B.C.’s Ministry of Finance is investigating Surrey’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s student association to see if it has been misusing any funds or if there has been “other problematic conduct.”
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance, issued the ministerial order on Friday (March 13).
It states that effective immediately, “pending the investigation, a ministerial order prohibits the Kwantlen Student Association (KSA) from disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of any of its assets except as authorized by the order. The association may spend reasonable amounts on proper operational expenses.”
“Action is being taken to protect the student association and its members pending the investigation,” notes a news release from the ministry late Friday (March 13).
The Kwantlen Student Association, which is funded by student fees, is a non-profit under the Society Act and is independent of KPU, although university students are automatic members of KSA.
“The KSA actively seeks out ways to enhance campus life; to ensure that your academic rights are upheld to lobby KPU, the provincial government, and other external organizations to ensure the best possible conditions for students; to deliver student services to enhance your experience and success at KPU; and to be responsible stewards of resources,” reads a post on kusa.ca.
The KSA council is made up of elected student representatives from KPU’s five campuses and different academic faculties.
Zena Mitchell, Vice-President, Students, at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, said in an emailed statement, “Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) welcomes the B.C. Government’s notice regarding the Kwantlen Student Association (KSA). The KSA is an independent society governed under the Societies Act and is therefore accountable to its members, who are KPU students. KPU itself is not a member of the KSA. The university reserves further comment.”
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has five campuses across the Lower Mainland, including Cloverdale and Langley, but the main campus is in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood.
The investigation follows a “report from the Registrar of Companies to the Minister of Finance.”
This investigation comes a week after KPU annouced that it was looking for a new president after terminating Bruce Choy for undisclosed reasons.
READ MORE: KPU president axed just months after taking job, for ‘confidential’ reasons
More to come…