KSA approves nearly $8K for events and clubs, can’t vote on PIPS’ proposals

Editor’s note: Polytechnic Ink Publishing Society’s Operations Manager Devaki Mathivanan presented the society’s interests and The Runner’s Editor in Chief Sukhmani Sandhu answered questions regarding the newspaper’s operations. The Runner acknowledges and has taken steps to prevent conflicts of interest or potential bias from influencing the article.

The Kwantlen Student Association executive committee approved funding for KSA events and clubs at an Oct. 28 meeting.

The executive committee approved $4,000 from the KSA events budget for two events: $1,500 for the Scary Time Battleground event and $2,500 for a Sukhmani Sahib Path.

Scary Time Battleground is a FIFA gaming tournament, scheduled for Nov. 19 at Grassroots Cafe. The first-place prize is an $850 PlayStation and second place will receive a $200 Lionel Messi jersey. The remaining $450 is budgeted for pizza and drinks, with approximately 50 attendees expected.

The Sukhmani Sahib Path, a recitation of gurbani, will be held to celebrate the gurpurab, or birth anniversary, of Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the first guru in Sikhi. The event is planned for Nov. 26 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on the Surrey campus in Birch 250.

The association budgeted $500 for payment to people who’ll lead the service, $250 for parshaad and a rumala sahib — traditional parts of Sikh ceremonies, $1,000 for food, $250 for decorations, and $500 for miscellaneous.

“It will give students an opportunity to connect with Sikh culture and traditions through prayers, music, discussions, food, and other meaningful activities,” the KSA wrote.

For clubs’ funding, executives approved $3,939.98 — more than 70 per cent of which went to the KPU Muslim Student Association (MSA).

The KPU MSA received $189.98 for a club banner and $2,450 for its Pleasure or Purpose? Choosing What Truly Matters on Nov. 20 at the Surrey campus lecture hall in the Fir building. The funding includes $2,000 for food from King George Donair Halal, $350 for decorations, and $100 for gifts.

80 people are expected at the event — including KPU students, the speaker, Imam Yama, and high school students from Muslim student associations at Guildford Park, Kwantlen Park, and Princess Margaret Secondary Schools in Surrey.

Executives also approved $400 for the Kwantlen Pageturners, $750 for the Sociology Student Club, and $150 total for Accounting Students of Kwantlen (ASK).

The Kwantlen Pageturners, KPU’s book club, received funding for an Oct. 26 book discussion with a Dr. Gonzales, an Asian literature expert. All $400 went to the guest speaker’s fee.

The Sociology Student Club planned a Diwali event for Nov. 6 at the Spruce Atrium on the Surrey campus. The club estimated 50 people would attend, and most of the budget was for food and refreshments, while $60 was listed for decorations.

ASK received funding for two events: $80 for CPA & Beyond: Your Roadmap to an Accounting Career and $70 for a master’s of professional accounting information session — for which planning tools were not shared with The Runner.

The executive committee also approved the formation of the Humility Kindness Love Club. 

“Our club encourages meaningful connections through community initiatives, student-led activities, and volunteer opportunities. This way, we can support others and create a positive and inclusive campus environment,” the club wrote, adding that 11 members are interested in joining thus far.

The KSA also held a council meeting on Oct. 30.

Vice President (VP) Student Life Anirudh Agnihotri sent a motion in the meeting chat for council to move in-camera with Executive Director Timothii Ragavan and Executive Secretary

Prabjot Deol.

Council can only move in-camera for legal and human resources matters, as well as property purchases and sales, as per the KSA’s bylaws. However, the association’s bylaws allow council to move in-camera for business outside of these areas through unanimous consent of the representatives.

Agnihotri said council was moving in camera for “HR reasons” — the motion was carried with five ayes, though some councillors in the meeting did not vote.

Polytechnic Ink Publishing Society’s (PIPS) Operations Manager Devaki Mathivanan asked about proposals discussed at the last council meeting, which council said will be discussed during question period.

PIPS’ proposal was to amend printing requirements and the number of issues The Runner has to publish each year.

PIPS’ proposals were added to the Oct. 14 council meeting agenda. Under the KSA’s regulations, motions that were not recommended in the last meeting but were served a notice should be placed under the “unfinished business” section of the agenda.

Civic Plaza Rep. Gurnoor Singh said that it would help council make a decision if PIPS shared their financial statements.

“We annually send out the financial statements of PIPS,… these statements are sent to KSA on [an] early basis,” Mathivanan said.

Singh added that he was concerned the KSA would lose its ability to hold PIPS accountable should the autonomy agreement end.

“These clauses have been there ever since the autonomy agreement has been signed…. We are not seeking any changes. We are talking about just one thing — reducing the number of issues as per the autonomy agreement.”

Once question period began, only six council members remained in the meeting. Since a two-thirds resolution is needed to vote on a motion, council could not come to a decision regarding PIPS’ proposals.

The next council meeting will be held on Nov. 27, with no confirmed time. Students can email info@kusa.ca for a meeting link.