First meeting since Griffin Foster’s resignation sees questions about the vacant position, gaps in committees filled
Photo by Belle White.
The UVSS Board of Directors convened for its latest meeting on Feb. 2, covering leadership decisions, committee appointments, policy amendments, funding approvals, and updates on ongoing campaigns and student programming.
The meeting opened with a land acknowledgment given by the Students of Colour Collective Representative (SOCC), Roven Brooks-Stephenson, who dedicated time to acknowledging ongoing events related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the beginning of Black History Month.
Interim Director of Campaigns and Community Relations Michael Caryk was voted in as chair for the meeting, and the agenda and previous meeting minutes both saw minor amendments, which were approved.
Jonah Arnold, interim director of finance, put forward a motion for the board to formally accept the resignation of Griffin Foster from the position of director of outreach and university relations for the 2025-2026 term. The motion passed.
Caryk opened nominations to fill the vacant director seat. Gender Empowerment Centre Representative Cecilia Bulbrook expressed interest in the position, but noted time constraints until March. With no nominations, the board moved on, tabling the issue for the next board meeting.
Caryk said that prior experience is not required for lead director roles, and encouraged interested board members to contact the UVSS’ excluded managers for further information about the responsibilities involved.
Katie King, director of student affairs, put forward a motion to open nominations for external committees. The Native Students’ Union (NSU) Firekeeper, K’sana Wood Lynes-Ford, was nominated and approved to serve on the Faculty of Science Chair search committee and the Appointment Committee for the Associate Vice-President Research.
The Society for Students with a Disability Representative, Dacian Filipescu, was nominated and appointed to the Appointment Committee for the Associate Dean of Academic and Undergraduate Studies.
Lindsey Andrew, UVSS director of events, put forward a motion to fill committee vacancies created by Foster’s resignation. There was a motion to omnibus nominations for the Member Outreach Committee and Personnel Committee. Neither committee received any nominations. Brooks-Stephenson nominated herself and was appointed to the Campaigns Committee. There were no nominations for the Policy Development Committee. Andrew nominated herself and was appointed to the Ombudsperson Advisory Committee.
During question period, a guest said the Ombudsperson Advisory Committee requires the director of outreach and university relations to act as the second chair, and asked for clarity on what would happen if an interim director was appointed by the board.
A UVSS manager said it was a unique situation, with the director of outreach and university relations position now being vacant. Andrew said she could step down once an interim director is appointed. Another UVSS manager said that they could discuss Andrew entering the position of second chair until the position was filled, or that Andrew could serve as a member at-large.
Arnold put forward a motion to approve a special resolution from the Policy Development Committee to amend Bylaw 8, which outlines the duties and responsibilities of directors. The amendment will be brought forward at the Feb. 26, 2026, Semi-Annual General Meeting. The motion passed.
King moved to omnibus motions 7 through 31, which primarily concerned club and course union funding ratifications. The motion passed with one abstention from Director-at-Large Carson Robinson.
A motion to allocate travel pool funding was approved for various clubs and course unions, including This Side of West, the Medieval Studies Course Union, and the Society of Geography Students.
Publication funding was also approved for multiple course unions, including biology, visual arts, and political science.
A motion to provide academic funding for numerous course unions was approved with one abstention from Filipescu. The board also approved updates to course union and clubs policies.
Reports were heard from numerous committees and constituency organizations.
Caryk’s report included updates on ongoing advocacy efforts, such as lobbying for a $10 ferry rate for students and a food security affordability grant.
Arnold reported on the upcoming annual business survey, which gathers student feedback on UVSS-run businesses to identify areas for improvement.
Andrew talked about recent successful events, including a free hot lunch and puppy playtime, as well as SOCC’s Global Village programming.
The NSU shared that they have numerous food security programs, one of which is called “Fresh Prep” about to be launched, as well as a OneCard Gift Card program.
SOCC then provided a more in-depth breakdown of the Global Village cultural exhibition, including their Global Kitchen, panels, art exhibitions, and more.
The Pride Collective’s report included bi-weekly movie nights in the Pride Lounge and an end-of-year queer prom event.
Following reports, the meeting moved in-camera, and the public portion of the meeting was adjourned.
