Discussion Paper: The Case for a PGSS Equity Commissioner

Robert Sim, University and Academic Affairs Coordinator
Last modified: September 8, 2000

Abstract

This paper considers a proposal for the introduction of the position of Equity Commissioner (EC) within the PGSS. The potential duties associated with such a position are discussed, as well as the relationship between the EC and the Society. Please send comments and/or criticism to academic@pgss.mcgill.ca.

Why an Equity Commissioner?

As one of his final acts as University and Academic Affairs Coordinator (UAAC) and Chair of the Committee for Graduate Student Support (CGSS), Stephen Dery submitted to the incoming executive a proposal for a new PGSS Equity Commissioner. Mr Dery's motivation was two-fold:

First, the growing demands and complexity of the CGSS caseload tended to divert the energy and attention of the UAAC from other important academic issues. The CGSS represents graduate students whose rights have been violated, and, at times, will provide financial support to such students. The CGSS is intended as a last resort for students and, as such, tends to take on very difficult cases. Mr Dery estimates that roughly 50% of his time as UAAC was spent dealing with CGSS cases.

Second, there is a growing need to raise the profile of certain equity issues on campus; most notably, but not limited to, access for students with disabilities and issues pertaining to discrimination against queer students. Recent events and policy discussions at the university also indicate a growing need to address intellectual property issues as they relate to student-supervisor relationships.

In an effort to address the first issue, in June the incoming UAAC chose, on the advice of both the outgoing UAAC and Executive Chairperson, not to sit as chair of the CGSS and the committee decided to actively seek a (non-executive) student to sit as chair. Furthermore, a stipend of $600 for the position was introduced. To date, this position remains unfilled while the Executive Chairperson of the PGSS acts as interim chair.

To this end, the introduction of an Equity Commissioner would create a position whose responsibilities would address both issues. The EC would manage the affairs of the CGSS and sit as chair in the absence of someone else. Furthermore, the EC would sit ex-officio on the relevant university committees which address equity issues, notably the Senate Subcommittee on Equity, and maintain an open dialogue with University officials concerning the relevant issues.

There are a variety of forms the position of EC could take. The remainder of this paper will discuss the open options with respect to the EC's relationship with the CGSS, the PGSS and the University as a whole.

Relationship with CGSS (To Chair or not to Chair?)

It is clear that a central aspect of the EC's mandate should be to ensure the efficient operation and long-term viability of the CGSS. Whether or not this includes acting as Chair of the CGSS is a question for debate. It is the opinion of the current UAAC that the EC should be mandated to sit as Chair. There are three reasons in favour of this argument. The first is that ensuring the efficient operation of the committee demands that the EC play a central role in its meetings and decisions. The second reason is related to the collection of the allocated stipend and whether or not the EC receives a stipend from the Society-proper. This second issue will be discussed further below. Finally, the presence of a full-time Chair of the CGSS will open the opportunity to expand the mandate of the CGSS to provide additional services or advocacy. Such a decision, however, is beyond the scope of this paper.

It should be noted that, regardless of the role the EC plays with the CGSS, the UAAC will continue to sit ex-officio on the committee. In this context, one might assume that the UAAC will sit representing the PGSS Executive, and will also provide an important link to the University administration and Senate.

Roles on Committees External to PGSS

Currently, the UAAC sits ex-officio on the Advisory Committee on Women Students' Issues and the Committee on Sexual Harassment, among others. It is understood that the EC will assume these seats, as well as the PGSS positions on the Senate Subcommittee on Equity, the Senate Subcomittee on Student Discipline, the Advisory Committee on the Charter of Student Rights, and the Committee for Student Affairs. (Author's note: some of these committees are not listed on the committees webpage).

It should be noted that the Vice Principal (Academic) has recently indicated a desire to cease the operations of the Equity Committee. The presence of a strong voice on this committee will go far to ensure its continued operation. In addition for the past two years, PGSS senators have clamoured for increased attention to Queer issues on this committee. It is hoped that the presence of the EC will ensure that these issues are brought to the table.

Finally, the reader should note that most of these committees take PGSS representatives from the regular membership. While one might critcise the proposed centralization of power, the presense of a coherent voice on each of these committees will likely lead to stronger representation for the PGSS as a whole. Roles on Committees Internal to PGSS The creation of the position of Equity Commissioner opens the door for the creation of an internal PGSS committee on equity, to be chaired by the EC. The decision of whether or not to form this committee will depend somewhat on whether the role of the CGSS is expanded, as mentioned previously.

Relationship with the PGSS Executive and Society Proper

Perhaps the most difficult question to address is that of how the EC will be appointed and whether or not the EC will sit as a member of the PGSS Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The reader familiar with the PGSS will recall that there are several ways in which individuals are appointed to represent the society (notwithstanding the elections of individual councillors to represent the various departments). We will review these briefly:

The five members of the Executive Committee are elected by the general membership once per year. Members of the Executive Committee are entitled to certain privileges, not the least of which includes an annual stipend of $6000. Furthermore, the Executive Committee also constitutes the Society Board of Directors, which makes decisions that fall outside the mandate of the Society Council.
The second group of representatives are the Senators and Board of Governors representative, who are elected annually by the general membership. These individuals have voting seats at PGSS Council but are not entitled to sit on the Executive Committee or Board of Directors, nor do they receive any stipend or other privileges from the Society.
Finally, roughly one hundred regular members are elected by PGSS Council to represent the Society on both internal and external committees. These individuals act on a volunteer basis and in many cases do not even have seats on PGSS Council.

Based on these three models of appointment, it seems clear that the EC should be elected by the general membership during the annual elections. This will also serve to promote the position to the broader university community.

The remaining open question is left for discussion among the Executive, Councillors and members of CGSS. Appointment of the EC to the Executive Committee will serve to reinforce the value of the position, and ensure that the EC is in close communication with the Society and other Executives.

On the other hand, increasing the size of Executive Committee might reduce its efficiency as an arm of the society. Furthermore, the addition of a new paid position may draw a negative reaction from the Society membership. It should be noted at this point that the stipend offered for the Chair of CGSS (which is paid out of the CGSS Trust Fund), can serve to alleviate some of the additional (but small) financial burden to the Society. Finally, it may be sufficient for the EC to collaborate with the UAAC via Council and Senate Caucus, where the majority of equity issues are discussed.

The reader might be interested to note at this juncture that the undergraduate students' society, SSMU, also has plans to introduce an Equity Commissioner. While the mandate of their EC is similar to the one discussed here, they will not be a member of the SSMU Executive Committee but will instead work out of the office of the Vice-President (University Affairs).

Conclusion

Wheras the need for a PGSS Equity Commissioner has been identified, many questions remain open concerning the precise role that the EC will play in relation to the CGSS and the PGSS. This paper has sought to identify the important questions, namely, whether the EC will chair the CGSS, and whether the EC will be a member of the PGSS Executive Committee. This paper is presented to the PGSS Executive, Council and CGSS in order to solicit feedback on these open issues. Please send comments and criticism to academic@pgss.mcgill.ca.