This story has been updated as of Jan. 28 at 10:56 p.m. to better reflect that Amer repaid $640.70 to the AMS, with $377.32 being used for personal expenses.
Following an AMS board decision, AMS President Jana Amer will no longer be able to use her presidential portfolio credit card for the remainder of her term.
The decision was released publicly on Jan. 28 in the agenda of a Special Assembly, called by Vice-President (University Affairs) Alyssa Perisa. The meeting included a motion for Assembly to receive three documents for information, with the documents themselves created due to a series of motions from an AMS Board of Directors meeting on Dec. 12.
The documents requested by the Board of Directors asked AMS management to provide a report on all presidential expenses since the beginning of Amer’s term, implement controls on her ability to spend on the corporate cards in the future, and to set in place policies to avoid misuse in the future. These three reports were provided to Assembly on Jan. 28.
The first report to the board found that $27,225.50 has been spent on the card since the beginning of Amer’s term, split between 154 transactions. Of these expenses, Amer repaid $640.70 to the society, with only $377.32 being claimed by Amer as personal expenses. The remainder of the $640.70 she paid back was for purchases that didn’t have receipts, though they were identified as AMS expenses, which Amer elected to pay anyway. In total, there were $1,762.61 in transactions that didn’t have receipts, which were later confirmed as AMS expenses, according to the report.
The second memo provided to the Board explained that the presidential card limit had been set to zero since Oct. 27, and will stay at zero for her remaining term. For purchases requiring a credit card, Amer must now go through another one of the individuals who possess a corporate credit card, provided she explains “the purpose of the purchase in advance, and provides a receipt to the cardholder immediately following the transaction occurring,” according to the memo.
At the Special Assembly, in response to an anonymous question as to why Amer’s limit was set to zero given there being repayment, Eshal Ali, the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors, explained this was due to a delay in acquiring the receipts, with Amer admitting there was a “misprioritization” of responsibilities. Ali also explained this was done to ensure they’ve all their necessary receipts for their audit, and to avoid this from occurring again.
In the third report compiled due to the Board of Directors motion, six weaknesses were identified in how the credit cards are currently used, including pointing out that there’s no training provided on how to use the cards and a lack of a formal credit card policy. Solutions to these issues were identified, including new formal policies set to be put in place prior to the next executive team’s term, along with more structured internal oversight.
The Journal will be publishing a separate story on the Special Assembly meeting itself.
Corrections
A previous version of this story claimed that Amer’s personal expenses on the AMS credit card were $263.38. In fact, the personal expense was $377.32, and the $263.38 figure was the difference between the personal expense and the total amount that was paid back.
Additionally, the story also misstated the date of the Board of Directors meeting as Dec. 19. In fact, it was Dec. 12.
The Journal regrets the error
Tags
AMS, AMS credit card, AMS president
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.
QueensSniffer
ABOLISH THE AMS
Nicholas Hash
It is more than past time for this school to decentralize club funding and seriously reform this organization, if not abolish it. If we ignore the health insurance side, the AMS is receiving $16 million annually that *does not go to student clubs*. Clubs get, maybe, $2 million annually, despite providing the majority of value to students. Our primary goal as a student body ought to be to support student activities on campus. The AMS makes it perpetually clear that that is not their aim. The padding of LinkedIn resumes should not distract from the task of getting funding into the hands of those creating rewarding experiences for dues-paying members of the student body.
anon
This after they already likely received bribes for trying to sell out the clubs to Bounce. They haven’t released the terms of their agreement. They are always trying to push things under the rug.
Class of ‘89 Alum
Shame on the AMS and President Amer. At such a nationally respected institution these students should know better!!
JAM
DEFUND THE AMS
Anonymous
to: JAM
Don’t need to defund the AMS, Doug Ford’s already in the midst of trying to do that, and Jana just gave them more fuel to do so
Anon
It was known last year between many people who worked with her that she was abusing her power to bully others. Please interview people in ResSoc, in the SIC, etc who have had dealings with her during that time and you will find people who can corroborate this. She has a serious history of being unkind to those she believes are beneath her and that’s why it was deeply disappointing to see her as AMS president this year.
AnonStudent
I second this! She brought in her lawyers when she was disqualified for running in the ResSoc elections and eventually got the position. She later complained about having to get her lawyers involved for the AMS position too.
AN
This news doesn’t surprise me at all. From my experience working with Jana Amer, her style was passive-aggressive and difficult to work with. As VPRO in ResSoc, she completely vanished from the second half of fall term to the end of winter term. Her responsibilities ended up being taken on by other executives- while she was still getting paid. She was not present to support House Presidents and did not attend General Assemblies or meetings. The only time she was present was at ResSoc staff social in a restaurant ;). We were shocked when she was elected AMS president.
Anon SIC '24/25
I worked under Jana last year when she was a SIC Commissioner. She was truly a displeasure to work with. There was an instance where she repeatedly yelled at me for no reason. She acted with a superiority complex and abused her power, threatening to fire or replace volunteer positions, citing financial reasons, etc. Despite preaching about EDII, her hiring process was clearly preferential rather than equitable. It was truly disappointing to see her run and be elected as AMS President. I hope the medical schools she applied to see the situation and insights from the communities she has worked with and reconsider allowing her any opportunities to become a physician.
anonstudent
Same story in ResSoc, she preaches about EDIIA and her behaviours show otherwise. Ironically, she delivered a session on “microaggression” in ResSoc training and herself is the biggest source of microaggression. And every time someone brings it up in a meeting she says she is “uncomfortable answering/discussing xxx”.
ANON ResSoc ‘23/24
As someone who worked with her at ResSoc, I can confirm. We even tried to fire her, which we were well within our rights to do given the antisemitism she was posting on her IG, but she threw a fit and tried to sue her supervisors for discriminating against her free speech… she’s never cared about anyone or anything other than padding her resume for med school🤷♀️
Megan
Obviously, this is not a good look but the article is misleading. It says there were 27k worth of transactions over 154 transactions, which would make sense. Their budgets are widely available and large. Of that, $640 was not traced back, $263 she admitted were personal expenses. She paid everything back, the 27k is routine spending, stop the twisted news.
Anon
This is crazy!! I can’t believe this happened! I heard from a classmate that it was one of the candidates in the current election who tried to cover it up in the AMS. I seriously hope this doesn’t happen again.
Anon
That’s not true!
Anon
Clarification: While both AMS Presidential Candidates are on the Board, and have been aware of the situation for a bit longer. The Board has been trying to push for transparency and to have this brought to assembly (shown clearly in the documents linked). They (Board & President) cite logistical reasons for the delay.
anon
This article reads as so violently racist and clearly defamatory to Amer’s character. All the information is purposefully misleading to the fact that only $263 was personal expenses. Jonathan Reilly should feel nothing but ashamed for writing such a misleading piece meant to do nothing open up racist and defamatory takes against another fellow student.
Every time I think Queen’s Journal has any redeeming qualities to its journalism, I’m proven wrong at each turn.
Anon
why did she repay 600 if she only 200 was personal expenses? Doesnt add up
student
Thank you to the Journal for this coverage. For anyone who says this article is misleading, please brush up on your reading comprehension skills.
I had the displeasure of working with Jana, and she’s defensive, narcissistic, and loves to put the blame on race. No accountability, and she is quite discriminatory herself towards those that aren’t the same ethnic or religious background as her.
The entire AMS knew about this since October and did not decide to pursue this. Drey (AMS pres candidate) most likely knew about this but decided to keep silent to pursue the role of AMS president.
Release the credit card files!
ANON student
I highly suggest the Journal look into Amer’s past activities on campus before she got elected as AMS prez. Let’s start with her past in ResSoc, shall we…
whatever bruh
im seriously questioning the ability of the journal to provide unbiased news and how the students at queen’s literally can’t read. even if she was the most shady person ever, this article tells you word for word: out of the 27k spent, $263.38 was used for personal expenses. if you’re going to slander someone’s name at least do it properly lmfao???
Mike
People making this a race issue are stupid.
Those games are increasingly tiring to the point that nobody cares anymore.
People of all races can be called out for poor conduct.
Concerned student
Literally what part of it was racist? Stop deflecting.
If it wasn’t for the Journal, this would have gone unnoticed and been brushed under the rug.
anon
While I agree with the decision to set the credit limit to zero and with the actions taken to prevent a similar incident in the future, I disagree with the journalistic framing Reilly uses to describe the misconduct. Although approximately $27,000 was charged to the account, only $264 of that amount was for personal use, which makes the broader characterization misleading.
Josh 24'
In all honesty, Amer is a fraud who uses her position to benefit Queens students at the expense of others. She exploits the system and the rights of those students . Her actions have made me regret my involvement in advocacy associate with AMS in all cost. The best solution is to remove anyone who benefited from her connections from AMS and defund the organization for future use.
she is super privileged student who simply use random excuse just to get higher to boost her CV for med school.
truly AMER as I told you before you should be ashamed and repay 50K that you stole from student over the past 4 years.
Deez
Wow such a shame, I expected more. Also I don’t think it was that misleading, I read it loud and clear.
Ali (Sci’24)
Here is a sharper, more pointed version that still reads professional and defensible:
Calling it “only” $263.38 misses the point entirely. The amount does not matter; any misuse of student funds, even one dollar, is unacceptable. If this is excused now, it sets the precedent that future executives can do the same or worse with impunity. Rules and oversight mean nothing if they are not enforced.
And it is especially indefensible given that AMS executives are paid, unlike many FacSoc executives who shoulder comparable workloads as volunteers. To call it a minor mistake is laughable; it is a failure of standards.
N.A
Most entertaining part was that commissioner who tried to give a statement as to why the credit card statements didn’t need to be released, pretty sure it was her friend…was not slick at all
Anon
Based on my direct experience working with her, I observed repeated patterns of unprofessional behavior, including rudeness toward staff and a consistent reliance on favoritism in hiring decisions. Many positions within ResSoc and under AMS appeared to be filled based on personal relationships rather than demonstrated ability or qualifications. This approach negatively impacted team morale and fairness. I believe an independent review of these hiring practices and review of the people she hired is needed. These concerns are unrelated to race or identity.
ANON
son im crine
Anon
I think its insane that not if not for the QJ, even the faculty societies would’ve been kept in the dark.
FacSocs only found out last week that this type of issue might exist, and have spent the week pushing the AMS to give proper updates and truthful information, just to be lied to and talked around at every turn.
Props to the QJ for tipping everyone off and pushing the AMS to take action.
anon
Crazy
Anon
Thats crazy! Not even the faculty societies knew?
Thank god the Journal told them, otherwise the faculty socities wouldn’t have been able to motion to release the credit card statements
Anon Student
Glad to know my student fees are paying for Amer’s uber eats.
Anon ‘26
The AMS is and has been a waste of resources
Queen’s Alum
Mind you, Alyssa (VPUA) and Elena (VPOPS) have known about this since the FALL. And they did nothing. Shame on the AMS. All of them should step down. None of these people have a moral compass, they only care about themselves. Drey should not be allowed to run for president either — board of directors knew about the embezzling but said NOTHING because he was planning on running.
anon
If anyone shouldn’t be allowed to run it should be Alex, he’s the one that’s the director of the board not Dreyden.
Anon
Dreyden is the Chair of the Board
Student
Mind you, this is the same student whose friends glitter-bombed Provost Matthew Evans last year and shared the video around like petulant children, leading Queen’s Senate to move it’s sessions online and permanently close it’s doors to in-person guests when in session. She was pretty proud of it, too.
anon
Anyone who is accusing The Journal of spreading a misleading narrative is outing themselves as having the reading level of a second grader. Jon’s mention of the 27k number is to give important context to how much money is being spent on the card, and how much the missing amount therefore is in a comparative sense. Within the EXACT SAME PARAGRAPH it makes clear how much money was actually unaccounted for, and how much she paid back. If The Journal is going to be accused of writing biased or racist news because they expect their readers to be able to finish a paragraph, then this society is doomed
Anon
How upsetting. Truly a dishonour for our Queens community and the Health Sciences program. Especially as Amer is someone who has built their entire resume off of roles in either ressoc or the AMS, I hope future schools and employment take this into consideration alongside the numerous reports of Amer’s subpar, derogatory behaviour towards others. At her big age and the weight of her position, this is beyond outrageous – imagine taking 200+ dollars out of anyone else’s hands, a true thief. Please do our community a favour a resign, there are SO many bright, motivated and intelligent individuals in our community to take this position and do wonders, unlike Amer.
Sam Best CC
If Sam Best could talk…. XOXO
Sam Best CC
If Sam Best could talk… statements from ’05-11. XOXO
anon
Such a disappointing and disgusting misuse of power, especially when students are struggling to afford housing and living expenses, only to find out that this is what our money is going towards. Doesn’t matter the amount. Any misuse of professional resources should be met with the appropriate consequences. In the real world you would be fired for this. Impeach.
Anon
Who’s Sam Best
Anonymous
Attend AMS Assembly next Tuesday @5:30 at JDUC to hear updates, get questions answered, question President Amer, and suggest specific consequences that assembly can motion to have enforced.
Attend to have your voices heard, only if we all attend together will our voices be loud enough to make a difference and get the truth and justice we deserve.
Maya
People should really not be talking about reading comprehension here when it’s clear they lack it themselves…
I agree that ~$400 of personal expenses isn’t great. That said, I’m encouraged to see that Jana paid it back, including the ~$650 she didn’t have receipts for (even though those were AMS expenses). To me, that shows accountability.
Queen’s University itself has mismanaged far more funds than Jana has, we’ve got bigger fish to fry here tbh
BHSc '2024
It seems a lot of the misplaced receipts come from ORT and their inability to submit these things on time in an accurate manner. That’s what lead to Jana having to pay the extra ~$300 that was not her accidental personal expense.
I remember hearing that Johnny (Jonathan Shenouda) had taken money and burnt it on going partying and drinking with his COATs. This was back when he was head COAT in 2023, and the HSS had to take a huge fall for the financial burden he caused. This is pretty common knowledge among the health sciences students. Plus pretty sure this is what led to the current MOU between FacSocs and AMS stating that if an orientation team exceeds their budget, the FacSoc must pay back the AMS the remainder.
Given he was ORT, there’s a pretty good chance he misspent money on Jana’s card (as he is under her portfolio and would be given access to her card for any purchases), and she’s being held liable.
Why is no one questioning him? Or reining these rogue orientation teams back in?
Jana’s card is used by her team, these purchases are not necessarily hers.