UWindsor Lance
Issue 32, Volume 85
Feb. 27, 2013
Jon Liedtke

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Staffer blamed for delay in process

A new election timeline has been passed by the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance after it canceled upcoming elections at an emergency council meeting earlier this month.

The UWSA had planned to run two new executive positions in the election, thereby expanding its executive membership from four to six, but were infomed by legal counsel that policies were not followed because the positions had not been enacted into bylaw.

“There were allegations that the six exec policy passed earlier was not allowed, which meant that we couldn’t include new positions,” explained UWSA vice-president university affairs Mohammad Akbar, who proposed expanding the number of executives to help improve efficiency.

“Originally, the idea was to take [the two new positions] out. But a point was brought up that you can’t just change the elections whenever you feel like it once it’s approved, you have to cancel it and do it again,” said Akbar.

The new election timeline moves voting to March 26 through 28. Voting was initially to take place March 12 to 14. The nomination period is Feb, 25 through
March 6. The campaigning period for candidates will be from March 10 until March 23.

The two proposed executive positions are not included in the nominations.

There are 45 seats up for grabs for council, senate and board of directors, including a new council representative for Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The previously announced referendum question will remain, which asks students whether they want the UWSA to continue its membership with the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance. Students are currently paying $2.82 per semester, plus inflation, for OUSA membership.

The only problem Akbar foresees with the upcoming election would result from
candidates who lose and try to appeal because the election had been recalled.

“That happens every year and whether their appeals are legitimate or not, we have to see,” explained Akbar who added that an appeal is based on a number of rules.

Hiring for the position of deputy returning officer is taking place as Jordan Renaud resigned from his position, claiming corruption and influence were hindering the election.

At a Feb. 7 council meeting, a motion was brought forward to oust chief returning officer Ebenezer Fordjour. Members of council alleged that he failed to perform his job duties.

Fordjour is still employed with the UWSA.

The next council meeting is taking place Feb. 28. Akbar explained that while the motion didn’t pass, “if something has to happen, it is probably going to happen then. “

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Jon Liedtke was the Features and Opinions Editor, Associate News Editor, Advertising Manager and Deficit Consultant at the UWindsor Lance.