Meeting highlights
PRESENT
Paul Hunt (Chair), Isaac Yu, Payal Ramritu, Nina Harrap,Taotao Li and Toa Sailusi
IN ATTENDANCE
Josie Cochrane (Critic Editor), Joe Higham (Critic Reporter), Debbie Downs (OUSA CEO) and Donna Jones (OUSA Secretary)
ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON
Ramritu/Harrap
181/15 THAT Paul Hunt be elected as chairperson.
CARRIED
SPEAKING RIGHTS
Moved from the Chair
182/15 THAT Josie Cochrane, Joe Higham, Debbie Downs and Donna Jones be granted speaking rights.
CARRIED U
MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Taotao Li was in fact present.
Moved from the Chair
183/15 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 4 May 2015 be accepted as a true and correct record with the above amendment.
CARRIED U
PRESIDENTS BUSINESS
The “Sunday” TV1 show were fed information by people opposed to the DCC, students and the University. The “what If, Dunedin?” blog illustrates who and what was behind the Sunday segment.
Paul gave a speech at University Council which condemned the segment on the following grounds:
a) the segment had a pre-determined narrative-North Dunedin is a drunken student hell hole.
b) The segment was a stupid dog whistle which alleged scarfie culture undermines academic success. The argument scarfie culture undermines academic success is a yarn. Paul pointed out that Otago has the best degree completion rate in NZ. Paul also note Otago has the lowest drop out rate of first year students, along with Auckland University, in NZ.
c) The segment’s analysis of public policy was vacuous and shallow. A liquor ban, the only policy the segment mentioned, was considered and rejected by the DCC just two years ago.
OUSA’s submission on the DCC Local Alcohol Policy, yet to be released, opposed earlier closing times for bars, bans on the sales of shots and a 1am one-way door policy.
Vice Chancellor, Harlene Hayne, conveyed her dissatisfaction with the segment at Council also.
Moved from the Chair
184/15 THAT OUSA believes the screening of the TVNZ’s Sunday Programme on 10 May 2015 was a gross misrepresentation of the student culture in Dunedin.
CARRIED U
On a Saturday graduation day there was an Otago Daily Times article which followed the Sunday segment.
NZUSA National President, Rory McCourt, commented without OUSA’s consent. The article was hijacked by NZUSA’s comments which alleged OUSA and the “student experience” were to blame for the small minority who commit inappropriate behavior.
NZUSA’s comments undermined students representatives on University Council. Council members approached Paul (as well as parents and students graduating) asking why the NZUSA President made comments which attacked Otago’s student culture. At a time when OUSA is arguing to retain two representatives on University Council, the comments of NZUSA run counter to OUSA’s aim to achieve two student representatives on the University Council.
Moved from the Chair
185/15 THAT OUSA disassociates itself and condemns the comments by the NZUSA President in the Otago Daily Times front page article on 16 May 2015.
CARRIED U
OUSA is embarrassed by NZUSA’s attack on Otago’s student culture. This attack is yet another of many reasons not to pay the second $22,500 NZUSA is demanding OUSA pay. $22,500 is a significant sum to donate to an organization which continually harms OUSA’s interests.
DCC Oral Submission – Payal was commended for her excellent oral submission to the DCC regarding their long-term plan.
Paul said it should be acknowledged that the DCC have made a good effort to engage with students over the last two to three years.
However, generic references to “engagement” are meaningless if Councilors do not show students respect during oral submissions. Laughing and “gotcha politics” questioning is immature and dissuades students from engaging with the DCC.
IRD SIGNATORY FOR OUSA AND PLANET MEDIA
Harrap/Yu
186/15 THAT Debbie Downs be authorized to access the OUSA and Planet Media Dunedin Limited accounts with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) henceforth until she ceases as an employee of the Association.
CARRIED
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Harrap/Yu
187/15 THAT motion 121/15 be rescinded.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
188/15 THAT Payal Ramritu be appointed to the Clinical Governance Committee for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
189/15 THAT Zach Al-Alami be appointed to Committee of the Senate for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
190/15 THAT Zac Al-Alami be appointed to the Board of of Undergraduate Studies for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
191/15 THAT Isaac Yu be appointed to the Quality Advancement Committee for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
192/15 THAT Chris Jackson be appointed to the Quality Advancement Committee for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
193/15 THAT Chris Jackson be appointed to the Library Services Committee for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
194/15 THAT Nick Findlay be appointed to the Library Services Committee for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
195/15 THAT Chris Jackson be appointed to the Library Student Liaison Committee for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
196/15 THAT Nick Findlay be appointed to the Library Student Liaison Committee for 2015.
CARRIED
Ramritu/Yu
197/15 THAT Nina Harrap be appointed to the Chaplaincy Board for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
198/15 THAT Chris Jackson be appointed to the Summer School and Continuing Education for 2015.
CARRIED
Harrap/Yu
199/15 THAT Zac Al-Alami be appointed to the Limitation of Enrolment Working Party for 2015.
CARRIED
CAROLINE PLUMMER FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
Moved from the Chair
200/15 THAT Payal Ramritu be appointed to the Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance.
CARRIED U
AUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR 2014
The Chief Executive Officer, the Accounts Administrator, Finance Officer and President had an extensive meeting with the Auditors and discussed the financial accounts.
Moved from the Chair
201/15 THAT the OUSA Audited Financial Statements for the year ending 31 December 2014 be received and presented to the student body.
CARRIED U
STUDENT FORUM
There were no questions submitted for the referenda. The President noted that this supported the view of Policy Committee that devices other than referenda were needed to find out what students think about specific issues.
The four administrative questions will be put at the referendum. A forum, as outlined in the currently policy, will be held in order for students to discuss these questions.
The Auditors and Honorary Solicitors have performed well. They were contacted and happy to continue to provide services to OUSA.
Moved from the Chair
202/15 THAT OUSA hold a student forum on 22 May 2015 at noon in the Main Common Room.
CARRIED
Nina will host the forum.
AFFILIATIONS
Moved from the Chair
203/15 THAT the Philosophy Club, Christchurch Surgical Group and Tennis Club be affiliated to OUSA.
CARRIED U
RETURNING OFFICERS REPORT
As attached.
Moved from the Chair
204/15 THAT the Executive commend Carolyn Ding on an excellent job as Returning Officer and her Returning Officers Report be received.
CARRIED U
VICE PRESIDENTS BUSINESS
TVNZ issues – Cath Saunders, Tess Trotter and Isaac Yu had a meeting to discuss a mediation process.
Moved from the Chair
205/15 THAT the OUSA Executive congratulate Tess Trotter on her hard work with the recent media attacks on students.
CARRIED U
GENERAL BUSINESS
Expenditure authorization - The Finance Officer wished to clarify what constituted expenditure, in the form of reimbursement claims, at OUSA.
Should there be clearer guidelines for staff expenses?
This has also been discussed at an operational level recently.
Paul and Debbie noted that every dollar spent by OUSA is a student dollar. Paul and Debbie noted that a culture which recognises this fact needs to guide future OUSA spending decisions. All of OUSA needs to ask is proposed spending a) necessary and b) effective in achieving the purpose it sets out to achieve.
.
Meeting closed at 6.15pm