Union General Meeting Minutes
Time:
17:00 – 19:00
Date:
8th October 2015
Location:
JCR
Agenda
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
Welcome
Minutes & Matters Arising
Report from Sabbatical Officers
Report from executive officers
No cuts to courses - No outsourcing - No Confidence in Management
Respect for shop and bar workers
Support the #LetStudentsUnionize Campaign in Pakistan
Defend Corbyn, Fight for Socialism
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#
1
Action/Discussion
Notes
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
All CoPresidents’
Reports &
Priorities
were
approved
unanimously
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.
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’ Officer reported on the setting up of
new mature students’ society, planned meetings and
socials. She encouraged students to get in touch with her.
All Executive
Officers
Reports
were
approved
Unanimously
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.
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 cowritten 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.
Motion
Passed
Vote on the Motion: Motion Passes.
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.
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.
Motion
Passed
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
11
Motion
Passed
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 made because 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
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.
Motion
Passed
Any Other Business/Announcements
There were none