McGill Tribune

Ambassador Fee Increase—YES

This proposal would raise the SSMU Ambassador Fee from $1.25 to $2.00. The opt-outable fee provides financial assistance for students looking to attend or host academic conferences, competitions, or other events. Such activities improve the university experience for countless students and also help maintain McGill’s reputation, thereby benefiting even students who do not personally use the funds. That the current year’s fund has already been depleted shows that students are actually using the money and that the additional funds would be put to good use. The answer to this first question is a definite “yes.”

 Midnight Kitchen Fee Increase—YES

This referendum question would increase Midnight Kitchen’s fee from $1.25 to $2.25 per semester. The student-run vegan food collective claims that the past year has brought increased turnout and therefore increased demand; that the kitchen requires repairs and replacement of equipment; and that without this fee increase they will have to shut down. Midnight Kitchen has also promised to use the increased funds to expand its catering services, especially to “anti-oppressive” groups. We hope that the collective will define this broadly. All SSMU clubs are mandated to be anti-oppressive, and as all students contribute to the pot they surely have equal rights to benefit from it. Notwithstanding that caveat, this fee increase is necessary, small, and in any case opt-outable. The Tribune hopes it will pass.

Creation of a Fee for the McGill International Student Network—NO

If passed, this motion would create a $0.50 opt-outable fee to fund the McGill International Student Network. While MISN certainly organizes fun events and provides valuable services for students new to Canada and McGill, we are concerned about the lack of specificity contained in the question regarding what exactly the extra funds would be used for. The question claims that because MISN currently has to run its events at cost , this “seriously hampers its potential as a service for international students.” There are many student groups and clubs, however, who run events at cost. We fail to see why all students should subsidize the group’s trips to Quebec City and elsewhere. All McGill services could benefit from additionaly funding; the question as proposed fails to demonstrate why MISN merits this fee above others.

TVMcGill Fee Renewal—YES

This question would allow TVMcGill to charge an opt-outable fee of $0.10 per credit. TV McGill is an important service. It is the only avenue at McGill for students interested in video work to get experience filming and editing. It has also expanded its offerings this year, live-streaming events like the General Assembly and SSMU candidate debates. We look forward to seeing it grow further in the future.

Referral Services Fee Renewal—YES

This question would renew the fees for Queer McGill, Nightline, and the Union for Gender Empowerment. These are all indispensable services that provide needed facilities to marginalized students. They are valuable destinations for student money.