by John Thompson

Joanna Groves plans to stay on for a full term if elected as chair of the student union, contrary to a students’ society bylaw that says she is ineligible to stand as an executive director by the end of November.

The UVSS Constitution and Bylaws states “Members of the Students’ Society shall not be executive directors for more than two years.”

Groves first took her executive post as services director in Dec. 2002, when the board appointed her after the resignation of two executives. She was elected as director of finance the following year.

If Groves were to resign in November, it’s likely a new chair would be appointed by the rest of the board to avoid a costly mid-year election. This would leave an unelected chair responsible for running some of the most important student events of the year, like the annual February rally against rising tuition fees.

Groves said the spirit of the bylaw was to prevent executives from perpetually holding power, not to punish directors at large who are promoted to an executive post in mid-term.

“I think it’s a grey area,” she said.

Groves added there are past precedents that support her position.

Teresa Sabourin was elected as chair in 1997 and served her entire term, exceeding two years as an executive. She was first nominated as services director in 1994-95 and was elected to the same position the following year.

When Groves was asked whether she would change the bylaw if elected, she said she was wary of the idea.

“I agree maybe it would be a good idea, but I can also picture the Martlet headline: Joanna Groves changes policy.”