Notes from Council: ISU presents on safety concerns

“Notes from Council” is The Gateway’s ongoing series of recaps of noteworthy items from Students’ Council meetings.

At the December 17 meeting of the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) Students’ Council, the Indigenous Students Union (ISU) presented on safety concerns on campus and the ISU lounge.

The International House Community Council (IHCC) also presented a Faculty Association Membership Fee (FAMF) proposal to council.

ISU raises concerns about safety and security

Sophie Martel, ISU president, gave an oral presentation following an incident the week prior to council, where a student was assaulted in the ISU lounge. According to Martel, the ISU’s security concerns have been ongoing since a theft in the summer of 2023. 

In January 2024, concerns escalated after Frances Widdowson was invited to speak on campus. Widdowson’s invitation to campus sparked controversy over her previous comments about residential schools. Martel stated that the ISU received death threats following Widdowson’s invitation. 

Martel said this created “unease and distress of students not wanting to come to campus and not wanting to participate in activities.”

The ISU had been working for over a year to have a OneCard reader installed in their lounge. Martel stated it was not completed until before the this council meeting and did not initially work. According to Martel, maintenance did not come to look at the OneCard reader until after the assault. 

Martel voiced her concerns and frustration over the lack of support and advocacy from the UASU on this issue.

“It is completely unfair and unacceptable that it has taken us this long to have our safety or safety concerns addressed,” Martel said.

Following that, arts councillor Nathan Thiessen asked about what the UASU could do in support.

Martel responded that the ISU needs “genuine action” from the UASU. She said that executives have come to the ISU during their campaigns to ask what they need, but haven’t followed through with their promises.

President Lisa Glock voiced her own frustrations with the university “dismissing” people. Glock asked, “if they don’t want to listen, how should we as individuals, rather than we in our positions, make a push for those cultural shifts?” 

Martel stated that the UASU is elected to paid positions to fight for students.

“I’m going to ask that you keep fighting and that you make it a priority,” Martel said. 

Students share concerns during open forum

During the open forum, Martel asked Glock about the Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Committee (ARRC), which has only met once this academic year. Glock stated that the ARRC has had issues with meeting quorum for its meetings, but is “hoping that it’s not going to be an issue in the winter semester.”

Several students in attendance shared their experiences with harassment on campus. A student and member of the ISU shared an example of an incident that took place in Deweys.

According to the student, a man had sworn at her and threatened to punch her. She said the incident had slipped her mind because “that’s the type of abuse that Indigenous people deal with daily.”

Logan West, a vice-president (external) candidate in the UASU 2024-25 election, made a statement on her frustration with the lack of action from the UASU.

West said that many of the current executives’ campaigns had mentioned advocating for Indigenous students. “I am horrified that it took a student being assaulted for many of you to even leave your ivory tower of an office,” West said.

IHCC FAMF proposal

Following the open forum, Lee Hughes, a co-facilitator of IHCC, presented the IHCC’s proposal for a $50-a-year FAMF. IHCC supports and represents all residents of International House, as well as puts on events for members. Hughes stated that the fee would fund events and provide financial support and stability for the IHCC budget.

Business Councillor Owen Pasay raised concerns over the budget presented to council. The IHCC’s presented budget showed money from the FAMF going into its surplus rather than towards events. Hughes clarified that the money would be used for events, not only for the surplus. 

Angelina Botros, a science councillor, asked about a previous issue IHCC had with its capacity to handle its revenue. IHCC previously had an issue with transferring its signing authority. Hughes explained the difficulty was due to disorganization following the departure of a previous co-facilitator. IHCC expects to have that issue resolved next week.

Due to concerns over the budget and disorganization of IHCC, council decided to revisit the proposal at another time.