Brandon University Students' Union
The Brandon University Students' Union (BUSU) represents undergraduate, graduate, and distance students at Brandon University (BU) in Manitoba, Canada. BUSU is a non-partisan and non-denominational not-for-profit organization that represents 3,375 (2020) students.[1] BUSU was incorporated in 1969, and joined the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) as Local 37 in 1984. BUSU hosts a variety of events such as speakers, socials, and free food giveaways as well as organizing orientation events at the beginning of each September and January. BUSU is contracted by the Knowles-Douglas Commission to maintain the day-to-day operations of the Knowles-Douglas Centre, which includes the campus bookstore, Bailey's Café, and The Quill as tenants. The BUSU office is located on the first floor of the Knowles-Douglas Centre at Brandon University. ServicesThe BUSU office functions as the central lost and found for BU. Each year the students' union produces about 3,000 student planners, which are available to students for free. The handbook provides information about the university and the students' union along with a weekly calendar for students to track course assignments and all of their extra curricular activities. BUSU and BU each contribute $15,000 annually to the work study program. The funding is granted to professors and other members of the BU community to hire students to assist in research projects, or in other engagement with the local community. BUSU and BU each contribute $6,000 annually to the Student Travel & Conference Fund. This service is intended to assist students in covering their travel expenses and conference fees associated with participation in off-campus learning experiences. BUSU works closely with the BU Career Planning office and other employers to provide students with a current website for part-time and summer jobs. In 2015 the Assiniboine Community College Students' Association (ACCSA) and BUSU began a partnership to implement a student discount program with participating businesses throughout Brandon. Between May 2015 and April 2016 over 300 hampers were distributed helping almost 900 people by the food bank. Every year BUSU hosts the Halloween Food Drive. Student clubs from BU compete to collect the most weight of non-perishable food by trick-or-treating around Brandon. In 2008, Brandon University students voted in favor of creating a Health and Dental Plan for students who do not have alternative coverage. BUSU administers the Health and Dental plan provided by C&C Insurance and Student VIP. CollectivesBUSU funds, houses, and helps organize five[2] Collectives on the BU campus. The Collectives have guaranteed funding from BUSU each year and deal primarily with topics of gender, expression, diversity, nationality, and inclusion.
FeesThe following are fees collected by BUSU through the Brandon University.
CampaignsBUSU runs a number of campaigns in conjunction with the CFS on a number of social, economic, and educational issues. On occasion, BUSU decides that larger actions are necessary to spread awareness and lobby the government about pressing issues. All Out Nov 2On November 2, 2016, BUSU and the CFS held rallies at Brandon University and the Manitoba Legislature in Support of Bill 15, The Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Act, the creation of an Indigenous course requirement, the removal of mandatory attendance requirements, and halting the increase of differential fees for international students.[8] The Manitoba Government passed Bill 15 in April 2017.[9] #Scrap Bill 31On October 25 and 26, 2017, BUSU and the CFS held rallies at Brandon University and the Manitoba Legislature in Opposition of Bill 31, The Advanced Education Administration Amendment Act, which would allow tuition hikes of up to 5% plus inflation every year[10] and deregulates course-related fees.[11] Over 200 students rallied at Brandon University,[12] and more than 50 people spoke out in opposition at the public hearing on Bill 31.[13] On Nov 10, 2017, the Manitoba government passed Bill 31.[14] On March 17, 2018, BUSU President Nick Brown proposed a motion to the Brandon University Board of Governors to keep tuition increases to a maximum of the rate of inflation, but it was defeated.[15] ControversiesBrandon University Students For LifeIn November 2015 BUSU did not accept the application for Club Status from the Brandon University Students for Life (BUSL).[16] In August 2016 BUSL took legal action against BUSU, suing for reinstatement of Club Status.[16] At the Fall 2016 Annual General Meeting, the following motion was passed:
2020 election interferenceDuring the 2020 BUSU Election the Elections and Referenda Disciplinary Interpretation and Enforcement Board (ERDIE) received multiple reports regarding "intimidation, threat, or undue influence".[18] The ERDIE Board investigation resulted in the candidates for president and Vice President Internal, Olusola Akintola and Janet Akintola respectively, being disqualified from the election.[18] Olusola and Janet filed a legal application calling for the courts to order BUSU to ratify the results of the election[19] and stated that there is "a conspiracy to prevent some of us from taking office".[19] Janet was reinstated on June 3, and Olusola on July 13 after an independent investigation could not substantiate the evidence of the allegations. A notice of abandonment of the lawsuit was also filed on July 13.[20] On August 10, Olusola resigned stating that, "I needed to move on, actually, I just wanted to fight to get my name back. I didn't like the way I was being treated and I fought to get it back. Once I got it back, I just felt ‘well, let me just leave.’"[21] On October 5, 2020, BUSU put out an ad to fill the vacant position of Vice President Internal, indicating that Janet had also resigned. There were also allegations stating that a candidate mislead students into believing the polls had closed earlier than expected. The other two candidates in the election were Whitney Hodgins, and Zach Roozendaal, nephew of former BUSU President John Roozendaal. Hodgins was reached for a comment on the controversy by the Brandon Sun, though Roozendaal states he was never approached for a comment or asked to discuss his feelings by BUSU or any media outlets. Roozendaal states that he only learned about the controversy in April of 2020 from friends after joining the Brandon University Gaming Association, or BUGA for short. At no point was he ever contacted about the matter. "I was shocked and frustrated, not to mention disappointed. You'd think that they'd inform me about something like that, that someone would at least step up and tell me about the situation sooner, but I was kept in the dark, and the fact that no one reached out to me or seemed to acknowledge my efforts with my campaign was incredibly insulting and frustrating. I hope that in the future there's an improvement regarding transparency and disclosure. I shouldn't have had to found out the details of this scandal nearly 6-8 weeks after the fact, nor should I have been rejected to be reached for a comment from any media outlets. My campaign had its merits and fair share of supporters and to be ignored was an insult not just to me, but to the people who supported me." -Zach Roozendaal Roozendaal has not pursued any legal action or held any judgment against BUSU, but as stated above has expressed frustration and disappointment over the lack of transparency or communication regarding the issue. Elected positionsThe BUSU Council is elected on an annual basis from May 1 to April 30 every year. The General Election takes place around reading week in late February. The BUSU Council currently has 18 positions:[22] Executive
Directors
See alsoReferences
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