News brief: KSA council reduces funding for Brazil field school, approves then cancels Holi event

The Kwantlen Student Association council recalled $18,000 in funding that the executive committee allocated in February for a field school program and instead approved a reduced amount during a meeting on March 12.

Through an updated motion, council adjusted the funding to be $10,000 — more than 40-per-cent less than what executives approved on Feb. 3 — to support students enrolled in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s 2026 Brazil field school course.

Reviewing and approving funding requests is typically the duty of the executive committee. However, President Gurdit Singh said prior to this council meeting, there were only two voting members on the committee following Ishant Goyal’s resignation as vice-president (VP) student life and Manmeet Kaur’s removal as VP finance and operations.

“We wanted to involve the council in this motion so that it can be a collective move from council,” Singh added. “That’s the reason behind that.”

KSA Clubs and Outreach Coordinator Vanshika Jain wrote in an email statement to The Runner that funding for the field school was initially discussed at $10,000.

“During the Executive Committee process, a motion was brought forward at a higher amount; however, following further internal review, the decision was made to proceed with the originally discussed allocation of $10,000, and the motion was adjusted accordingly,” Jain wrote.

She added that of the 18 students enrolled in the program, four have it as a mandatory academic requirement and the remaining 14 do not. About 10 per cent of the program’s total cost — or $725 per person — will go to those who have it as mandatory to their studies, while the rest will have around seven per cent — or $500 per person — covered.

Council also appointed Mature Students Representative Ashutosh Dhingra as VP student life and approved $10,000 for Holi celebration tickets. However, in an email statement to The Runner, Singh wrote that the KSA’s Holi event is cancelled.

“After careful consideration, the Board has decided to cancel the event due to an expected low student turnout and unfavourable weather conditions, which are not suitable for safely hosting a Holi celebration,” he wrote. “We believe this decision is in the best interest of student safety and overall event experience.”

At the meeting, Singh said the event was to represent students of colour and that the $10,000 price tag wouldn’t affect the KSA’s operations budget, which reported an almost $2.4-million deficit last year.

The motion proposed to use the constituency collective funds from the social justice budget and not from the KSA events budget line.

The association budgeted $49,000 for the constituency collective funds and $95,000 for KSA events. Last year, KSA events were over budget by more than $500,000.

The social justice fee is $0.26 per credit — $3.12 for a student enrolled in 12 credits or four courses. The KSA did not spend from the social justice budget last year.

At a March 9 council meeting, which could not proceed due to a loss of quorum, Ragavan said, “I cannot speak on the decisions of council.”

Council also carried a motion during the March 12 meeting for an ordinary resolution to be presented at the KSA’s annual general meeting (AGM) on March 27 at 10:00 am in the KPU Surrey Conference Centre.

The resolution is for the KSA to waive all fees, with the exception of U-Pass/MultiPass and extended health and dental plan fees, for incoming and current KPU students who are members of the seven First Nations the university’s campuses reside on: Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Musqueam, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem.

KPU began waiving tuition fees for students from the seven nations in fall 2023. This resolution was on the agenda at last year’s AGM, but wasn’t discussed due to a lack of quorum. It was also on the 2024 AGM’s agenda, but was not presented because the meeting ended early.

“I do think [the AGM is] a great opportunity for students to come out, ask some questions, anything in the future you’re able to bring forward, you’re always welcome to do so,” Ragavan said in his report.

The next KSA council meeting is scheduled for March 24 at 1:00 pm. Students can email info@kusa.ca for more information.