Meeting highlights
PRESENT
Ruby Sycamore-Smith (Chair), Ryan Edgar, Paul Hunt, Laura Harris, Payal Ramritu, Henri Faulkner, Mariana Te Pou, Jess McLean, Hamish Barker and Kurt Purdon
IN ATTENDANCE
Josie Cochrane (Critic Reporter) and Donna Jones (Minute Secretary)
APOLOGIES
Mariana Te Pou for leaving early.
Moved from the Chair
266/14 THAT the above apology be accepted.
CARRIED U
MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
Great Southern Drag Off is on 3 October not 19 September.
Moved from the Chair
267/14 THAT the Minutes of the Executive Meeting held on 11 September 2014 be accepted as a true and correct with the above amendment.
CARRIED U
MATTERS ARISING
Aquatic Centre repairs - Jess McLean went to the Centre and checked the work and was happy to report back and enable the work to proceed.
SPEAKING RIGHTS
Moved from the Chair
268/14 THAT Josie Cochrane and Donna Jones be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.
CARRIED U
Kurt arrived at 5.17pm
Payal left at 5.18pm
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
Darel isn't here to update the meeting, however Ruby said there wasn't anything further to report from their 1:1 meeting this week.
Payal returned at 5.20pm
EXECUTIVE QUICK ROUND UP
The Executive went through the projects they had been working on.
DCC PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE ALCOHOL REGULATIONS UPDATE
As attached. Three Bars - Capone, Boogie Nights and Urban factory have indicated they could potentially close if the proposals to the Alcohol Law Reform are adopted. They emphasised this is a reality not scaremongering.
It was suggested that OUSA get out there and protest loudly about these changes and obtain signature through a petition to present with their submission.
OUSA should ask the University for their Comments. Ruby and Paul will draft a letter to send to the University.
Please indicate if you can help with collecting signatures for petition - Ruby, Paul, Ryan and Laura offered to assist. The lobbying period is 25 Sept - 10 Oct.
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT LIST
There appears to be a misunderstanding as the requirement for this was to update the names on the spreadsheet of who is sitting on what committees and also to formalise this spreadsheet with contacts etc as it hasn't been updated for over a year properly.
Ryan has been working many hours on it and it still isn't finalised so the Secretary will now work on it. Laura also offered to help.
SQUASH CLUB AGREEMENT UPDATE
As attached. This has now been resolved as the Squash Club has fulfilled the consequences of their actions.
Harris/Te Pou
269/14 THAT the letter dated September 2014 between the Otago University Squash Club and the OUSA Recreation Officer be received.
CARRIED
LATE BLUES CONTRIBUTION APPLICATION* / BLUES PANEL MINUTES
As attached. There was an administrative error which meant a recipient who was nominated for an Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award for Basketball and for coach of the year was missed off the list. The panel have requested the addition be approved by the executive please.
McLean/Ramritu
270/14 THAT the minutes of the Blues Panel Meeting held on 21 August 2014 be received with the amendment of the late nomination.
CARRIED
McLean/Ramritu
271/14 THAT the recommendation from the Blues Panel for the late nomination of George Robinson to be awarded an Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award for services in Basketball be approved.
CARRIED
INDEPENDENT ARBITRATOR APPOINTMENT FOR ELECTIONS/REFERENDUM
The Secretary explained the requirement for the executive to appoint an Independent Arbitrator for the elections and Referendum.
Prof Paul Roth has been excellent in the past and is happy to help out again if he was asked.
Purdon/Harris
272/14 THAT Paul Roth be appointed Independent Arbitrator for the OUSA Elections, By election and Referendum being held 22 - 25 September 2014.
Hunt/Faulkner/Ramritu/McLean Abstain
CARRIED
INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL COUNCIL (ICC)
As attached. OUSA have been approached by the ICC for financial assistance from the donations line for their Gala Night in case there is an over spend.
Faulkner/Te Pou
273/14 THAT OUSA approve $1500 being moved from the donations line 3475 into the International Gala night line 3216.
CARRIED
VOLUNTEER SERVICES ABROAD (VSA)
As the attached discussion document states the dialogue between VSA members and OUSA has been confused with a flippant comment made. It was never the intention to undermine the fabulous work VSA does and the hard work of their volunteers. There will be a formal apology made for this remark.
There is currently a petition circulating with over 300 signatures for OUSA to reconsider their stance.
Mariana left at 5.56pm
Ramritu/Faulkner
274/14 THAT OUSA receive the letter from Greg Hughson (OUSA life member) in regards to the Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) membership.
CARRIED
Harris/Ramritu
275/14 THAT OUSA recognise and receive the petition created by Ben Nistor on 'change.org' where students are asking OUSA to reinstate the membership.
CARRIED
Harris/Ramritu
276/14 THAT OUSA will work with Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA), the University of Otago and Ben Nistor to figure out the best outcome for the students in regards to the membership.
CARRIED
Ryan Edgar is strongly in favour of the VSA membership decision going to Referenda to gauge opinions from the student body, however others disagreed.
Ryan also said he wish to acknowledge that he really appreciates VSA and what they do around the world.
ELECTIONS 2015 ASSISTANCE
Polling booth will be operating in the Link from 10am daily 22 - 25 September. Could the executive please let Donna know if you could work a slot please? Mariana said she would have her Te Roopu Maori executive help when I send her the roster.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Education Officers' absence - Laura advised she will be away from 29 September until 12 October. She will make herself available via facebook and email and has the projects she will be working on.
Exam packs - Laura is sourcing contents for the packs and would like help packing them and also there will need to be a roster for distribution.
Forum - a forum is scheduled to discuss the budget on 18 Sept at noon. Please try and come along. It is policy to hold a forum to engage students and inform them of questions for the Referendum.
Meeting closed at 6.06pm