There are no guarantees the Ryerson Students’ Union leadership will use any of the suggestions published in a controversial Deloitte audit last week, despite the fact it highlighted several threats that could “jeopardize the long-term future” of the RSU.

“Of course it’s a possibility (nothing will happen),” RSU vice-president finance and services Toby Whitfield said. “Even if nothing is implemented was it a waste? No.”

For Whitfield, the $85,000 audit of the RSU’s governing policies and health and dental plan procedures is the first step in fixing a dysfunctional union.

“At the end of the day, these are recommendations. The problem is some people say everything has to be implemented . . . There needs to be discussion.”

RSU president-elect Jermaine Bagnall has been non-committal, telling campus media last week not to expect immediate change.

However, board director Abdullah Snobar wants to see action as soon as possible, calling for a new review committee next year to make sure changes do happen.

“When Deloitte recommends these things, they mean ASAP. They say everything should be implemented today . . . One of the Deloitte people told us, if we continue on like this, covering our asses with the health and dental plan, we will be screwed.”

Whitfield said a review group is unnecessary, when standing committees can do the job.

“We have a lot of committees already,” he said.

But there are some procedural suggestions Whitfield could see applied right away.

“One thing that’s a good idea is having a contract for (RSU executive) candidates,” he said. “I think that’s something we can easily implement for next year.”

As for the big-ticket suggestions, such as hiring an impartial general manager to mediate the RSU’s messy internal politics, Whitfield is not interested.

“If we want a GM, $75,000 needs to be cut from somewhere else,” he said.

Snobar suggests the RSU get rid of its two executive directors and replace their salaries with the GM’s. But Whitfield disagrees.

“Saying getting rid of these two positions is inappropriate for a director of the board to talk about,” he said.

Other recommendations, such as sensitivity training for elected members, will also be pricey and likely out of the RSU’s range.

A brief search of Toronto-based workshops shows rates anywhere from $375 to $750 per person, not accounting for groups.

Ryerson president Sheldon Levy, who agreed to fund the audit, expects to see changes at the student union soon.

“You cannot ignore (the audit),” he said. “If they don’t implement them they owe it to their public – which is the students – to explain why.”

At the RSU’s annual general meeting last Thursday, no absolute consensus was reached on how to implement the changes. However a motion accepting the audit was approved.

The AGM had to be moved after a fire alarm was pulled.