Open Letter to AMS Council from the Resource Groups

This letter written on behalf of the AMS resource groups in defense of Blake and Tim is available online at Facebook:

To the UBC AMS Student Council,

It has come to the attention of the AMS Resource Groups that the AMS Council is first requesting the resignation then seeking the impeachment of Blake Frederick and Tim Chu, AMS President and VP External. The Resource Groups, which include Pride UBC, Allies UBC, the Student Environment Centre, the Social Justice Centre, Colour Connected Against Racism, and the Womyn’s Centre, usually work separately to provide an equitable educational environment for all UBC students and personnel. However, this turn of events calls for united action. Because the Resource Groups are funded directly through the AMS, we are disturbed that the AMS Council does not seem concerned with the mandate we have been established to defend.

This is not the first time that the Resource Groups have taken a united front on an issue brought forth to the AMS Council. In accordance with our Points of Unity, which state that “we seek to…dismantle systems of oppression at all levels and scales”, we have worked to ensure AMS funding for the Equity Office as well as to try to create a seat on council for students with disabilities. To our disappointment, neither motion found much support amongst Council members; indeed, the motion to create a seat for students with disabilities was voted down. However, unlike many Council members, Blake Frederick and Tim Chu have constantly supported these issues, as well as all others for which the Resource Groups stand.
Access to education is one of these issues. Our Points of Unity reflect the view that “education is not for profit” and as a collective, we oppose the AMS Council stance that accepts or condones any increases in tuition fees. Additionally, we support any actions of AMS Council members that seek to reduce tuition fees, or call to attention rising and unreasonable costs of post-secondary education in Canada.

We are very troubled by the fact that the AMS Council appears more concerned with impeaching council members that have shown constant dedication to issues of equity rather than with tackling the problem of rising tuition fees.

Each of the six Resource Groups, as approved by consensus at each groups’ administration meeting, unequivocally reject the request for resignation of Blake Frederick and Tim Chu and commit to further action should the AMS Council seek their impeachment.

Respectfully yours,

The AMS Resource Groups:

• Allies UBC,
• Colour Connected Against Racism,
• Pride UBC,
• Social Justice Centre,
• Student Environment Centre,
• Womyn’s Centre