Board strives to establish transparency with operations

This week, the MUNSU board of directors meeting centred on bar tabs and money. Judging by the long pauses and awkward silences, these issues caused a lot of tension. As always, a cheerful Keith Dunne opened the meeting. Jessica McCormick put forward a new policy based on last meeting’s bar tab fiasco.

The work summaries included news about the successful Skills Seminar, Aboriginal Students’ Awareness Day, as well as an update on residence construction. Becky Winsor, executive director of campaigns, informed the board that there would be an event to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to be held on Nov. 25.

Executive Director of Finance and Services Travis Collins mentioned that he had received a proposal from Life Touch, a professional photography firm seeking to rent out the Attic for their business. Collins added that this could provide MUNSU with some added revenue in the form of commissions.

Cameron Campbell, executive director of external affairs, informed the board that a new president for the University had been chosen. He mentioned that Gary Kachanoski seemed approachable and ready to interact with students. Campbell made it clear that the new president would be assuming office on July 1.

The Residence representative mentioned that renovations for Blackall were going well. Rothermere will be the next house to benefit from some much needed renovations. Daniel Bennett, the Aboriginal students’ representative, spoke about Aboriginal Awareness Day, being held on Nov. 24 in The Landing. Adam Daniels, resource co-ordinator, gave a brief summary of the just-ended MUNSU by-elections which saw a number of new people filling the vacant seats on the board.

The meeting took on an abrupt turn with the proposal of a new bar tab policy at the Breezway for MUNSU members. McCormick assured those present and listening that this new policy would be in everyone’s best interest and would encourage transparency. “This is in the best interests of the board members and ensures that there is transparency on the part of MUNSU.”

Gerald Coleman, business representative, voiced his view that there should be zero tolerance for bar tabs of any kind in the bar, including liquor representatives. Travis Collins stated that these tabs contributed to a considerable amount of revenue for the Breezeway. “These tabs push an exceptional amount of product around. If we didn’t have any tabs we would take away serious revenue from the Breezeway.”

Chris Bruce, director-at-large, stated that the Students’ Union should not be “held hostage” by the idea that removing tabs will kill revenue in the Breezeway, to which Collins replied that these tabs were a means by which liquor representatives created brand loyalty.

Brad Russell, executive director of student life, confirmed that while he can’t speak on behalf of suppliers, he did feel that ending tabs for suppliers and promoters would make the bar’s position with them very difficult. Russell also mentioned that boosters or promoters did not always have cash or credit cards at hand and had to settle tabs with their bosses at the end of the week.

Chris Bruce stated that the Union would have to be very careful about to whom they give the privileges of a bar tab. “I feel that we need to be frugal about who we give our tabs to. I’m not too concerned about our business partners if it means [we’re] losing money.”

Timothy Margolis, business representative, suggested that it would be in the Board’s best interests to create a transparent bar tab system for liquor suppliers and representatives but to push for a strict policy that prohibits bar tabs to board members. This was met with marked approval from various board members.

At this point, the issue of transparency in the Board was brought forward. Bruce asked whether there was any sure way to prevent Board of Directors having drinks for free and putting them on the promoter’s tabs or having these promoters give them free drinks. Collins replied that under the constitution, Board members were forbidden from accepting free gifts or favours from anyone.

Stephanie Reid, medicine representative, stated that Board members would simply need to exercise their own personal discretion. “I think that we just need more self-policing and a better conscience with this issue.”

The meeting moved on to money issues. That is, the use of Union credit cards for personal purchases. An in-depth explanation of credit card policies for Board members was reviewed and discussed with a Board member stating that there was a greater need for policies like this to prevent the Board from falling into scandal.

After a painstaking discussion over terminology, procedure, and execution of this policy, Campbell suggested a new amendment to the policy in which, by whatever means possible, the Union would start making payments using cash, cheques, pay orders or invoices to avoid problems associated with credit cards. Dunne added that a move towards this would be beneficial for the Union as the methods mentioned above would eliminate the interest associated with credit cards.

Winsor suggested that the Financial Services Committee review credit card expenses on a month to month basis, including expense reports. Collins replied that the Financial Services Committee would be capable of executing this task, “ [The finance and services committee] has broad shoulders so I think we can take it.”

Daniel Bennett suggested putting the spending online just like the provincial politicians. Several Board members agreed.

Bruce then turned the attention back to the bar tab story and emphasised the need for executives to confront accusations and issues brought forward to them to avoid public scandal, particularly with regards to the bar tab story. Bruce brought forward the fact that he had e-mailed Travis Collins about the existence of bar tabs but did not receive a response.

Collins stated that he did respond to Bruce’s e-mails at which point a discussion between the two ensued. The meeting ended with a new committee being elected to investigate the bar tab issue. The committee is comprised of Board members Chris Wass, Brad Vincent, Gerald Coleman, Aaron Aikens and Stephanie Reid.