HSF Controversy: Humber President Chris Whitaker speaks

Mar 17, 2014 | Campus News

By Corey Weir and Mike Osei

Humber College President Chris Whitaker told Humber News on Monday that the college administration will not “intervene in the affairs” of the Students’ Federation elections, in which Tim Brilhante was disqualified as a candidate for president.

“HSF is always autonomous from Humber.They are an independent organization that operates on fees that are collected from our students,” Whitaker said in his office at the North campus.

“There’s always many sides to every story. That’s one thing I’ve come to understand, as well. You can’t jump to conclusions,” he said, adding that it’s important to “just to talk to people and make sure people feel that there is open communication.”

Brilhante, the sitting HSF president, was seeking re-election but was disqualified by Chief Returning Officer Natalia Toussaint late Thursday night – less than 24 hours before the polls closed – from the HSF presidential election.

Because Brilhante was disqualified, he was no longer considered a candidate and HSF electoral rules dictated that he was, therefore, no longer eligible to issue a formal appeal.

A total of 5,470 votes were cast in the election. Shawn Manahan was elected president with 1,051 votes, edging out Mary Anne Savoie who received 995 votes, and Kay Tracey who received 796 votes.