Meeting highlights
MINUTES OF THE OUSA EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD IN THE OUSA CLUBS AND SOCIETIES CENTRE BUILDING, ALBANY STREET, DUNEDIN ON 23 MAY 2016 AT 11.33AM
PRESENT
Laura Harris (Chair), Jarred Griffiths, Alexia Cochrane, Bryn Jenkins, William Guy, Rob Pomare, Sean Gamble, Bayden Harris, Rachel Goh and Mariana Te Pou
IN ATTENDANCE
Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer), Donna Jones (Minute Secretary), Derek Corban (Students for Environment Group), Hugh Baird (Critic Editor) and Henry Napier (Critic Reporter)
APOLOGIES
Jesse Hall
Mariana Te Pou for leaving early
Moved from the Chair
164/16 THAT the above apologies be accepted.
CARRIED U
SPEAKING RIGHTS
Moved from the Chair
165/16 THAT Debbie Downs, Donna Jones and Derek Corban be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.
CARRIED U
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Date of minutes read 9th May and should have read 2nd May 2016.
Moved from the Chair
166/16 THAT the minutes of the 2nd May 2016 be accepted as a true and correct record with the above amendment.
CARRIED U
REGULAR MEETING TIMES GOING FORWARD
The full executive can’t find a time that suits everyone to meet this semester to enable regular meeting times to be set. We are hoping next semester will make things easier.
Next meeting – 2 June 2016 at 9am in Room Two of the Clubs and Societies Building.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
As emailed. Debbie went through some of the highlights of her report.
- Staff contract changes with the Wind Up of Planet Media Dunedin Limited being finalised over the next couple of weeks along with accounting transfers that Debbie hopes will be implemented on the 30 May.
No changes with the actual structure with the wind up.
- Finances - a variance report was attached. Debbie explained that depreciation is a non- cash expense so it comes out as an expense. We don’t budget for it. She asked if there were any questions about the finances.
- Health and Safety – the Managers and Executive have both attended workshops. There are now regular meetings being scheduled.
- Maintenance – the flat rooves at the clubs and societies building exterior are being resurfaced. This has taken a few weeks and yet to be completed.
- Heating - It is desirable and better financially that we replace electric heaters remaining in some areas of OUSA with heat pumps. This being investigated.
Moved from the Chair
167/16 THAT the Chief Executive Officers’ January – April 2016 report be received.
CARRIED U
BOTTLE BUY BACK REPORT
As attached.
Should OUSA continue with this project independently or could other departments help as it is a big undertaking?
Moved from the Chair
168/16 THAT the Bottle Buy Back Report 22 April 2016 be received.
CARRIED U
EXECUTIVE DROP-IN SESSIONS FEEDBACK
This is FYI. Jarred asked if people wanted anything else added to let him know.
POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Harris/Goh
169/16 THAT the minutes of the Policy Committee meetings held on 21 March 2016 and 29 April 2016 be received.
CARRIED
POLICIES TO RESCIND AND RATIFY
These policies have gone out for notice. Jarred explained that some of them are no longer functioning or aren’t required by the Association.
Sean left at 11.53am
Sean returned at 11.55am
Griffiths/Guy
170/16 THAT the Constitutional Review Committee Terms of Reference (1031-2005) be rescinded.
CARRIED
Griffiths/Guy
171/16 THAT the Digital Archiving Working Party Terms of Reference (1023-2010) be rescinded.
CARRIED
Griffiths/Guy
172/16 THAT the Fire Performance & Juggling Club Investigation Committee Terms of Reference (1010-2010) be rescinded.
CARRIED
Griffiths/Guy
173/16 THAT the Governance Structure Working Party Terms of Reference (1003-2009) be rescinded.
CARRIED
Griffiths/Guy
174/16 THAT the OUSA Communications Unit Review Terms of Reference (1026-2010) be rescinded.
CARRIED
Griffiths/Guy
175/16 THAT the OUSA Recreation Unit Review Terms of Reference (1020-2010) be rescinded.
CARRIED
Griffiths/Guy
176/16 THAT the Staffing Committee Terms of Reference (1025-2010) be rescinded.
CARRIED
Griffiths/Guy
177/16 THAT the University Financial Oversight Committee terms of Reference (1020-2005) be rescinded.
CARRIED
Griffiths/Guy
178/16 THAT the Voluntary Student Membership Working Party Terms of Reference (1015-2009) be rescinded.
CARRIED
Griffiths/Guy
179/16 THAT the Otago University Students’ Fund Policy (1013-2008) be rescinded.
CARRIED
COMPOSITION AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE LETTER
As attached. The executive received a submission from presidents of health sciences professional programmes outlining concerns about the representation on OUSA’s Education committee.
Concerns were raised about the letter not being brought to the Exec earlier but explanation given. It was requested that this be deferred to look into the process.
Mariana arrived at 12.01pm
Griffiths/Gamble
180/16 THAT the Colleges Committee Terms of Reference be amended and updated.
CARRIED
GRANTS COMMITTEE MINUTES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Gamble/Guy
181/16 THAT the minutes of the Grants Panel meeting held on 4 April 2016 be received.
CARRIED
Gamble/Guy
182/16 THAT the recommendations from the Grants Panel meeting held on 4 April 2016 be approved.
CARRIED
Gamble/Guy
183/16 THAT the minutes of the Grants Panel Meeting held on 28 April 2016 be received.
CARRIED
Gamble/Guy
184/16 THAT the recommendations from the Grants Panel meeting held on 28 April 2016 be approved.
CARRIED
FUNDING REQUEST
There is a request from Rotary Club of Dunedin to sponsor special needs children to attend a circus event and also help in guiding and developing the ‘Youth of Today’.
As attached documents explained. OUSA has a Charitable Donations Policy which allows charitable donations so long as donations do not exceed $1,000 per year and meet the criteria.
The meeting was divided on whether OUSA should support this request so a decision was made to vote on it.
Moved from the Chair
185/16 THAT OUSA donate $250.00 to sponsor 5 special needs children on behalf of Rotary Club of Dunedin charitable Trust to attend Circus Quirkus.
For: 6
Against: 3
CARRIED U
NZUSA FEEDBACK
Laura and Jesse attended the NZUSA conference recently. Auckland Students Association signalled they were going to submit the one year notice intention to withdraw from NZUSA because of concerns NZUSA hadn’t been doing enough this year.
After a discussion it was suggested all Association Presidents and NZUSA meet regularly throughout the year even if it is via skype to improve communications.
Next Local Body Elections – All Student Associations agreed to take the same date for good media and student cohesion. Laura advised the next NZUSA meeting will be attending by her and Rachel.
SLEEP OUT
The Volunteer Centre and other groups are involved in the ‘sleep out’ campaign in the Octagon on 29 July. OUSA was involved last year and helped out with vans, events gear and lent our marquees. The executive would be helping out with some of the printing costs.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE (EduCom) MINUTES
Cochrane/Te Pou
186/16 THAT the Education Committee meeting minutes of 19 April 2016 be received.
CARRIED
FELLOWSHIP SELECTION COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Moved from the Chair
187/16 THAT Mariana Te Pou be appointed to the Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance Advisory Board for 2016.
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
188/16 THAT Sean Gamble be appointed to the Frances Hodgkins Fellowship Selection Committee for 2016.
CARRIED U
Harris/Goh
189/16 THAT Laura Harris be appointed to the Robert Burns Fellowship Selection Committee for 2016.
CARRIED U
REFERENDUM RESULTS
Should the Otago University Students’ Association Annual Audited Financial
Statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 be received and accepted?
Yes: No: Abstain:
73.23% 2.96% 23.81% 3205
Should the Otago University Students’ Association Annual Report for 2015 be received and accepted?
75.87% 2.69% 21.44% 3199
Should PricewaterhouseCoopers be appointed as Auditors for the Otago University Students?’
Association for 2016?
65.54% 8.47% 25.99% 3201
Should Anderson Lloyd be appointed as Honorary Solicitors for the Otago University
Students’ Association for 2016?
69.85% 5.28% 24.87% 3201
Should OUSA regulate what costumes can be worn to the Hyde Street Party by prohibiting offensive costumes?
33.29% 61.67% 5.04% 3154
Should OUSA support Helen Clark's bid for United Nations Secretary General?
81.7% 7.61% 10.69% 3153
Should OUSA oppose potential University support staff redundancies/layoffs as a result of the University's Service Level Review?
48.6% 26.95% 24.44% 3150
Should OUSA have a spa pool or communal bathing house?
54.14% 40.69% 5.17% 3151
Should OUSA lobby the University to allow all University students to have physical access to all University facilities during weekend hours?
76.04% 19.3% 4.67% 3151
Should OUSA lobby the University to make a commitment not to invest in fossil fuels?
72.79% 16.11% 11.1% 3153
Should OUSA initiate a campaign with the Dunedin City Council and University to have
large glass rubbish bins (like yellow top bins) replace the current glass bins throughout North
Dunedin and the student living vicinity to reduce the glass problem?
85.18% 9.23% 5.58% 3152
Should the following administrative/general changes be made to OUSA’s constitution?
55.18% 8.95% 35.88% 3130
Should section 39.5 of the Constitution be amended to make the Secretary responsible for appointing the Independent Arbitrator of elections instead of the Executive?
37.56% 16% 46.44% 3131
Should the following changes be made to the conduct/execution of referendums under OUSA’s constitution?
49.47% 9.72% 40.81% 3129
Should section 23.7 of the Constitution be amended to restrict the Executive spending above total budget expenditure?
52.52% 14.57% 32.91% 3130
Should section 35.1 and 35.2 of the Constitution be amended to give certainty to the OUSA
election date from year to year?
59.09% 12.49% 28.42% 3107
Should section 36.3 of the Constitution be amended to introduce an additional method of
nominating a candidate for the OUSA elections?
57.31% 13.84% 28.85% 3106
Should section 37 of the Constitution be amended to introduce a minimum 3 working day
voting period for OUSA elections, a maximum of 7 days voting for all elections, and a minimum of a one day voting period for by elections?
58.66% 12.3% 29.04% 3106
Should section 38 of the Constitution be amended to give the Returning Officer the
power to require assistance from OUSA staff in the execution of their duties?
49.48% 12.2% 38.31% 3106
This referendum attracted the highest turn out of a stand-alone referendum.
Many students abstained from some questions, especially the constitutional changes. It was agreed there were too many administrative questions.
The Policy Committee are convening later in the week to discuss feedback and have asked for submissions regarding the referendum.
DIVESTMENT LETTER
A representative from the Students for Environmental Action was present to answer any questions about their letter. They are requesting OUSA’s support to make a public commitment of support for Divestment at Otago University and to use OUSA’s social media profile.
It was pointed out that the Executive doesn’t have control over OUSA’s social media this is controlled by our Communications team.
It was suggested that the Students for Environmental Action group apply for funding through our grants committee.
Mariana left at 12.28pm
The question about this in the referendum attracted more positive votes which deserves a response.
Laura will streamline a process of how to move forward on this and bring it to the next meeting.
Moved from the Chair
190/16 THAT the letter from the Students for Environmental Action Group requesting OUSA’s support in urging the University of Otago to divest from the fossil fuel industry be received with the proviso a streamline process be done as to the content and the referendum question result.
CARRIED U
WORKSHOPS (Lobbying/Campaigns)
Jarred has set up an Effect Campaign and Lobbying workshop inviting four very good speakers. This will be held on 30 May at 2pm in the Otago Room.
Jarred suggested that the Executive research the speakers online and have relevant questions for them.
HEALTH AND SAFETY FOLLOW UP
Debbie was thanked for her report it was very informative. She informed the meeting there was a good health and safety workshop held last week with the executive taking an active interest.
Jarred will send the slides from the workshop to the executive.
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Goh/Guy
191/16 THAT Rachel Goh, Danielle King, Hasani Kannangara, Max Chan, John Kim, Andy Tu, Bushra Al-Hatrushi, Maple Goh and Thilini Nananyakkara be appointed to the International Committee for 2016.
CARRIED
GRANTS PANEL APPOINTMENTS
Guy/Harris
192/16 THAT Geoff Simmons and Daniel Porter be appointed as non-voting members to the Grants Committee for the period ending 31 December 2016.
CARRIED
Meeting closed at 12.43pm