No right to choose

UVSS reps say students can't make up own mind about military

by David Karp

The Canadian Armed Forces are banned from recruiting in the Student Union Building (SUB).

UVic Students’ Society (UVSS) chairperson Tracy Ho broke a 6-6 deadlock at a Sept. 10 UVSS board meeting by voting that the military should be banned from the SUB.

The motion was passed to clarify a policy amendment passed 10-1 by the last UVSS board of directors in April.That board amended the society’s policy on military issues to include, “The Society is opposed to the militarization of Canadian Society, and is unsupportive of a Canadian military establishment that violates international law and human rights.”

Current UVSS board members felt that motion left it ambiguous as to whether or not the military was banned from the SUB.

The ban voted in on Sept. 10 means that the Canadian Armed Forces will be unable to attend the annual recruiting fair put on by UVic’s Career Services in the SUB every January. The Armed Forces attended last year’s recruiting fair.

At the Sept. 10 meeting, UVSS director of academics Caitlin Meggs read a statement by Jennifer Margison, manager of Career Services, urging students not to ban the military and to invite a member of the Armed Forces to speak to them before making a decision. Margison was unable to attend the meeting.

“If the policy would be implemented as a ban, I would ask the board to consider that this could be a very slippery slope, and one that I don’t believe is in the spirit of a university campus, where alternate and opposing views, debate and discourse, personal choice and decision making should be fostered,” Meggs read on behalf of Margison. “I would suggest that banning any organization from campus, if they are operating in accordance with Canadian law, and with university policy, is an infringement on the rights of students to make their own decisions about their futures.”

Tim Fournier from Students Against War spoke against the Canadian military recruiting on campus. He agreed that any law-abiding group should be allowed on campus, but argued the military committed illegal acts.

“Canada has signed on to the Geneva Convention. It’s ratified these. It’s a customary law which means that it’s part of our legal framework,” Fournier said. “We’re violating those laws, and it doesn’t take a legal expert to figure that out.”

Fournier accused the military of being dishonest, saying the Canadian Armed Forces use depleted uranium, which has been linked to cancer. The website of the Department of National Defence said that the Armed Forces haven’t carried depleted uranium since 1998.

“They are liars,” Fournier said. “They do not tell the truth, and they manipulate us.”

Scott Garnett, a student in the gallery, challenged Fournier’s assertion that the Canadian military is guilty of war crimes.

“Has anybody in the Canadian military been convicted of war crimes?” Garnett asked.

“They don’t tell us,” replied Fournier, who said Afghans under the supervision of the Canadian military were tortured. “Convicted or not, torturing people is a war crime.”

Director-at-large Christine Comrie said it was important to ban the military from recruiting because some students are ignorant about the issues.

“A lot of students don’t know about the issues and don’t know about the facts,” she said. “We have to make this decision for students.”

Richard Park was the lone dissenter from the Team FAST slate, which was largely in favour of a ban.

“I believe [the military] is a necessary part of our lives,” he said. “I made an application myself at one point because it’s a good source of financial aid.”

Director-at-large Edward Pullman spoke against the Afghan war during the debate.

“I consider myself well read on the situation in Afghanistan,” said director-at-large Edward Pullman. “I believe that the Armed Forces in Afghanistan are operating to the detriment of the Afghani people.”

Women’s Centre board representative Anna Planedin said the purpose of the Afghanistan mission is “to colonize” and compared military recruiting to selling cigarettes.

“To me, it reminds me how cigarette companies sell products with glamorous-looking models.”

But director-at-large Corinne Harbidge said that students should be able to make up their own mind about whether to join the military.

“I think everyone deserves to make their own decisions,” Harbidge said. “If [Career Services] paid to book the room, I don’t think it’s our place to tell them who can and can’t come.”

Some of her colleagues disagreed. “I’m all for students having open debate, but the point is that you can’t have a debate if you’re not fully informed,” said Meggs. “And the Canadian military misrepresents what is happening.”

Many people in the room broke into applause after Ho cast her tiebreaking vote in favour of banning the military.

2007-09-20 Volume 60 No. 7
Download latest CUPcast Advanced search We're Hiring! Contact Us Unarchived Issues Advertising Rates Statement of Purpose Submission Guidelines Writing/Style Resources		No right to choose UVSS reps say students can't make up own mind about military by David Karp The Canadian Armed Forces are banned from recruiting in the Student Union Building (SUB). UVic Students’ Society (UVSS) chairperson Tracy Ho broke a 6-6 deadlock at a Sept. 10 UVSS board meeting by voting that the military should be banned from the SUB. The motion was passed to clarify a policy amendment passed 10-1 by the last UVSS board of directors in April.That board amended the society’s policy on military issues to include, “The Society is opposed to the militarization of Canadian Society, and is unsupportive of a Canadian military establishment that violates international law and human rights.” Current UVSS board members felt that motion left it ambiguous as to whether or not the military was banned from the SUB. The ban voted in on Sept. 10 means that the Canadian Armed Forces will be unable to attend the annual recruiting fair put on by UVic’s Career Services in the SUB every January. The Armed Forces attended last year’s recruiting fair. At the Sept. 10 meeting, UVSS director of academics Caitlin Meggs read a statement by Jennifer Margison, manager of Career Services, urging students not to ban the military and to invite a member of the Armed Forces to speak to them before making a decision. Margison was unable to attend the meeting. “If the policy would be implemented as a ban, I would ask the board to consider that this could be a very slippery slope, and one that I don’t believe is in the spirit of a university campus, where alternate and opposing views, debate and discourse, personal choice and decision making should be fostered,” Meggs read on behalf of Margison. “I would suggest that banning any organization from campus, if they are operating in accordance with Canadian law, and with university policy, is an infringement on the rights of students to make their own decisions about their futures.” Tim Fournier from Students Against War spoke against the Canadian military recruiting on campus. He agreed that any law-abiding group should be allowed on campus, but argued the military committed illegal acts. “Canada has signed on to the Geneva Convention. It’s ratified these. It’s a customary law which means that it’s part of our legal framework,” Fournier said. “We’re violating those laws, and it doesn’t take a legal expert to figure that out.” Fournier accused the military of being dishonest, saying the Canadian Armed Forces use depleted uranium, which has been linked to cancer. The website of the Department of National Defence said that the Armed Forces haven’t carried depleted uranium since 1998. “They are liars,” Fournier said. “They do not tell the truth, and they manipulate us.” Scott Garnett, a student in the gallery, challenged Fournier’s assertion that the Canadian military is guilty of war crimes. “Has anybody in the Canadian military been convicted of war crimes?” Garnett asked. “They don’t tell us,” replied Fournier, who said Afghans under the supervision of the Canadian military were tortured. “Convicted or not, torturing people is a war crime.” Director-at-large Christine Comrie said it was important to ban the military from recruiting because some students are ignorant about the issues. “A lot of students don’t know about the issues and don’t know about the facts,” she said. “We have to make this decision for students.” Richard Park was the lone dissenter from the Team FAST slate, which was largely in favour of a ban. “I believe [the military] is a necessary part of our lives,” he said. “I made an application myself at one point because it’s a good source of financial aid.” Director-at-large Edward Pullman spoke against the Afghan war during the debate. “I consider myself well read on the situation in Afghanistan,” said director-at-large Edward Pullman. “I believe that the Armed Forces in Afghanistan are operating to the detriment of the Afghani people.” Women’s Centre board representative Anna Planedin said the purpose of the Afghanistan mission is “to colonize” and compared military recruiting to selling cigarettes. “To me, it reminds me how cigarette companies sell products with glamorous-looking models.” But director-at-large Corinne Harbidge said that students should be able to make up their own mind about whether to join the military. “I think everyone deserves to make their own decisions,” Harbidge said. “If [Career Services] paid to book the room, I don’t think it’s our place to tell them who can and can’t come.” Some of her colleagues disagreed. “I’m all for students having open debate, but the point is that you can’t have a debate if you’re not fully informed,” said Meggs. “And the Canadian military misrepresents what is happening.” Many people in the room broke into applause after Ho cast her tiebreaking vote in favour of banning the military.