The president of Constantine College, Usman Khan, has been suspended following a row over his leadership.
Students within the university’s College Nine have submitted a call for a vote of no confidence in him, which is scheduled to take place on 15 April.
Communication between the college’s committee members, obtained by York Vision, has said they will guarantee “anonymity” for those who do back the motion, but it is not clear if that will be the case.
Sam Price, the college’s vice-president, said in a statement on Facebook: “As many of you know, a vote of no confidence against the President of the CSA was submitted to me.
“In accordance with the CSA Constitution, Usman’s role as President has been suspended. In these circumstances, my role as Vice-President is to chair the subsequent CSA meeting in which a discussion and vote will take place on “whether to remove the Officer in question from their role and from the Committee” (para 7.4.4). Had I put my signature forward to the vote of no confidence I would not be allowed to take this role; however, I have remained completely impartial on the matter as I expected that, if it was to be submitted, it would come to me to handle.
“The vote of no confidence has been submitted in accordance with the process laid out in the CSA Constitution. However, I have sought advice from members of the College team, YUSU and senior members of the University following the concerns some people have made regarding the legitimacy of the process and about whether there has been or may be any form of harassment regarding this situation. I strongly condemn any form of harassment and would hate our College to become associated with that.
“I hope this clarifies my role in the matter and answers some of the questions shared over Facebook, and that it can be resolved quickly and amicably.”
Usman, who is the first directly-elected president of the college after it opened in September last year, said he hoped committee members realised their “responsibility of representing students”.
“It is my aim for Constantine College to provide a supportive and inspirational college environment where academic, sporting, entreprenuerial, skilful and social endeavours of its members are successfully realised,” he told York Vision.
“I have been working with my committee to ensure that these goals are realised while everyone in the College and within the committee are happy and enjoying their experience of representing students.
“However, some committee members have resorted to undermining others and blocking proposals such as increasing the number of sports officers from 2 to 4 which is needed to encourage wider sports participation in the college. A recent call for a Vote Of No Confidence is equally suprising as no coherent reason for the actions have been provided.
“I hope committee members realise their responsibility of representing students, being accountable to them and thus, work in their best interest.”
Jack Spring, a first year TV and production student, said he thought the move was a “disgrace”. “I’d like to see anyone else do a more committed crack of it,” he said.
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