Crisis in YUFA

The York Democratic Forum

Each academic unit at York elects Stewards who represent them at the Stewards’
Council. In turn, the Stewards’ Council elects two of its members to the YUFA
Executive. Although Executive members sit on Stewards’ Council, a November
2007 resolution was passed by Council to solve an ambiguity in the YUFA
Constitution, declaring that only elected Stewards can vote for their
representatives to the YUFA Executive.
This decision was not contested until the current election for the two Stewards
representatives to Executive. This election began with the clear understanding
that the November 2007 decision would stand. In fact, this decision was
re-affirmed by Stewards’ Council on May 1, 2009.
Despite this, the Executive has overturned Stewards’ Council’s decision and
insisted on voting in the election – undoubtedly altering the results of the
election and giving the Executive undue influence over the choice of Steward
representatives.
The Stewards’ Council – directly elected in each unit by YUFA members – is a key
check on the powers of the Executive. In the YUFA Constitution, the Stewards’
Council is described as the body that “directs the affairs of the Association
between general meetings”. It has broad powers to review the actions of the
Executive and to operate as a check on its power.
At the moment the Stewards’ Council and the Executive are deadlocked over this
seriously flawed election.
YUFA members need to intervene to call for a new election, to be held according
to the Stewards Council’s rules which place the power to choose their
representatives entirely in the hands of elected Stewards.

Commenting on this Story is closed.