KSA council holds 1st meeting since students hosted SGM
The student association does not recognize the 27 new student representatives who were appointed to the council at the SGM
The next KSA council meeting is scheduled for June 25, 1:00 pm. (File photo)
The Kwantlen Student Association held a council meeting on June 11, marking its first one since the student membership held a special general meeting (SGM) in late May.
Vice-President Student Life Ishant Goyal gave a presentation to the council about the KSA’s June 10 media statement on the SGM.
The student association previously approved a motion during a May 28 council meeting to hold an SGM “as soon as reasonably possible” and noted “irregularities” in the petition notice.
Goyal confirmed the KSA does not recognize the meeting, citing “improper business at the SGM.”
The KSA’s media release stated that the Societies Act and the student union’s bylaws outline specific processes for elections to occur, which are done through campus-wide voting, and in certain cases, to fill vacancies in the council.
“Elections have to be held for specific Council representative positions and candidates must be qualified to meet those specific positions,” the release read.
“The resolutions that were passed at the SGM attempting to elect directors did not meet these requirements.”
At the SGM, students voted to appoint 27 new councillors, each with no specific constituency.
The KSA’s statement also noted that the SGM “did not elect any directors or Council members.”
Goyal also informed the council about a letter from the KSA’s legal counsel, Miller Thompson LLP, which was posted to the association’s website along with the media release and outlines why the KSA doesn’t recognize the SGM. Goyal said this letter was sent to the individuals who were appointed to the council to explain “why they were not elected.”
Several councillors attended the SGM, despite the KSA not recognizing the meeting. Science and Horticulture Representative Anmol Bansal wrote in the Microsoft Teams meeting chat that he “attended as a student.”
At the SGM, a motion to remove Goyal and Students with Disabilities Representative Bhoomika Seera failed. Both Goyal and Seera were in attendance at the SGM.
“There are two different hats we all wear,” Goyal said. “One is the council who [released] the statement that the meeting is not valid, but since we are also KSA members and KPU students, we attended in the capacity of KSA members to cast our vote.”
The student association also held an executive committee meeting on June 9, where it deferred two motions from the KPU Pinoy Club to the next committee meeting.
Goyal said the executive committee needs more time to review the motions for KPU Pinoy’s event collaboration with the KPU Fitness Club and proposed funding for Pinoy Festival 2025.
The executive committee renewed the club roster for the Muslim Students Association until April 30 next year, in addition to approving $125 for the Kwantlen IT Club’s Cyber Security 101 event on June 24 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Learning Centre at KPU Surrey. The event will dive into hands-on best practices for information security.
In his report, Goyal said the student association is working on planning upcoming events. The KSA is planning a trip to Cultus Lake Waterpark in mid-July as well as a movie screening for a select number of students.
He said the association is also working on hosting a Clubs Appreciation Day, where KSA club executives will be invited and presented with “token for all the contributions towards the KSA.” He added that he is also planning a talent show for KPU students at the Surrey Conference Centre.
Goyal said that the KSA has also received a testimonial since the executive committee approved $19,740 for supporting a KPU research study on 2SLGBTQIA+ post-secondary students during a May 16 meeting.
“Thanks to the KSA’s funding, we’ve been able to engage in meaningful, student-led research that not only uplifts marginalized voices but also enhances the academic and professional development of those involved,” the testimonial read.
He said the association is also in discussion with Gallivan, KSA’s student health and wellness provider, for plan modifications to offer wider coverage to KPU students.
The next KSA council meeting is scheduled for June 25, 1:00 pm. Interested students can email info@kusa.ca to join the meeting.
