uwstudent.org

The National Post has a story today about how WATSA a Tamil student club at University of Waterloo held celebrations on campus despite being suspended. It also talks about alleged ties between some of its members and the Tamil Tigers, a group listed as a terrorist by the Government of Canada.

Tigers feted on campus
Student club held events to celebrate Tamil group
Adrian Humphreys
29 Aug 2006

WATERLOO - Martyrdom celebrations that praised Tamil Tiger soldiers and suicide bombers were held openly in the student centre of the University of Waterloo, where the FBI alleges a "procurement cell" for the terrorist organization was centred.

Last November's event -- where a large flag of the Tamil Tigers, showing AK-47 assault rifles and a roaring tiger, makeshift tombstones and posters celebrating "Our Fallen Heroes" were displayed -- was held in the Student Life Centre despite the club being under suspension by the school at the time.

[...]

WATSA is one of about 160 approved and funded student clubs at the school. No money from the university goes toward such student clubs, said Mr. Van Nierop. The administration does collect student fees that are forwarded to the Federation of Students, the student union, which in turn provides funding for approved clubs.

Renjie Butalid, a vice-president of the Federation of Students, declined to say how much money was given to WATSA.

Clubs are allocated $50 per semester to cover costs but are eligible to apply for much more if they are running special events or have special needs.

Mr. Butalid said he could not explain how a club under suspension could book facilities in the student centre, but said the students association is co-operating with the university in its probe.

The Student Life Centre is co-managed by the university and the student association.

There is a general manager who oversees bookings of facilities, he said.

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