We have three elected students who are supposed to represent us on the Board of Governors and almost 50 students on AMS Council tasked with representing our best interests. Neither group seems willing to take on the Board of Governors.
Let’s start with the Board of Governors student reps. Though elected by students, as soon as they take office, their allegiance to the Board trumps their allegiance to their constituents. When asked for comment repeatedly on what was happening at the Board, they were apprehensive to talk to us in the first place, saying approval to speak would have to come from the Board secretary. After multiple requests for comment, all they were willing to say is that they have a place at the table and are engaged in the conversations the Board is having. Board Chair John Montalbano said exactly that about the student reps in a separate interview. Either they think exactly alike, or the lines were rehearsed, neither of which is a comforting thought. (In fairness, perhaps our student reps have all done a stunning job representing us at the Board, but they are so muzzled that we have no way of knowing.)
Now, to the AMS. The body has little power to change anything at the Board of Governors, but does have the ability to at least make symbolic gestures for students. If the smarmy statement they spent hours on Wednesday symbolized anything, it was the desire to play nice with the Board, rather than take a stand. The statement included language that wouldn’t warrant any angry phone calls from Montalbano, featuring phrases such as “considering institutional stability to be paramount.” The statement also contains gems such as asking media to stop discussing the situation and asserting they are the only organization that can represent students. If students want anything now, it's answers, transparency and representation -- none of which that statement will accomplish.
The Board of Governors is the most powerful organization at UBC. They hold the reins on just about everything, including how secretive they are. The current level of secrecy and power at the Board is nothing new, and neither is general student apathy or student politicians who want to make friends in high places. But as we see in the Board of Governors, a seat at the table doesn’t mean much for students. If student politicians were more concerned with taking a stand for their constituents than being able to quietly voice concerns at private meetings, perhaps we might see some real pressure for change.
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