KSA Proposing Bylaw and Regulation Changes to Titles, Compensation, and More

The association hopes to get at least 200 students to vote by referendum in March

alex-mcgowan-at-council-july-2016
Alex McGowan at the council meeting in July 2016. Alex and other KSA executives are trying to reduce the current quorum of 200 students needed for referendums to 150 students. (Alyssa Laube)

The Kwantlen Student Association is aiming to alter its bylaws and regulations this year, and will need 200 students to vote in person at its annual general meeting in March to do so. Most of the changes being made are to the details of roles and titles for executives, but director compensation, meeting location, and chief returning officer requirements will also be addressed.

A primary concern for the KSA is its current quorum of 200 students needed for referendums, as it prevents progress and developments from being made. The Association is hoping to reduce that quorum to 150 at this year’s meeting, but will still need 200 until it succeeds.

“Getting the vote in for the bylaws is something that is very, very difficult, and we’ve been trying it for a couple of years,” says Tanvir Singh, VP Student Services for the Kwantlen Student Association. “We think that that cap is hard enough that it would be difficult to get that many students out, but not impossible. This year we’re going to have to do some miraculous things to get those students out.”

As VP Student Services, Singh will be taking on several new responsibilities if the referendum results in the Association’s favour. First, he will be increasing his involvement in academics, driving narratives and initiatives for open education resources, education rights and access, and relevant policies. Second, he will be acting as an advocate to try and strengthen the KSA’s internal student advocacy. This role will demand that he has his ear to the ground for what KPU students want to see.

VP Finance & Operations Rawan Ramini will also be accepting more responsibility outside of completing the KSA’s budget. In addition, VP Student Life Natasha Lopes will become more of “the liaison for student life on campus,” and will be paying particular attention to clubs.

The chairperson of the executive committee, Alex McGowan, will have his title officially changed to president of the Kwantlen Student Association, something he often goes by regardless. McGowan will also broaden his set of duties, as the Association endeavours to “define the role of the president.”

“We shifted a lot of roles onto the president,” says Singh. “By training councillors and senators and working with them directly, we’re really giving him a leadership role.”

A more recent version of the Society Act which the KSA operated under has raised some concerns for the association as well. Namely, it cannot pay its directors according to the act, and would like to continue doing so. That will also show up in the bylaw change referendum.

Finally, the KSA will be trying to shorten the list of requirements for its chief returning officer.