Comments on: UBC, Metro Van to ‘divorce’

By: governance is important!

governance is important! — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:27:07 +0000

“Although the issue of governance at UBC doesn’t hit students as hard as, say, a complaint to the United Nations, changes could mean big things for the university.”

I really hope that was a joke…

How this all plays out is EXTREMELY important for students at UBC. Student leaders generally, and the AMS specifically, should be coordinating a campaign to educate students about this issue and produce a lobbying document that outlines students’ needs and interests in the various governance models.

The student voice will need to be present at all meetings and in all the media around this issue, and that will need to be an informed student voice.

The University created a mini-city up on the hill and hopes to make that city even bigger over the next decade. The people who live in that city have the right to real, legislative authority (enforcing parking bylaws is an obvious example, but there are many, many others) and a democratically elected governing body.

UBC should NOT be the body with the authority to create bylaws. In other words, it would be REALLY bad for students if UBC became a municipality, because more power would be given to those who have an address in that jurisdiction, completely marginalizing the other 30 000 students who have a claim in governance but don’t live up on the hill.

By: Charles Menzies

Charles Menzies — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:59:47 +0000

What is needed is a real municipal council to represent people who live here.

Academic decisions should have a wider involvement that prioritizes direct users of the university (students, staff, faculty).

However, decisions that affect the quality of life of residents need to be made by residents.

By: J

Tue, 04 May 2010 19:43:56 +0000

Regardless of what happens, there should be much more formal cooperation between the UNA, AMS, and UBC BoG. If this legislation goes through, I’d like to see the creation of a University Advisory Board with members elected (or appointed) from constituent groups, whose mandate is clearly defined, and whose responsibilities coincide with those of the BoG.

Ultimately final decision will always remain with the BoG, but a formal multistakeholder advisory board is something this campus has been needing for a very long time.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:17:11 +0000

This is good news, so long as UBC is transparent and held accountable by the AMS and other pertinent groups.