More than money
Re: Assembly loses a win-win (Jan. 26, 2010).
Dear Editors,
In reference to the Jan. 21 AMS Assembly, the Journal failed to convey the context in which AMS Assembly made its decision.
The spirit of the motion put forth truly exemplifies the character of Queen’s students: a strong desire to help those who are less fortunate, especially in a time of crisis and demonstrated need. In practice, however, utilizing the AMS election to generate a donation isn’t the most effective way in which Queen’s students could act on this desire to help.
Assuming a voter turnout consistent with last year’s AMS election at $0.10 a vote, a donation of $506.90 would be made to disaster relief in Haiti this year.
In contrast, a question was placed on the 2005 fall referendum ballot asking students if they would agree to the establishment of a one-year $3.00 opt-out fee for Red Cross relief efforts in the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and South Asian Earthquake disasters.
This question was approved by 84 per cent of the voting student body and when the opt-out fee was levied, it generated an incredible $27,437.51 donation for the Red Cross Tri-Aid Disaster Relief Fund on behalf of the Queen’s student community.
I understand there are concerns with respect to the timing of Queen’s support to disaster relief in Haiti as they need assistance immediately.
But a problem typical among disaster relief initiatives is they are front-loaded, with the majority of aid arriving in a short period after the disaster occurs and in the long term, direct aid diminishes rapidly.
Yesterday, the Canadian government committed to more long-term relief in the form of a 10-year commitment to “a sustained effort that goes beyond recovery to build a new Haiti.”
What’s important for the Queen’s community now is to determine the best way for our contributions to have a lasting and substantial impact.
Queen’s takes tremendous pride in its legitimate democratic process. In its decision, Assembly voted to preserve the integrity of AMS elections by ensuring issues concerning the student body are ultimately decided by the student body and not by the edict of the few.
AMS Assembly will be exploring a viable opt-out fee question for relief efforts in Haiti, one that will be subject to student approval at the Annual General Meeting in March.
The student community is capable of more than a small donation. The student body can deliver an astounding amount of support for relief in Haiti and do so in a democratic, transparent way.
Queen’s students are capable of so much more.
Lucas Anderson,
AMS Commissioner of Internal Affairs
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