Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association

Transcription

1 Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association Wednesday, 15 March 2017 Lecture Theatre 1, Kramer Law Building, University of Cape Town 17h00 for 17h30. MOTIONS Brought forward by: Neville Rubin 1 Received: 1 December 2016 Motion 1 These meetings of members of UCT Convocation and the UCT Alumni Association NOTING: The formal status of Convocation as a constituent of UCT; The role of Convocation and the many graduates of UCT who were active over several decades in the campaigns against the application of apartheid to and in SA universities; The concern of UCT Alumni at the unfolding of events within UCT over the last two years; and the response of the UCT authorities to them, EXPRESSES the hope that there will be: 1 B.A. (1955), LL,B (1960), LL.D (2007); UCT SRC member (President, ) [involved with NUSAS at local, national & international levels, ; President, Junior lecturer in Comparative African Government & Law, UCT ; Research Officer, then Lecturer in African Law, SOAS, University of London, Visiting Professor of Political Science, UCLA, Los Angeles, 1966 Professeur-Adjoint, Univesite Federale du Cameroun (on secondment), International Labour Office (ILO) - Geneva, New York, Windhoek, New Delhi) ; Honorary Professor, Labour and Development Law Unit, UCT, Visiting Professor, Faculty of Law, Stellenbosch University, 1997 Visiting Fellow, Clare Hall, Cambridge, England 1998 Commissioner, then Senior Commissioner, CCMA, Cape Town, ] Page 1 of 7

2 efforts on the part of those responsible to provide suitable opportunities in the future for consultation by the appropriate University authorities with as many as possible of the membership of both bodies here present on issues being addressed by those authorities; at the instigation of other representative entities within the University complex; or in order to explain the choice of any other interlocutors. Any contact attempted along those lines should include: invitations to contribute suggestions and offer assistance for use, including on the subjects under discussion, participants in discussions, financial issues, reports on the progress of any discussions that have been, or are to be, undertaken, with as much substantive detail relating to proposals put forward by those variously involved and the manner in which any of these have been, or may be, or might be implemented, as well as the individuals who have been or are to be designated for the purpose(s) of so doing Page 2 of 7

3 Brought forward by: Sabakhe Mahlangu Received: 2 December 2016 Motion 2 The Alumni constitution as it stands does not get reviewed regularly leading/ risking it being outmoded in some areas which may impact on the functioning of the organisation therefore leading to constitutional crises. Secondly, the constitution itself does not provide a mechanism and process of its own review. Review of the constitution I therefore I table a motion that The constitution need to be reviewed periodically to ensure that it is up to date and relevant all the times. The constitution should itself should provide for its own review, the process and period of its review. Page 3 of 7

4 Brought forward by: Sabakhe Mahlangu Received: 2 December 2016 Motion 3 In certain instances the constitutional provisions are not followed for some reasons. This creates a problem and might continue to do so in the future. I move to table a motion that the AGM discuss this and provide guidelines on how this should be dealt with. Further that such guidelines be amended to the constitution. Page 4 of 7

5 Motion 4 Brought forward by: Keith Gottschalk Received: 20 November 2016, amended 6 March 2017 The UCT Alumni Advisory Board notes that much of the rhetorical abuse from both sides was aimed personally at denigrating Dr. Max Price, knowing that key decisions and choices were not made by one man, but were considered by a team of veteran UCT leaders, therefore condemns the personalization of attacks, and urges the UCT Communications Department to emphasize the collective nature of decision-making and accountability. Secondly, we call on all alumni to join their local alumni chapters, to both engage with UCT leaders, and to support the latest generation of professionals and managers, which UCT is graduating. The future of UCT depends partially on support from its alumni and the broader public, even more during the stresses of transformation than in more tranquil phases. UCT was, and is, South Africa and our continent's leading university. Recently, Yale alumni told us that UCT has won international admiration for the last two decades of achievements in colour, gender, and curricula transformation. Your help in all possible ways is needed during the years ahead. Page 5 of 7

6 Brought forward by: Lorna Houston Seconded by: Melvin Rautenbach Received: 7 March 2017 Motion 5 In reference to: UCT Statute October 2013 Section: Values Subsection: Actions page 146 Bullet points: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th2 We propose that - UCT Council endorses a decision that there will be no further financial exclusions at the University of Cape Town based on bullet points 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 reproduced in footnote one. The UCT Senior Management Team ensures that all persons who violate the clauses below regarding offensive behaviour (bullets 3, 4, 5 in particular) are held accountable and face consequences for their actions.? We commend the Vice Chancellor, his team and the student leadership for having the courage to start processes of conflict resolution and peacebuilding which extends itself to the UCT community. 2 UCT Statute Oct 2013: Accordingly, we undertake collectively and individually to promote and protect academic freedom; to oppose and take steps to prevent racial, gender or other forms of unfair discrimination, harassment, violence or abuse; to actively promote social justice and equity; to nurture a culture of learning, which is supportive of students, scholars and teachers; to refrain from speech or conduct that demeans or humiliates others; to encourage our members to enjoy life; to laugh, to love, to appreciate and take full advantage of the wealth of opportunities available to us in academic endeavour, in making friends, and in social, cultural and sporting activity; to advance the principle of open governance and to be fully accountable for our actions, decisions, and the stewardship of the University's resources and mission; and to nurture and empower our members. Page 6 of 7

7 Brought forward by: Laurence Gawronsky Seconded by: Melvin Rautenbach Received: 7 March 2017 Motion 6 Motion in Support of the Students Representative Council (SRC) The Students Representative Council Assistance Fund has awarded grants to 89 students whose dreams of education would have otherwise ended. This fund has grown, in assisting students, cultivating good governance, improving efficiency and generating real social impact. This past year the SRC set a new record for their fundraising efforts raising R2.8 million. 7 times what had been raised in previous years. It helped three times the students compared to the year before, doubled the SRC Assistance Fund s average award to R35k and made the world of a difference to those 89 students and their families. One student wrote, "Thank you very much! You have no idea how much this means to me and my family. You have allowed me to follow my dream of continuing to study. I owe the SRC an enormous debt of gratitude." The SRC also held close to one thousand one to one meetings with individual students to assist and advise on problems that students were encountering. Furthermore, the SRC held campaigns on sexual harassment and assault, held student workshops and forums on transformation and decolonization and also re-engineered policies and practices throughout the Department of Student Affairs. The current SRC has found themselves serving an extended term of service due to the SRC Elections being cancelled. This as a result of the adverse political climate of protests on campus late last year. Some facts: 1) Of the 17 SRC members initially elected to serve from 1st November 2015 only 6 completed their year in office and 4 are currently still with the SRC in an extended term of office together with 6 coopted members. 2) When the 2015 SRC was due to be constituted they were harassed and taunted for over an hour and were not able to take office for over a month. 3) During their term the SRC was also subject to taunting, harassment and insults on social media. 4) On 4 October a group of protesting students smashed down the glass doors of the SRC Offices in the Steve Biko Building which were occupied for an extended period. SRC Members had their property and office furniture vandalized and personal items stolen. The SRC still does not have access to their original designated offices 5 months later. Students who run for the Students Representative Council (SRC) are passionate about the issues that affect them, but have been adversely affected by the laissez-faire attitude of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) towards the SRC and Student Governance. In doing so, the DSA has left the SRC exposed to trauma and violence which undermined their operations, continuity and the legitimacy of the current elected SRC. There have been 19 resignations from the SRC over the past year, including a number who felt that they were not being supported by UCT and the Department of Student Affairs, more specifically. MOTION: This is a motion in support of the SRC by the UCT Alumni, celebrating the positive impact that they have had during very difficult times. Page 7 of 7