The Concordia administration once again sticks its head in the sand, by distancing itself from the whole Hillel-CSU affair. In a statement, the university expressed “concern” about the CSU ruling against Hillel, but stopped short of condemning the CSU for taking politically-charged action to shut down its opponents’ right to free speech. Instead, the statement focuses on technicalities and legalities, and criticizes CSU councillor Yves Engler for trying to turn the final decision about Hillel’s status over to the administration. I’ve posted the statement in full below:
Dec. 6, 2002 – The university has learned that the CSU Executive has apparently reversed the recent decision of the CSU Council with respect to the sanctions taken against Hillel. They have, however, imposed new conditions for the reinstatement of Hillel. The university remains concerned about the original Council decision, which effectively shut down the operations of Hillel, one of the CSU constituent organizations. The original CSU Council actions were based on the charge that Hillel was allegedly distributing materials on campus recruiting for the Israeli military.
The CSU Council meeting was held Monday, December 2, the last day of classes for the fall term and on the eve of the university’s examination period. The resolution was considered at approximately midnight. Only 9 of the 27 CSU counsellors were present and the resolution passed by a margin of 8 to 1. Subsequently, CSU Vice President – Communications Yves Engler has stated that the CSU would reinstate Hillel’s privileges if the university administration requested them to do so.
It is important to note that the CSU is an autonomous corporation accredited under the laws of Québec. Through this accreditation, the CSU essentially has the status, power and responsibilities akin to that of an accredited labour union. As such, they are accountable to their own board and beyond that to the Québec government, whose laws afford them this status.
The CSU has the authority and the responsibility to monitor the actions of its constituent organizations and sanction them for appropriate reasons. It is our understanding that they sanctioned Hillel for distributing information regarding recruitment for a foreign military force which, the CSU alleges, is illegal in Canada. It is unclear whether due process was followed before the CSU Council decision was taken. In fact, the university has been informed that Hillel has engaged an attorney who has sent a formal legal demand to the CSU outlining a number of procedural irregularities and demanding that the decision be reversed by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9.
More to the point, it is the duty of the CSU to exercise its authority in a manner which is fair, equitable, and above all, proportionate and non-partisan. In the university’s opinion, the current sanctions against Hillel are wholly disproportionate and should be modified.
In light of these facts, it is obvious that Mr. Engler’s statements are inappropriate and self-serving. The CSU has asserted on many occasions that, as a result of its accreditation, it is illegal for the university to intervene in CSU business. Therefore, it is particularly offensive to request the university overturn CSU Council decisions on an invitation-only basis when it is to the advantage of the CSU. The CSU Executive has the authority to take the same action that they have requested of the university administration. We cannot absolve them of their responsibility and legal duty to conduct their affairs in a fair, equitable and non-partisan manner. And the university certainly cannot, and will not, intervene on a periodic basis or by invitation only, especially when it does not have the legal authority to do so.
If the CSU feels that it cannot carry out its legal responsibilities in a manner that is fair and equitable, and if they believe that they require help to do so, then they may turn to the government for help in the form of a government-appointed trustee who would be legally empowered to oversee the CSU.
If the CSU believes that it is exercising its legal authority fairly and in a non-partisan manner, then it is the responsibility of the students at the ballot box each spring to decide whether they agree..
*Sigh* As usual, they’ve taken a position that’s about as firm as quicksand. Come on, guys, would it kill you to once – just once – take a stand?
I e-mailed Concordia and this is the insipid response we get? I wonder what it would take for these knaves at Concordia to actually issue a condemnation? The posting of Nazi insignia in the Student Union office? The implicit position of the CSU, if not implicitly anti-Semitic, is dangerously close to same. The effect of this latest nonsense by the CSU coupled with the fascist Palestinian anti-social explosion when Bibi was coming to speak, points up the stark reality of an insidious fascist element infecting the student body. If the University wants to let this fester and grow then they will go down in the annals of Canadian history as aiding and abetting their own home grown kristallnacht campaign.
I agree with Dave. The letter basically says that the University thinks CSU is wrong and that the CSU us acting unfairly and in a partisan manner. It also says that it is up to CSU to retract its own bad decisions and isn’t going to let it off the hook by “requesting” something they should do for themselves.
I beg to differ. All criticism should be directed toward the CSU and not the administration. Concordia University has no say in the running of the CSU. The CSU is an independent body completely separate from Concordia University. The CSU’s suggestion that they could readmit Hillel if the administration says it can, is bizarre to the extreme. The CSU is either incredibly stupid, ignorant or disengenously trying to pass the buck. By criticizing the administration you are demonstrating that you did not understand the legal relationship between the University and the CSU – despite the fact that it was clearly outlined in the statement. You are also doing exactly what the CSU hoped you would do. One more time – the University has no control or jurisdiction over the CSU at all. The suggestion by the CSU that they do, is a manipulative attempt to shift the focus of criticism to the administration. Why? Maybe they want to create conflicts or divisions between the Jewish community and the administration, who knows. Don’t fall for this obvious manipulation.
I am with Dave and parallel. The admin has gone only one step short of asking CSU to disband: read this again –
“… it is obvious that Mr. Engler’s statements are inappropriate and self-serving. The CSU has asserted on many occasions that, as a result of its accreditation, it is illegal for the university to intervene in CSU business. Therefore, it is particularly offensive to request the university overturn CSU Council decisions on an invitation-only basis when it is to the advantage of the CSU… We cannot absolve them of their responsibility and legal duty to conduct their affairs in a fair, equitable and non-partisan manner. And the university certainly cannot, and will not, intervene on a periodic basis or by invitation only, especially when it does not have the legal authority to do so.”
The admin is calling CSU irresponsible brats who have acted illegally and are asking Mommy to bail them out – but Mom is now a member of Tough Love ™.
It is absolutely true that the CSU is passing the buck and to this there is no dispute. On the other hand it is quite unecessary to relieve the University of its culpability in allowing this kind of mentality to fester into open acts of censure against Jewish groups which may have a hint of support for the State of Israel. The University is equally culpable in not firmly denouncing the kind of rabid fever gripping pockets of the student body seen particularly in the mini-riot when Bibi was coming to speak.
I say shut the whole thing down. You
can’t be civil with these people. Of
course it will feed into all their
victimization fantasies, kind of like
david koresh. In fact,
They want to be shut down.
Then they can sue the administration
and become the cause celebre of all the
left wing zionist-phobics. The best
thing on second thought is to beat them
at the ballot box. Make an alliance with
non-Jews who are sick of this crap and
and are looking to restore Concordia’s
name.