June 9, 2009 News

New CSU administration opens the books

$200,000 legal bill announced, $700,000 of expenses blocked

by Justin Giovannetti

After what was described as a “hectic and intense” first week in office, newly elected Concordia Student Union President Amine Dabchy faced his first major test on June 8 when he delivered his first executive report to the CSU Council.

In what Dabchy called an “illegal transfer,” the administration of former president Keyana Kashfi transferred $600,000 to health care broker Morneau Sobeco in one of their final acts. The transfer was blocked by Dabchy’s new administration.

According to CSU documents, Dabchy claims “one former CSU executive told me in confidence [that the transfer] amounted to an attempt to handicap the incoming executive and Council.”

The transfer was part of the former administration’s year-long search for a new health care provider, during which Morneau Sobeco acted as a mediator with any potential health care provider. After Dabchy’s election in March, he publicly stated that his administration would search for new health care proposals.

Dabchy also announced that the creation of two new full-time positions at the CSU—which were not open to students—was stopped after the previous executive attempted to post and fill the positions without Council approval. The two positions, that of Student Life director and Communications director, would have cost students $80,000 per year.

Dabchy and his vice-presidents called the positions unnecessary as they could hire temporary workers if the need for extra help arose. The fact that the positions would not be open to students was also opposed.

To the surprise of many on Council, Dabchy also announced that one-tenth of the previous CSU’s budget was spent on legal fees, amounting to nearly $200,000. The legal fees associated with the Student Centre negotiations were not included in that total, which alone could add $100,000 to the bill.

These figures conflict with the previously disclosed legal bill of $60,000.

In response, Dabchy announced that the current CSU lawyer, who charges $345 an hour, will only be referred to for complicated matters relating to specific constitutional questions. For general legal matters, a less expensive lawyer will be hired.

Finally, Dabchy said that he was informed that the university’s Board of Governors is set to vote against the ratification

of special bylaw G, approved in the CSU General Election

last March.

According to Dabchy, the by-law was “confusing” and its true intent, according to the university, was to increase fees. As the bylaw will not be ratified, no fee increases will take place.

In documentation provided by the CSU at the time, the

bylaw stated, “this by-law is

a consolidation of Special By-Law E and Special By-Law F

concerning the levy of fees. [sic]” Neither bylaw E nor F was available for students to consult at election time.