The biannual Caucus addressed topics from ongoing geopolitical concerns to localised issues, and reintroduced the question-and-answer period.
Photo | Sara Qadoumi
Vic’s biannual Caucus occurred Friday, November 3, beginning at 6 pm in Alumni Hall. It was led by Cam Miranda-Radbord, the VUSAC Vice-President External (VPE). In attendance for the panel were the usual Dean Kelley Castle, President Rhonda McEwan, Registrar Yvette Ali, Principal Angela Esterhammer, and some new additions, Finance Director Anthony Yeung and Executive Director of Infrastructure and Sustainability Vickas Mehta. These recent elects were important additions to the administrative panel, fielding some key questions regarding the structure of meal plans and a development in sanitation management to be implemented across all Vic buildings. Levies and clubs were also required to send a representative.
The Caucus began with a land acknowledgment. Many questions revolved around the overarching theme of student inquiry on the Israel-Palestine humanitarian crisis throughout the event. These questions included thoughts on Vic’s divestment from companies supporting the Israeli government and an international study abroad opportunity offered by the university that takes place at an Israeli University. President McEwan responded to these questions, indicating that divestment is a long process. Vic will remain focused on helping support its students through this tragic time. The registrar added that the international experience had not taken place in several years due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel and would likely not be seen to take place in the future.
Another popular topic was meal plans, which tend to be a recurring theme among Caucuses. The topic was centred on the cost of living crisis, the shift in affordability, and the new “flex-meals” program designed to be used as a meal for oneself or guests. Anthony Yeung fielded these questions, explaining that a meal at Ned’s for $13 was already causing them to take a loss year after year. Since the meal includes a hot entrée, a drink, and multiple snacks, this is the lowest price they can offer to students, and upon comparing prices at surrounding restaurants, they expect that students are getting more for less in their Ned’s meal. Yeung also explained the breakdown of meal dollars, flex-dollars, and Vic dollars, which they stated had to do with taxable dollars and tax-free spending on prepared food, which Yeung and his team aim to maximise while giving students options. The conversation around the affordability of food will likely continue in future caucuses as food prices in Toronto climb.
A surprising question that was submitted for the panel was on the half-ply toilet paper available in the Goldring Student Centre and across all Vic buildings. Vickas Mehta’s first caucus was a hit when he answered this question with the announcement of the availability of two-ply toilet paper availability across the Vic campus; which President McEwan aptly noted would be a 1.5-ply increase. Vickas continued that the reason for the thin toilet paper was to preserve the old plumbing systems that the old campus buildings still have—a reasonable concern with Old Vic being built in 1891. However, Vickas and his team have been working on this project along with plumbing engineers to test the system throughout the summer and have determined that the plumbing will be able to handle the widespread use of compostable two-ply toilet paper. This change is expected to be fully rolled out by February 2024 in all Vic buildings, including the Goldring Student Centre, E. J. Pratt Library, Old Vic, and the student residences (those in which toilet paper is provided, of course).
On the outcome of the fall caucus, Cam, the VPE, commented, “Turnout for Fall Caucus was historic, with a record number of questions being submitted. As VUSAC works toward being a more transparent, accountable organisation, the Caucus was a heartening sign of real progress.”
The caucus ended with the reintroduction of a question-and-answer period with VUSAC to improve transparency and accountability of the student council. When asked about the intended outcome of this readdition, Shane Joy, VUSAC president, stated, “In addition to providing the opportunity for people to question administrators, we should be affording students the same opportunity to hold the VUSAC executives accountable as well. In practice, while the conflict in Israel and Palestine was a focus of conversation, it was a great chance for us to be able to share our progress this semester as well as our views and priorities with the student body. Transitioning back to a format in which more of the council and other student leaders deliver reports would be interesting to implement moving forward, as it would make the community more aware of what everyone is doing.”
Students continue to look forward to the Winter Caucus, where they will be able to ask further questions and hold both administration and VUSAC accountable, with greater transparency regarding the leadership’s activities.
Caitriona is a member of VUSAC as the Equity co-chair.
