CSA Expenses and What Followed

Editorial  |  Jérémie Gaudet

"Communism" is back. A "riot," a "revolution," a "socialist takeover" is needed. What we see is "corruption." They have been "collaborating with Trump."

Such are a few excerpts of posts one may currently find on Spotted: Champlain College Saint-Lambert. 

Fascinating. 

Sure, it may seem somewhat surprising to learn that the CSA has spent around $13,000 for administration and other high amounts for events, clubs, etc. Such numbers have been detailed and made explicit during the CSA General Assembly last February 20. 

The Blue Ink may not confirm or infirm the numbers posted on the CSA Facebook page and announced at the assembly, and whether the CSA is perfectly transparent or not is beyond the realm of knowledge of the situation of the newspaper. 

However, as an editor of the newspaper, I may confirm on behalf of The Blue Ink that it is somewhat unfounded to post that the CSA is corrupted without prior information. I am not writing this to defend the CSA or anything like that, but I am rather mentioning this on behalf of my journalistic disposition, which makes me tend to always seek correct information and facts before making any assumptions. 

On another side, I sure am proud to see that students try to get involved and concerned about the CSA and its expenses, as denouncing and criticizing is certainly part of the role of an active student citizen, provided that it is done grounded on realistic evidence. 

And now, as for what concerns the expenditures of The Blue Ink. 

The first thing one may note is that the students' newspaper is absolutely independent from the CSA. This entails that, aside from funding, all decisions and actions regarding The Blue Ink are solely taken by editors in chief Magalie Masson and myself. The CSA has no power whatsoever over us, unlike Champlain's other clubs. 

The budget allotted for the newspaper until this point of the current school year has been around $2,000. Of this money three paper publications of $600 each have been published and $200 worth of pens have been distributed to students in the past fall semester. 

Admittedly, this may seem like a lot. We have tried to trim the costs of the paper version of the paper, yet we use the least expensive format and paper the company with whom we deal offers. We have considered other printing businesses, but the transition would be too complex. Perhaps next year it will be possible. 

However, thanks to the great work of my colleague Magalie Masson, $300 worth of partnership with various sponsors have been approved for the current publication. Hopefully, this lightens the expenditures. 

The main point to be made here is to stay informed. Visit the CSA group on Omnivox. Ask questions. Come talk to us. 

Then you may criticize, once up-to-date with the facts. 

This is real involvement and your role as a student, not just posting unjustified comments on Facebook. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.