BoG meeting ends suddenly due to student rep walk-out

Three student governors walked out of a Board of Governors meeting in protest this morning to prevent the board from voting on an issue raised in closed session.

Their departure meant that the board, Concordia’s most powerful governing body, was left with too few people to be able to call a vote on anything, forcing the meeting to end prematurely.

According to undergraduate governor Cameron Monagle, he and fellow student reps Erik Chevrier and AJ West left because they felt that the subject of the vote was “extremely offensive to students.” Monagle described the atmosphere in the room as they walked out as confused and frustrated.

The vote took place in closed session so governors are not allowed to talk specifics. Student rep and CSU president Lex Gill chose to remain in the boardroom and said later that the discussion in question involved the right to film and broadcast BoG meetings.

“Historically, people have been able to walk into that room and see what’s happening in open session. The only difference is that people are asking to then record it and share it,” said Gill, who without divulging names said that there was some support for the students position on this matter at today’s meeting.

Undergraduate governor AJ West publicly encouraged students to bring recording equipment and film today’s BoG meeting. Over 20 people including Concordia Student Union councillors, Mob Squad members and student press sat waiting outside the boardroom on the 3rd floor of the EV building, some equipped with cameras and laptops. Monagle said that he and West were intending to film open session, which was ultimately cancelled, as well.

This call-to-arms comes as a response to the board’s decision to vote down a series of transparency motions presented by graduate governor Erik Chevrier in the fall. Chevrier proposals, which included the mandatory filming to BoG meetings and increased seating for audience members, have been the source of heavy debate within the BoG.

Gill told student media that governors have been “playing ping-pong” with Chevrier’s motion all year and that the board currently operates in a way that is “accountable to no one.”

“This is not the board of Coca-Cola or Monsanto, this is the board of a public institution of higher learning,” said Gill.

Gill said the next steps for the student governors is to considering drafting a proposal to present to the board at the next meeting on April 19. Students are once again invited to bring their cameras.