I was on campus last night.
I made the mistake of engaging in friendly conversation with a fellow student. Luckily it was in the Phoenix and he was a graduate student. I did not realize until I was well engaged in the conversation that I could potentially be breaking the behavioural contract. I told him that I was sorry but I needed to end the conversation. Luckily for me, he was a graduate student so I was in the clear. The sum of the conversation was that the Phoenix needs to get a pinball machine.
It is really hard for me as a person to change from being friendly and approachable to what I have to be.
I know I have to do this because if I am caught by the MSU talking to a full-time undergraduate student the MSU will to go to the University to demand more charges. If I do not have something in writing to prove that I was granted permission to speak to this person, the MSU will gain another victory under the “judicial system” of McMaster University.
So I have no choice really, if I want to graduate, I have to not be me.
Perhaps this should be viewed as a warning of the potential harm that a judicial branch may bring. I have no idea as to the circumstances surrounding this punishment, but at least at first glance it appears entirely unreasonable. Who should one file a complaint to regarding this contract you were told to sign?
You are correct that a judicial branch can cause harm.
The problem here is the power imbalance that exists.
MSU Inc., is much more powerful than me in the current situation. They demanded that the University impose these conditions upon me. The University was left without any real option. MSU Inc., is officially the voice of the undergraduate body at this University. Their request had to be accepted by the University. It is important to note that the SRA was not consulted on this matter and neither was Executive Board. This is purely a decision of the MSU Board of Directors. Under the structure of the MSU, the Board of Directors have absolute power as the corporate Directors.
The Behavioural Contract will be reviewed upon the end of the term of the current Board of Directors. So basically it is in effect as long as the current Board wishes, on behalf of undergraduate students, for it to be in effect.
The above comment does not at all reflect any position or effect of the Sexual Harassment complaint as I am not allowed to speak to it at all.