MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE OUSA BULL-PEN OFFICE ON MONDAY 5 MAY 2026 AT 9.04AM           

PRESENT

          Daniel Leamy (Chair), Kamesha Jones, Troy Gibbons, Rihanna Warsame, Ella     Sangster, Flynn Nesbitt, Jarna Flintoff, Zoe Eckhoff, Sami Harrison, Irfaan Ariffin and        Fergus Parks

IN ATTENDANCE

          Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer), Donna Jones (Association Secretary), Stella      Weston (Critic News Reporter) and Hanna Varrs (Critic Editor)

APOLOGIES

          Hansini Wijekoon

          Fergus Parks and Irfaan Ariffin for lateness

          Zoe Eckhoff for leaving early.

          Moved from the Chair

210/26 THAT the above apologies be accepted.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE MEETING

          Moved from the Chair

211/26 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on the 20 April 2026 be accepted as      a true and correct record.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

INTEREST REGISTER

          Please keep this updated.

SPEAKING RIGHTS

          Moved from the Chair

212/26 THAT Donna Jones, Debbie Downs, Stella Weston and Hanna Varrs be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

EXECUTIVE QUICK ROUND UP

          A round up of what everyone has been up too.

          Fergus in at 9.14am

AFFILIATIONS

          Re-affiliation of Prosper - request they hold an IGM and table until the next            meeting.

                 Ōtepoti Renters United – Concerns at this clubs’ membership being mostly OUSA                 executive members and the President not being a current OU student or                                       based in Dunedin, and how that fits with OUSA’s student-led                                                      expectations for clubs and societies.

                 It was suggested they should include the Residential Rep’ as an ex-officio role in the             constitution. Allowing them to stay connected to the club, while keeping a clear                             difference between their exec responsibilities and club activities.

                 Tabled for another meeting.   

          Irfaan arrived at 9.24am

HOLD ON TO YOUR FRIENDS (HOTYF) MOU

          As attached.

          Suggested clause 2.1 be amended to include President not 3 students.

          Moved from the Chair

213/26 THAT the common seal be affixed to the Memorandum of Understanding between           the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) and Hold on To Your Friends      (HOTYF) with the above amendment. 

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

CODE OF CONDUCT

          Moved from the Chair

214/26 THAT Kamesha Jones assumes the Chair at 9.26am

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            As circulated there has been a letter from two Executive members alleging a breach        of the OUSA Code of Conduct by Daniel Leamy.

            Kamesha explained the Code of Conduct subcommittee process will be used as the         Executive Discipline Procedure is contradictory and is on the next Policy Committee agenda for amending. The disputes resolution also isn’t clear.

            Moved from the Chair

215/26 THAT Ella Sangster assumes the Chair at 9.27am

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Moved from the Chair

216/26 THAT the meeting move into confidential committee for reasons of confidentiality at         9.28am.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Zoe left at 9.30am

            Moved from the Chair

217/26 THAT the meeting move out of confidential committee at 9.32am.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

                        Moved from the Chair

218/26 THAT the Code of Conduct Subcommittee found Daniel Leamy was not in Breach of        the Code of Conduct.

                                                                                                Leamy             Abstain

                                                                                                                        CARRIED

            Apologies were forthcoming and by way of reparation Daniel gifted Troy a bag of jellybeans and the book Justice and Jellybeans by former Proctor Ron Chambers.

            Moved from the Chair

219/26 THAT Daniel Leamy resumes the Chair at 9.33am

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS – BDS

          BDS has been discussed at FESC meetings.  How can OUSA individually commit to        BDS?  Important that OUSA receives advice and lobbies for ways forward.  It was         suggested a drop-in session be held in the Link.

          A document will be sent to FESC to explain how OUSA is aiming uphold each pillar

GRADUATION CEREMONIES AND PARADES

          Rihanna and Troy will be sitting on the stage this weekend.  Irfaan and Flynn will parade with the banners. Ensure you are all at OUSA at 11.10am to set up before            heading over to the Dental School for 11.30am sharp parade.

ANZAC DAY

          Well done to the Executive who attended, especially Zoe standing with the flag and          those who did a reading. A very good event again this year.

WINTER ENERGY PAYMENT SUPPORT

          As attached.  OUSA along with other Student Associations have been asked                    to support to extend the Winter Energy Payment Bill to include full time                         tertiary students.

          Moved from the Chair

220/26 THAT OUSA supports the Winter Energy Payment Bill proposal by the Green Party.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

REFERENDUM QUESTIONS

            Moved from the Chair

221/26 THAT questions for the Referendum being held on 26-28 May 2026 be submitted to             adminvp@ousa.org.nz and close at 4pm on 13 May 2026.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Advertising to be requested through Marketing and Comms and the Executive to get        the word out there.

GENERAL BUSINESS

          Executive work breakdowns – these are a measure of work being done but also a            good way of keeping track of what you have been up to.  It is realised that there will    be swings and round-a-bouts when people are busy with projects and then there is a   lull.

          Gig for Gaza – all invited to an event in the UBar on 15 May 2026, 8.30pm –         12.30pm.

          Meeting closed at 9.57am

            Signed: ___________________________________            Date: ____