BUSU has recently announced that it has parted ways with the former Executive Director, Ashley Taron. Taron had held the position, responsible for the management and finances of BUSU and the KDC, since 2018.
The loss of the ED happened over the Winter Break, at around the same time as BUSU’s Marketing Coordinator, Services Coordinator, and several full-time Office Assistants stepped down. These combined losses left the BUSU offices nearly empty, and the Student Executives reeling. Kesha Haulder, Vice President Engagement, experienced particular difficulty trying to distribute funding to BU’s various clubs: “Given that we didn't have an ED […] I couldn't just give the clubs the funding that they were requiring. […] I literally could not give you your funding, I had no authority.” The justified frustrated responses from various clubs led to even higher tension within and around BUSU, which was already facing its own internal chaos. The Student Execs and Representatives worked around the clock – including over Winter Break and Reading Week – to keep BUSU operating somewhat smoothly.
What do all these changes mean for the future of BUSU? Charles Adamu, BUSU President, is optimistic: “The situation is not ideal. But in years to come, I think we'll look back at this moment and realize that perhaps it was the best thing that could have happened. […] Right now, we [the Executives] are constantly on our toes trying to juggle work and some staff positions as well as school, but we have come far. And […] it has even led us to think about how the structure of BUSU is now… Should the structure remain the same in terms of accountability? What does our structure look like – does it need a tweak, is it perfect the way it is? That's what the board is doing now. And so this is a telling moment in BUSU's history, because I think BUSU will come out of this diamond.” Charles also extends sincere gratitude to the acting Services Coordinator, the Vice-Presidents, the BUSU Board, and the student body for their hard work, understanding, and patience.
BUSU’s focus going forward, besides re-evaluating their longstanding structure and bylaws, will be on improving transparency and accountability, expanding services for students, growing connections with faculty, and mending the gap that has historically existed between Brandon University students and the Union that represents them. Resuming work on bigger projects that have been on pause, such as a Mentorship Program, is another big priority. Any questions or concerns about the future of BUSU should be inquired either in-person at their office or over email at info@busu.ca.
As a final note, this year’s BUSU election is coming up quickly, with campaigning starting March 3rd and voting taking place March 13th-14th. Be sure to pay extra close attention to the various campaigns this year – at such a potentially major turning point for BUSU, the right set of Executives and Representatives can make all the difference.