AMS Assembly Minutes Thursday, February 28, 2019 Macdonald 001. The meeting was convened at 6:42 pm EDT

Transcription

1 AMS Assembly Minutes Thursday, February 28, 2019 Macdonald 001 The meeting was convened at 6:42 pm EDT Speaker Agius: I call to order this meeting with motion #1. Motion #1 Moved by: Bronwyn Woolhouse Seconded by: Miguel President Martinez That AMS Assembly approve the agenda for the Assembly meeting of February 28, 2019 ABSENTIONS: None Motion #2 Moved by: Bronwyn Woolhouse Seconded by: Miguel President Martinez That AMS Assembly approve the minutes for the Assembly meeting of January 17, ABSENTIONS: None Speaker s Business Speaker Agius: We are situated on Aboriginal territory and we want to recognize and respect that. Hope everyone s reading week was good, and we will continue with Miguel Martinez, our guest speaker.

2 President Martinez: This is the state of the current affairs, I will quickly go over the background of the student choice initiatives, and what the board has decided and where we will be going from here. Announced the student choice initiative, which will move mandatory fees to become opt-out able, the categories have a wide range. If these cannot be individualized, they will be automatically subjected to opt-out. This means the AMS and faculty s fees that fund services will largely move to become opt-out. Only small portions can remain essential. The board of directors called an emergency assembly to discuss the value of the AMS and the priorities from there. When the board was making the decision, the criteria was made using the assembly, students, we based it off the value of services to students, student employment, and financial impact and sustainability. So, when considering the decision that we made, because we are the only student governments in Ontario that has an opt-out framework, we had data from the last 10 years to explain the opt-out rate. It averages around 33%. This keeps in mind the full slate of opt-out fees equates to $89, this would go up significantly because of the opt-out fees. We do imagine higher incentive to opt-out. We also did not want to cut out operations. One of the biggest changes that we have seen is the municipal affairs commission, and academic affairs commission. The new commission will be called the commission of external advocacy. There are committees and positions that no longer exist. The commissioner will take on some of the role of this, we are currently reviewing our status in OUSA. There are changes in the commission of campus activities. FYNIR Landlords, Newts/Gecko, and Orientation round table still exist. Recreation committee, reunion street festival, orientation round table coordinator and deputy commissioner have been dissolved. QMP is on probation, but for a lot of different reasons we decided to keep it under the AMS. Some of which are because it runs a deficit, has historical significance, and cannot turn into a club. With the commission social issues, mental health awareness committee, students for sustainability committee, students against poverty committee, indigenous affairs deputy, and equity affairs manager are being dissolved. Foodbank, peer support centre, education deputy, environmental affairs deputy, etc. are staying. The office of the secretariat report to the board of directors directly, the judicial affairs committee will be moved under this, to put at an arm s reach between the executives. The hours have been reduced, and it will be an 8-month position. All government side department heads hours have been reduced to 35-hour weeks, corporate side is facing reductions in management opportunities. The operation officer of AMS will have more decision-making power. Assistant club direction (volunteer), clubs logistic, and operations analyst x2 will be dissolved. This takes the stress of managers themselves, and they can focus more on portfolio work. To reduce a lot of the deficits on the services side, because the AMS has a lot of deficits, we were able to afford these deficits with the student fee. Because this changed, the operations officer will become more of a decision maker working in the operations capacity. He will work closely with the vice president of operations. The changes will be brought forward at the next assembly with an updated AMS constitution and policy manual to be ratified to incorporate all the new changes. We have to breakdown the fees into essential and nonessential categories. Finally, we will ensure to maximize selling efforts in the value of the AMS.

3 President Coldwell: With regards to roles and compensation, do you have a contingency plan for an increase in the opt-out rate? President Martinez: We do have reserves if it comes to that, we are hoping for no higher than 50% opt-out rate. President Cook: Could this be ed out? Secretary Woolhouse: I can it. President Wong: What was the rationale behind dissolving the indigenous affairs? President Martinez: One of the things we have seen is the deputy is always the president of the Queen s Native Commission. Often they do the exact same thing but for two different organizations, and we can include them in assembly discussions while not restricting them. President Keleher: In terms of areas dissolved, will it be possible to advertise decisions, so students know about it? President Martinez: Yes, we can inform people of the different options and other clubs. Director Codera: We have talked about how to move forward, I will be going through a ratification process for the committees. We will get into contact with clubs for mandates, and we will allow people to get in contact with committees and clubs to help each other out. Without mandates, ratification. President Tsang: What happens to executive salary? President Martinez: Remain at 40. President Cook: Can you go into the mental health awareness committee decision? President Martinez: We will move peer support under vice president operations, to do more with outreach, reach out to jack.org, the committee as it stands wasn t doing different things compared to other services. Representative Pirani: The provincial advocacy committee, what do they do? Incoming President Pierce: I am co-chair, works with CA to spread the word about what s going on with provincial government. We are the connection to the lobby group and the students.

4 President Martinez: The status of the group has a big question mark. Representative Pirani: Operations officer having more decision power? Who does that report to? President Martinez: They report to the GM, then executives and board of directors. President Sharma: All the training relating to student groups, part of what is helpful is having that training, will the peer support centre adopt that into the mandate. Commissioner Djossou: If they can still address the intersectionality piece of mental health and other groups, I think the current co-chair have that understanding. President Martinez: Tomorrow is the Board of Trustees meeting for March, which will involve the vote for the JDUC. I will let assembly know once the vote has come through. The sculpting society is one of the founding fathers of the AMS, we are upset to see you go. Congratulations. We will touch again on the student choice initiative. We are going through a constitutional rewrite. Secretary Woolhouse: On behalf of Chairperson Page, hello everyone I apologize for my absence, the major tasks have pertained to the ancillary fee framework. I would like to thank everyone who sent their opinions of the financial viability of the AMS. For the internal investigation, I expect a report in March. I encourage anyone interested to apply for board of directors, ends tomorrow. Rector De Silva: In the written report distributed, full biographies regarding the new AMS members have been written. Advocacy or awareness for budget, as Miguel mentioned there is a board meeting mentioned, the other thing that is noteworthy is the new principal will be there as the first board meeting. At the next AMS assembly, I will request a bit more feedback regarding the conversations reach the more tangible levels. Those look like everything from balances, to accounts, and a little bit higher level. The student wellness services are developing an opportunity for students to talk about what updates are needed for this. Applications will open, we want all students applying, and they will be chaired by students. If you have a lot to say about student wellness services, this can make tangible change. They are particularly looking for a diverse group. Thank you. Statements by Students: President Sharma: Right now, applications have opened for arts and science research fund. I wanted to encourage everybody to tell their friends to check it out and apply. The application closes March 20 th. I hope you guys can encourage everyone to apply.

5 Secretary Woolhouse: Monday March 11 th, that is the Society Annual General meeting, we are actually having the Corporate General meeting right after. It starts at 6:30. President Tsang: I want to make a plug, March 3 rd -8 th we are having a mental health week, raising awareness and money for mental health organizations. Question period: Representative Pirani: Most questions were answered by Miguel. Will the minutes for the special assembly be posted online? I was looking through past assembly agendas. There was reference to an assembly google drive or drop box, do we have access to this? October 2 nd, 2013, and others. President Martinez: If anyone would like to look out for information not online, you can reach out to us to get print and paper information. Secretary Woolhouse: I am trying to fix that, if you can me I can send you that information. Motion #3 Moved by: Director Codera Seconded by: Monro Watters That AMS Assembly ratify all of the clubs listed in Appendix: Club. Director Codera: We looked at the applications for new clubs and we have let them know that they have been selected. Very exciting news. We are looking at changes to the process to maintain efficiency. ABSENTIONS: None Motion #4 Moved by: Susie Emerson Seconded by: Bronwyn Woolhouse That AMS Assembly approve the first reading of the changes to the AMS Constitution.

6 Secretary Woolhouse: there is a link to a google drive, Susie has edited judicial affairs section, changing it from discipline to misconduct, little grammatical errors, and terminology, nothing major. ABSENTIONS: None Motion #5 Moved by: Bronwyn Woolhouse Seconded by: Miguel President Martinez That AMS Assembly appoint two Members of Assembly to sit on the Chief Electoral Officer Hiring Panel. Secretary Woolhouse: Lucas, the incoming secretary of internal affairs, he is getting ratified, this position leads the election team in the office, the time commitment is no more than half an hour, it won t take long. President Martinez: If you have an intention of running, you should respectfully decline. Secretary Woolhouse: Looking for nominees. President Cook: I nominate Representative Pirani, nominated President Wong: I nominate Representative Kielbasa ABSENTIONS: 1 Motion #6 Moved by: Bronwyn Woolhouse Seconded by: Miguel President Martinez

7 That AMS Assembly ratify Alexia Henriques to the position of Campus Activities Commissioner, Lucas Borchenko to the position of Secretary of Internal Affairs, David Bath to the position of Commissioner of External Affairs, Bunisha Samuels to the position of Commissioner of Social Issues, and Scott Schrempf to the position of Director of Clubs for the school year. President Martinez: Table David Bath for next meeting he is absent. Secretary Woolhouse: Would the four nominated people come up for some words. Bunisha Samuels: I am the incoming social issues commissioner. Representative Borchenko: Secretary of internal affairs, I sat on this assembly for the past year. Alexia Henriques: I am the new Campus Activities Commissioner. Scott Schrempf: I am the Director of Clubs. President Martinez: Why did you apply for the position, what is the biggest challenge? Scott Schrempf: Student engagement has seen a big decline, clubs is a big area where we can facilitate this increase. Working to facilitate the cuts and regaining services. Alexia Henriques: I am very passionate about student engagement in general, I have been apart of orientation week, I look forward to working with transitioning and working with the portfolio. Representative Borchenko: I love policy, and I think a lot of things that have to be rewritten, and that will also be the biggest challenge. Bunisha Samuels: I applied to this because there is a big disconnect between what students experience in the AMS and outside. President Cook: Can you speak to the hiring process and equity within the hiring process? Incoming President Pierce: We gave everyone individual interviews, then a group interview, who cooperated best, and who were the most knowledgeable. Commissioner Birt: If you had to pick one flavour of ice cream, what would it be? Scott Schrempf: Mint chocolate chip because it s the best flavour.

8 Alexia Henriques: I am not a huge fan of ice cream, lemon sorbet, it is refreshing and a nice treat. Representative Borchenko: Chocolate supreme blizzard, my favourite. Bunisha Samuels: Maybe coconut sorbet, because it is something sweet and different. ABSENTIONS: 0 Discussion Period The state of equity training Secretary Woolhouse: I am looking to add in incoming assembly, and equity training program, I think it is important for everyone who sits on assembly, and it s important to best understand people from different backgrounds with different ideas. For society presidents, are there any trainings you have for your councils? President Keleher: The only training we provide is the positive space training. President Sharma: There is an extensive list of training. President Cook: we do accessibility in anti oppression, and bystander intervention. President Wong: New intervention awareness training. Secretary Woolhouse: I will be ing all of you to take a general temperature of the room. O Canada President Martinez: We wanted to have a discussion regarding O Canada, one of the things regarding the university is O Canada playing at convocations. Last year God Save the Queen was under review to be played at convocation ceremonies. This year it is under review. The university asks the AMS to take a stance on the issue so you will have time to consult with constituents, but you can ask questions.

9 Representative Pirani: If O Canada is removed from convocation, will God Save the Queen be removed. President Martinez: No. Rector De Silva: A large part of the reason it came to this, if we reflect about this, an interesting observation, one of the honourary members was part of the indigenous members was there, we have a very large presence, it was obvious that there was a culture clash. As the demographic of the convocation varies, with international students. President Martinez: I did reach out to the deputy, it wouldn t make much sense to keep God Save the Queen but not O Canada, but it is not under review. President Cook: Are other universities going through this? Rector De Silva: there was movement at Dalhousie, but nothing happened. President Woodhouse: I don t remember it being taken out at U Ottawa, I didn t hear it, negative if taken out. Rector De Silva: Bagpipes, God Save the Queen, everyone sites, the ceremony proceeds, and O Canada will be played after. Commissioner Djossou: I think some people might have been at convocation, for people of indigenous communities, the recipient did not engage because there is a meaning behind that. I would go in favour of the fact that it would be removed. President Tsang: What would it take to put God Save the Queen into review, because you can use the same argument. President Martinez: It would take senate, but for two years. Director Codera: What about God Save the Queen was okay in terms of it was fine to keep it. President Martinez: Julia is the forefront. Rector De Silva: The vote on God Save the Queen was Proxy Jeans: I was at a convocation of UBC, they did the Okanagan anthem, and O Canada, there should be some integration of something for the indigenous community as well.

10 Vice President Smith: To add onto that point, when there was a special recipient, the university very much accommodated for that, Canada is this nation, and where the university was founded, so we should add more, not take away. President Pierce: If you would like to compare the lyrics, I suggest everyone do that. President Martinez: I did want to put the reasoning out there, we will be bringing this back with option A, O Canada remains, or option B, it is removed. I do imagine a fun conversation. President Sharma: Can we get more information on what discussion period things relate to, just a bit more helpful to what exactly this is. Speaker Agius: Looking to adjourn. Motion to adjourn moved by President Flannigan, seconded by President Tsang. Adjourned at 7:46 pm EDT