By Kit Sauder
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The recent students union election was the first truly contested election in the previous five years. Pitting the old guard of Students4Students against a newly minted slate, Students in Action. The differences between the two organizations were marked and in this writer’s opinion signify not just long overdue change in the running of student affairs at UBCO but a shift in the culture of this campus.
When UBCO was founded in 2005, it was not a newly minted institution, but instead had inherited the legacy of Okanagan University College. OUC, although by no means a disreputable institution was for all intents and purposes a teaching college, what in the United States is referred to as Community College. This institution transformed, overnight it seems, into a campus of the province’s most prestigious university. And although we managed to nab many of the choice professors from the campus before the transition, and bring in many new ones through aggressive headhunting the transformation of this college into a university worthy of global recognition took time.
UBCO has under the leadership of Stephen Toope and Doug Owram embarked on a campaign to focus on undergraduate education of the highest level. The slow building of a university infrastructure has grown almost as rapidly as the influx of students and the erection of buildings. One of the most significant differences between the initial years at UBCO and the current cadre of students is that we are far more diverse than ever before, no longer is this a campus that represents the largely white, largely Christian identity of rural BC.
When UBCO was founded in 2005, it was not a newly minted institution, but instead had inherited the legacy of Okanagan University College. OUC, although by no means a disreputable institution was for all intents and purposes a teaching college, what in the United States is referred to as Community College. This institution transformed, overnight it seems, into a campus of the province’s most prestigious university. And although we managed to nab many of the choice professors from the campus before the transition, and bring in many new ones through aggressive headhunting the transformation of this college into a university worthy of global recognition took time.
UBCO has under the leadership of Stephen Toope and Doug Owram embarked on a campaign to focus on undergraduate education of the highest level. The slow building of a university infrastructure has grown almost as rapidly as the influx of students and the erection of buildings. One of the most significant differences between the initial years at UBCO and the current cadre of students is that we are far more diverse than ever before, no longer is this a campus that represents the largely white, largely Christian identity of rural BC.
This diversity is what was represented by Students in Action, their slate of 22 members boasted nationalities from 18 countries. This cultural diversity, and the tenacity that it takes for a student to travel overseas was showcased by members of the campaign. One of the significant factors in activating voting on this campus was the involvement of this slate in so many campus activities through campus life, student societies, and charity work.
The Students in Action win wasn’t just a throwing out of S4S, who by and large were generally Caucasian and raised in Canada, but also about the student body recognizing itself in its leadership. Although many have bemoaned the fact that the parties might not be as good, and Students in Action will be lucky to find a corporate affiliation as awesome as Red Bull, the real story to take away from this win, is that having grown as a campus we are now recognizing leadership that reflects our now incredibly diverse culture.
For those S4S supporters who are bemoaning the loss of ‘your’ team, remember all of the half hearted appeals to community that you espoused, and the scattered and largely ineffective ‘political action’ campaigns you initiated to the begrudging recognition of most of campus. This change, is a change to a more worldly, more representative group of students for this campus. If we’re lucky, they’ll respect the good in the legacy you left them, and build a better future for this campus.
With hesitation, I look forward to seeing what a group of students that truly represents the diversity of this campus can do and hope that everyone here realizes that this should be praised as a transition point from what we were into what we can become.
For those S4S supporters who are bemoaning the loss of ‘your’ team, remember all of the half hearted appeals to community that you espoused, and the scattered and largely ineffective ‘political action’ campaigns you initiated to the begrudging recognition of most of campus. This change, is a change to a more worldly, more representative group of students for this campus. If we’re lucky, they’ll respect the good in the legacy you left them, and build a better future for this campus.
With hesitation, I look forward to seeing what a group of students that truly represents the diversity of this campus can do and hope that everyone here realizes that this should be praised as a transition point from what we were into what we can become.
Well said, Kit!
ReplyDeleteWhile this argument for a symbolic transition does hold some weight, I think you marginalize the resentment people held against S4S way too much.
ReplyDeleteStudents gave the S4S the benefit of the doubt while they were running the show. In our culture activism hardly reaches the participation or levels of intensity that it does in other parts of the world. The general apathy that results means people are skeptical in regard to what they expect the Student Union to realistically be able to accomplish.
In past elections, opposition was never nearly as organized. SIA needs to be commended for their organization and presentation. Their posters and videos looked great. They looked like a viable alternative, regardless of where each individual candidate came from. How they displayed themselves was more important than the slate they ran on, which is too often the case in any election.
During my years here the elections have devolved into a popularity contest. It's funny that when talking with S4S during election time, they always concluded their pitches with the "good times at the well" angle. Did anyone else really buy the argument that anyone other than S4S could not set up some speakers and a macbook in the well? Let me just throw out there that the new well is not only smaller, but completely devoid of any of the great atmosphere/spirit that made the old location awesome. I love that some think the SIA will not be able to hold the same lackluster parties or have the same high quality barbeques that S4S has treated us to over the years.
I have friends who are currently a part of S4S, so it's with reservation that I say this (I obviously admit that it is easier to be the critic) but the current SU fell on its own sword by making a complete mockery of themselves. Students willingly brushed off the protests against rising student fees, but the way that S4S made it so dramatic and over the top really radicalized an apathetic student body against them. Dropping pumpkins is one thing, but bouncy houses? Really? That's what S4S thought was an appropriate allocation of funds? Instead of engaging students with ideas containing substance, S4S has continually campaigned on flash and cheap parlor tricks to dazzle first and second years who don't know, or care to know, their track record. The response in the elections was that the jig was finally up. Funny or sad, after a month of counting down the days the 'drop fees' protest and letting students bounce around with bellies filled with pulled pork, UBC responded two days later via an email that announced yet another annual increase in the cost of going to university.
One thing I have to say is that I commend S4S for getting expanded bus routes to go to the University, and for fighting to keep them during the last round of budget cuts down at city hall. You have my (and many other students) thanks for that.
No opposition party gets 75% of the vote by simply presenting an alternative vision. Voters have to be sick with those in power. The S4S were running the show for too long and acted in a way that resulted in students wanting to give someone else, anyone else, who looked remotely capable a chance. Good luck to SIA, you had my vote, but remember that S4S will (hopefully) learn their lesson and come back next year with guns blazing. Next year's elections will be the real test, and I look forward to seeing both slates.
What a great response Sean!
ReplyDelete