Mr. Haldenby strikes again

Amy Kishek has this story on here blog. But instead of reiterating points I have made throughout my tenure this year, I am going to talk about something I think we need to implement. Two things really.

1. ATI: Access to Information

The SFUO is us. I know, it's shocking to think of it like that. Imagine with me if you will, a time before the SFUO or any kind of students' association. Then imagine the talk and excitement over forming one, one that cared about what they did, and one with the proper intentions. Through our levies we fund our federation. The salaries of the executives, the office supplies they use, the printers and computers they work on, the blackberries they have, the under-attended event they throw, the huge sums of money they spend on stuff few people actually care about, that's OUR money. So Mr. Haldenby, while SFUO President, gets to use the president@sfuo.ca e-mail account. So to do all the executive members. I think that any member of the federation should be able to go to the office and be able to request copies of e-mails pertaining to a specific topic. They would then be screened and any information that is legitimately confidential (info pertaining to a non-employee or representative of the Federation) be blacked out. For example, any e-mails between Dean Haldenby and the Chair of the BOA should open to ATI requests. I am not asking for access to Dean.Haldenby@gmail or something. I am asking for access to his work account, that he presumably uses when he is at work, being paid, by us.

This should also pertain to budgets. Itemized budgets. Not just a ballpark per department. But what each executive member gets paid, what other staff get paid, what they spend our money on. What each individual campaign cost, stuff like that. And it should be available on the website. If there is an issue with privacy, then make arrangements with the University and have it placed inside the InfoWeb section of the University site, or something like that. You want to know what I get paid? Go to the Treasury Board website. Its all public.

2. In-Camera Meeting Ombudsmen

This type of thing has been popping up in recent years, including at the City of Ottawa. It's all about accountability. So if it is felt that the BOA went in-camera for improper reasons, there can be an official complaint made.