Sixteen student groups on campus signed the open letter to university president Jacques Frémont calling for change
UOSU
The UOSU and professors are calling for policy changes after a Black U of O student was carded and handcuffed by security for over two hours last week
Tiyana Maharaj, one of the founders of the UOSU, writes in response to the carding and arrest of a U of O student by campus security many are condemning as racist
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.”
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.
The executive committee and board of directors for the new union were also elected.
If you support students unions and want to see changes at the U of O, start showing up. Show up for yourselves, show up for your peers, and show up for student interests.
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.
A majority of candidates are running uncontested, and many positions have no candidates at all.
Candidates must be currently registered in an undergraduate program at the University of Ottawa and pass an administration administered bilingualism exam.
With voters traditionally failing to hold student unions fiscally accountable, and the instability of student media, third-party oversight and intervention needs to be implemented. It doesn’t need to be the university itself, as many are rightfully cautious of university involvement in union affairs, but perhaps a body separate from the union?
Because whistleblowing is a serious check on corruption, the establishment of whistleblowing protection is something worth considering moving forward with the University of Ottawa Student Union (UOSU).
The development follows allegations that the SFUO laid off employees and began liquidating assets, following a breakdown in negotiations with the UOSU.
Currently, the SFUO is crashing on different friends’ couches and futons throughout the city until she can “get back on her feet.” According to one friend who wishes to remain anonymous, the SFUO is not a great roommate.
The SFUO’s role in this transition period was first laid out in their interim agreement with the University of Ottawa’s administration.
With the UOSU’s March elections around the corner, students Connor Chase and Hanna Methot debate whether previous SFUO executives should be allowed to run.
“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.”
These services were voted in by students, for students, and for the most part are run by students. In threatening the stability of these services, the Ford government is ignoring the democratic means through which these services came to be.
“I don’t think anyone expects this to be easy, and I don’t think anyone claimed it would be easy,” —Tiyana Maharaj.
To commemorate the end of an era, MTV brought on former SFUO presidential candidate Oprah to host a lookback special of some of the SFUO’s most cherished moments.
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.
It’s time for students at the U of O to start being more involved in the democratic processes that directly impact both their lives and their education. In the 2014 general SFUO election, for example, just over 10 per cent of students voted, an embarrassingly low number. Squaring this number with the over 57 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 who voted in the 2015 federal election proves we can—and should—do better.
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.
With the February referendum fast approaching, students voice what they expect out of their next student union—regardless of who wins.
