MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE BULL-PEN OFFICE ON MONDAY 18 MAY 2026 AT 11:00AM           

PRESENT 

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

IN ATTENDANCE  

Claire Gallop (Director of Student Services), Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer),  Donna Jones (Association Secretary) and Stella Weston (Critic News Editor) 

APOLOGIES 

Ella Sangster and Jarna Flintoff. 

Daniel Leamy and Zoe Eckhoff for lateness. 

Moved from the Chair 

233/26 THAT the above apologies be accepted. 

CARRIED U 

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE MEETING 

Moved from the Chair 

234/26 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 11 May 2026 be accepted as a  true and correct record. 

CARRIED U 

INTEREST REGISTER  

Please update if necessary. 

SPEAKING RIGHTS 

Moved from the Chair 

235/26 THAT Claire Gallop, Debbie Downs, Donna Jones and Stella Weston be granted  speaking rights for the duration of this meeting. 

CARRIED U 

EXECUTIVE QUICK ROUND UP 

The executive shared their tasks undertaken for the week.  

Zoe arrived at 11.02am 

GUEST: CLAIRE GALLOP – DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES 

Claire was invited to address the meeting.  She wants to ensure the executive are  familiar with the university departments and is offering to assist with any difficulties  the executive may have. 

What has your experience been like coming onto the executive and is there anything  that would have helped you?  

Some expressed the role of governance was bigger than expected. Wider  introductions with the university, the staff and their roles would be helpful. Where  certain departments are. 

Uptake for external mentors is a bit slow; however, Daniel has recently asked for the  university governance mentors to be set up for those who requested them.   

It would be helpful to know what projects are on beforehand.  

Daniel arrived at 11.19am 

AFFILIATIONS 

Poker Club – there needs to be work on this affiliation.  Ella will ask them to attend an  executive meeting. 

SKANDI Society - 

Moved from the Chair 

236/26 THAT the SKANDI Society be affiliated to OUSA. 

CARRIED U 

BLUES AND GOLDS AWARDS CRITERIA UPDATED 

As attached. 

Moved from the Chair 

237/26 THAT the University Blues and Golds Criteria 2026 be updated and approved.  

CARRIED U 

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2025 

As attached – these accounts are consolidated. 

Daniel explained some of the accounts and suggested if anyone wants more of an  understanding to attend a meeting with Mukesh and or Matt in Accounts.  

Moved from the Chair 

238/26 THAT the Otago University Students’ Association Annual Audited Financial  Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 be received and accepted and  presented to the student body in the Referendum on 27 – 29th May 2026. 

CARRIED U 

ANNUAL REPORT 2025 

As attached. 

Moved from the Chair 

239/26 THAT the 2025 OUSA Annual Report be received and accepted and presented to the  student body at the Referendum on 27-29 May 2026. 

CARRIED U 

REFERENDUM QUESTIONS FOR THE MEDIATOR 

Moved from the Chair 

240/26THAT the OUSA Executive recommends to the Mediator the following questions be  put to the student body in the Referendum being held 27-29 May 2026.   

1. Should the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) Annual Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 be received and accepted? 

2. Should OUSA’s Annual Report for 2025 be received and accepted? 

3. Should the OUSA Secretary, Donna Jones, be reappointed for a further fixed term of four (4) years? 

4. Should OUSA express an opinion of no confidence in the Coalition government (National, NZ First, ACT) in light of its cutting of the fees free tertiary scheme? 

5. Should OUSA support a change of government at the 2026 general election for cutting the fees free tertiary education scheme? 

6. Should OUSA free breakfasts provide hot meal options (excluding porridge which is already provided)? 

7. Should OUSA investigate purchasing Dropkicks as a place for a student bar? 

8. Should OUSA lobby the university to create a UNI 101 paper, focused on writing and research skills? 

9. Should OUSA lobby for a base increase to Tutor, Demonstrator hourly rates? 

10. Should OUSA lobby for the living wage for all university employees? 

11. Should the OUSA Executive remuneration be decided by an independent arbitrator instead of the Executive? 

12. Should all staff working at the university be policed vetted to ensure student safety? 

13. Should OUSA lobby the Vice-Chancellor to meet with Te Rōpū Māori and University of Otago Pacific Island Students’ Association? 

14. Should all Tutors/Demonstrators who work with students be required to do HYBRID (Sexual Violence & Harm Training)? 

15. Should OUSA reconfigure the Executive by consolidating the Finance and Strategy Officer and Political Representative roles into an Engagement Vice-president role? 

16.  Should OUSA oppose the tearing down of the Archway Lecture Theatres? 

for/against/abstain 

CARRIED U 

GENERAL BUSINESS 

Fees Free posters on campus and beyond – unfortunately a group has been  plastering around campus on areas not permitted and up town on businesses. This is  defacing property and should be avoided, the Proctor is issuing warnings.  

There is a Fees Free rally planned for 28 May protesting about the government  cutting the third-year fees free.  OUSA wants formally invite the Vice Chancellor and  other University staff to join the rally.  Daniel and Kamesha will draft an invitation  letter. There will also be a sign making session for the rally, Flynn to organise. 

Disabilities Representative on exec – Rihanna continues to advocate for this and  wants a timeline as she has people showing a keen interest.  It was suggested to  wait until the governance structural changes on exec are complete so this can all be  done at once.  

Referendum – 3 x $50 new world vouchers will be voting incentives for this  referendum. 

Te Rōpū Māori turning 31 – cake at the whare on Friday at 5.30pm.  All welcome.  

Kamesha waiting on feedback on the governance changes as suggested last  meeting. 

Next executive meeting – please send your exam timetables and holiday plans to  Daniel to work out a suitable time. 

Palo Alto public meeting – this is planned for 19 May in the MCR from 11.30am. 

Meeting closed 12.15pm 

Signed: ___________________________________ Date: _________