Meeting highlights
PRESENT
Hugh Baird (Chair), William Guy, James Heath, Bryn Jenkins, Cody Kirby, Max Chan, Caitlin Barlow-Groome, James Heath, Eden Iati and Danielle Pope
IN ATTENDANCE
Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer), Joe Higham (Critic Deputy Editor), Romain Mirosa (Quality Advancement Unit), Bernard Morrison (Quality Advancement Unit), Allen Goodchild (Quality Advancement Unit), Francis Bradley (Political Student) and Donna Jones (Minute Secretary)
APOLOGIES
Lucy Northwood and Eli Toeke
Moved from the Chair
364/17 THAT the above apologies be accepted.
CARRIED U
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Moved from the Chair
365/17 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 15 August 2017 be accepted as a true and correct record.
CARRIED U
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Bryn requested that a discussion take place regarding the policies around the General Election in relation to OUSA. This item has been tabled for the next meeting.
SPEAKING RIGHTS
Moved from the Chair
366/17 THAT Debbie Downs Joe Higham, Romain Mirosa, Bernard Morrison, Allen Goodchild, Francis Bradley and Donna Jones be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.
CARRIED U
ORDER OF BUSINESS CHANGE
Moved from the Chair
367/17 THAT the order of business be altered as guests from the Quality Advancement Unit staff wish to leave the meeting early.
CARRIED U
UNIVERSITY QUALITY ADVANCEMENT
Romain was invited to address the meeting, he explained their unit undertakes student evaluations, coordinates academic audits, university reviews, surveys and teaching evaluation surveys.
He said student evaluations were moved to online last year with 40% uptake. Previously paper versions were 70%.
His department would like to identify strategies to improve student engagement. Could OUSA assist with communication to get more participation?
Could the Class Representatives system be utilised to increase participation in surveys?
A member of the executive suggested cutting down the sequence on the survey forms as too time consuming when students filling them out. Also, there was a request if students received feedback on the responses of the surveys.
The Quality Advancement staff were thanked for their attendance.
MORE POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT
Francis Bradley addressed the meeting to ask the executive if they were going to act on the results of the Referenda held earlier in the year. He voiced OUSA was a political organisation and should be more active and visual on political issues.
He was told OUSA isn’t aligned to any particular political party. We are an organisation that lobbies for advocacy. OUSA has a dedicated political policy on issues such as student housing, living costs, student allowances, student loans, fees and mental health. We promote policy Hugh said.
The Executive are to consider some of the points discussed and agreed to improve on engagement with students.
Francis was thanked for coming and he left the meeting.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Debbie said there were no incidents to report.
BLUES AND GOLDS COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Barlow-Groome/Guy
368/17 THAT Hugh Baird, Caitlin Barlow-Groome, Alesha East and Sophie Morris be appointed to the Golds Committee for 2017.
CARRIED
Barlow-Groome/Guy
369/17 THAT Caitlin Barlow-Groome and Hugh Baird be appointed to the Blues Committee for 2017.
CARRIED
FUNDING REQUEST FROM THE KIDS FOUNDATION
This was declined.
OUSA EXEC/TRM GET TOGETHER
Hugh has offered to be chief cook of Mexican food for this event. Venue and date to be confirmed
ELECTIONS POLICY AMENDMENT
At the previous executive meeting it wasn’t explicit the elections policy was being amended also explaining this must be a unanimous result without a notice period.
As attached.
Guy/Iati
370/17 THAT motion 361/17 be amended to read:
THAT the elections policy be amended removing section 8.1.2 – Any campaign materials (including, but not limited to any electronic content/post, 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.
CARRIED unamiously
IMPACT
Moved from the Chair
371/17 THAT the meeting move into committee of the whole for reasons of commercial sensitivity at 5.32pm
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
372/17 THAT the meeting move out of committee of the whole at 5.35pm
CARRIED U
Hugh to talk to Impact of the discussion.
OUSA STUDENT SURVEY
As attached. Debbie asked for feedback and informed the meeting of suggested changes already submitted.
It was agreed the version was too long which incurred more costs so it has been cut down, took out free text too.
The final draft should be ready by end of September early October.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Opportunities party – Abe Gray a candidate has asked to be part of the political forums.
Drop in sessions – There is going to be a session on Friday 11.30-1pm in the Hunter Centre and the Link. More attendance hoped for.
Planning session follow up – William will email the Executive to remind them when this is.
Meeting closed at 5.45pm