Union General Meeting Minutes
Time: / 17:00 – 19:00Date: / 8th October 2015
Location: / JCR
Agenda
1)Welcome
2)Minutes & Matters Arising
3)Report from Sabbatical Officers
4)Report from executive officers
5)No cuts to courses - No outsourcing - No Confidence in Management
6)Respect for shop and bar workers
7)Support the #LetStudentsUnionize Campaign in Pakistan
8)Defend Corbyn, Fight for Socialism
9)Solidarity with Syrian refugees / SOAS Goes to Calais
10)Determine to defend the White Poppy appeal.
11)Determine to divest from nuclear technology, waste or weapons and commit SOAS and its organisations to of a 'nuclear free zone'.
12)Emergency Motions
Ref# / Action/Discussion / Notes
1 / HS introduced the chair, JF.
2 / Due to this being the first meeting of the year, there were no minutes or matters arising.
3 / ZD reported on the success of Freshers Fortnight, with a diverse range of events aiming to cater for all students. He updated the group on a number of upcoming talks, specifically for Black History Month. Regarding sports, he explained that budgets were being set up for each society.
HS reported that the majority of her time had been taken up with the course cuts. She encouraged students to speak to her or the occupation if they don’t know what is happening regarding the course cuts. She also told the meeting about the self-education process the union was undertaking regarding sexual violence. She updated the group on her participatory budgeting initiative, as well as her work on attainment gaps. She told the meeting about the Trans* and Gender Identity elections, and student rep positions still open.
TK explained that the course cuts had dominated his first few weeks in office, as well as incidences of sexual violence, which highlighted to him the need to do more to guarantee students’ welfare. He encouraged students to speak to him if they are made to feel uncomfortable in any way. He also discussed his work involving Prevent as well as University Rent Guarantors.
HS presented her educational priorities to the group. These were approved unanimously.
TK presented the welfare and extra-curricular priorities. Questions included how they propose to increase Union space, what the new co-President role would entail & why Wednesday afternoons free was still a priority when it was highly unlikely. TK answered these questions and the priorities were approved. / All Co-Presidents’ Reports & Priorities were approved unanimously
4 / LW – Sports Officer, reported on her work on facilities, as well as improving sports socials. She updated the group on the first social of the year, and claimed it a success. She is looking to incorporate as many people as possible.
WP – Entertainments Officer, reported on the successful freshers events. He said further Hip-Hop Karaoke and Arabic Hip-Hop were being organised, as well as Black Friday and a big Halloween party. He informed the meeting that he was creating a team of paid, trained sound engineers & interested students should get in touch.
SJ & MM – Working Class Students’ Officers, informed the meeting of their office hours – 2-4 every Wednesday in 394. They will soon be sending out a survey for students who identify with being working class & are hoping to put together a working class students’ forum.
IT – LGBTQ officer reported on the strong committee formed by the society. He informed the meeting about the LGBTQIA+ party on the 15th in G3.
MB – Mature Students’ Officerreported on the setting up of new mature students’ society, planned meetings and socials. She encouraged students to get in touch with her.
AA – Black Officer wished everyone a happy Black History Month. She updated the meeting on the range of events being organised. She also encouraged students to follow SOAS BME Network for more information.
HS & IA- Environment Officers updated on the new water fountains. They were planning to draw up a map showing where they are located. They reported on the climate change march on November 29th. Their focus is currently recycling bin system and water bottle reduction. They updated on the new bike pump outside and encouraged students to join their Facebook groups. / All Executive Officers Reports were approved Unanimously
5 / SJ reported that in the recent emergency meeting held earlier in the week, the group present had voted not to accept the apologies and assurances made by senior management.
He stated that management refused to engage in the discussion about the massive outsourcing of staff, and the course cuts and outsourcing pose a huge threat to SOAS.
SJ highlighted that the methodology of the course cuts plans is flawed.
A student proposed an amendment to take out Deans from the no-confidence vote (assuming the term ‘senior management’ equates to ‘executive board’).
HS reported that the executive board made the initial vote for course cuts and so it should include the whole of EB.
The amendment was withdrawn.
An amendment was proposed to change ‘no confidence in senior management’ to no ‘confidence in Executive Board’.
This amendment was passed.
A student asked about the statement referring to the course cuts proposal being withdrawn.
SJ responded by saying the document has been withdrawn but students haven’t been reassured that cuts won’t be made using the same methodology. He emphasised that the student body had been given no clarity which was why the vote of no confidence was being proposed.
Vote on the Motion: Motion Passed. / Motion Passed
6 / SJ presented the motion, stating that it had been co-written by members of shop and bar staff. He stated that members of staff don’t feel they are being given the kind of respect and dignity they deserve.
HB, the seconder of this motion added that it is not right for students to click fingers or comment on choice of clothing and music.
Vote on the Motion: Motion Passes. / Motion Passed
7 / AS presented the motion. He explained that Students’ Unions have been banned in Pakistan and it is important for SOAS Students’ Union to back this movement to lift the ban.
Vote on the Motion: Motion Passes. / Motion Passed
8 / The motion Defend Corbyn, Fight for Socialism was withdrawn.
9 / MA presented the motion on behalf of the No Borders Society. She highlighted the need for tangible actions as well as solidarity.
An amendment was proposed to change ‘Syrians’ to ‘all refugees’.
Vote on the amendment: Amendment passes.
An amendment was proposed to add ‘This union notes that aside from refugee status, there are many and varied reasons why people may need to cross borders and need our solidarity.’
Vote on the amendment: Amendment passes.
An amendment was proposed to say refugees and migrants each time the motion uses the word refugees.
Vote on the amendment: Amendment passes. / Motion Passed
10 / NO presented the motion, asking the meeting how many attendees knew the difference between the red poppy and white poppy appeals. He explained that the red poppy only shoes sympathy for British soldiers. He encouraged members to raise awareness and report on this.
Vote on the motion: Motion Passed / Motion Passed
11 / NO presented the motion, explaining that companies such as Circo are working to create nuclear weapons in the defence industry, and it may be that SOAS works with these companies. He asked the SU to research and find out possible links between SOAS and companies like Circo, and to then ask the University to cut these links.
An amendment was proposed to add a ‘Union Resolves: To vote against the agreement that America and Europe have madebecause it will lead to a massive proliferation of nuclear weapons.
A speech was made against this amendment, stating there was no proof that Iran was attempting to buy nuclear weapons.
Vote on the Amendment: Amendment Falls
Vote on the motion: Motion Passes / Motion Passed
12 / Emergency Motion –
HS reported that we live in a society that normalises violence, with survivors of sexual assault having their experiences questioned and undermined. She explained that Universities should be accountable and educational institutions that challenge rape culture and speak out against sexual violence.
A student asked how the Union plans to make this part of every student’s education, not just certain groups.
HS explained how Oxford and Cambridge have a scheme in place where every student is enrolled into a consent course which they have to opt out of.
Any Other Business/Announcements
There were none