Over The Edge Page 2 NEws April 7, 1998 Queen’s University nm Experience Queen’s University in England m Study in a 15th century castle at Herstmonceux fall ‘98 or winter ‘99 mn Earn Credits in *Art History *Drama *Economics *English Literature *Film Studies *Geography *History *International Business *Languages *Philosophy *Political Studies *Religion nu Take part in European Field Studies Contact: Admission Services Queen’s Univerisity 110 Alfred St. Kingston, ON K7L 3N6 Tel: (613) 545-2217 E-mail: admissn@post.queensu.ca Website: www.queensu.ca/liason/isc/isc.htm The program is the winner of the 1998 Scotiabank-AUCC Award for Excellence in Internationalization Nnouncements m Teacher Evaluation Forms, for stu- dents, now available from the NUGSS office s Commissionaires have received the contract for security again « Next year’s Shinerama needs vol- unteers, enquire at the NUGSS office 3 A great big, warm, and friendly thank-you to all students for making NUGSS better NORTHERN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SOCIETY RELRRIRE Great Big Book Drive By Nicole Larson On the Prince George cam- pus of UNBC, there is a great big book drive. This drive is the brain child of Molly Brymer, a student cur- rently enrolled in Geography 403: Aboriginal Geography. Brymer first thought of the book drive after she, and her fellow GEOG 403 class- mates, went on a field trip to the Eugene Joseph School on the Tache Reserve out- side of Prince George. After talking to the vice-principal there. “They haven't received any new books for the past four years,” said Molly Brymer, “Their library’s pretty small, and the kids all really love to read.” The Eugene Joseph School teaches students from pre- school to grade 10, and any books which would be suit- able for those age groups are being sought out during the book drive. Books can be dropped off in any of the boxes around campus, and any books will be greatly appreciated by Bymer and the Eugene Joseph School. When asked about the types of books she is looking for. “Any books that are appro- priate for those age groups, even magazines, such as OWL,” was Bymer’s response The drive will be in effect until the 16th of April. lf you have any books you would like to donate just put them in the boxes around the campus. Anti-MAI poster brings about change to NUGSS constitution By Dana Schwehr In September of 1998, UNBC students may have the opportunity to vote in a refer- endum to amend the constitu- tion of the campus’s under- graduate student society. As the constitution is written, the society is unable to take a political stand on any issue, and many members believe that it is time for them to be able to. The Northern Undergraduate Student Society (NUGSS) received information both for and against the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). They decided, based upon this. information, that it would‘be in the best interests of the students at UNBC to oppose the MAI, and become an MAI-free zone. Two concerned students, Suzie Dwyer and Brendan Kruger, approached the soci- ety when they noticed that the anti-MA! propaganda posted may be a breach of the society’s. constitution. It was feared that the personal bias- es of many members of the Board of Directors may have influenced this decision, as it is well known that many mem- bers oppose the MAI. The issue was discussed at a recent NUGSS meeting, and it was decided that Dwyer and Kruger had a valid point, so the signs came down. The offending articles of the constitution, sections 2.1 and 2.2, currently state that the purposes of the society are to “facilitate an awareness of the rights and views of each member of the Society” and to ‘general “promote equality among all members of the Society”. Due to the fact that NUGSS dues are included in tuition costs, all students at UNBC are pay- ing members of NUGSS. Therefore, it is the society's responsibility to represent the views of all students at UNBC. To avoid violation of the con- stitution, NUGSS is unable to take a stand on any issue without representing the views of every student at UNBC. This would require ref- erendums on_ everything, even things like posting anti- MAI posters. So, if some stu- dents decided that they want- ed to oppose the current tuition freeze, for example, they could ask NUGSS to organize a protest. Under the current constitution, NUGSS would have to comply with this request. As long as a stu- dent's view does not violate the Canadian Charter of Rights, it must be supported by NUGSS, no matter how the majority is affected. In order to keep the MAI-free zone, a referendum would have to be held. NUGSS president, Matt Macrae, said that while most members of the Board of Directors have read the constitution, “No one interpreted the sections [of the constitution] in question as being violated.” This brings up a couple of issues; do we actually need another student political group here at UNBC, as the campus already has PGPIRG. And, what if NUGSS does achieve the ability to take a stand on polit- ical issues; how should the views of students be repre- sented? Most undergrad stu- dent societies are political, but UNBC is a new university, it is possible for it to go in a totally different direction. Dwyer and Kruger proposed that, in order to resolve the sit- uation, NUGSS should either post pro-MAI information, or take down the signs. As one member openly refused to allow material supporting the MAI to adorn the offices of the society, it was decided to take down the signs. It was also decided that a general meet- ing. should be held in September in order to amend the constitution. Matt Macrae says that the meeting .would _address the wording of sec- tions 2.1 and 2.2 and attempt to amend them so they are worded more clearly and explained fully. As they stand, these sections are open to multiple interpretations. “Any student at UNBC should be able to approach NUGSS with a concern or issue,” states Board of Directors member, Marki Sellers. “NUGSS should then be able to decide how the issue should be dealt with, in the best interests of the majority of students.” Others, such as ex-board member, Tysen Hodgson, feel that NUGSS should stay away from controversial issues, such as the MAI and abortion, and stick to issues that direct- ly affect students or human rights. :