Undeb Bangor Council Minutes

19thOctober 2017 – SU Room of requirement

18:00

  1. Chair – Opening Remarks
  2. JB welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the year of the Undeb Bangor Council and thanked them for their attendance.
  1. Present
  2. Voting members – Raji Madhavan, Gabriele Radzeviciute, Santiago Montenegro, Ian Roberts, Daniel Chappell, Mandy Davidson, Jennie Atherton, Alexa Higgs, Aaron Burley, Daire Holden, Jo Crofton, Lorna Dent, Joe Barnes, Corrie Shorrock, Lilly Stokes, Tyler Martin, Conor Schirk, Chloe Stone, Osian Wyn Owen, Mari Elen Hughes
  3. Non-voting members – Helen Marchant, Mirain Llywyd Tatenda Shonhiwa, James Williams
  1. Apologies
  2. Shauna Firth, Dave Beck, Mark Barrow, Ronnie Saddington, Ruth Plant
  1. Application for Speaking Rights
  2. None
  1. Elections Announcements

JBexplained that there would be five councillor positions available for Undeb Bangor Council and explained which positions they were.

JBexplained that there would be two positions available for the Democratic Procedures Committee (DPC) and outlined the role.

JBexplained that there would be twoUBC places and two Open places available for the Elections Committee and outlined the role.

JB explained that there would be five positions available for the NUS Zones and outlined the role.

  1. Ideas for discussion

2.1. Water Dispensers in Pontio

  • The proposer spoke for the Idea
  • There was a period of discussion including the following points, statements and questions;

a)If we go ahead with this idea there should be no plastic cups available, people should have to use their own water bottles.

b)This is what they do in the libraries and it seems a success.

Vote: Idea is ratified by UBC and becomes policy of Undeb Bangor.

2.2. Soya or Almond Milk Provision

  • The proposer of this idea was not present, but their nominee spoke on their behalf
  • Nobody spoke against the idea

Vote: Idea Passes and becomes policy of Undeb Bangor.

2.3.Free-access Microwaves

  • The proposer spoke of the idea
  • There was a period of discussion including the following points, statements and questions;

a)There were concerns that no hot food are allowed in the library spaces.

b)There is one in the SU that students are allowed to use.

c)Who is going to clean the microwaves?

  • Sabbs have spoken to library staff about having free-access microwaves and this was also there concern.

d)There could be a microwave on the 5th floor of Pontio where it can be attended.

e)The Sabbs should look into this and come up with an action plan.

Vote: Idea passes and becomes policy of Undeb Bangor.

2.4.British Sign Language Classes

  • The proposer submitted a statement which was read out by the chair
  • There was a period of discussion including the following points, statements and questions;

a)It was pointed out that there are already British Sign Language classes running but the waiting list to get on these classes are very long.

b)What about suggesting online versions?

  • We are not able to amend the idea as the proposer is not present.

c)There are online classes in general that you can pay for.

Vote: Ideais differed to contact the proposer with new suggestions.

2.5.Mail/Delivery Notification via E-mail

  • The proposer spoke of the idea
  • There was a period of discussion including the following points, statements and questions;

a)St Marys operates different to the Halls Office.

b)Concerns were raised regarding data protections.

  • They wouldn’t need access to students’ personal information, just type the room number to send email.
  • Students could sign up to have this option as the halls already have the students emails so the system would work.
  • There should be an opt in system to share information.

c)What about the financial implications. Is this necessary?

d)Think of the cost benefit? Especially with the University’s current financial situation.

e)It’s only a 10 minute walk to get your mail.

f)There are alternative deliveries, to lockers in Morrison’s where you do receive an email.

g)Let’s vote on the ides and leave it to the Sabbs to find the benefits and complications.

Vote: Idea passes and becomes policy of Undeb Bangor.

2.6.Cheap food for students

  • The proposer submitted a statement, which was read out by the chair.
  • There was a period of discussion including the following points, statements and questions;

a)This idea will be taking away what we already have and giving something else, when already have the option to go to Asda or Morrison’s to have food or bring our own food to eat in the learning spaces.

b)The idea would not work in the present format, food would not be local and it would not benefit the local community.

c)Where would the refectory go, as there’s upper Bangor, lower Bangor or Normal Site.

d)Think about the cost. It also needs to be accessible for all students.

e)There is enough free space for a refectory, should the Sabbs look into the idea to see whether it is practical or not.

f)You will be getting rid of what we already have and taking away the choice from people.

g)If you are going to convert the University’s space into something, it should be learning spaces.

h)Business owners will be unhappy if the University’s opens a refectory.

Vote: Ideadoes not pass and cannot be re-submitted in the same academic year.

2.7 Dedicated Societies/Club Funding

  • The proposer submitted a statement, which was read out by James Williams.
  • There was a period of discussion including the following points, statements and questions;

a)This should have been done years ago, curious to why it hasn’t?

  • James explained the budget and that Undeb Bangor cannot afford to pay the minimum costs therefore we would need to request the money from the University or an external sponsorship.

b)Would passing it increase our chances of getting the funding from the University?

  • We do not know as the University doesn’t take Undeb Bangor policies into account.

c)Passing this idea will allow us to bring it up for discussion with the Uni.

Vote: Idea passes and becomes policy of Undeb Bangor.

2.8 Free bus passes for students and more freebies

  • The proposer or nominee was not present to speak of the idea
  • There was a period of discussion including the following points, statements and questions;

a)There is not enough information to support this idea.

Vote: Ideais differed to contact the proposer with new suggestions.

2.9 Check the library computer’s availability online

  • The proposer spoke of the idea
  • There was a period of discussion including the following points, statements and questions;

a)Students could book computers and then if they don’t turn up after 30minutes the computer is free and the student could be fined.

  • Undeb Bangor doesn’t want to encourage fining students as there is already library fines in place with books not being returned on time.

b)Helen spoke to the library last year about a similar idea and they were against this due to costs, but she could raise it with the library again.

c)It would help us observe busy times. Deiniol is busy lunchtime onwards and with 1st years in the week.

d)Students are not aware of learning spaces and other computer rooms so maybe it’s worth promoting what is available.

  • This will be useful for first years as they will be aware of spaces they can go.

e)What if students could reserve a computer for 30 mins, which will give them time to get there.

  • What about the student who want to print things off or do something on the computer quickly.

Vote: Idea passes and becomes policy of Undeb Bangor.

  1. Executive Committee Updates
  2. Athletic Union
  • This Girl Can preparation
  • - Fitness & AU sessions time tables sorted
  • - Individual profiles of females get involved in sports
  • Movember
  • - Talks around the fundraising for the charity
  • - Welfare in Sport…
  • - Movember tri tournament and quiz coming up in November
  • Varsity preparation
  • - April 21st
  • - Looking into kits and stuff
  • BUCS & Local league fixtures
  • - Wednesday
  • - Comms about fixtures
  • Monitoring
  • - Sessions with the hope of getting to all of them by Chrsitmas
  • - With further for round after Christmas
  • Events
  • - Au circuits began with a great number of students attending 60 at the last one
  • - AU events with Wednesdays at Academi really good turnout initially

3.2.Societies Updates

  • Rebranding – Societies Guild
  • Remarketing and Promoting
  • More interaction
  • Societies Guild Night planning
  • Planning for semester 2 Financial Sustainability Campaign Carnival.
  • Restructuring the Soc system

3.3 Volunteering

  • Only 10 people turned up to the General Meeting, which meant there was not enough people to elect a full volunteering executive, therefore they will hold the vote again in December.

3.5 UMCB

  • It was SHWMAE week which was a week to make people aware of the welsh language and to encourage it.
  • If you asked for a hot drink in welsh in the Universities café’s you will receive 10% off.
  • UMCB has raised funds and donated them to Ward Alaw, a welsh mental health service.
  • Launching a new project called ‘Ffrind Cymraeg’
  1. Sabbatical Officer Reports.
  • The Officers discussed their reports with the Council.
  • There was a period of discussion including the following points, statements and questions;

a)Are you still doing outing sport?

  • The discussion has not come up yet, but all of the committee want to look into it. We are also renaming it to pride and sport as this will allow us to get more people on the campaign.
  • The LGBT councillor suggested that AU come speak to the LGBT+ society for feedback on the renaming, as Outing Sport is a statement.
  • Tatenda will follow this up.

b)Suicide awareness training, both SENRGysocs are unable to attend this, will it happen every year?

  • We don’t currently know, as we received a one off funding for this training, we will have to see how successful it is.

c)What is all spaces are filled for the suicide awareness training?

  • The spaces are offered to student leaders, we are training the people that are the point of contact so they can reach out to other students.

d)If it is successful, will you be offering it to the whole student body?

  • Can’t confirm this as of yet.

e)Is it similar to nightline, where students go to talk to someone?

  • No, Nightline was a listening service from other students and we are looking at provisions for this.
  1. Elections

5.1 UBC

  • Gabby is elected as the European Union Students Councillor.
  • Jan is elected as the Student Parent Carers Councillor.

5.2 Democratic Procedure Committee

  • Nobody ran for these positions therefore no one was elected.

5.3 Elections Committee

  • Nobody ran for these positions therefore no one was elected.

5.4 NUS Zones

  • The following delegates were elected
  • Chloe Stone
  • Helen Marchant
  • James Williams
  • Mirain Llwyd
  • Aaron Burley
  1. AOB
  2. There will be additional society training for live at home students.
  3. Societies are block booking room and this is alienating other societies
  • James asked for this information to be emailed to him.