VANCOUVER, BC/UNCEDED COAST SALISH TERRITORIES - The Board of Directors of the Alliance of BC Students released the following statement today regarding the Kwantlen Student Association.

The Alliance of BC Students (ABCS) is extremely concerned about the allegations of misconduct by the Kwantlen Student Association (KSA) Council and strongly condemns the alleged behaviour. Accordingly, the other member associations that make up the Board of Directors of the ABCS have initiated the process of placing the KSA in bad standing.

Numerous and various allegations have been reported in the media, including The Runner, KPU’s student newspaper, as well as the Vancouver Sun, The Province, and Global BC’s Mornings with Simi. These reports include allegations of the KSA Council misusing student funds, abusing their power as councillors, restricting the rights of KSA members, and attempting to suppress criticisms from KPU students and the KPU student newspaper.

The alleged behaviour is incompatible with the standards of good governance, service, integrity, leadership, and democracy that are core organizational values at the ABCS and our member associations. The allegations represent a significant departure from the selfless service and hard work of student leaders at the ABCS and student associations around the province, and have shaken the trust that KPU students had in the KSA to work on their behalf and in their best interest.

On October 9, 2024 the ABCS Board of Directors requested the resignation of Ishant Goyal, Associate President of the KSA, from his position at the ABCS or face being removed by special resolution. Goyal, who had been elected as ABCS Chairperson in May, submitted his immediate resignation to the ABCS Board of Directors. The ABCS Director of Finance and Operations was delegated the Chair’s authority as ABCS spokesperson, effective October 22, 2024 until the election of a new Chairperson.

At a Special Meeting of the Board held October 22, 2024 the ABCS Board of Directors instructed the Executive Director to issue Proper Notice to the KSA, initiating the process of placing the KSA in bad standing, at which point their voting privileges at the ABCS would be revoked and a motion to expel them from the ABCS could be made. The Board members representing the KSA will have the opportunity to make a presentation to the other ABCS directors on November 7, 2024.

The ABCS calls on all student associations to demonstrate good governance, transparency, and accountability, and calls on the KSA to conduct an independent third-party investigation into the allegations of misconduct, and make the findings public.

The ABCS remains committed to advocating for all students in British Columbia and, notwithstanding the actions outlined, we affirm our ongoing support for the students at KPU.

For more information please contact:

Wendy Redhead

Director of Finance and Operations
Pronouns: she/her
Alliance of British Columbia Students
e: finance@bcstudents.ca
www.bcstudents.ca

The Alliance of British Columbia Students is a non-partisan society of student associations representing tens of thousands of undergraduate, graduate, and trades students from across the province that exists to advocate on issues that affect post-secondary students in British Columbia.