U of S students protest incoming USSU president
Facebook post complains of Nikbakht’s behaviour; he rejects allegations as false
University of Saskatchewan students are protesting the acclamation of the incoming Students’ Union president, Coden Nikbakht, after allegations about his behaviour started circulating online.
The Saskatoon StarPhoenix will not publish details because the allegations have not been verified, but the allegations — made in a Facebook post — have spurred outrage from many on the campus of more than 21,000 students.
In a written statement on Friday afternoon, Nikbakht denied the allegations.
“I am extremely appalled and bewildered by the allegations made against me. I never imagined that running as a candidate for our USSU would be this sickening. To the people who gave me their support and to those who did not, I want to reassure you that these allegations are nothing but false,” he wrote.
Nikbakht, a fourth year international studies student, was acclaimed University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) president on March 22 after 1,016 students voted in favour of having him serve as president; 830 voted against him and 364 students abstained.
The Saskatoon StarPhoenix attempted to contact Nikbakht through Caroline Cottrell, the USSU’s general manager, but the request for comment was not immediately accommodated.
Voting took place between 9 a.m. Wednesday morning and concluded at 4 p.m. Thursday. David D’Eon, sitting USSU president, said in a Facebook post responding to the allegations — first reported by The Sheaf, the University of Saskatchewan student newspaper — that he won’t participate in the upcoming transition process.
“I refuse to transition him into the new role, and I call on him to withdraw his name immediately,” D’Eon wrote in the post. Under the union’s bylaws, elected USSU officials are prohibited from discussing USSU elections, as it’s considered a conflict of interest.
D’Eon acknowledged this and said he’ll file a complaint against himself for violating USSU bylaws. He called for a September byelection to select a new USSU president.
As more than 100 students gathered at Place Riel to protest on Friday, D’Eon said there’s no way he can legally stay on as president, but noted his refusal to participate in the transition is a form of protest.
“I don’t owe anything to this person ... And I don’t have any faith in them to be able to lead the USSU, so I’m not participating in the transition,” he said.
Many who gathered at Place Riel eventually migrated to the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre. While students were at Place Riel, some engaged in tense discussions about the allegations, and whether or not Nikbakht should stay on until a full investigation is complete, or if he should be removed from his position.
Patti McDougall, U of S viceprovost of teaching, learning and student experience, issued a statement about the allegations on Friday. It said university administrators are aware of the situation and take all student concerns “very seriously” and will investigate “any and all formal complaints that the university receives.”
“The university respects the au- tonomy of student governance and therefore we cannot intervene in student elections,” the statement said. “However, we do hold a firm position on how we conduct ourselves and have codes of conduct that we expect everyone in our campus community to follow.”
The U of S is “a community that values diversity and we will defend it,” McDougall wrote.
“We acknowledge and accept diverse opinions and choices, but we will act quickly to eliminate discriminatory or harassing behaviour in our living, learning and work environments. We have supports in place for all students and encourage anyone who needs help to please seek them out.”
D’Eon said he understands it will take the university time to navigate the situation, but he’s been encouraged to see university administrators offering space, support and counselling for students.
The U of S said it is unable to confirm if a formal complaint has been received, as it “cannot disclose details about any individual case.”
“When individuals in our community go on the official record about an incident ... to Protective Services, we immediately mobilize to ensure the safety and security of all involved,” the statement said. “We make a determination about the need for a notification to the campus community, and begin the process of investigating the incident. We evaluate and determine immediate risks or safety needs.”