Resolution Concerning the Sanctity of the SSMU Constitution

To:  Students' Society of McGill University

WHEREAS the Preamble of the SSMU Constitution states, “The Students' Society shall...strengthen the educational, cultural, environmental, political and social conditions of our membership (Service I)," and, “...the Students’ Society shall endeavour to facilitate communication and interaction between all students from all McGill communities (Service II),” and;

WHEREAS the Preamble of the SSMU Constitution states, “The Students’ Society shall...act as an official voice of the undergraduate and professional students of McGill...(Representation IV)” and, “act in the best interests of its membership as a whole (Representation V),” and;

WHEREAS Article 37, Section 1 of the SSMU Constitution states, “The Preamble shall form an integral part of this Constitution,” and;

WHEREAS By-law I-2, Part I, Article 22, Section 1 of the SSMU Constitution states, “SSMU Council will not take a position on external political issues that Council deems to be extremely divisive among students at McGill University,” and;

WHEREAS By-law I-2, Part I, Article 22, Section 1 of the SSMU Constitution ensures that the McGill University will remain a positive and constructive learning environment for all students, and;

WHEREAS Article 28, Section 1 of the SSMU Constitution states, “A General Assembly may...rescind any policy of the Society except: this Constitution...,”and;

WHEREAS the main motion entitled “SSMU condemnation of bombings of education institutions in Gaza” calls for: (1) “"SSMU [to] condemn the bombing of the educational institutions in Gaza..." (2) SSMU to issue "a public statement of condemnation immediately and call on the government of Canada and McGill University’s Principal Heather Munroe-Blum to also condemn the bombings...” (3) SSMU to "undertake public initiative to condemn the bombing and support the right to education of Palestinian students, and that such initiatives may include: campaigns, educational lecture series, forums and/or fundraising initiatives to support students in Gaza,” and;

WHEREAS the McGill Daily, Tribune, and Le Delit have published a plethora of articles, which highlighted the polarization of student views on the topic of the events that took place in Israel/Gaza over the course of Operation Cast Lead, and;

WHEREAS multiple McGill Facebook groups protest the mischaracterization of Israel on campus, such as "QPIRG: Opt-Out!" and "SSMU: Vote Against the Condemnation of Israel!,” and;

WHEREAS the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an external political issue that is extremely divisive among students, and;

WHEREAS if SSMU takes a position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Student’s Society will isolate and marginalize students at the McGill University, and;

WHEREAS Article 3, Section 1 of the SSMU Constitution states, “The governing body of the Society shall be known as the Legislative Council (hereinafter, Council) and shall be empowered to make all decisions and take all actions on the behalf of the Society,” and;

WHEREAS by calling on SSMU to take a position on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the aforementioned resolution will force the SSMU Council to take the same position as the Students’ Society, and;

WHEREAS the resolution is therefore in violation of By-law I-2, Article 22, Section 1 of the SSMU Constitution, which states, “SSMU Council will not take a position on external political issues that Council deems to be extremely divisive among students at McGill University” because the official position of SSMU is the de facto position of the SSMU Council, and;

WHEREAS the spirit of the SSMU Constitution is intended to foster a vibrant education environment for all students who attend the McGill University, and;

WHEREAS this resolution will politicize, divide, and polarize the student population, thereby creating a negative learning environment for all students, staff, and faculty at the McGill University;

THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that SSMU be prohibited from addressing motions concerning and relating to the Israel-Gaza Conflict of December 2008-January 2009, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the SSMU do all within its power to foster a positive environment for staff, students, and faculty in which all are provided with the opportunity to flourish socially and academically at the McGill University.

Respectfully Submitted.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Resolution Concerning the Sanctity of the SSMU Constitution Petition to Students' Society of McGill University was created by and written by Zachary Brandon Newburgh (zach.newburgh@hotmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.