The Revolutionary Students Movement has had a sour start with its referendum campaign, which took place on Jan. 27 in the Student Commons.
They had expected to get 800 signatures from Algonquin students – about five per cent of the school’s population − however, nobody came.
The failure of their campaign is being blamed on the intervention of the Student Association.
“They (the Students Association) have taken down our campaign posters on the same day the event takes place,” said Dmitri Milnik, secretary of the RSM and a first year public administration student. “This is the problem we are having with them and we’re bringing it up to them again.”
The RSM’s campaign, whose motto is “Planning for Democracy now!” sought to address the system which the SA is operating.
“It’s a very top-down undemocratic way with nine people getting to decide what students have to vote on issues that matter to them,” said Brendan Copegog White, co-founder of the RSM and a part time social service worker student.
The issues that matter to the students include the abolition of tuition fees and student debts, according to their official campaign document.
The immediate aim for their meeting, according to the RSM’s Facebook page, is to “mobilize students to change the Students’ Association by-laws to include guidelines for calling for a referendum on campus.”
“The referendum itself doesn’t necessarily make the school a better place,” admitted Milnik. “It’s going to give the students a tool to organize and shape the campus in the way they want.”
Milnik also admitted that the method they are using may not be the most effective one.
The RSM’s meeting took place in the middle of the SA’s recruiting months during which they will choose full-time students who manage to collect 50 signatures from Algonquin students into the Board of Directors.
“We do allow everyone to run for the Board of Directors so you do have a contribution if you are elected to be one of the members,” said Charlene Dygos, one of the Directors. “In most circumstances, when it’s a big issue we do a whole referendum so that the whole student population can have a chance to voice their opinion.”
Sara Grainger, the current president of the SA, denied any knowledge of the removal of the RSM’s posters. Prior to the RSM’s campaign day, she had a meeting with their leaders on Jan. 21.
The details of the meeting will not be publicized, said Sara.
Despite the failure in its first phase, the RSM is preparing to start its second phase.
“We’re setting out to classrooms and collecting signatures and giving out leaflets to students,” said Milnik.