RSU debate gives students a closer look at candidates
Ryerson Students’ Union executive candidates argued about how to repair the union’s relationship with the university.
Ryerson Students' Union vice-president candidates from the Inspire slate pose together at the Oakham Lounge on Tuesday night. (Aidan Jonah/The Canada Files)
Written by: Aidan Jonah
Ryerson Students’ Union executive candidates put restoring the relationship with Ryerson University as their main priority during a Tuesday debate in the Oakham Lounge.
The debate included the candidates for president, vice-president and vice-president of equity, from the Inspire and Rise slates. It was dominated by the dual issues of getting the university back to the negotiating table and restoring faith in the RSU.
Rise presidential candidate, Ali Yousaf, emphasized the importance of creating an online survey to determine the future of the RSU. Yousaf said “a Rise slate will ask students what they actually want from the RSU, and act upon their demands.”
Charmaine Reid, Inspire’s presidential candidate, said that “an online survey is redundant, as most Ryerson students have not been informed about the services the RSU offers,” Reid said “Ryerson University will have signed an agreement with the newly elected student government by the time your survey is finished.”
On Jan. 24, Ryerson University announced the cancellation of the 1986 Operating Agreement signed with the RSU. Ryerson recently announced a committee which controls the process of creating a new student government. It consists of four current Ryerson students, one recent graduate and a process manager.
Reid believes that the only way to bring the university back to the negotiating table is to convince them that the RSU truly speaks for Ryerson students.
She said the Inspire slate has created a comprehensive outreach strategy, which would be implemented immediately after an election victory. She said, “during the numerous class talks the Inspire slate has done, most students have no idea about the vast array of services offered by the RSU.”
‘If the RSU has the same goals as Ryerson University, a for-profit company, then we are in a crisis situation.’
Ryerson’s election for a new student government structure will take place in March. General elections will be in April. After this, Ryerson will negotiate a new operating agreement with the new student government.
Yousaf argued that the RSU and Ryerson University share the same core interest, ensuring student success. This statement was rebutted by Reid who said, “if the RSU has the same goals as Ryerson University, a for-profit company, then we are in a crisis situation.”
Candidates Ali Yousaf and Vaishali Vinayak from the RISE slate pose at the Oakham Lounge on Tuesday night. (Aidan Jonah/The Canada Files)
Post-debate, Robert Molloy, Inspire’s vice-president of equity candidate, said that “our proposals in last year’s RSU elections are now mainstream ideas.” Molloy cited Yousaf’s proposal for an oversight committee, which Reid had introduced as the previous Vice President of Operations candidate for Inspire.
James Fotak, the previous vice-president of operations, thanked the Eyeopener for holding the debate and urged Ryerson students to vote at the Ryerson Student Centre from Feb. 12 to 14.
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