Plans for ‘Halifax Student Union’ provoke widespread controversy across campus
Under the new constitution the JCRC Chair would be a ‘President’, and Halifax JCRC would be a ‘Students’ Union’
PROPSALS TO CHANGE the Halifax College constitution, put forward by JCRC Chair James Flinders, have been met with great opposition. Both the Halifax JCRC and the Student’s Union have opposed amendments to the old constitution, particularly the controversial plan to rename the JCRC to ‘Halifax Student Union.’
Flinders, who rewrote the constitution over the Christmas holidays, believed that the changes he made were essential to fully represent the College. In a special meeting to discuss the plans on the 1st of February he explained: “The GSA (Graduate Student Association) have asked me to fully represent graduate students … The name JCR implies that the committee only represents undergraduates. We need a name which shows we can accommodate everyone.”
At the meeting, however, all members of the JCRC argued against the proposed title of ‘Halifax Student Union.’ Helen Edge, YSCA Representative on the Committee, suggested that it would be misleading to have another body entitled ‘Student’s Union’ on campus. Another member commented: “It will give other colleges the impression we’re above them and may cause friction.”
Twenty-one members of the committee voted against the name change, leaving only one vote from Flinders in favour of the proposal. The title ‘Halifax Common Room Committee’ was later agreed upon.
Further concern was raised at the proposal to change the title of ‘JCRC Chair’ to ‘JCRC President’. Certain members in favour of the change explained that it was a more accurate description of the role: “The Chair isn’t simply there to chair meetings. He coordinates all the activities of the JCR.” Flinders explained that the new title was to make the position “more official.”
However, Sam Bayley, Secretary of the Committee, argued: “It’s not more official; it’s more officious.”
The Student’s Union have also revealed their dissatisfaction with some of the plans. Nat Thwaites McGowan, SU Communications Officer, emailed all members of the JCRC just hours before the special meeting to raise some of his concerns. He commented: “As members of Halifax college, I, and a number of my colleagues within the Students’ Union are worried about: the legality of your proposed constitution; the power you may be unnecessarily handing over to YUSU; … the ability of the constitution to pass through YUSU’s rules committee.”
Plans to pass the modified constitution in a meeting last Wednesday were postponed and Flinders has now suggested that other members try writing their own versions.
Thwaites McGowan believed that despite his earlier concerns, the increasing interest in constitutional change was encouraging: “I think Halifax College are setting the path for others to follow through constitutional reform that is well overdue.”
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