[ASU] Membership of ASU and Eligibility to Contest elections
Bello, Shaka
sb228010 at ohio.edu
Fri Apr 6 18:08:36 EDT 2012
Dear Comrades,
I have been read your concerns and I appreciate them. Thanks to Comrade Abobo, our ex-president for setting the records straight with his timely intervention. Though he did not address your concerns individually, he did touch on the salient issues. I would however add my little voice to his submission. On membership, it is codified in Article II Section 2(subsection a) that "Membership shall be open to all African students and other students at Ohio University". The constitution goes on to say in subsection b that "Members with up to date registration shall be entitled to benefits of the Union as specified in the by-laws. Registration shall be determined by the payment of dues". Regarding eligibility to contest elections, our constitution explicitly states in Article V Section 3 that " Eligibility shall be limited to students currently enrolled at Ohio University, who are registered (paid dues) with the Union". In this vein, I shall contact the treasurer to ascertain whether all the nominees/candidates have fulfilled their financial obligation. We shall ensure that the right thing is done.
If any of us is not satisfied with any of the provisions of the constitution. I will suggest that the person move a motion for an amendment of the constitution during a General Body in the next administration. Since the current crop of ASU executives are committed to handing over the Union in Peace and not in pieces, our upcoming election will be held according to the SPIRIT AND LETTERS of the current constitution.
I advise that everybody should stay calm. I encourage ALL candidates to proceed with their campaigns and I caution that it should be devoid of rancor and acrimony. Nominees who have not yet accepted their nominees can go ahead and campaign but must ensure that they so that before the elections in other to become qualified candidates. If you have any questions regarding the electoral process, you can contact me or any of the other returning officers.
Your Humble Servant,
Shaka Bello
Returning Officer/ General Secretary
________________________________________
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Today's Topics:
1. Membership of African Students Union (Kumbalonah, Abobo)
2. Re: Elections: Follow- up to last GB Meeting (Ogundimu, Adedayo)
3. Re: Membership of African Students Union (Ogundimu, Adedayo)
4. Re: Membership of African Students Union (Kumbalonah, Abobo)
5. Re: Membership of African Students Union (Adu-Kumi, Benjamin)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2012 13:35:38 -0400
From: "Kumbalonah, Abobo" <wa404309 at ohio.edu>
Subject: [ASU] Membership of African Students Union
To: "Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu" <Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu>
Message-ID:
<90F26A5746606F4B9EAE15F0B892312442A2B5EE96 at EXMAIL1.ohio.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Dear Colleagues:
I wish to make a quick intervention regarding who qualifies to be a member of the African Students Union and how it reflects on eligibility for election into the Executive Body. Per Ohio University rules and regulations governing the registration and operation of student organizations, it is unacceptable to have a student organization with exclusive membership. What this means is that every student organization is required by law to be open to everyone interested in joining. No one can be denied membership on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, etc. In the same way, it is not permissible for a student organization to have in its constitution, laws which discriminate against other people. For example, a group cannot take away a member's right to contest in an election because of racial considerations. Any group which does that could be suspended in accordance with Campus Involvement Center rules and regulations.
It is precisely for this reason that every student group is required to submit a copy of its constitution and by-laws to Campus Involvement Center as part of the registration/re-registration process which is required to be done every academic year. The purpose is for them to approve every group's constitution. The current ASU constitution clearly conforms to this "open access membership requirement" and that is why the group is still existing as a registered student organization.
Our constition does not bar any individual from contesting an Executive position on the basis of race, or any other consideration, except with being a member in good standing and being a registered student of Ohio University. Concluding on my rather long intervention, I would say that the African Students Union, though might seem to be exclusive to Africans because of the name, it is REQUIRED to and it IS indeed open to every interested individual. And the right to contest or hold an Executive position CANNOT and it IS not discriminatory. Let us take this into consideration in the election process. .
Thank you.
Regards,
Abobo Kumbalonah.
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2012 13:40:19 -0400
From: "Ogundimu, Adedayo" <ao281809 at ohio.edu>
Subject: Re: [ASU] Elections: Follow- up to last GB Meeting
To: "Mokake Mayoa, Flavius" <fm153011 at ohio.edu>, "Adu-Kumi, Benjamin"
<ba142511 at ohio.edu>, "Hyde, Laura" <lh264909 at ohio.edu>, "Bello, Shaka"
<sb228010 at ohio.edu>, "asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu"
<asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu>
Message-ID:
<6BBA930647426E4584BE9E70C642DAFC42D1C7B3AD at EXMAIL1.ohio.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hello Flavius:
Thanks for your eye-opening definition of AFRICAN STUDENTS union. It is obvious from your observation that this is a union strictly for AFRICAN STUDENTS.
Now the question is: does the union have another definition for AFRICAN STUDENTS which we are not aware of? While as a matter of history, the African people are known all over the world to be warm, friendly and accommodating, it is yet to be the norm anywhere to re-define "African-ness". It cannot be re-defined even if we try. It is, according to a Yoruba proverb "an ailment of visibility and not of the internal organs".
When a handshake extends to the elbow, it has become something else. The words of our elders are words of wisdom and only the wise could fathom them.
I have spoken.
Adedayo Ogundimu.
________________________________________
From: asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu [asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu] On Behalf Of Mokake Mayoa, Flavius [fm153011 at ohio.edu]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 12:18 PM
To: Adu-Kumi, Benjamin; Hyde, Laura; Bello, Shaka; asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu
Subject: Re: [ASU] Elections: Follow- up to last GB Meeting
Dear one & all,,
I feel obliged to add my voice to the on-going ASU nominations and politiking. However, I am not making a nomination but to re-awake our sense of purpose and commonality in our identity and heritage and that of ASU. Very quickly, I will want us to write ASU in full: African Students Union. By that implication it is supposed to b a body of solely African Students. It is my humble judgment and advise that this guides our choice of nomination, polling decision, and membership of ASU. It would be a wild imagination to think of any OU student of African descent gaining membership, talk less of an exco-status, in a body representing students from India, Latin America, or even Black American Students.
I am by this email reminding and strongly impressing on all that ASU is an organisation for African students and that status should be jealously preserved...!
Comrade,
Flavius
________________________________________
From: asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu [asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu] on behalf of Adu-Kumi, Benjamin [ba142511 at ohio.edu]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 4:43 PM
To: Hyde, Laura; Bello, Shaka; asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu
Subject: Re: [ASU] Elections: Follow- up to last GB Meeting
Hi Laura,
I think my first reaction will be that your response since your nomination has taken too long to come and for me i thought you are not so up to date with what is going on as far as ASU is concern. Secondly from your remarks below, you dont seem to know much about ASU. Your attendance of the Heroes night is very much appreciated but does not give you enough details to take on a position no less than Vice President of the ASU. I wouldl assume that you would have taking some time to immense yourself in the activities of the organization proper before accepting this nomination.This is to avoid a situation where you will become a lonely wanderer in this activity packed organization with no time to ask so many questions as to how to go about things when in actuality there i no time. Please think about it.
Thank you
Graduate Student
Department of African Studies
Research Assistant to Prof Yusuf Kalyango
E W. Scripp School of Journalism
Ohio University
________________________________________
From: asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu [asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu] On Behalf Of Hyde, Laura [lh264909 at ohio.edu]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 8:42 AM
To: Bello, Shaka; asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu
Subject: Re: [ASU] Elections: Follow- up to last GB Meeting
Dear ASU members,
I hereby accept my nomination for Vice-President of ASU. Since many of you don't know me, here is some information about myself: I am a junior with a major in French; Women and Gender Studies and Global Studies with a focus in Africa. I spent last fall semester in Senegal where I stayed with a host family and took classes and studied Wolof. I attended African heroes night this year and am very interested in becoming involved in ASU.
Thanks for your consideration and I look forward to seeing you all on the 14th!
---
Laura Hyde
Ohio University
College of Arts and Sciences
Vice President, Students Teaching About Racism in Society
Secretary, Triota Women's and Gender Studies Honor Society
lh264909 at ohio.edu
________________________________________
From: asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu [asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu] on behalf of Bello, Shaka [sb228010 at ohio.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 11:32 PM
To: asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu
Subject: [ASU] Elections: Follow- up to last GB Meeting
Dear Comrades,
On my behalf and that of my colleagues (Kombe Kapatamoyo and Samba Camara), and as a follow up to our General Body meeting on Sunday April 1, 2012, I wish to remind you all about our upcoming elections which has been rescheduled to Saturday April 14, 2012. The venue and time for the elections will be communicated to you later. Nominations remain open for all Executive positions till 6pm on the day of the election. To clear all doubts and ambiguities, these are the positions stipulated in our constitution:
1. President
2. Vice President
3 General Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Publicity Secretary
6. Social and Cultural Secretary
7. Academic and Research Secretary
So far, we have had nominations for only two positions out of seven. Find below, the break down
President: Kingsley Antwi-Boasiako, Ousmane Diop, Yacoubou Alou
Vice President: Laura Hyde, Yacoubou Alou
I entreat all nominees to either accept or decline their nominations before the Election Day.
Meanwhile, I encourage you to nominate yourselves or other ASU members to fill the positions.
NB: To be eligible to contest for positions and to vote, you have to pay your dues ?
Thank you!
Your Humble Servant (Returning Officer),
Shaka Bello
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------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2012 13:46:30 -0400
From: "Ogundimu, Adedayo" <ao281809 at ohio.edu>
Subject: Re: [ASU] Membership of African Students Union
To: "Kumbalonah, Abobo" <wa404309 at ohio.edu>, "Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu"
<Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu>
Message-ID:
<6BBA930647426E4584BE9E70C642DAFC42D1C7B3AF at EXMAIL1.ohio.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hello Abobo:
Was the current exco aware of this provision? Have they educated all members about it prior to their call for nominations to elective position? If no, what is the use of a set of statutes that remain unknown to stakeholders?
Adedayo Ogundimu.
________________________________________
From: asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu [asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu] On Behalf Of Kumbalonah, Abobo [wa404309 at ohio.edu]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 1:35 PM
To: Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu
Subject: [ASU] Membership of African Students Union
Dear Colleagues:
I wish to make a quick intervention regarding who qualifies to be a member of the African Students Union and how it reflects on eligibility for election into the Executive Body. Per Ohio University rules and regulations governing the registration and operation of student organizations, it is unacceptable to have a student organization with exclusive membership. What this means is that every student organization is required by law to be open to everyone interested in joining. No one can be denied membership on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, etc. In the same way, it is not permissible for a student organization to have in its constitution, laws which discriminate against other people. For example, a group cannot take away a member's right to contest in an election because of racial considerations. Any group which does that could be suspended in accordance with Campus Involvement Center rules and regulations.
It is precisely for this reason that every student group is required to submit a copy of its constitution and by-laws to Campus Involvement Center as part of the registration/re-registration process which is required to be done every academic year. The purpose is for them to approve every group's constitution. The current ASU constitution clearly conforms to this "open access membership requirement" and that is why the group is still existing as a registered student organization.
Our constition does not bar any individual from contesting an Executive position on the basis of race, or any other consideration, except with being a member in good standing and being a registered student of Ohio University. Concluding on my rather long intervention, I would say that the African Students Union, though might seem to be exclusive to Africans because of the name, it is REQUIRED to and it IS indeed open to every interested individual. And the right to contest or hold an Executive position CANNOT and it IS not discriminatory. Let us take this into consideration in the election process. .
Thank you.
Regards,
Abobo Kumbalonah.
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2012 13:56:45 -0400
From: "Kumbalonah, Abobo" <wa404309 at ohio.edu>
Subject: Re: [ASU] Membership of African Students Union
To: "Ogundimu, Adedayo" <ao281809 at ohio.edu>, "Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu"
<Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu>
Message-ID:
<90F26A5746606F4B9EAE15F0B892312442A2B5EE97 at EXMAIL1.ohio.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Uncle Adedayo...The current Executive should know these laws because as part of every re-registration process, it is required that the President signs a hardcopy. It is a way of acknowledging that you have read and understood the rules and regulations. Whether they have educated members about it or not, I think I might not be in the best position to answer.
Thank you.
Abobo Kumbalonah.
________________________________________
From: Ogundimu, Adedayo
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 1:46 PM
To: Kumbalonah, Abobo; Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu
Subject: RE: Membership of African Students Union
Hello Abobo:
Was the current exco aware of this provision? Have they educated all members about it prior to their call for nominations to elective position? If no, what is the use of a set of statutes that remain unknown to stakeholders?
Adedayo Ogundimu.
________________________________________
From: asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu [asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu] On Behalf Of Kumbalonah, Abobo [wa404309 at ohio.edu]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 1:35 PM
To: Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu
Subject: [ASU] Membership of African Students Union
Dear Colleagues:
I wish to make a quick intervention regarding who qualifies to be a member of the African Students Union and how it reflects on eligibility for election into the Executive Body. Per Ohio University rules and regulations governing the registration and operation of student organizations, it is unacceptable to have a student organization with exclusive membership. What this means is that every student organization is required by law to be open to everyone interested in joining. No one can be denied membership on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, etc. In the same way, it is not permissible for a student organization to have in its constitution, laws which discriminate against other people. For example, a group cannot take away a member's right to contest in an election because of racial considerations. Any group which does that could be suspended in accordance with Campus Involvement Center rules and regulations.
It is precisely for this reason that every student group is required to submit a copy of its constitution and by-laws to Campus Involvement Center as part of the registration/re-registration process which is required to be done every academic year. The purpose is for them to approve every group's constitution. The current ASU constitution clearly conforms to this "open access membership requirement" and that is why the group is still existing as a registered student organization.
Our constition does not bar any individual from contesting an Executive position on the basis of race, or any other consideration, except with being a member in good standing and being a registered student of Ohio University. Concluding on my rather long intervention, I would say that the African Students Union, though might seem to be exclusive to Africans because of the name, it is REQUIRED to and it IS indeed open to every interested individual. And the right to contest or hold an Executive position CANNOT and it IS not discriminatory. Let us take this into consideration in the election process. .
Thank you.
Regards,
Abobo Kumbalonah.
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2012 13:57:28 -0400
From: "Adu-Kumi, Benjamin" <ba142511 at ohio.edu>
Subject: Re: [ASU] Membership of African Students Union
To: "Kumbalonah, Abobo" <wa404309 at ohio.edu>, "Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu"
<Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu>
Message-ID:
<B0804996A29A2C43B4316BF05580E6F7563C58B729 at EXMAIL1.ohio.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Thank you Abobo and i agree with you on this.
Graduate Student
Department of African Studies
Research Assistant to Prof Yusuf Kalyango
E W. Scripp School of Journalism
Ohio University
________________________________________
From: asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu [asu-l-bounces at listserv.ohio.edu] On Behalf Of Kumbalonah, Abobo [wa404309 at ohio.edu]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 1:35 PM
To: Asu-l at listserv.ohio.edu
Subject: [ASU] Membership of African Students Union
Dear Colleagues:
I wish to make a quick intervention regarding who qualifies to be a member of the African Students Union and how it reflects on eligibility for election into the Executive Body. Per Ohio University rules and regulations governing the registration and operation of student organizations, it is unacceptable to have a student organization with exclusive membership. What this means is that every student organization is required by law to be open to everyone interested in joining. No one can be denied membership on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, etc. In the same way, it is not permissible for a student organization to have in its constitution, laws which discriminate against other people. For example, a group cannot take away a member's right to contest in an election because of racial considerations. Any group which does that could be suspended in accordance with Campus Involvement Center rules and regulations.
It is precisely for this reason that every student group is required to submit a copy of its constitution and by-laws to Campus Involvement Center as part of the registration/re-registration process which is required to be done every academic year. The purpose is for them to approve every group's constitution. The current ASU constitution clearly conforms to this "open access membership requirement" and that is why the group is still existing as a registered student organization.
Our constition does not bar any individual from contesting an Executive position on the basis of race, or any other consideration, except with being a member in good standing and being a registered student of Ohio University. Concluding on my rather long intervention, I would say that the African Students Union, though might seem to be exclusive to Africans because of the name, it is REQUIRED to and it IS indeed open to every interested individual. And the right to contest or hold an Executive position CANNOT and it IS not discriminatory. Let us take this into consideration in the election process. .
Thank you.
Regards,
Abobo Kumbalonah.
------------------------------
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