MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE OUSA BULL-PEN ON THURSDAY 31 JULY 2025 AT 1.01PM

PRESENT   

Liam White (Chair), Amy Martin, Amy Whyman, Stella Lynch, Daniel Leamy (Chair), Deborah Huang, Jett Groshinski, Callum Hadlow, Ibuki Nishida, Seluvaia Ratoul and Porourangi Templeton-Reedy

IN ATTENDANCE  

Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer), Donna Jones (Minute Secretary), Nina Brown (Critic Editor), Elizabeth Leach-Young and Bailey Hadlow (Observer)

APOLOGIES

          Porourangi Templeton-Reedy.

Liam White, Stella Lynch and Amy Martin for leaving early.

Moved from the Chair

339/25 THAT the above apologies be accepted.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE MEETING

          Moved from the Chair

340/25 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 22 July 2025 be accepted as a true and accurate record.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

SPEAKING RIGHTS

          Moved from the Chair

341/25 THAT Donna Jones, Debbie Downs, Elizabeth Leach-Young and Nina Brown be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

OUSA UPDATE

• Budget setting for 2026 – waiting on a confirmed date from the Uni for the SLA discussions
• Mukesh back in town 7 August
• Jason away for another 2 weeks yet
• Free breakfasts – going well, many students through the door

UOPISA UPDATE

• Still collaborating with Te Rōpū Māori for a get together
• Annual awards night held in the Town Hall, great success
• Better access to student services
• All Presidents standing committee meeting held.
• Equity Funding meeting held

EXECUTIVE MEETING TIMES FOR THIS SEMESTER

Thursdays at 1pm in the Bullpen office will be this semester set time. Agenda items to the Secretary by 12 noon the Tuesday prior please.

Te Rōpū Māori will send a stand in executive member to the meetings as Porourangi can make this time.

REFERENDUM RESULTS REVIEW

          Results attached again for your perusal. Comments below on positive votes only.

The meeting went through the responses to the questions to see if any require actioning if they passed the threshold or discussion.

Liam has written to MPs already on some of the topics.

Should OUSA advocate for students who are required to complete unpaid placements to be paid for the services they provide on such placements?

OUSA write an open letter, good publicity.  Jett will get onto this.

Should OUSA establish student friendly bars and pubs in North Dunedin?

It is a risk calling for ‘student friendly’ bars.  Executive to continue to advocate for a student bar at the Campus Activation Review.

It was expressed that the University of Otago has an obligation to help with this as they shut bars down.  Student Elections coming up and there will be electioneering on the want for a student bar in North Dunedin.

Should OUSA adopt a policy for its operations that aligns with the call for “Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions” against the government of Israel, which would involve, amongst other measures, boycotting sporting, cultural, and academic institutions, and all Israel and international companies engaged in violations of Palestinian human rights?

Moved from the Chair

342/25 THAT the OUSA Executive as responsible governors, could not maintain the Boycott Divest Sanction (BDS) position due to the significant pressure it would put on the Association’s finances and operations.

Recognising the widespread support for the Palestinian people among Otago students, the S1 2025 referendum results, and the Enduring Commitment to Peace Statement that was accepted by the student body last year; the OUSA Executive has committed to pursue alternative action for the people of Palestine.

                                                                                    Against: Groshinski/Stewart

                                                                                                            CARRIED

Should OUSA accept sponsorship from alcohol companies for OUSA run events and functions?

This to be tabled to allow management to talk to staff and the university.

Should OUSA lobby the Government to reinstate the student allowance for all postgraduate not just postgraduate honours students)?

Liam has written to the relevant MPs on this.

The Postgraduate Rep and the Political Rep will write open letters in their handover documents for 2026 executive officers.

Should OUSA release a detailed annual report summarising OUSA’s financial statements to all students who pay student services fees to the University of Otago?

Discuss with FESC and Marketing what possible promotion is feasible and appropriate.

Should OUSA develop and undertake a safe-drinking campaign?

Liam and Amy to develop first draft of the student-ownership work plan for the Sophia Charter.

Amy Martin left at 1.53pm

Should OUSA lobby the University to include the Tūmuaki of Te Rōpū Māori on University Council?

OUSA will write a letter to advocate for this.

Should OUSA lobby the University to adopt a policy of educating students on affirmative consent on their Sexual Misconduct Policy?

OUSA to write to the Senior Leadership Team.

Should OUSA lobby the University of Otago for mandatory consent and effective bystander training to all student facing staff through Te Whare Tāwharau?

Amy Whyman already working on this.

NZUSA WITHDRAWAL

          Moved from the Chair

343/25 THAT the meeting move into confidential committee for reasons of personal privacy at 1.55pm.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Porourangi arrived at 1.56pm

            Moved from the Chair

344/25 THAT the meeting move out of confidential committee at 2.04pm

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Moved from the Chair

345/25 THAT OUSA withdraw membership from NZUSA effective immediately upon verification of legal advice.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Moved from the Chair

  346/25 THAT the meeting alters the agenda moving item 15 up before item 12 at 2.05pm.

                                                                                                                           CARRIED U

LECTURE RECORDINGS AND BUDGET

As memo attached.  A last-ditch effort to get this over the line.  Two years hard work and we haven’t got agreement on this. Can all get out and help with chalking and campaigning please.

It was suggested this be taken to the next Senate meeting.

          Moved from the Chair

347/25 THAT the Lecture Recordings Protest Proposal and budget be accepted.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

2026 EXECUTIVE BUDGET

Could the executive please let Daniel know of any savings that can be made in the budget before the next FESC as he is trying to get it finalised.

CAGE/IGLOO

The planning isn’t completely clear and what is to be achieved by this.  The permission hasn’t been given yet to use the union lawn yet either.  Callum has constructed a cage and will show Liam in the weekend; he will need help to transport it onto the grounds. Liam wants to raise awareness of the Housing issues in North Dunedin with this idea:

Rental warrant of fitness, Winter energy payments and a parliamentary enquiry into student accommodation are the purpose Liam wishes to highlight in this protest.

Stella left at 2.26pm

LETTER TO MP PAUL GOLDSMITH

          As attached, more work needed and could the letter be signed off by the executive.

          Moved from the Chair

348/25 THAT Daniel Leamy assumes the Chair at 2.31pm.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Liam left at 2.31pm

SUBMISSIONS

Jett presented the submissions and queried if he should sign them owing to him running in the elections and Liam agreed to give oral submissions on behalf of OUSA.   Agreed the authors will be OUSA Executive.

          Moved from the Chair

349/25 THAT the Submission on the Proposed Variations to Funding Determinations be submitted.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

Moved from the Chair

350/25 THAT the submission on the Proposed Sunday Paid Parking Zone be submitted.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            The Submission on Albany Street Connection Project requires more work and will be sent later.

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE MINUTES

          Moved from the Chair

351/25 THAT the minutes of the Political Action Committee meeting held on 26 June 2025 be received.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

AFFILIATIONS

          Moved from the Chair

352/25 THAT the Otago Fighting Games Club be affiliated to OUSA with minor updates to new club constitution template.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Moved from the Chair

353/25   THAT the Paediatric Interest Group be affiliated to OUSA with minor updates to new club constitution template.

                                                                                                                          CARRIED U

GRANTS PANEL ROUND 4 MINUTES

          Moved from the Chair

354/25   THAT the minutes of the Grants Panel Meeting Round 4 held on 21 July 2025 be accepted and the recommendations be approved.

                                                                                                                          CARRIED U

GENERAL BUSINESS

          Quiz night – tomorrow from 6-9pm.  All welcome

Badges – Student Support Centre as part of their wellbeing session gave OUSA executive a badge each.  Amy Whyman was very happy to hand them out.

VUWSA LETTER

OUSA Executive in agreement with signing VUWSA petition letter as distributed in the executive group chat.

TE RŌPŪ MĀORI UPDATE

• EP release evening last Thursday was a huge it.
• Good Leadership program held.
• Weekly meeting with Māori student associations

Meeting closed 2.55pm

Signed: ___________________________________         Date: _________