Les Questions du Moderator

~pseudomadonna post #3!~

Recent BOA Meetings have had a focus on issues related to SFUO policy. Do you feel that there should be a more diverse focus taken at the BOA?

Scott- feels that the board is there to debate, we shouldn’t be discussin aboriginal landrights at the board and should leave it for student issues

Mel- diversification in terms of the policies being brought forth and being discussed, the board need to related directly to student issues, need a more functioning board
Danika- interesting, someone who’s been on the board 2 years, disagreements will exists as long as people have differing ideas, board’s role is to take the decisions, thinks sub-committees are the most effective

Cheevers- agrees with Danika, nothing else you can debate at the board aside from policy, motion has to be an amendment, policy change, etc. doesn’t know what else you could change

Amy- echoes Danika and Cheevers’ statements, also sees the board as a place wehre the environemtn should be created to be the most anti-oppressive

Robert- states that everyone agrees, boooooring, asks the question whether the debate is going to be reasonable, needs to be a conduit for students voices

Martin- first year student!!!! Who knew? The boa is not new (like he thinks), the structure is new. Geez. Wants to work to have a functioning boa.

Why does the BOA exist and who does it work for?

Mel- highest governing body within the SFUO, students issues are brought forth, where money is spent, gives a mandate to the executive, there to make decisions on behalf of students- thinks this focus has been lost in the past year

Danika- yeah….direct question…mumble mumble, thinks that the boa has been going in a good direction (YAH, it’s YOUR executive). “the campaigns committee has been a great success, we’ve had 1 meeting…”

Cheevers- students is the only answer. The board works for the students, doesn’t know what else to say

Amy- repeats everyone else’s answer

Robert- created to insert a plurality to the decision making at the SFUO, trying to find new ways to represent students, widen the decision making process

Martin- there’s not really a lot that I can contribute, struggle towards it being as democratic as possible

Scott- “has the plague”… we work for students, actions of the board need to better students lives, we work for students, accountable for students and make sure to hold other student leaders accountable

With the recent disputes between the Senate and certain students, how do you propose to regain the the respect of the Administration?

Danika- the executive is doing a good job- they’ve supported the video-taping policy- “they have an alright relationship with the administration”

Cheevers- talking about relations with the Senate- he is the rogue student senator- talking with GSAED and the SFUO to help the relationship between the Senate and the SFUO

Amy- it has to be said that Francophile students do have a role to play in gaining student power back, thinks that what has happened at recent senate meetings is a good example of how to take student power back, thinks we should encourage students to do more actions like storming the senate

Robert- wants the university to be assisting us, not arbitrating us, realize that we should be moderate, but clever- there is a power difference and we have to realize it to lobby and create a better relationship with the admin.

Martin- between the senate and the SFUO is not something the board can deal with, he’s not going to “cuddle up” with the admin. Talks about history of the 1990’s, stand up for our members and not to act as a mediator to an admin that does not care

Scott- NO, if you fight the admin they’re going to fight back- we need to work with the admin in constructive ways- “not getting in bed with the admin with vested interests”- ???- respect is a two-way street- gives props to Allan Rock whilst other candidates roll their eyes

Mel- echoes Scott’s sentiments, need to establish an open dialogue with the admin, you get what you put in, be open and responsible, respectful, admin has given us a hand out this year and student leaders have slapped that hand

Since the BOA reform we now have representation by population, however the SFUO exec still holds 6 seats (1/5 of the power), should this be changed?

Cheevers- no, it’s good to have a large number of people who are elected from the students at large

Amy- agrees again. Geez girl get your own ideas.

Robert- no, doesn’t think its’ unfair to have the entire executive on the board

Martin- not sure of the question, needs more clarification- thinks it’s something to look into if issues arise from over representation of the exec- have you been to a board meeting?> they vote in a slate every time!!! 1/5 of the power

Scott- the boa exists to hold the exec accountable “sweet jesus”- as he coughs, thinks its’ a two way street, work with them and maintain that connection- thinks they should all be voting members, but will support a student motion (if it came up) to reduce their voting power

Mel- agrees, reiterates that the exec is elected by 30,000 students (well not really as voter turnout is LOW), doesn’t really have a problem with them being there

Danika- mumbling en francais, mumble mumble mumble