11/06/2014
A Message from the GSA President
Dear Graduate Students and members of the University Community,
I am writing to clarify the numerous misconceptions, errors and inventions published in the Sheaf on October 30th, regarding the GSA President. I requested to respond in writing to the one-sided and defamatory article, directly through the Sheaf. Unfortunately, my request was denied.
For the record, I had agreed to an interview with the Sheaf and had responded via email to the reporter’s questions well within the deadline. The Sheaf’s choice not to include my responses to serious misinformation is beyond my comprehension. To review the email correspondence please go to http://goo.gl/RqBrjm.
The overall message in the Sheaf article reflects a lack of understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the GSA President and the six Vice-Presidents. Through democratic elections each member of the GSA Executive is empowered to act and speak on behalf of the Executive with respect to their specific offices. While I supervise the work of the Vice-Presidents, my overarching role is to facilitate and support the legitimate decisions that fall within their portfolios.
Although I oversee all major decisions, most of the daily operations of the GSA are entrusted to our team of 6 Vice-Presidents. For example, specific duties such as the administration of the U-Pass service including the purchase of office equipment such as a computer, the composition of council meeting agendas, the distribution of the GSA logo, etc., are constitutionally delegated to individual Vice-Presidents.
My primary role as President is to represent the needs, wishes and aspirations of graduate students, locally, provincially and nationally. I have made it my priority to give graduate students a strong and compelling voice with respect to a host of issues extending from the fundamental flaws of TransformUS, advocating for improved and safer working environments, and dealing with unforeseen and unpredictable events which occur. For example, the recent Saskatoon transit lockout required immediate, responsible and decisive action. Simply stated, I condemned the lockout publicly and encouraged the University administration to take immediate action to provide alternative transportation for students. Through elaborate discussions with city representatives I was able to arrange for a month of free transit for all students.
In conclusion, I am saddened to read so much misinformation, hyperbole, and half-baked truths directed against me. These unwarranted attacks are not only without substance, but are mean-spirited and personal in nature. It is hard to imagine how people can replace their concern for decency and fairness with a determination to discredit and defeat others. Any objective assessment will discover that the call for my impeachment is based on frivolous, malicious, and mendacious grounds.
As President, I have always represented the GSA with honesty, integrity, pride, and to the best of my abilities. Whether I speak on campus or at meetings or conferences I defend our collective interests as graduate students. Many students and university professors recognize my tireless efforts to enhance the presence and voice of graduate students, coupled with building relationships with the academic community. For example, I was the only graduate student invited to participate as a panelist in an international conference on academic freedom (October 1, 2014). Along with a number of professors, the conference included the presidents of both the Canadian and American university associations. I also organized a separate talk and Q&A session with Dr. Jim Turk exclusively for graduate students.
Although I have no anger towards the detractors, I would simply encourage them to reflect profoundly before they engage in spurious and defamatory personal attacks. Criticism, generated by personal dislike, lacks kindness, credibility, and sustainability.
Sincerely,
Izabela Vlahu
President
Graduate Students’ Association
University of Saskatchewan
