Excluding “unethical” employers a right, students say

Many university students have reverted back to the ’60s, participating in protests, boycotts and preaching for human rights and world peace. This can make things difficult for campus recruiters, especially for those companies seen as unethical in the eyes of students.

In June, dozens of protesters at Montreal’s Concordia University campus forced representatives from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to leave. They flipped over their information table while some shouted “Spies out of the university” through a megaphone. Later that week, recruiters from the Canadian military were also given a difficult time.

Ian Boyko, the national chairperson for the Canadian Federation of Students, said students should have the right to decide which companies they want on campus.

“That’s probably what by and large led to the scuffle at Concordia. We operate in a very political world and I don’t think anyone should be expected to be treated equally,” he said. “Different companies have different ethical practices and I think students feel pretty strongly about that, and they should have input in to what companies and government departments should recruit on their campus.”

Although Boyko said students have the right to apply to whatever profession they want, university student unions are the legitimate voices for students on campus, and they should come to a consensus on ethical standards and determine which employers fit the mold best.

“The campus is students space and we as students have the right to determine who does and doesn’t appear on campus.”

Those students who are interested in jobs from companies considered unethical should do their own research and make attempts to land a job on their own, he said.

“Using the specific example of the military, I think getting information on joining should be pretty easy to do.”

Boyko also said student unions do a better job of reflecting the desires of students than university administration and staff, and both parties should work hand-in-hand when organizing job fairs.

“I think that’s the only way to proceed. Job fairs are for students so why wouldn’t students leaders be involved in the process?”

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