Noor ChaudhryThis year, two plebiscite questions will be on the ballot: CJSR and the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU).
CJSR plebiscite
CSJR-FM 88.5 is the U of A’s campus radio station. At the Myer Horowitz forum on Monday, students were encouraged to vote yes in order to pay $2.50 per semester to help support CJSR. This fee would support staff and volunteers who spend their time producing podcasts, radio shows, and more.
Will it pass?
Unfortunately, I do not think that it will pass. Many students are not aware of CJSR and what it has to offer for the student community. Additionally, their lack of forum presence did not help them increase their awareness on campus — CJSR only attended the Myer Horowitz forum.
Should it pass?
I think that it should pass. CJSR provides incredible opportunities to students, and keeps the U of A community informed in a very accessible way.
-Francine Dela Paz
Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU) Plebiscite
At the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU) forum on Friday and the Myer Horowitz forum on Monday, ISU vice-president (consultation and engagement) Victor Olsen asked students to vote for the renewal of the ISU’s annual student fee of $1.14. At the 2024 Students’ Union (SU) elections forums, Olsen has made it loud and clear that funding is necessary for Indigenous students to thrive.
The ISU provides services that improve the campus experience for Indigenous students, and the ISU lounge provides a safe and welcoming space not just for Indigenous students, but all students. The ISU hosts workshops, as well as working in partnership with the SU on the annual Residential School Memorial.
The ISU provides funding for students who have ideas for Indigenous-based workshops and activities, designed to promote Indigenous culture or educate people about it. The funds that the ISU provides for people with these ideas are not exclusive to Indigenous students, but they do require input from Indigenous peoples. This approach is inclusive to all, and encourages cooperation regardless of identity, which I think is very important for Reconciliation.
Will it pass?
I think it probably will. The success of the fee renewal ultimately comes down to whether students are receptive to the issues that Indigenous students are dealing with right now, and I don’t think that their visibility is very high. As Olsen said in his Q & A with The Gateway, the ISU is “locked away in a little corner,” and very easy to miss. However, I believe that it will pass if voters have paid attention to what the ISU has had to say, and it seems that only students who are concerned about campus issues tend to vote.
Should it pass?
The ISU fee is the smallest of all the dedicated fees, and represents a miniscule portion of the total fees levied on students. It’s barely noticeable, and there is no reason that students shouldn’t vote for it.
The ISU Lounge is a place of advocacy, community, culture, and togetherness. It’s a place that enables an incredibly disadvantaged group to feel safe and welcome. For these reasons, the ISU is one of the most important groups on campus. If you don’t understand where your dollar is going by funding the ISU, all you have to do is go to the ISU Lounge and see for yourself. They’re only asking you for a dollar to support Indigenous students on campus — you won’t regret it.
-Tristan Dell
