Green signs go up in O'Keefe ahead of by-election

Posted on 03/14/08
Written by Eve Tobolka

Approximately three weeks ago, O'Keefe House resident Denis Agar knocked on the doors of his housemates with Green Party posters in hand.

Now, 13 signs supporting the Green Party and Chris Tindal, the party's candidate in the upcoming by-election in Toronto-Centre, are up in O'Keefe windows, making a Green impression for all of Ryerson to see.

As founder of the Ryerson Greens, a student group that supports the Green Party of Canada, Agar says he consulted the Residence Contract prior to his poster campaign. "I wanted to stay within the rules," he said.

The contract states Student Housing Services "must approve, in writing, any decoration that is to take place outside of a suite/room…that may impact the community."

The only clause that mentions interiour decorating has to do with pornography, which is prohibited when it can be seen from an open door (also in accordance with the Criminal Code of Canada, Section 163).

Chad Nuttall, residence life co-ordinator, says he would be hesitant to extend the decorating and poster policy to any private areas.

"I don't want to interfere in the lives of students in their own space," says Nuttall. However, he would "try to sensor anything that was happening inside a residents room that was offensive, hateful or harassing."

O'Keefe House resident Cassandra Marroccoli is one of the students that decorated her window Green.

"I don't really care that much for politics," says Marroccoli, "but [Agar] is a friend."

When asked who she would vote for in the upcoming Toronto center by-election, Chris Tindal wasn't mentioned. "I don't plan on voting for the Green Party."

O'Keefe resident Kim Vo, likes Agar's promotion idea. And in the house of 33 students, "it seems like everybody's supporting him."

Nuttall explains that the spirit of the policy is to make sure students and legitimate student groups are able to advertise on campus without third-party advertising. However, if a student wants to put up a particular ad in their private space, like a music or movie poster, the policy is upheld.

"By putting up a movie poster, they're saying something about themselves; by putting up a green party poster, they're saying something about themselves as well," Nuttall.