TANNARA YELLAND
Associate News Editor

Arts and Science Students’ Union president Katie Salmers spoke to University Students’ Council on Nov. 12 to address the rejected election of a member of students’ council for arts and science earlier in the month.

Following council’s Nov. 5 vote not to recognize the results of the recent ASSU member of student council election as free, open and fair, Salmers expressed her distaste for the way in which council handled the matter. Salmers says she has no problem with council disagreeing with her methods, but she expressed disappointment with the fact that no one in the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union executive directly contacted her.

“I found out through Facebook,” said Salmers of the motion, “which is kind of sad.”

Salmers also mentioned that the call for nominations for the next election will take place from Nov. 16 to 20, with the election happening shortly after.

The main cause for concern that the USSU cited in the election was the lack of advertising. Many arts and science students were not aware there was an election happening.

College of Pharmacy representative Roger Loor asked Salmers how she will ensure the next election is properly advertised. Salmers listed Facebook, PAWS, the Arts Tunnel and personal connections as some of the ways in which she hopes to reach the students of her college. She reiterated a statement she had earlier made to the Sheaf that the ASSU would be employing “obnoxious” advertising in an effort to inform students of the election.

USSU president Warren Kirkland remarked that council’s vote not to recognize the previous election’s results was not intended as a reproach to Salmers or the ASSU.

Following the passing of the committee minutes, Kirkland tabled a motion to remove Blair Woynarski as residence representative. Kirkland said Woynarski has missed three of the previous five meetings. The absences were due to extra-curricular activities. Although Kirkland encouraged more councillors to get involved in those activities, it would likely necessitate Woynarski missing several future meetings as well.

Kirkland said that when asked if he wanted to have someone speak on his behalf, Woynarski declined. The motion was carried unanimously.

Chris Stoicheff, USSU vice-president external affairs, told council the Saskatchewan Students’ Coalition will soon be having its first official meeting with Saskatchewan’s deputy minister for advanced education.

The SSC was an initiative spearheaded by Stoicheff to give students’ unions in Saskatchewan a unified voice in lobbying government for change. Stoicheff also said there is work being done to get the Regina and Moose Jaw Saskatchewan Applied Institute of Science and Technology student unions in the coalition.

After another plea from arts and science representative Alex Steffen for people to buy coffee from the ASSU office, Kirkland spoke up to encourage everyone to go to the then-upcoming football game and “drink lots of beer.”