McGill Tribune
The SSMU & MCSS Student Senators would like articulate our reactions to the events of the last month. From consultations with the student body, it is clear that the vast majority of McGill students want the same things: accessible education, consultation, open communication, and a better campus life. There is a diversity of legitimate tactics to accomplish these goals, including occupation and elected representation.
As today’s student representatives, our ability to speak directly with the administration is a result of the activism of the 1960s, and for that we are grateful. In 1968, students were given seats on Senate and the Board of Governors after a series of occupations, sit-ins, and pressure tactics from students, staff, and professors. Years later, it is easy to forget the historic importance of direct action in furthering the goals of students. Yet, many of the fundamental grievances—lack of consultation and administrative accountability—are still very much present today.
The recent occupation can be seen as the accumulation of months, if not years, of feeling disenfranchised with the McGill Administration. We, as Senators and your peers, sometimes share this feeling of being unheard and frequently question what real impact we can have. However, the decision by the “6th Floor Partiers” to use the satirical “Milton Avenue Revolutionary Press” to distribute their communiqués obscured their message and irreparably damaged public support. Satire and direct action are different tactics of dissent and should remain distinct. Similarly, while a “party” atmosphere is less threatening than the November 10 occupation, it should be understood and acknowledged that many support staff who work in the James Administration Building felt scared and threatened; reassurances that all actions have been and will be non-violent cannot entirely dispel this fear.
Ultimately, this occupation has not led to dialogue on either side, although it has generated a great deal of discussion about tactics. The blame for campus-wide frustration cannot be placed solely at the feet of the “Partiers.” The administration’s failure to effectively address student grievances and communicate its positions and rationale set the stage for the recent escalations. There is student dissatisfaction with the administration’s unwillingness to recognise the CKUT/QPIRG referenda results. Furthermore, we understand that some students have lost faith in their elected representatives’ ability to play a part in shaping McGill policy, such as with the use of the McGill name or the extension of the Deputy Provost’s term.
The appearance of a rift in the student body allows for concerns to be attributed to small special interest groups. In reality, the matters being discussed do not belong to a specific group of students, but are in fact relevant to all of us. Actions, such as the disruption at the last Board of Governors meeting, have impacts: anyone wishing to speak on behalf of other students, whether elected or not, must be held accountable. After all, we expect this from the administration. Student representatives require a degree of legitimacy with the McGill Administration in order to incur change within “established channels.” At this point, some in the Administration may feel it to be pointless to negotiate or work with students. This is counterproductive to the well being of the entire university community.
Sunday morning, we heard that the “Partiers” were peacefully evicted. In the interest of moving forward, we hope that the concerns raised by students throughout the last months will be concretely addressed. Students need to be brought more consistently to the table and negotiated with in good faith.
