Originally Posted by Dave.Moore

The SRA would not have the authority to unilaterally close CFMU without consent of the MSU membership through either a quorate General Assembly or a quorate referendum.

I'm confused, if there is a motion to close CFMU at a quorate GA and it passes doesn't that suggest consent?

Same question in regards to a quorate referendum.

Also:has the room changed to allow for quorum? If not, why not? If yes, WHAT ROOM IS IT?

Come on STUDENT government, talk to us, the STUDENTS!

Wow????? Does the SRA and the MSU even wonder why no one at mcmaster cares about them or doesn't show up to these clownshows lol.

at least my highschool had a 'suggestions box'

Hey DannyV, are you down for some anarchy? a student revolt? I think it really is the only acceptable course of action, as we are being let down over and over.

fullsmash, keep fighting the good fight!

Originally Posted by DannyV

I'm confused, if there is a motion to close CFMU at a quorate GA and it passes doesn't that suggest consent?

Same question in regards to a quorate referendum.

It is a quirk of the MSU constitution that is similar to the Canadian Constitution.

We do not elect our Prime Minister, we elect Members of Parliament who then decide who the Prime Minister is.

In short, you are providing guidance to the SRA on what to do.

Due to the structure of MSU Inc. regular students are only "associate members" of MSU Inc. Only SRA members are actually "full members" of MSU Inc. and only full members have actual voting rights to decide the direction taken by MSU Inc.

I guess giving students full voting power would be too risky. After all we do need to be babied at every step.

Originally Posted by DannyV

I guess giving students full voting power would be too risky. After all we do need to be babied at every step.

It's not that clear cut. Ultimately students have full power, it is just an indirect full power.

imagine how amazing that would be if students did have full voting power? at least that awful bar wouldn't have lost so much of our money.

btw has anyone ever occupied mcmaster? or how would the MSU be overthrown? because of all their rules, I really don't see any chance for progression ever.

Danny is correct that a motion to do most things at a quorate General Assembly is binding on the SRA.

Earlier in the strand, Temara commented that if a GA doesn't get quorum, then the SRA could take up ideas expressed at the non-quorate meeting and make a decision. This is true about most things, but not in cases where a binding decision exists from a previous referendum or a General Assembly.

Since this back and forth started in reference to an inquiry using CFMU as an example, the point needed to be made that in the case of the radio station, the SRA cannot close it unilaterally. Approval is necessary from the student body, either from a referendum or a GA.

Ok Ok back on track people
has the room changed to allow for quorum? If not, why not? If yes, WHAT ROOM IS IT?

MSU, you don't really want us there do you?

The president's page can fill you in on that... Here's what was written:


The General Assembly (GA) of the MSU is a place where the business of students is brought before an open and public session, where individuals can have any issues(s) addressed and even have binding motions passed on the union.

It has been nearly two decades since an MSU GA has met quorum. Quorum is the definition of sufficient student representation to validate the decisions being made at a GA. Without quorum, (3% of the student population or approximately 600 people), motions of a GA are not binding on the union. The Board of Directors (BoD) and the Student Representative Assembly (SRA) have come to the conclusion that MSU GA’s need a serious evaluation and overhaul. For years now, GA’s have been hosted amidst a backdrop of futility, due to the repeatedly discouraging results that was a lack of quorum. That being the case, the student leadership of today wants this trend of simply going through the motions of a GA to stop. This upcoming GA is being conducted with the best intentions of attaining quorum, however, one would be foolish to ignore the 20 years of precedence laid before us.

To that end, the first of two GA’s will be held on January 29th @ 2pm in Gilmour Hall 111 (Council Chambers). Council Chambers will provide an ideal location to discuss the matter of the lacklustre nature of past General Assemblies and debate the proposed changes that student leaders intend to bring forth at that time. This GA may better be understood as a town hall style event, whereby as a collective of engaged individuals on campus, we can discuss the forthcoming proposals, as well as any other issues or business that MSU members at large (i.e. YOU!) wish to have heard. Moreover, the VP Finance will provide a report on the union’s economic standing and will be available for questions.

Come to this forum and have your opinion heard on any matter related to the MSU. How are your student services being run? What advocacy work would you like to see? In what areas should the MSU better lobby the University administration? And most importantly, how can we restore the value and prominence of an MSU General Assembly?

Come prepared with an agenda, or simply come to learn more about your student government. All are welcome and all are highly encouraged to participate. January 29th 2pm-4pm, Gilmour Hall 111 – Be there and be heard!

So when's the second one?

I don't know that off hand but we'll ask Azim, who's responsibility it is to call, at today's SRA meeting.

If you want to stop by yourself, the SRA meeting is in GH 111 starting at 6:30. The agenda is here: http://www.msumcmaster.ca/studentGov.../documents.htm

There are some seats open to MSU members for Univ Affairs and the Elections committee so do stop by if you're interested in participating on one of these committees. The University Affairs committee is doing some work in planning the GA so this is quite the appropriate thread to be advertising I might say

I'll try to make it out to the general assembly. However, is it possible to change the quorum since 600 people is pretty much impossible

you need to make sure you have enough people in order to say that it is representative of the student body. 3% is still kind of small.

this is gonna sound bad but im being serious.. what if you bribed people with food and prizes to try to get a higher turnout.. are the bylaws totally against that?

Originally Posted by ferreinm

this is gonna sound bad but im being serious.. what if you bribed people with food and prizes to try to get a higher turnout.. are the bylaws totally against that?

Horrible idea. One needs only look at the corruption that occured three years ago at Kwantlen University College to see where this can lead.