Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE OUSA BULL-PEN OFFICE, CUMBERLAND STREET, DUNEDIN ON WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2025 AT 9.02AM

PRESENT

Liam White (Chair), Amy Martin, Daniel Leamy, Stella Lynch, Amy Whyman, Ibuki Nishida, Jett Groshinski, Deborah Huang, Josh Stewart and Seluvaia Ratoul

IN ATTENDANCE

Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer), Donna Jones (Minute Secretary), Hanna Varrs (Critic News Editor), Molly Smith-Soppet (Critic Writer) and Nina Brown (Critic Editor)

APOLOGIES

Callum Hadlow and Ngātiki Taylor

Moved from the Chair

220/25 THAT the above apologies be accepted.

CARRIED U

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE MEETING

Moved from the Chair

221/25 THAT the minutes of the Emergency Executive Meeting held on 2 May 2025 be accepted as a true and accurate record.

CARRIED U

MATTERS ARISING

The DCC draft Otago Regional Public Transport Plan submission being heard this afternoon – Jett and Liam attending.

RATIFY THE MINUTES FROM THE EMERGENCY MEETING

Moved from the Chair

222/25 THAT the minutes of the Emergency Meeting held on 2 May 2025 be ratified.

CARRIED U

SPEAKING RIGHTS

Moved from the Chair

223/25 THAT Debbie Downs, Donna jones, Hanna Varrs, Molly Smith-Soppet and Nina Brown be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.

CARRIED U

EXECUTIVE QUICK ROUND UP

A round the table update was held.

OUSA UPDATE

Clubs and Societies building exterior almost finished, carpark should be available 19^th or so.

CEO Executive Assistant, Caroline settling in with part time hours and will be starting officially on 19 May.

ATSA UPDATE

The other associations are compiling documents to get ready for the conference later in the month.

MARKETING/MEDIA UPDATE

Good ODT coverage, Liam’s ANZAC address was covered in the ODT and he also made the front page.

GRADUATION PARADE SATURDAY

Liam, Josh, Stella and Jett signed up so far to attend this Saturday’s ceremony and procession. One more needed to parade, Donna will follow up.

REFERENDUM QUESTIONS

As attached. 103 questions received. Many not suitable as out of OUSA’s jurisdiction. It was expressed we need to make the criteria for questions a lot clearer to students submitting.

Moved from the Chair

224/25 THAT the OUSA Executive recommends to the Mediator the following questions be put to the student body in the Referendum.

Should the Otago University Students’ Association Annual Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 be received and accepted?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association Annual Report for 2024 be received and accepted?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association advocate for students who are required to go unpaid placements be paid for the service they provide on placement?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association bring back more student bars?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association adopt the Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement against the government of Israel?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association allow the Finance and Strategy Officer to scam people if the funds are used for the betterment of student outcomes?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association allow sponsorship from alcohol companies?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association endorse pro-student candidates in the upcoming local body elections?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association lead a national campaign to repeal Voluntary Student Membership?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association lobby for the reintroduction of the Postgraduate Student Allowance?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association release a detailed financial statement to all students who pay student services fees?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association change the Hardship Grant to be more accessible for a wider range of students?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association create a map of well-lit and patrolled streets within North Dunedin’s student district to show students the best routes to walk around at night?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association create a safe-drinking campaign?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association restructure the executive to bring in more diverse voices and lived experience, including create a Disabled Students’ Representative and Queer Students’ Representative?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association create an elected position for each of the four University of Otago divisions to sit on the OUSA Executive as 5-hour roles for 2026?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association create a 10-hour role Information and Transparency Officer for the OUSA executive to improve communication, access to information, and accountability to students?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association President serve a two-year term?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association lobby the University of Otago to include the Tūmuaki of Te Rōpū Māori on University Council?
Should the Otago University Students’ Association lobby the University of Otago to adopt an affirmative consent policy in their Sexual Misconduct Policy?

CARRIED U

GENERAL BUSINESS

Affiliation – The Daniel Leamy Fan Club, Apologies were expressed for the late notice submitting the attached documents. It was suggested the objectives need more work, so this is tabled for another meeting.

Meeting closed at 10.30am

Signed: ___________________________________ Date: ________

Meeting Minutes

7 May 2025