Regardless of the outcome of the CFS referendum, I truly hope our student federation becomes compassionate. That it understands the difficult times in which we're in. An executive that understands that choices have to be made, and every proposed expenditure must be analyzed through the following lens: Is this the most effective use of students' money?

Sound financial planning demands nothing less.

JWR2

Concerning My Motion for Remembrance Day Academic Amnesty

At the November meeting of the Senate, I brought forward a motion for Remembrance Day Academic Amnesty.

Since the Senate had established a precedent, in granting amnesty for the Drop the Fees Campaign, certainly we should grant it for November 11 (a quasi-holiday already), a day when we remember our fallen soldiers as well as those currently fighting for our country. Many of the students at "Canada's University", come from provinces that recognize Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday, and it was on behalf of those students that I submitted this motion.

Here, in the Nation's Capital, at "Canada's University", I believe we should aspire to great heights, seeking to accomplish what our political actors fail to see the importance in doing.

The motion was defeated. It did, however, generate a lively discussion, and will most certainly be a topic in future Senate sessions.

I only wish I thought of bringing this motion sooner (i.e. in September), when it would have been more accepted by professors.

JWR2

About My Vote Concerning Academic Amnesty (November 5)

At the September meeting of the Senate, I voted against giving academic amnesty to the November 5 Day of Action ("Drop the Fees" Campaign).

My argument was simple:

Granting academic amnesty could lead down a slippery slope. Why should we give special recognition to this day, and not any others? On the debate on this motion, I specifically brought up protests on humanitarian crises (i.e. Darfur) as examples of causes that might be more important than the "Drop the Fees" campaign. As academic amnesty does not force professors to do anything (other than write make-up exams), I felt that ultimately it is up to students to take responsibility for their academic lives.

Thus, this decision of the Senate was injudicious in my view, especially since the University had not established clear criteria for groups requesting academic amnesty.

JWR2

And so I begin...

As a Senator of the University of Ottawa, my goal is to promote transparency and inclusiveness into the decision-making processes at the University. This blog will attempt to chronicle some important issues that come up.

I will also comment on all the happenings of campus life.

Disclaimer: The comments on this blog are mine and mine alone.

Cheers,

JWR2