Students and groups at the University of Regina (U of R) have mixed reactions to the vote to dissolve the University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU).
On Tuesday, the union held an special online general meeting and received 70 out of 84 votes in favour of dissolution. However, many university students said they couldn’t access the meeting.
One university student who wished to remain anonymous told SaskToday URSU would only let people in with a Microsoft account that has their full name displayed and a student ID.
“The problem is that everyone at the U of R is supplied a Microsoft account, but they can’t change their name to add their student number to their Microsoft account. We don’t have the permission to do that,” the student said.
The student said he signed up to join the meeting to hold URSU accountable.
“The finance side of things is definitely a point of contention with my peers.”
Back in April, URSU lost the responsibility of collecting student fees after the university found issues with its financial statements.
A few months later, the university terminated its lease agreement with URSU, as the students’ union vacated their spaces.
In September, URSU announced it would hold a special general meeting in person to vote on its dissolution. The meeting was changed to online, and a no-vote was made after students raised concerns over the students’ union being free of any liability upon its dissolution.
“These meetings shouldn’t of been online at all. I think having an online voting platform for student regulation is inappropriate. I think they need to have a physical space to have physical ballots for this kind of thing,” said the university student.
Need for governance change
Tayef Ahmed, executive director of the Regina Public Interest Research Group (RPIRG), said there has been a growing problem with accountability and transparency with organizations at the university.
“There is no proper structure that we can make those organizing accountable, unless we actually work on the proper structure.”
Ahmed believes new students creating groups aren’t getting the right guidance for the process.
“I would go to a big reputable firm that has expertise in governance and conflict resolution and let them take care of the work for a year or two.”
As a resource centre which receives student funding, Ahmed said having trust and direct communication is crucial.
Concerning a new students’ union, Ahmed feels a broader discussion needs to happen among students first for a long-term solution of governance before considering a new union.
“The university can fill the gaps in the services in the meantime while we work to actually make a students’ union that is better and works for everybody.”
SaskToday has reached out to URSU for comments on Tuesday’s vote, but received no response as of publication time.
Meanwhile, the U of R on Tuesday said they’re aware of the dissolution and await communication from URSU or its legal counsel with respect to its proposed next steps.
Those next steps include URSU board of directors, within 90 days, appoint a liquidator to initiate its wind-up.
The liquidator would then be authorized to direct and take steps to ensure the dissolution is in accordance with applicable law.
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