March 03, 2004

This morning I rushed into the Cord’s office craving to get my hands on this week’s paper. I’ve been waiting desperately for the Cord since Monday morning when April Cunningham, the news editor, interviewed me about the VP hiring controversy.

I wasn’t quite sure what came out of my mouth during the interview — sometimes I like to swear — but I was thankful that April had the saintly patience to endure my rants. I remember being angry, and when I’m angry I do absurd things like trying to get Union’s lawyer to sue the Union over hiring policies.

There were no papers at the office when I got there (they’re only delivered late in the afternoon), so I had to download the digital copy of the paper to satisfy my cravings and stop my hands from shaking. And wow, April’s article blew my mind and made my entire body convulse. She took my jumbled thoughts and skilfully shaped them into coherent and vicious remarks.

I had to read the article twice without blinking while shifting uncomfortably on the chair. By the time I was done I absolutely loved April for making everyone hate me. I pasted the article below, in all its splendid violence:

Board questions VP hiring
April Cunningham
News Editor
With files from Jennifer Asselin

WLUSU’s new board of directors is already taking steps to ensure the transparency of the organization and of its managers.

With the hiring of next year’s Vice Presidents occurring throughout the past week, incoming board member Tudor Costache illustrated his concern regarding the role of the new BOD in approving chosen candidates.

He brought forth a motion that would allow board members to be debriefed with proposals before ratification. The motion was not passed.

According to WLUSU’s Governance Policy, the board of directors must ratify a list of applicants that the hiring committee recommends.

But Costache feels BOD members are in a position to see more information, perhaps even all applicants’ proposals.

“I would rather be sleeping at 7:30 in the morning than being a rubber stamp,” he said, referring to the early meeting where Vice Presidents would be approved.

Steve Welker, incoming President and CEO of the Students’ Union, said there was a confusion of roles.

“If you can’t trust them on this issue, how can you trust them in other issues?” he asked in reference to the hiring committee.

“It’s not so much a matter of trust,” said Costache, “it’s a matter of wanting to know what it is we are ratifying.”

Matt Gouett, Vice Chair of the board of directors noted that it is not feasible for members to have a say in hiring all positions in the organization such as co-ordinators, executive members, and part-time staff. References were made to hiring staff at Harvey’s.

“Where is the line, Tudor?” he asked.

Welker also used the example of Charity Ball decorations. He said that the board cannot be involved in deciding how to decorate the facility, and trusts the Charity Ball committee to do so in the same way they must trust the Hiring Committee to recommend VP candidates.

Costache believes that by using such a comparison, Welker seemed to minimize the significance of hiring vice presidents.

“A lot of stupid things were said in that meeting,” said Costache.

Costache also mentioned that it makes sense to delegate the job, but he expects the committee to justify their decision.

According to Welker, the current method of hiring is in strict accordance with WLUSU’s Governance Policy.

“It is my responsibility to follow these policies,” he said. “The hiring committee assures these policies are complied with.”

Costache has done a little research on the Ontario Corporations Act, under which WLUSU falls. He is concerned that WLUSU policy does not completely correspond with the act.

The act stipulates that directors of the corporation are solely responsible for appointing vice-presidents and other officers. This means BOD members are completely liable for the decisions of the hiring committee, placing much responsibility in their hands.

“I am not familiar with the [Ontario Corporations Act]. If Tudor has a problem with policy, he should come and speak with me personally,” said Welker.

Costache’s concerns do not end there.

“Are [hiring committee members] recommending the best people, or people they can work well with?”

“Isn’t that what you would want?” asked Welker. He said that it is important for the President to be able to work well with Vice Presidents.

Welker did admit that Costache was just trying to do his job by promoting transparency. But he does not believe Costache understands how serious it would be if a VP was not ratified. Hiring would have to be re-opened, and time frames would be skewed.

This is the first BOD in recent memory that has caused such controversy over the hiring of VP positions.

In the end, Welker and the committee provided a bit more info than has been supplied in the past.

“They told us the strengths and experiences of candidates,” said Costache. “The hiring committee tends to do a good job. But it was still not the info I was after.”

“I was a very nice rubber stamp: Version 2.0.”