Levy: Rye deserves audit explanation

Posted on Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Written by Shirley Lin

Some of Ryerson’s top executives are calling on the Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) to explain to students the details of an audit reviewing the union’s operations conducted earlier this year.

Months after the scathing $85,000 audit by Deloitte & Touche, there have been few changes. The review, paid for by the university, looked into governing policies and the health and dental plan, calling on the RSU to clean up its act. Ryerson’s president Sheldon Levy said that although the university isn’t owed an explanation, the students deserve one.

“It does not necessarily mean they have to accept the recommendations but in any type of business audit, you respond to the community under which you serve,” Levy said. “I do think that in an audit, those that paid their salaries and bills deserve a response.” Julia Hanigsberg, general counsel and secretary, echoed Levy’s point. “You would expect that they would be clear with at least the directors of the RSU about how they plan to respond to the recommendations,” Hanigsberg said. “It doesn’t mean they have to follow every [recommendation] but we expect transparent process about what they’ve found.”

Toby Whitfield, the RSU’s vice-president finance and services, said they are only recommendations. He adds that some have been implemented such as the new time frame for opt-out cheques pickup and having separate accounts. “[Students] hold us accountable by going to the polls and voting, when they come to general meetings and set the direction of the organization.” Deloitte found that election policies and procedures are rife with inconsistencies. It suggested switching to online voting instead. This vote was considered in 2008 but failed to pass.

Deloitte added that politicking and personal agendas take priority over serving students, leaving little room for opposing opinions. It suggested an un biased general manager to be overseer. Deloitte added the RSU can’t use unclaimed opt-out cheques to fund other RSU initiatives and losses, which is current practice. Tighter budget control is needed to avoid unnecessary cash shortfalls and loans. This year, the RSU is running an $84,000 deficit.

The audit also refers to poor recordkeeping for health and dental opt-outs so the RSU should take extra steps to notify students to pick up their cheques.

Comments

Anonymous, 8 months ago said:

The administration imposed this audit on the RSU, conducted by a former student union staff person who's own political background should be called into question, and the RSU must respond??

Please. The students were presented an audit at the SAGM. It was unqualified. Unless Sheldon is calling into question the abilities of the RSU's auditors, the one conducted by Deloitte was superfluous and an attempt to subvert the progressive group of students who were vying for RSU exec positions... a tactic that failed, mostly because students are smart enough to see through this.

Sheldon's loyal cheerleaders should focus their energy on celebrating him for buying a new campus loblaws. Time should not be wasted calling into question the integrity of RSU execs who have actually done an amazing job so far this year... unless people are a tad embarrassed with how much this cost (they should be, by the way, this was a WASTE of money).

The eyeopener should strive for a more critical eye when they interview Sheldon. Sure he's charismatic, but that's not gonna cut it at the star.

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Anonymous, 8 months ago said:

Hi Toby Whitfield

It's Robert Marshall from you know what group (mentioned it already at the last semi-annual general meeting in front of many of the executives)

Just wondering when the following information will show up on the RSU's website (if it ever will ... thank to the CFS server for handing our student unions documentation information):

(audited) Financial Statements for the past 3 years (2007 - 2009)

Minutes of Meetings with board of directors (if required to be taken), semi - annual general meetings, etc - for the last 2 years would be nice

(when I checked UofT's student union I noticed that they not only had a large amount of this already posted ... but it was actually well organized (can't verify if it was completely accessible thought))

Obvious one: - Dellotte Audit Report on the RSU's operations/election,etc

Oh and Toby could you please make sure that they are posted in an accessible format so that the RSU doesn't have to deal with a possible human rights complaint ... it would be nice to avoid lawsuits, rights tribunals, other expensive legal stuff ... oh wait never mind it seems the RSU loves to go to those places and fight tooth and nail ... even if they are in the wrong (so much for that whole equality and rights thing eh).

By the way Toby ... Frank says hi and I'm sure he would like the questions he asked you in public after the last semi-annual general meeting to be answered publicly (i.e. public meeting where things will be recorded) for once.

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