York Federation of Students
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| Established | |
|---|---|
| Institution | York University |
| President | Hamid Osman |
| Vice President(s) | Gilary Massa, Loveleen Kang, Nila Zameni, Krisna Saravanamuttu |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
| Members | 45,000 |
| Affiliations | Canadian Federation of Students |
| Colours | Red & White |
| Homepage | www.yfs.ca |
York Federation of Students (YFS) represents over 45,000 students at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The York Federation of Students (YFS) is a member of the Canadian Federation of Students (Local 68).
Contents |
[edit] History
The student government was founded in 1968 as the York Student Council. Around 1975, the student government had become the Council of York Student Federations. By the early 1990's the name changed to York Federation of Students.
[edit] About
The YFS is a democratically organized, dues paying student union representing over 45,000 full and part-time undergrad students at the York University.
The purpose of the YFS is to bring together the elected representatives of all the college governments on campus. The YFS also has appointed members of campus organizations into a single body. The YFS provides services such as a health plan, the discounted metropass, and the Student Advocacy Services. Unlike other Student Governments, it does not own or operate any campus pub, however, it does have a controlling stake on the Board of Directors for the Student Centre. All Campus Organizations and Clubs are recognized under the YFS, and together with the different club offices, occupy of the majority of the Student Centre.
[edit] Administration
The student government is administered by five full-time undergraduate executives, along with several full and part time staff members. Other part-time staff are mostly made up of undergrad students.
On multiple levels, the YFS is controlled by student volunteers and paid employees. The Day-to-day operations are overseen by the elected Executive, who also run the various campaigns and provide advocacy for all undergrads and are assisted by the full-time long-term staff.
The elected and appointed Board of Directors holds open meetings almost every other week each school year. The general membership (all York Students) meets to ratify the decisions of the Board of Directors as well as provide ground level participation to the operation of the YFS.
For a list of employees, check the Staff Listing Page.
[edit] Elections
Elections are held every March to select the next years Executive and Board. Along with this, all the part-time positions are re-staffed. Volunteers also assist the YFS with campaigns and referendums on issues like the rising cost of tuition, the environment and globalization.
[edit] Board of Directors (Councillors)
CSA Board of Directors meet regularly. All the Board meetings are open to the public, and are traditionally begun with a motion to extend speaking rights to all present, so that visitors may contribute to the process. Only members of the Board of Directors hold voting rights.
All votes for the YFS Board of Directors are held by the Executive, and 16 college and faculty seats (College Councillors).
Information and Members of the YFS and its Consitiution.
[edit] Services
The YFS offers a wide selection of services and advocacy programming.
- Cell Phone Deals
- Free ISIC
- Free Studentsaver
- Free Essay Printing Service
- Photocopy and Fax Service
- Home4Students
- TTC Discount Metropass
- Work Abroad Program
- Discount Auto Insurance
- Student Minutes
- U-File
- Student Advocacy Services
- Food Bank
[edit] Health Plan
All undergraduate students at York University (with the exception of Atkinson & Osgoode Hall students) participate in a health plan (YFS). 65.5% of voting Glendon College students voted to join the health plan during their 2006 Spring Elections (Elections York). Glendon College was a previous non-participant in the plan. Students with alternative extended health coverage are permitted to opt-out of the plan.
[edit] Clubs
There are over 50 accredited clubs by the YFS. The wide variety of clubs range from cultural, religious, political, and social. For a list of clubs, check the Club List.
[edit] Controversy
Over the years, some students see YFS as a less democratic group that is run by a small group of ideological radical socialists. However, others feel that it represents a cross section of political ideology. There have been both right and left wing members of YFS over the years including in 2004 when the right wing Progress Not Politics held almost every seat and all the Executive Branch.[1]
In January 2005, 5 students were arrested in Vari Hall for having a disruptive demonstration which were against the rules of the University in terms of using Vari Hall.[2] While some YFS and the York University Senate condemned the administration's decision to invite police onto campus, others did agree with that the group was being disruptive to the learning environment. The majority of students did not care however about the issue. In 2006, the ban was lifted by the Administration.[3]
In the most recent election in March 2007, and in many past elections, the integrity of the electoral process was put into doubt and been contested due to various issues, some which have been proven and others which have not.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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