An event, originally titled “Party Like a Virgin,” was to be held Nov. 21 in the Trinity Western University Student Association office. The idea was to create a mock lounge setting complete with appetizers, non-alcoholic mixed drinks and a dance.

Dylan De Jong, the faculty of professional studies and performing arts rep, and Josh Duvauchelle, the faculty of humanities and social sciences rep, planned the event. Monica Grose, vice president of academic relations, oversees the faculty reps and fully supported the event.

When TWUSA started receiving complaints, however, from students who were uncomfortable with the event’s name and advertising, some of the executive members decided they should change it.

Brian Weir, TWUSA president, and Jason Brandl, TWUSA vice president, said that on the day before the event, they encouraged De Jong and Duvauchelle to go ahead with it, but to change the event’s name and send out an apology for potentially offending any students. Brandl commented that they liked the idea of the event, but felt that it was a reasonable suggestion to change its name.

De Jong sent a message out through Facebook to the people who had been invited to the event via the website, but the tone of the apology was different than what Weir and Brandl expected.

“[The message] was meant to be hyperbolic,” said De Jong, who believed that it was unreasonable to make such a last-minute change.

Weir says that the nature of this message put him in the position of having to decide whether to go forward with the event or not. Four of the six executive members agreed, after discussing with several students and staff members, that it would be best to cancel the event. The event was officially cancelled a few hours before it was scheduled to start.

Although De Jong and Duvauchelle still served the snacks and drinks they had purchased, they were disappointed that only a small portion of the student body could enjoy it. Duvauchelle noted that the event “would have been perfect with the blackout” that happened that night.

Soon after, De Jong, Duvauchelle and Grose resigned from their positions, citing that a trend of lack of communication, not just the event cancellation, as the reason for their resignation.

Although the results of the situation are not ideal, Weir is standing by his decision. “Having sought wise counsel before the decision and after the decision, if I was faced with the same circumstances and information I would make the same decision,” he said.

“We signed up for council to serve the student body in a positive way and I’ve made decisions in the past and I will make decisions in the future that people will perceive as right and wrong,” said Weir. “But, ultimately I’m doing my best to fulfill the role for which I’ve been elected.”

With De Jong and Grose’s resignations, plus Duvauchelle and Joel Reinhardt (senior class rep) spending the spring semester at the Laurentian Leadership Centre, there will be four vacancies on TWUSA next semester.

The executive has not yet decided if they will hold a by-election to fill these spots. “It is a priority right now to figure this out,” said Weir.

Weir is also not allowing this incident to spoil what he sees as a positive first semester. “I’ve been impressed with the efforts of students, and specifically council members, this year,” he said, “and I look forward to successes in the future for the whole council.”

For a statement from Monica Grose on her decision to resign, please click this link.