theconcordian Volume 30 Issue 1
Independent student newspaper at Concordia University. Since 1983.
Hello Mr. President
August 28, 2012
Party platforms A summary of the parties’ agendas to get you ready for the upcoming provincial election Kalina Laframboise News editor
AlAn ShepArd, ConCordiA’S new preSident. photo by MohAMed oMAr, the eyeopener.
Shepard remains positive in face of external scrutiny Kalina Laframboise News editor
Being president of a university like Concordia is no easy task. Despite the challenges which lie ahead for new Vice-Chancellor Alan Shepard, he said he views Concordia as a progressive university despite a troubled history. “It’s Concordia’s time,” said the former provost of Ryerson University. “We have a very bright future.” On Aug. 1, Shepard replaced interim president Frederick Lowy and began his five-year mandate. Though he insists that he has no grand plan and no ultimate overhaul in terms of changes for Concordia, the new president plans to focus on what the university community wants to change. Revisions and adjustments, he said, will be based on what administration, faculty and students demand. “Concordia has a lot of strengths,” Shepard explained. “You try to find ways to engage the university community to see where it wants to go.” Concordia Student Union Presi-
dent Schubert Laforest said several challenges await Shepard. “There’s the ever present issue of the management of the university, how funds are allocated, the university being under scrutiny from all sides of the media and from students,” said Laforest. “There is bridging the gap between students and administration.” According to Laforest, Shepard is also faced with the task of governing a university that’s often questioned for its controversial administration severance packages and spending. In December 2010, Judith Woodsworth abruptly left her position as university president with a severance package of approximately $700,000. Her predecessor, Claude Lajeunesse, completed only two years of a fiveyear contract and left Concordia with more than $1-million as a parting gift. In March 2012, Concordia was slapped with a $2-million fine from previous Education Minister Line Beauchamp due to the mismanagement of funds. Beauchamp reprimanded the institution for “a lack of
control” at the administrative level and her concern for the number of people leaving senior positions. “Something has to give, we have opposing views of what’s going on,” reiterated Laforest. “We need to have an honest discussion.” President Shepard stated that “the university’s reputation is important, it matters deeply... but we’re well-managed fiscally.” Last summer, the External Governance Review Committee released a report stating differently. The report provides recommendations to strengthen governance and internal relations at Concordia while scrutinizing the current climate at the university. The committee criticized Concordia for “a culture of contempt” and “spectacularly unsuccessful appointments of the last two presidents.” As the election draws nearer, Shepard awaits changes that have the potential to set the tone for the entire semester. He says the election results will ultimately decide which direction the student movement will take.
On Aug. 1, a provincial election was called for Sept. 4. In the wake of the student movement, provincial debt mounting, rumours of corruption and collusion, and the Charbonneau commission in mid-September, Quebecers will head to the polls to decide which party will form the next provincial government. The heavy and often confusing campaign trail filled with debates and promises are condensed into a little more than a month for potential provincial leaders to sell their parties to voters. With 34 days to win the support and love of a province that is not, by definition, so easily led, recent polls suggest many voters, as many as 19 per cent, stand undecided and aggressive advertisements remind young adults to have their voices be heard. The Concordian is here to simplify the voting process in such complicated times. It’s time for clarity and for students to be able to navigate
the upcoming election with ease. At Concordia, the fall semester was set to begin on Sept. 4 but is now delayed until the following day, Wednesday, Sept. 5. The university’s doors are open as of Wednesday and the additional day off will not be made up in the school calendar. In order to vote in the upcoming Quebec election, four factors must be met: you must be a Canadian citizen, you must 18 years of age or older to vote, you must be a Quebec resident for six months prior to election day, and you must be on the registered voters list before Aug. 30. Head to your local revision office before Aug. 30 to register to vote. Bring two pieces of government issued identification. One must have your name and date of birth; the other must have your name and your address. Polls are open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Employers must give you four consecutive hours off in order to allow time for voting. Continued on p. 2
broAdwAyS wiCked CloSeS At plACe deS ArtS. See our review on p. 9
In this issue... Life
Arts
Music
Fall 2012 back to school trends P. 8
Osheaga concert Celeste & Jesse Forever review P. 10 review P. 11
We tell your stories. Follow us on twitter @TheConcordian
Sports
Online
Stingers prep for new season P. 13
>> ASFA frosh kicks off at Loyola
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