Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE BULL-PEN AND VIA ZOOM ON FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2023 AT 10:03AM
PRESENT
Quintin Jane (Chair), Imogen Macalister, Emz Bull, Lilly Baird, Mia Heaphy Butts (zoom), Emily Fau-Goodwin, Elisepa Taukolo (zoom), Tessa Campbell, Cyrus Yam, Haki Hamilton, Keegan Wells and Kaia Kahurangi Jamieson
IN ATTENDANCE
Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer), Esther Moore (Minute Secretary)
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE MEETING
One amendment – Keegan was present at the 8th September 2023 executive meeting.
Moved from the Chair
281/23 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 8 September 2023 be amended and accepted as a true and correct record.
CARRIED U
MATTERS ARISING
Quintin reminded the Executive that third quarter reports are due next Wednesday at 1pm. Please get back to Imogen with an updated Duties of Executive Officer Policy so it can be discussed at the next Polcom.
SPEAKING RIGHTS
Moved from the Chair
282/23 THAT Debbie Downs and Esther Moore be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.
CARRIED U
OUSA UPDATE
The draft for the 2024 OUSA budget has been finalised. Sage has now finished his role as Student Support Centre Manager, new applicants for the role have been shortlisted. The Student Media Manager and Radio One Manager roles are now listed online. The Student Media Manager role is newly created which should help create unity with our student media outlets - Critic and Radio One. We have had staff undergoing “sponsorship training” with a consultant which is extremely beneficial as an association involved in nationwide student sales.
A shout out to the Clubs and Societies Thursdays at Evison nights, these have been very successful in offering varied social experience in a safe alcohol-free zone.
TE RŌPŪ MĀORI UPDATE
Haki went up to represent Te Rōpū Māori at Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (The Māori Law Society) Hui-ā-Tau in Hamilton/Kirikiriroa. This is the national AGM for Māori Law students, Lawyers and Judges. This representation was conducive in solidifying relationships going forth for the Otago University Māori law group.
The following week Haki and some representatives went to the National Māori Students’ Conference - Te Huinga Tauira – in Christchurch. Discussions took place on navigating the current student climate and political matters affecting students. It was 4-5 weeks long and Haki would like to point out that they were the best-behaved group present out of the universities present.
Haki also attended the Student Voice hui, it was not too formal and confrontational while still allowing for productive discussion to take place. An acknowledgement to everyone who got up to speak, especially in terms of international student issues as they resonate with the ethos of tikanga Māori.
Haki also attended a hui for presidents of Māori student associations nationwide.
Upcoming events include a Te Rōpū Māori barbeque, a ball with UOPISA, a study retreat, 6 divisional AGMs in the next 3 weeks and the election process beginning next week.
UOPISA UPDATE
UOPSIA has been busy this week with Pacific Week, finishing off with an environmental event being held at Clubs and Societies hosted by PILSA and UOPISA, followed by the Pacific Awards night tomorrow night.
Next week a meeting is taking place with a consultancy regarding general elections.
The UOPISA AGM is in 2 weeks time, with 13 AGMs after that.
A meeting with the PDO and the Vice Chanceller is being held in 2 weeks to discuss the funding situation for 2024.
Quintin wanted to acknowledge that ‘Sepa’s presentation at the Student Voice hui was excellent.
NZISA (health cover) letter*
Cyrus attended the NZISA conference last week, many discussions regarding fees, tuition etc. took place. Previous International Officer Sean Teow who is the current Education Officer in NZISA is spearheading this open letter, on the issue of sexual health insurance coverage of international students, an issue that may have been overlooked previously.
The purpose of the letter is to propose amendments and goals to improve current coverage, as many private companies do not support sexual health at present.
Emily pointed out that there are precedents for this issue, resulting in exorbitant costs for international students.
Moved from the Chair
283/23 THAT OUSA sign on to the NZISA open letter for sexual health insurance cover.
CARRIED U
AFFILIATED CLUB MINUTES
Emz was happy to report that quorum was met. Some great feedback was received.
A round of applause was held for Emz for achieving quorum.
Moved from the Chair
284/23 THAT the minutes of the Affiliated Clubs Council meeting held on 5 September be received.
CARRIED U
TERTIARY EDUCATION COMMISSION
Quintin received a letter from the Tim Fowler, the Chief Executive of the TEC, in response to his 31 August 2023 letter regarding the retention of of over allocated funding. A meeting with Tim Fowler, NZUSA, VUSA and Quintin will be held within the next month to discuss this further.
STUDENT GENERAL MEETING REMINDER
Imogen requested that everyone get the word out regarding the SGM to ensure quorum is met. The SGM is to be held September 28th and 106 attendees are required.
Quintin received a student suggestion that more consideration is needed regarding the UniQ Otago motion, to ensure inclusivity for non UniQ members. As the deadline for SGM questions is tomorrow, the executive decided to add a second question in today's meeting to aid in this cause.
Yam/Macalister
285/23 THAT the OUSA Executive support the student general meeting motion submitted below
That a Queer Representative be added to the OUSA Executive.
CARRIED
2024 OUSA BUDGET FINAL VERSION
Moved from the Chair
286/23 THAT the meeting move into confidential committee for reasons of commercial sensitivity at 10:34am.
CARRIED U
Kaia Kahurangi Jamieson left at 10:41am
Emily Fau-Goodwin left at 10:47am
Moved from the Chair
287/23 THAT the meeting move out of confidential committee at 10:49am
CARRIED U
As many members needed to leave the current meeting by 11:00am, it was decided that an Emergency Executive meeting be held at 4pm today to continue discussions regarding the 2024 budget.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Quintin informed the Executive that they were welcome to listen to Marama Davidson’s address regarding the Green Party Student Housing Policy, taking place at 11:00am today in Clubs and Societies Room 2.
Imogen invited the Executive to join her in the bullpen next Tuesday at 5pm for shared moral support in completing final reports. Final reports are due Wednesday 20 September.
Meeting closed at 10.50am Signed: ___________________ Date: _________