WeisWords: A dozen questions for the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University

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*This post was updated on Feb. 23 at 3 p.m.
*Updated  again on Feb. 29 at 10:55 p.m.

WeisWords: A dozen questions for the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University

By Bryan Weismiller
Publishing Editor

 

Wow, what a wild ride it’s been since Meghan Melnyk’s sudden resignation as president of the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University!

*Crickets*

Well. . .

. . . does anyone care what happened? The Reflector has hardly received any feedback considering the situation.

Here’s a short recap of what we know:

– The SA puts out a release on Jan. 31.

– Meghan Melnyk sends a response the next day.
– The Students’ Association is pressed for more answers.
–  SA officials say it’s a “personnel issue” and offer few details.

– This watered-down story gets published.

– Few students seem to care.

 

The story may be dead.

 

However, we’re going to keep milking it anyway!

 

And in all honesty, why not? Don’t the students who elected Meghan Melnyk as president deserve to know what’s going on?

 

Keep in mind,we’re not talking about some lame high school students’ council — there’s real money involved here.

 

The SA’s books balanced at $23,523,063, according to a Statement of Financial Positon approved during the Annual General Meeting on Nov. 30, 2011.

 

The elected Executive Committee members — president, VP external, VP student life, VP academic — receive honoraria from the Students’ Association. EC members were paid $184,584 in the past year, up from the $172,931 paid in 2010, according to financial statements also approved on Nov. 30, 2011.

 

Split evenly four ways — that equates to $46,146.

(Students’ Association officials declined to comment on how they are compensated when asked on Feb. 21.)

*Editor’s note: On Wednesday afternoon, Michelle Dennis said the salary calculations are  incorrect, but details have yet to be provided as of 3 p.m. Numbers will be updated once more information is released.

 

Obviously it’s important to keep personel matters private. To quote a friend, “Nobody needs to know why the janitor got canned.” But, in this case, we’re dealing with an elected official getting compensation from a student-funded organization.

 

With that in mind, here are a dozen question I personally believe the Students’ Association needs to address within a reasonable timeframe. Whether that is a week or by year’s end, I believe more information needs to be released if the SA considers itself a transparent student government.

 

12 Questions

1.) Why did Meghan Melnyk quit?

2.) What was found during Students’ Council’s first periodic review of then president Meghan Melnyk?

3.) What were the conditions of Meghan Melnyk’s resignation?

4.) Does Meghan Melnyk still attend Mount Royal University? If so, do you think that’s fair considering the circumstances?

5.) Did Meghan Melnyk violate any of the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University’s bylaws? If so, which ones and how?

6.) Did Meghan Melnyk do anything illegal during her time as president?

7.) Which bylaws were modified as a direct result of Meghan Melnyk’s resignation?

8.) What constitutes a “personnel matter?” Why doesn’t the student body get disclosed on these matters?

9.) In how many incidences and when has the president of the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University resigned in the middle of his or her term?

10.) Why hasn’t Students’ Association executive director Marcy Fogal or anyone outside of the Executive Committee been made available for comment?

11.) When will more information be released?

12.) Do you owe those students an explanation for Meghan Melnyk’s resignation? Why/Why not?

 

What do you want to know?

publishingeditor@thereflector.ca