After this winter’s racist image during the AMS election debate, conversation about adequate compensation and consultation for Black students has continued.
During team ETC’s term, questions with respect to fair compensation and consultation of the Black Club’s Caucus to improve the AMS’ Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity (EDII) arose at AMS Assembly, and Annual General Meeting (AGM). Consultations were planned with other AMS stakeholders, such as Queen’s University, but not students.
At AGM, Vice-President (University Affairs) Callum Robertson contended not consulting Black Club’s Caucus was a critical error.
“There have been discussions about consultations [with the Black Club’s Caucus], but we’ve never sat down with the AMS, gone through their policies, and told themwhat needs to be changed,” said Amaiya Walters, Black Club’s Caucus member, in an interview with The Journal.
Though the AMS has Principles and Positions Policies, which define the Society’s key stances, the section on EDII is currently one sentence. The Caucus doesn’t know where the AMS stands on many issues because of the vagueness in the policy, Walters explained.
“[The lack of clarity in policy] is really scary for BIPOC students on campus who want to partake in the AMS through volunteer work, or just use services and programs,” Walters said.
After two months of back and forth emailing with team ETC, the executive concluded the AMS would be unable to pay the Caucus.
READ MORE: AMS reviews election policies and procedures
“I spoke to other of the Caucus, and they said we would be willing to do [the consultations] for free. We really care about the safety and the well-being of the Black students who are here now and who will come after us. We said we’ll do it for free. Still, no consultation occurred,” she said.
Wishing the consultation process was more transparent, Walters thinks any consultation external to the AMS, including with the University, is a positive and valuable step. She said the issue isn’t knowing what those consultations included.
“What non-students who work for the University think is best for students is different than what Black students who are students right now need from the AMS and want to see. Students should be consulted first,” Walters said.
On the AMS front, current President Kate McCuaig said no compensation policy was ed at the Board of Directors level during the previous executive’s term.
“My predecessor raised a premise on this topic for discussion to the Board of Directors. Since this was brought to Board in closed session, all non-voting were required to leave. Therefore, our team was unable to participate in this discussion,” McCuaig said in a statement to The Journal.
Team KMV wasn’t permitted at the closed session discussion in April AMS Board, where McCuaig said compensation models were discussed.
“The Social Issues Commissioner (Internal) has been ed by our Secretary of Internal Affairs in policy knowledge and constitution, as well as by the executive who are keen on working diligently on [compensation for BIPOC labour] from the beginning of our ,” McCuaig said.
In the immediate, Black clubs and student organizations need tangible changes and resources. Walters said policy helps get to those places, but currently, space and money is what Black student groups need. Compared to other universities such as Toronto Metropolitan University. Walters described Queen’s as lacking a centralized space for Black student organizations.
“Equity means groups who have historically received less, need to be given more in certain circumstances, where appropriate, and I believe this is one of them,” Walters said.
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