Shortly after the hiring decisions were announced for next year’s Social Issues Commissioner, anonymous individuals started circulating an e-mail requesting that recipients send a petition to the new AMS executive, AMS information officer Greg McKellar and AMS Human Resources Officer Emily Lauzon. The e-mail, which came from the address sicreview@gmail. com, stated that “recently a major concern has been voiced regarding AMS hiring practices” in regards to the Social Issues Commissioner position.
“A number of questionable hiring practices have been identified by the unsuccessful candidates, but they are facing difficulty in addressing this as there is no official appeal process.”
The petition’s proponents ask students to request that the AMS refuse to ratify the new commissioner and review the hiring process. No one has claimed responsibility for the e-mail. The incoming commissioner is Jeff Brown, ArtSci ’08. He said he has no comment because the petition was regarding the hiring policies. AMS President-elect Kingsley Chak said although he has received about 15 e-mailed petitions, he hasn’t been approached by anyone with complaints about the hiring process. “We don’t have anyone coming to us saying, ‘That’s unfair because of this,” he said. “So we really don’t know why they’re not happy with the decision. … It’s a very vague e-mail.” Chak said during the interview process the hiring committee explains that if applicants have any concerns, they can always bring them up. Lauzon said no specific concerns have been brought to her attention. “It’s very common practice for people who have questions and concerns to come ask,” she said. “[The hiring committee] is very willing to meet with people, give them about why theydidn’t [get the job], give tips for interviews in the future.” Greg Mckellar, AMS information officer and an advising member of the hiring committee, said the hiring committee is receptive to meeting with applicants to discuss any element of the hiring process. “Everyone here would welcome any opportunity to talk to any applicant,” he said. “In fact, one of the applicants for social issues did come and meet with me. They didn’t express to me any dissatisfaction in any shape or form.”
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