Meeting highlights
PRESENT
Ruby Sycamore-Smith (Chair), Ryan Edgar, Laura Harris, Paul Hunt, Payal Ramritu, Jess McLean, Kurt Purdon, Henri Faulkner and Hamish Barker
IN ATTENDANCE
Josie Cochrane (Critic Reporter), Zane Pocock (Critic Editor), Darel Hall (General Manager) and Donna Jones (Minute Secretary)
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Ruby address the meeting to disclose that she and Zane Pocock the Critic Editor were dating. She openly announced this to ensure she makes it clear her awareness of the boundaries between her position as President and Critic.
She highlighted that her OUSA media interaction is through AJ our Marketing and Communications Officer.
She has made a request to the PMDL Board that she relinquishes the position of chairperson on the PMDL Board to Ryan Edgar.
Darel Hall declared he sits on the Board of Sport Otago.
Payal Ramritu declared she is a member of the International Cultural
Council and Shakti.
Paul Hunt declared he was a member of the Otago University Debating Society.
SPEAKING RIGHTS
Moved from the Chair
180/14 THAT Josie Cochrane, Zane Pocock, Darel Hall and Donna Jones be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.
CARRIED U
APOLOGIES
Mariana Te Pou
Laura Harris for leaving early.
Moved from the Chair
181/14 THAT the above apologies be accepted.
CARRIED U
MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
Moved from the Chair
182/14 THAT the minutes of the Executive meeting held on 29 July 2014 be accepted as a true and correct record.
CARRIED U
MATTERS ARISING
Ryan advised the Executive he is away at Case Competitions in Auckland on Friday and won’t be in the office next week. He is however contactable via cell or email.
ELECTIONS POLICY AMENDMENTS
The policy committee has approved the proposed some amendments.
Clause 5.6 of the elections policy ‘In all elections on the ballot there must also be, for each position, an option to abstain from voting.’
Clause 5.6 is to be removed as it contradicts the constitution. The policy committee would like to revisit this when there is more time.
Addition of 9.8.1
Any campaign support received from a person holding a position as an OUSA executive will be considered legitimate, providing it is made clear that the person is acting as an individual, outside of their official OUSA capacity.
Addition of 9.8.2
Any campaign materials (including, but not limited to any electronic content/posts, and any physical campaign materials) received from, featuring, or endorsed by a person holding a position as an OUSA executive must clearly display a disclaimer that their support for the candidate is in no way an endorsement by OUSA.
Clause 9.14 – should read:
You must not send campaign or spam emails to university emails lists
McLean/Barker
183/14 THAT the above amendments to the Elections Policy be put for notice.
CARRIED
Laura left at 5.45pm
POSTGRADUATE COMMITTEE MINUTES
As attached.
McLean/Barker
184/14 THAT the minutes of the Postgraduate Committee meeting held on 30 May 2014 be received.
CARRIED
GENERAL MANAGER’S JUNE OPERATIONAL REPORT
As attached. Darel wished to have the following pointed highlighted. Darel invited questions.
• Working on cultural awareness training intervention for all OUSA/ PMDL staff to ensure we better connect with our international students. There is also an option for Exec training as well.
• Darel was a member of the Future of USNZ report steering group. Now this report is published with the Exec to form a position in response. Ruby will write up a focus document. Darel was first involved in the Uni ‘Games in 1987.
• Darel is monitoring the compliance and budget side of the Exec Election Campaign! This is a top priority for the OUSA. Darel is checking all documentation for risk or breaches. He will continue to monitor these.
• Staff function on 29 August organised through Rachel Enright and Lucy Gaudin. Notice went out to all staff and executive today.
• The University has surveyed students and they don’t use the handbook diary now so OUSA will look at other ways to promote key information to students. The wall planner remains popular.
• Insurance report - Premiums down slightly
Insurance value of Squash building at Present day value (indemnity) which is about 50% of replacement until earthquake strengthening done. He will get report on cost. Darel pointed out the Squash building needs to get to 34% for earthquake strengthening at present it is at 31%. This has been publicised in the past to give students using the building all the information.
• Audited Accounts – a surplus because OUSA sold assets and OUSA continued to value and increased the financial support to PMDL.
• Health and Safety – this will be a permanent item on the Executive agenda from now on. The Executive should be aware of the importance of health and safety in our busy workplace.
Barker/Faulkner
185/14 THAT the General Manager’s Operational Report for June be received.
CARRIED
OUSA-CAMPUS
Paul addressed the meeting to explain he had posted a working document on the Executive facebook page in discussion form. He wondered if sports and religious groups should be included. He intends to collaborate with team leaders around the university to gauge involvement. More later.
FINANCE AND EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE MINUTES
As attached.
McLean/Barker
186/14 THAT the minutes of the Finance and Expenditure (FEC) meeting held on 30 July 2014 be received.
CARRIED
WELFARE COMMITTEE MINUTES
As attached.
Edgar/McLean
187/14 THAT the minutes of the Welfare committee meeting held on 4 August 2014 be received.
CARRIED
OUSA WEBSITE AND THE HANDBOOK DIARY INFORMATION
Payal suggested that the information and photos of the executive that goes into the handbook diary should also be on the OUSA website for all to see. Payal will get the information to Darel and he will ensure this is done.
CRITIC – REPORTING ON THE EXECUTIVE
Payal wished to encourage discussion about informing the student body what the executive actually do each week. This could be done through Critic reporting more from the executive meetings.
It was suggested that perhaps each executive member could set up a facebook post on what they have been doing. Concern over the time this would take.
The discussion resurfaced about the introduction of timesheets for executive members again. This was considered too time consuming and not easy to track.
It was agreed that each executive member would send the secretary bullet points of what they had been up to and she would have it attached to the executive meeting agenda.
FREE BREAKFASTS – MONEY AND MANPOWER
Could there be more spreads and fruit at the breakfasts? Payal will advise the GM on needs. It will come from the Welfare budget.
MICROWAVES, ZIPS, SINKS AROUND CAMPUS
It has been asked if there could be more microwaves located in the Link area for students to use. Also a zip for hot water. The Secretary advised that the Student Support Centre manager has been looking into getting a zip installed. Payal to go and talk to Matt Tucker.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Graduation parade – there are two former staff members who wish to carry a banner this weekend as they are graduating. Mariana and Payal have also offered. Please let Ruby know via facebook if you can assist in the parade.
Meeting closed at 6.44pm