Comments on: On “sell out” student leaders http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/11/28/on-sell-out-student-leaders/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:10:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Philippe Marchand http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/11/28/on-sell-out-student-leaders/comment-page-1/#comment-14247 Philippe Marchand Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:19:22 +0000 http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/?p=9796#comment-14247 I think part of the question of "selling out" has nothing to do with left/right, but rather with keeping a certain distance. Student unions are supposed to hold politicians and administrators accountable with respect to the perceived interest of students (of course, the vision of that this interest is depends on your political opinion). This involves constructive criticism, and giving credit where credit is due, but the organization should always maintain its role as representing students to the government/administration, rather than the other way around. This is why, for example, I found it questionable that (sometimes around 2006-2007) OUSA and CSA in Ontario would co-sign press releases praising McGuinty's government programs. This gives the impression that you're part of the marketing strategy of the government, and is not a good thing. At the same time, student unions can facilitate conflict resolution with campus administrations, but they shouldn't be policing their own members on behalf of the administration. This has nothing to do with left/right. I just mentioned "political" actions, but accepting perks from insurance companies (from cases also mentioned by the Ryerson Free Press) is even worse and an obvious conflict of interest. ----- For the same reason, there are reasonable questions to ask when a student politician is immediately hired by the government or the administration after the end of their mandate. This is different from the extreme position you condemn, saying that *any* political career following a student union mandate is wrong. I think part of the question of “selling out” has nothing to do with left/right, but rather with keeping a certain distance. Student unions are supposed to hold politicians and administrators accountable with respect to the perceived interest of students (of course, the vision of that this interest is depends on your political opinion). This involves constructive criticism, and giving credit where credit is due, but the organization should always maintain its role as representing students to the government/administration, rather than the other way around.

This is why, for example, I found it questionable that (sometimes around 2006-2007) OUSA and CSA in Ontario would co-sign press releases praising McGuinty’s government programs. This gives the impression that you’re part of the marketing strategy of the government, and is not a good thing. At the same time, student unions can facilitate conflict resolution with campus administrations, but they shouldn’t be policing their own members on behalf of the administration. This has nothing to do with left/right.

I just mentioned “political” actions, but accepting perks from insurance companies (from cases also mentioned by the Ryerson Free Press) is even worse and an obvious conflict of interest.

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For the same reason, there are reasonable questions to ask when a student politician is immediately hired by the government or the administration after the end of their mandate. This is different from the extreme position you condemn, saying that *any* political career following a student union mandate is wrong.

]]> By: student http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/11/28/on-sell-out-student-leaders/comment-page-1/#comment-14225 student Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:39:37 +0000 http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/?p=9796#comment-14225 I'd say check out some of the conflicts of interest between their editors and certain student lobby groups. I’d say check out some of the conflicts of interest between their editors and certain student lobby groups.

]]> By: Robyn Urback http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/11/28/on-sell-out-student-leaders/comment-page-1/#comment-14205 Robyn Urback Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:50:08 +0000 http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/?p=9796#comment-14205 Though I'm still skeptical as to whether the system as a whole really does work, I think you make some very important points. Well put! Though I’m still skeptical as to whether the system as a whole really does work, I think you make some very important points. Well put!

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