The University of Ottawa administration has signed an official agreement with the University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU), recognizing them as “the only student association authorized to represent all undergraduate students.”
SFUO
The Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) sent out their final newsletter on April 10, alerting students that their doors have officially closed, and bidding students farewell.
If the referendum passes, full-time students would pay mandatory union fees totalling $105.88 per semester. This fee would cover all core union functions including safety, academic support, and health services.
“(These changes are) not benefitting anyone except Ford and his cronies … we’re going to have to fight back.” — Susan Spronk, president of the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa.
A majority of candidates are running uncontested, and many positions have no candidates at all.
Post-secondary students across the province held a walkout today, leaving their classes and staging rallies to protest recent changes to education policy by the provincial government.
Candidates must be currently registered in an undergraduate program at the University of Ottawa and pass an administration administered bilingualism exam.
The development follows allegations that the SFUO laid off employees and began liquidating assets, following a breakdown in negotiations with the UOSU.
The SFUO’s role in this transition period was first laid out in their interim agreement with the University of Ottawa’s administration.
“This year’s lobby asks are a little bit in response to some of the cuts that we’ve seen, but also still setting the direction for (the) future.” —Nour Alideeb, CFS Chairperson.
“We told UOSU that if a plan wasn’t in place very soon we have been advised that we have no choice but to start a process we want to avoid” —Paige Booth.
“Both parties agreed to open and transparent communication throughout the transition process,” said a representative of the UOSU in an email to the Fulcrum. “The SFUO has failed to maintain open communication with us and we have been left in the dark regarding most of their plans.”
“I don’t think anyone expects this to be easy, and I don’t think anyone claimed it would be easy,” —Tiyana Maharaj.
They were declared the official winner of the referendum on Feb.11 and will now begin the process of taking over as the University of Ottawa’s exclusive student union.
Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) executive coordinator Vanessa Dorimain is alleged to have created a fake Facebook account under the name of Gabriella Auguste to boost the SFUO’s online image.
The debate was the final event planned before the vote for a new student union at the U of O on Feb. 8. Tensions were high as both unions answered questions from students and moderators about the future of student services on campus.
The University of Ottawa’s Board of Governors met on Jan. 28 to discuss the school’s response to the Ford government’s cuts, the expansion of Francophone services, and the ongoing issues facing the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO).
The motion ultimately failed to pass during the annual general meeting of the CFS due to a lack of time for debate. It was referred to the CFS’ national executive but the results of the vote are unknown.
The University of Ottawa stated their intention to dissolve their agreement with the SFUO in late September, following a string of financial mismanagement allegations against the union’s executive.
An email released by the university said it “values and encourages freedom of expression, freedom of religion and full equality,” and is “committed to creating and maintaining a learning environment that promotes dignity and respect for all.”
“The federation continues to oppose the university’s actions and demands they sign a new agreement with the SFUO, recognizing that change has to come democratically from members, including student union employees unionized with CUPE 4943 whose jobs are under threat,” the CFS statement reads.
A forensic report from PwC says the fraud allegations levelled against three SFUO executives were not factual.
Rachiq’s resignation was announced at the start of the meeting, along with the resignation of Gaga, and Emily Seguin, the board’s Indigenous representative.
The letter highlights a series of recommendations for a new student union: a constitution that can only be amended at an annual General Assembly with a majority vote, elections managed by an independent third party, a model of governance which includes mechanisms for punitive action should trust be breached, and accountability to its membership.
The BOA of the SFUO met on Oct. 14 to discuss a series of 10 motions relating to governance and the ratification of the company handling online voting. Near the seven hour mark, quorum was lost as most of the United slate walked out.
