ksaleaks

Recent revelations regarding the Kwantlen Student Association (KSA) expose troubling patterns of cronyism, governance malpractice, and financial mismanagement, demanding urgent attention from both the student body and KPU administration.

Internal documents leaked months ago by the International Student Union Instagram account (@international.student.union) highlight serious irregularities within KSA leadership.

Central to these issues is the controversial appointment of Timothii Ragavan as Executive Director (ED), accompanied by an unprecedented monthly salary of $20,000—representing a dramatic increase from the previous ED’s annual salary of $75,000. Further raising eyebrows is an alleged severance clause in Ragavan’s contract, promising a full year's pay ($240,000) should he be terminated. These terms severely undermine confidence in the board’s fiduciary responsibility, particularly given that student fees fund these exorbitant expenses.

Moreover, leaked emails from legal counsel David Borins explicitly outline serious conflicts of interest involving ex-KSA president Abdullah Randhawa (now reportedly using the name Abdullah Mehmood). Randhawa is accused of improperly influencing Ragavan’s hiring, despite Ragavan being initially rejected for insufficient qualifications. This misconduct was severe enough that Borins & Company, KSA’s former legal counsel, terminated their relationship, citing a fundamental loss of confidence in the council’s ability and willingness to govern responsibly and ethically.

Screenshot of a photo of embattled former KSA president Abdullah Randhawa (left) pictured with outgoing KPU President Alan Davis.

Compounding these issues, another leaked document reveals Randhawa himself was hired by the same council he leads, as a governance consultant. Randhawa’s compensation agreement includes $4,500 monthly, plus $225 per hour for additional services. Given Randhawa’s limited qualifications—holding only a diploma and no apparent professional experience justifying such fees—these payments appear self-serving and deeply misaligned with the interests of the students who bear the financial burden.

Unfortunately, these recent revelations are not isolated incidents. The previous KSA council (led by Armaan Dhillon, Karan Singh, Lesli Sangha, and Guntas Kochar), reportedly closely associated with the International Student Union, was similarly criticized for blatant self-enrichment, notably voting to provide themselves with perks such as free tuition and Apple AirPods funded by student fees. The recurrence of these exploitative practices points to systemic dysfunction within KSA governance, emphasizing the urgent need for independent oversight, heightened ethical standards, and rigorous accountability measures.

As a response, we have heard some students are actively discussing potential reforms, including the radical restructuring—or even abolishment—of the KSA. Others advocate lobbying the British Columbia government to amend the Societies Act, allowing students to opt out of mandatory membership fees that sustain problematic associations they do not consent to funding.

Internal KSA conversations revealed in leaked screenshots indicate plans to hire an external consultant for a comprehensive forensic audit of hiring practices, expenditures, and governance decisions dating from April 2023 onwards. While such an audit is a necessary step, immediate actions ought to be taken without delay. Transparency and accountability must be prioritized now.

Additionally, to ensure genuine accountability, this forensic audit should extend further back—to late 2019—as reliable sources indicate this period marks the inception of deeply rooted governance issues.

It has been half a decade of scandal after scandal with no end in sight for the turbulence and awful reputation the KSA casts on the university. KPU students deserve ethical and transparent leadership dedicated to serving their educational interests and long-term success, not to exploiting positions for personal gain.

When will enough be enough? We, as students, must galvanize decisive and swift action from university administrators and oversight authorities to restore the KSA as a responsible, transparent, and truly student-focused organization.

— A Concerned KPU Student

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