CSU forced to buy remainder of conference tickets from ASFA

The Concordia Student Union’s decision not to consult with the Arts and Science Federation of Associations will cost them.

When the two organizations bought tickets for Youth Action Montreal conference in January, they agreed to sell them for twenty dollars each. However, due to low ticket sales, the CSU decided to give their tickets away for free. They did so without consulting ASFA, rendering them unable to sell their own tickets. However, ASFA’s logo was still on the posters which said the tickets are free.

ASFA took the ten-thousand-dollars to purchase the tickets from their special member’s association fund, with the intention to return it after the tickets were sold.

After not being able to come up with an agreement, ASFA called a special council meeting for Thursday night. Councillors chastised the union, saying their decision to give away the tickets was premature. It’s typical of students to buy tickets last minute. When VP Finance Ramy Khoriaty suggested that ASFA be given two weeks to sell at least half of its tickets, councillor Michaela Manson argued that they have underwritten their market value, making them unsellable.

Council voted unanimously for the CSU buy the remainder of ASFA’s tickets, four-hundred-and-eighty-three. The cheque will be for almost eleven thousand dollars.

The conference features Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize winner, David Suzuki, environmental activist and science broadcaster, and Stephen Lewis, politician, broadcaster and diplomat. It takes place April 28th at The Palais des Congrès de Montréal.

The CSU will give away the remaining tickets. ASFA will meet next week to decide whether to reimburse students who paid for their tickets.