MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 14 OCTOBER 2019 AT 9:17AM HELD IN THE CLUBS AND SOCIETIES CENTRE, ALBANY STREET, DUNEDIN

PRESENT

Georgia Mischefski-Gray (Chair), Bonnie Harrison, William Dreyer, Ben McCook-Weir, Sabrina Alhady, Josh Smith, Matthew Schep and Jack Manning

IN ATTENDANCE

Debbie Downs (CEO) and Donna Jones (Minute Secretary), Nathan Laurie (OPSA President), Erik Johnson, Brin Ryder, Lindsay Wickman, Alice Dee, Stina Kolodzey and Tayla Hill (Marine Science)

APOLOGIES

            Mary Jane Kivalu, James Heath and Taylor Kerekia

            Moved from the Chair

443/19 THAT the above apology be accepted.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE MEETING

            Moved from the Chair

444/19 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 7 October 2019 be accepted as a true and correct record.

MATTERS ARISING

Library Services Review submission – this has been submitted with the suggested amendments from last week’s executive meeting.

Executive Photos – it is with great delight and gratitude to announce the University have agreed to fund $2,500 to digitise the photos and enable them to be displayed again.  Donna and James will pursue this.

SPEAKING RIGHTS

            Moved from the Chair

445/19 THAT Debbie Downs, Donna Jones and Tayla Hill be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

HEALTH AND SAFETY

There were a few people needing patched up at the North Dunedin Clean Up but nothing serious.

OUSA UPDATE

            The North Dunedin Clean-up was a great success.  Well done to all who contributed!

13 skips containing 16 tons of rubbish.  It was reported there were over 2000 students, staff and volunteers there.

There was a discussion of perhaps making it an annual event and expanding the area.

The gig in the MCR with Final Froth was held Saturday evening.  A moderate turnout.

The drop in support area in the Main Common room for students suffering over the recent tragedy was well attended.

ASPA’s – congratulations to the Critic staff and volunteers who took out 8 awards in Wellington over the weekend, including best Publication.

MARINE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT STAFF CUTS

            There are three staff being replaced at the Marine Science department in Portobello.

William is drafting a submission, some clubs and societies are writing one as well. Tayla has a petition with 3000 signatures opposing this and is asking for support. 

The student management document has been circulated.

It was noted how this was pushed on students at a challenging time when their exams are fast approaching.  The attendees at this meeting were reassured OUSA would help where they can and thanked for taking the time to attend this meeting.

AFFILIATION

            Amend the title of Treasurer to Secretary on their Constitution.

            Smith/Alhady

446/19 THAT the Otago University Nugget Club be affiliated to OUSA with the above amendment to their constitution.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING OUSA/INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ASSN

A long discussion took place.  There was agreement to accept the document with the addition of the final two clauses but a consensus couldn’t be reached in regards to the clause, “OUSA will: to present a united front ‘where appropriate’ uphold and support decisions ….. “ The national President would need to be consulted.

There was agreement this would be discussed later in the meeting to enable Sabrina to contact the National President Lukas Kristen for approval. 

POLICIES

The Media Independence Policy has been on notice.  The Colleges and Residential Committees terms of reference will need a special resolution to pass them as haven’t been put out for notice.

Moved from the Chair

447/19 THAT the Media Independence Policy be set.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Moved from the Chair

448/19 THAT the Colleges Committee Terms of Reference be set.

                                                                                                            (Special resolution)

                                                                                                            CARRIED U

            Moved from the Chair

449/19 THAT the Residential Committee Terms of Reference be set.

                                                                                                            (Special resolution)

                                                                                                            CARRIED U

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

As attached.

Clause 12.10 added:

Sit on the New Zealand International Students’ Association as a member and maintain and fulfil the terms of the Memorandum of Understand between OUSA and NZISA.

Moved from the Chair

450/19 THAT the amended duties of the International Students’ Representative be approved.

                                                                                                            CARRIED U

REFERENDUM RESULTS

Owing to there being no correspondence with the Returning Officer during the Referendum the Ben Baker agreed Donna give a verbal report to the Executive.

There were many comments and they have been distributed to the Executive.  There were questions about the budget that will go to the Finance and Expenditure Committee (FEC).

EXECUTIVE TIES

The ties supply have run down and people have been wanting to buy them.  The University of Otago Rowers wear them proudly when abroad and at local functions.  It was agreed the Finance Officer would look into buying the same quantity.

There was a request to also investigate purchases a pin with the OUSA crest on it for gender neutrality. Bramwell Moller have a copy of the OUSA crest on file.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING OUSA/INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ ASSN

The national President Lukas Kristen was unavailable and Sabrina didn’t want to change the document without consulting him. The OUSA executive would ask this go to their AGM in December asking that ‘where appropriate’ be inserted in clause V in the second paragraph. It was agreed not to deter this as it will be next year before it was settled, especially with overall agreement with the MOU.   

Alhady/Manning

451/19 THAT the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the New Zealand International Students’ Association and the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA)  be approved with the amendment to be brought up at the New Zealand International Students’ Association (NZISA) AGM in December.

                                                                                                Against: Dreyer/McCook-Weir

                                                                                                                        CARRIED          

GENERAL BUSINESS

DCC Elections – the Executive were pleased to announce the election of Aaron Hawkins as the Dunedin Mayor.  It was expressed the local body elections campaign the executive ran attracted many voters which may have contributed.

Moved from the Chair

452/19 THAT OUSA congratulate the Mayor - Aaron Hawkins, and Councillors who were successful in the DCC, ORC, and DHB elections this weekend.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Congratulations to all the Blues and Golds recipients who won awards at a function last Wednesday in the Business School.

STANDING COMMITTEE

            Moved from the Chair

453/19 THAT the powers of the Executive be delegated to the Standing Committee of the Executive hence forth sine die.

                                                                                                            CARRIED U

Meeting closed at 10.15am

Signed: ___________________________________                        Date: _________