01.11.2011 minutes

Student Council Minutes Tuesday 1 November 2011 at 18.30 in the David Sizer Lecture Theatre

Chair: Eleanor Hallam Mile End Officers present (14): Andrew Kanyemba (Black Students Officer) - no voting record Caz Parra (Secretary) Chris Smith (Student Representative) Ciara Squires (Student Representative) - part Darcie Tyler-Henley (Volunteering Officer) Dominic Todd (Sports Officer) Donald MacKinnon (LGBT Officer)

Ellen Kiely (RAG Officer) Nabil Najjar (Student Representative) Ozzy Amir (Campaigns Officer) Shaun Ramanah (Students with Disabilities Officer) Tom Voice (Ethical and Environmental Officer) Wanda Canton (Women‟s Officer) - part Wilson Wong (Societies‟ Officer)

Mile End Officer apologies (3)Ben Richardson (Student Representative) Edoardo Palmombo (Welfare Officer)

Michael Gilbert (Postgraduate Officer)

Barts and The London Officers present (18): Adnan Aslam (Dental Representative) Amy Coulden (Entertainments Officer) Andrew Smith (Student Representative) Aran Ali (RAG Captain) Ben Hughes (Technical Officer) - part Eva Pathmananthan (Dental President) Hannah Downer (Treasurer) Jeeves Wijesuriya (Vice-President London) Jon Cramphorn (Vice-President Barts)

Mandi Pal (Secretary) Michael Samy (Communications Officer) - part Nicolas Blondel (Campaigns Officer) Ramey Assaf (External Affairs Officer) Richard Donovan (SSLC Rep) Rob Zabihi (Dental Representative) - part Salem Al-Sawaf (Entertainments Officer) Sam Chequer (Welfare Officer) - part Tim Foster (Clubs and Societies‟ Officer)

Sabbatical Officers in attendance: Sophie Richardson (President) George Ryan (Vice-President Association) Sam Creighton (Vice-President Communications)

Dominic Bell (Vice-President Activities) Oscar Williamson (Vice-President Education and Welfare)

Union Staff in attendance: Shelley Donaghy (Membership Services Manager) - part Philip Gilks (Student Voice and Development Manager) Tom Sutton (Representation and Democracy Co-ordinator)

1.0 Apologies Apologies were noted and accepted. 2.0 Chair’s Welcome Announcements Chair welcomed members to the second meeting of the new academic year.

Chair clarified the reasons to abstain. Student Council members should only abstain if they are genuinely on the fence whether to vote for or against on an issue not because they are unclear of the arguments. Student Council members should seek clarification or the continuation of debate to avoid abstentions. 2.1 Procedural Motion

Ozzy Amir spoke for a procedural motion to discuss agenda items 14.0 and 15.0 after item 11.0 in the agenda because the items required decision in the meeting. Student Council voted for the procedural motion.

3.0 Minutes from the meeting of Student Council held on 19 September 2011

Noted and approved as an accurate record. 4.0 Minutes from the meeting of the Board of Trustees held on 3 October 2011

Noted. 5.0 Minutes from the General Meeting held on 10 October 2011

Noted with a change to 5.1 to: “Andy Smith spoke for the amendment. He argued that because the electorate was made up more Mile End students than Barts and The London students, Mile End Students were more likely to be elected to cross-campus positions and lead to more Mile End Students having positions on Student Council.”

6.0 Officer Reports

Noted.

Dominic Bell voiced disappointment that only fourteen out of thirty-six Part-time Officers sent in Officer reports before the close of the agenda.

6.1 Action

Part-time Officers are to email [email protected] with a list three to five actions or activities (no more than 50 words per point) they have undertaken since the last meeting of Student Council to impact on students‟ lives before the agenda item deadline for all future meetings.

7.0 Executive Action Plan

Noted.

8.0 London Student Manifesto Dominic Bell gave a report on the development of a London-wide Student Manifesto. The Manifesto had been drafted with other Students‟ Union officers in preparation for 2012 London Mayoral Election. He summarised the key manifesto points (Appendix 1) which he hoped would encourage Mayoral Candidates to focus on students‟ issues and help Students‟ Unions increase student voter turnout. He then summarised a draft-plan for the Union‟s Mayoral Election Campaign to increase Queen Mary Student voter turnout (Appendix 2).

Part-time Officers asked if there was an opportunity to add points to the manifesto. Donald MacKinnon asked to add a point related to Hate Crime and Aran Ali asked to add

mailto:[email protected]

a point about reduced student rates for cycle hire and allowing RAG groups to fundraise on the Underground.

- Dominic Bell replied the London-wide Student Manifesto was near completed, but there would be an opportunity for students and Officers to add to a Queen Mary version of the manifesto.

Students and Officers were invited to sit on a working group to organise and deliver the Union‟s Mayoral Election Campaign:

- Ciara Squires, Wanda Canton, Wilson Wong, Eleanor Hallam, Caz Parra, Ozzy Amir, Donald MacKinnon, Aran Ali, Tom Foster, Nick Blondel and Sophie Richardson signed up to the working group.

9.0 Student Council and Part-time Officer Role Consultation.

Dominic Bell gave a report on a consultation conducted on Student Council membership and Part-time Officer roles. The aim of consultation was to provide additional student views on a proposal to reform the membership of Student Council and Part-time Officer roles considered and passed at the General Meeting held on 10 October 2011. He summarised the questions and headline results from the consultation (Appendix 3).

Jon Cramphorn and Jeeves Wijesuriya questioned the validity of the survey. They argued the results could be skewed as a result of „response bias‟ which can affect the results of a survey if respondents answer questions in the way they think the questioner wants them to answer rather than according to their true beliefs.

- Dominic Bell responded stating he had attempted to minimise response bias by introducing himself to respondents as “working for the Union” and using cards with non-biased questions informing respondents of arguments „for‟ and „against‟.

Aran Ali informed Student Council he had asked the questions at a meeting of the Neuro-Science Society. They had expressed concern at the scientific validity of the survey. Wanda Canton expressed her disappointment that the Full-time Officers had not consulted Student Liberation groups on the changes to the Part-time Officer structure.

- George Ryan insisted he had attempted to meet with Wanda Canton individually before a meeting with QMEquality.

On the points to improve scientific validity and to consult with Student Liberation groups, Dominic Bell referred Student Council to Agenda Item 20.0: a motion to develop guidelines for conducting consultation with students.

10.0 Articles of Association

Sophie Richardson spoke for a motion, as approved by the General Meeting, to replace the Union‟s Constitution with an Articles of Association to allow the Union to register as an incorporated charity. 10.1 Amendment

Noted Ozzy Amir‟s amendment to insert (into the Articles):

35.1 “a motion of no confidence in the Trustee is passed by a simple majority of the Members voting in a Referendum, provided that at least 5% of Members cast a vote in the Referendum. Such a motion shall only be triggered by a Secure Petition of no confidence signed by at least 120 Members; or”

10.2 Amendment

Sophie Richardson spoke for an amendment to change the Articles of Association on advice from the Union‟s Solicitor to ensure they complied with Company Law.

Ozzy Amir accepted the Amendment.

10.3 Clarification Andy Smith sought clarification on the quorum of the Company Law General Meeting expressed in 20.2 of the Articles.

- The Membership Services Manager replied that the number of members required to attend at Company Law General Meeting for a meeting to take place was either 120 or 1% of the Union‟s total membership (approximately 150-170 in 2011/12) depending on which was greater.

10.4 Clarification

Andy Smith sought clarification on how a decision would be reached if a vote at a Company Law General Meeting was tied as 26.2 of the Articles expressed that the Chair was not entitled to a casting vote.

- The Membership Services Manager replied that the Union would seek Legal Advice in such an instance, the likely outcome of which would be a recalled Company Law General Meeting and a re-vote.

10.4 Clarification

Aran Ali sought clarification on 12.vi. of the motion in relation to RAG. - The Membership Services Manager replied that RAG wasn‟t specifically

mentioned in the Union‟s current governing document but is in the Articles of Association.

Ozzy Amir waved the summation. Student Council voted for the motion and adoption of the Articles of Association. (1)

- 31 members voted for - 0 members voted against - 0 members abstained

14.0 Support November 9

th Demonstration

Ozzy Amir spoke for a motion seeking Union support for the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (NCAFC) Demonstration to be held on 9 November. He argued the motion was in the spirit of current Union policy against fees and cuts in Higher Education. The demonstration was set to build on previous acts of direct action taken by students.

14.1 Clarification

Sophie Richardson drew Student Council‟s attention to NUS advice on the demonstration issued in the Amendments and Supplementary Item agenda.

Tim Foster asked if the Union would be publicly liable if Queen Mary Students attended the demonstration.

- Oscar Williamson replied that the Union will not be liable if a risk assessment is conducted ahead of the event.

Nabil Najjar spoke against the motion. He argued that officers should not be mandated to support the demonstration because they may not be able to commit the time and effort required.

14.2 Clarification

The Representation and Democracy Co-ordinator clarified Officers will not be mandated to commit to any action they are incapable of conducting in relation to the motion.

Ozzy Amir waved the summation.

Student Council voted for the motion.


15.0 Support 30th

November Ozzy Amir spoke for a motion seeking Union support for Trades Union strike action against public sector cuts to be held on 30 November. He argued it was important the Union took a stance in solidarity with public sector workers that were facing unacceptable attacks to their work and conditions. Ozzy Amir waved the summation. Student Council voted for the motion.


11.0 Creating a Full-time Officer Team that drives the Student Experience

Dominic Bell spoke for a motion, as approved by the General Meeting, to reform the Union‟s Full-time (or Sabbatical) Officer positions. He summarised the proposed changes and argued they focused all Full-time Officers on representation. Dominic Bell waved the summation. Student Council voted for the motion.


12.0 Student-Focused Student Council

George Ryan spoke for a motion, as approved by the General Meeting, to reform the membership of Student Council and Part-time Officer positions. He argued Student Council would become more representative as a consequence of these changes and created a stronger structure for the Union. 12.1 Amendment

Noted George Ryan‟s amendment to delete all and insert a re-worded motion.

Shaun Ramanah spoke against the motion. He argued that at a meeting held with students with Disabilities, no students present supported the proposal for Women Students and Students with Disabilities to be represented by the same representative. 12.2 Procedural Motion

Donald MacKinnon spoke for a procedural motion to allow amendments to be proposed during the meeting. He argued the rule that amendments should be submitted three working days before the meeting was not passed into policy or the Union‟s governing documents. Chris Smith argued against the procedural motion. He argued that amendments should not be allowed to ensure the rules of the meeting were consistent throughout. Student Council voted against the procedural motion

- 5 members voted for* - 24 members voted against - 2 members abstained

*Including Donald MacKinnon, Shaun Ramanah and Wanda Canton.

Jeeves Wijesuriya spoke for the motion. He argued that students overwhelmingly supported the proposed changes at the General Meeting. He argued if Officers did not support elements of the proposals but agreed with the overall direction they should support the motion and submit amendments at a later date.

Wanda Canton spoke against the motion. She argued that although she agreed the Part-time Officer structure should be reformed the changes the motion proposed was the result of only minimal consultation with students. She had collected a petition signed by 232 members in support of a Barts and The London Black Students Representative, LGBT Representative, Disabled Students Representative and Womens Representative , against the same Representative for Women Students and Students with Disabilities. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.

- 18 members voted for - 9 members voted against* - 4 members abstained

*Including Donald MacKinnon and Wanda Canton.

13.0 Approval of Media Regulations

Sam Creighton spoke for a motion, as approved by the General Meeting, proposing a new set of rules for student media. He argued the Union should have a set of rules outlining the aims, purpose, definitions and structure of student media. Sam Creighton waved the summation. Members voted for the motion and adoption of the documents.


16.0 Justice for Palestine

Sam Playle (Physics) spoke for a motion seeking Union opposition to the Israeli occupation of Palestine mark the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People”. He argued it was important the Union took a stance in solidarity with the Palestinian people and did its part to attempt to resolve their condition.

Alex Schpecktor (Business Management) spoke against the motion. He argued that Universities and Students‟ Unions were environments where all views and opinions should be tolerated and respected. This motion could intimidate and disrespect the views of sections of the University community. He argued that the motion provided a skewed account of the conflict. Wanda Canton spoke for the motion. She argued the motion could have a big impact through pressuring the NUS National Executive Council to take action.

Alex Schpecktor (Business Management) spoke against the motion. He argued the motion was not going to help the cause and only serve to alienate sections of the University community. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted against the motion.


17.0 Boycott Israeli Goods

Sam Playle (Physics) spoke for a motion to adopt a boycott of Israeli products. He argued the motion was in line with other policies such as the boycott of Nestle for unethical business practices. A boycott would highlight the Union‟s commitment to a belief in universal human rights.

17.1 Clarification Dominic Todd asked which products the boycott would apply to.

- Sophie Richardson replied that the Union‟s Executive would be responsible for enacting the motion if it passed into policy. The Executive would use the policy to create a clear definition of which products were to be boycotted.

Gabriel Doctor (Medicine) spoke against the motion. He argued Universities and Students‟ Unions should not boycott goods and allow students to make their own decisions. The motion was vague and did not specifically refer to any goods or services. Wanda Canton spoke for the motion. She argued that Students‟ Unions boycott of South African goods contributed to the fall of Apartheid. Students‟ Unions should engage in politics and fight against injustices taking place around the world. Kacper Pancewicz (Mathematics) spoke against the motion. He argued the Palestine-Israeli conflict was so complicated the Union should avoid taking a stance. Boycotting Israeli goods could be considered racist, and the Union should avoid taking any such stance. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted against the motion.


18.0 Condemnation of Library Staff Redundancies

Wanda Canton spoke for a motion seeking Union condemnation of College staff redundancies. She argued the Union should support library staff facing redundancies. Most affected by the staffing changes were part-time staff, positions more likely to be held by women. 17.1 Clarification

Officers asked for further details on the staffing changes including how many members of staff would lose their jobs and what impact it would have on library provision.

- Sophie Richardson and others replied with differing interpretations of the consequences of the staffing changes. More staff hours had been committed by the College, however, there was also an intention to move to having less staff (more full-time and less part-time staff).

Chris Smith spoke against the motion. He argued the Union needed a wider policy that took into account the impact of the cuts across the College, not one that specifically referred to the Library. Ozzy Amir spoke for the motion. He argued that the Union should take a stance against all cuts, but that did not mean the Union should not take a stance against cuts to a specific service.

Wilson Wong argued against the motion. He argued Student Council did not have information on whether this would negatively impact upon Library provision.

Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted against the motion.


19.0 Amendments to Election Regulations

Dominic Bell spoke for a motion to amend the Union‟s Election Regulations on the recommendation of the Board of Trustees. He argued that the meaning of definitions and processes had been made clearer to ensure they are approved by College Council.

Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.


20.0 Improving Decision-making through Consultation.

Dominic Bell spoke for a motion to create a Consultation Working Group to develop guidelines for conducting consultation with students. He argued the Union should become more evidence-led and undertake more consultation to increase the representativeness of its decision making processes.

Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.


Action To hold an online election of four Part-time Officers from Mile End and for from Barts and The London to sit on the Working Group.

21.0 A motion for QMSU to defend the separate identities of QM and BL sports teams

in the BUCS leagues Andrew Smith withdrew the motion.

22.0 Time, date and place of next meeting

Wednesday 23 November at 18.30, Venue TBC

officer: position: 10.0 14.0 15.0 11.0 12.2

for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain

Andrew Kanyemba Black Students Officer ? ? ? ? ?

Caz Parra Secretary X X X X X

Christopher Smith Student Representative X X X X X

Ciara Squires Student Representative X X X X X

Darcie Tyler-Henley Volunteering Officer X X X X X

Dominic Todd Sports Officer X X X X X

Donald Mackinnon LGBT Officer X X X X X

Ellen Kiely RAG Officer X X X X X

Nabil Najjar Student Representative X X X X X

Ozzy Amir Campaigns Officer X X X X X

Shaun Ramanah Students with Disabilities Officer

X X X X X

Thomas Voice Ethical and Environmental Officer

X X X X X

Wanda Canton Womens Officer X X X ? X

Wilson Wong Societies Officer X X X X X



Andrew Kanyemba Black Students Officer ? ? ? ? ?

Caz Parra Secretary X X X X X

Christopher Smith Student Representative X X X X X

Ciara Squires Student Representative X X X X X

Darcie Tyler-Henley Volunteering Officer X X X X X

Dominic Todd Sports Officer X X X X X

Donald Mackinnon LGBT Officer X X X X X

Ellen Kiely RAG Officer X X X X X

Nabil Najjar Student Representative X X X X X

Ozzy Amir Campaigns Officer X X X X X


X X X X X


X X X X X

Wanda Canton Womens Officer X X X X X

Wilson Wong Societies Officer X X X X X

officer: position: 19.0 20.0

for against abstain for against abstain

Andrew Kanyemba Black Students Officer ? ?

Caz Parra Secretary X X

Christopher Smith Student Representative X X

Ciara Squires Student Representative

Darcie Tyler-Henley Volunteering Officer X X

Dominic Todd Sports Officer X X

Donald Mackinnon LGBT Officer X X

Ellen Kiely RAG Officer X X

Nabil Najjar Student Representative X X

Ozzy Amir Campaigns Officer X X


X X


X X

Wanda Canton Womens Officer

Wilson Wong Societies Officer X X



Adnam Aslam Dental Representative X X X X X

Amy Coulden Entertainments Officer X X X X X

Andrew Smith Student Representative X X X X X

Aran Ali RAG Captain X X X X X

Ben Hughes Technical Rep X X X X X

Eva Pathmananthan Dental President X X X X X

Hannah Downer Treasurer X X X X X

Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London X X X X X

Jon Cramphorn Vice-President Barts X X X X X

Mandi Pal Secretary X X X X X

Micheal Samy Communications Officer X X X X X

Nicolas Blondel Campaigns Officer X X X X X

Ramey Assaf External Affairs Officer X X X X X

Richard Donovan SSLC Representative X X X X X

Robert Zabihi Dental Representative X X X X X

Salem Al-Sawaf Entertainments Officer X X X X X

Sam Chequer Welfare Officer X X X X X

Tim Foster Clubs and Societies Officer X X X X X



Adnan Aslam Dental Representative X X X X X

Amy Coulden Entertainments Officer X X X X X

Andrew Smith Student Representative X X X X X

Aran Ali RAG Captain X X X X X

Ben Hughes Technical Rep X

Eva Pathmananthan Dental President X X X X X

Hannah Downer Treasurer X X X X X

Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London X X X X X

Jon Cramphorn Vice-President Barts X X X X X

Mandi Pal Secretary X X X X X

Micheal Samy Communications Officer X X X X X

Nicolas Blondel Campaigns Officer X X X X X

Ramey Assaf External Affairs Officer X X X X X

Richard Donovan SSLC Representative X X X X X

Robert Zabihi Dental Representative X X X X X

Salem Al-Sawaf Entertainments Officer X X X X X

Sam Chequer Welfare Officer X X X X X

Tim Foster Clubs and Societies Officer X X X X X

officer: position: 19.0 20.0

for against abstain for against abstain

Adnan Aslam Dental Representative X X

Amy Coulden Entertainments Officer X X

Andrew Smith Student Representative X X

Aran Ali RAG Captain X X

Ben Hughes Technical Rep

Eva Pathmananthan Dental President X X

Hannah Downer Treasurer X X

Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London X X

Jon Cramphorn Vice-President Barts X X

Mandi Pal Secretary X X

Micheal Samy Communications Officer X

Nicolas Blondel Campaigns Officer X X

Ramey Assaf External Affairs Officer X X

Richard Donovan SSLC Representative X X

Robert Zabihi Dental Representative X X

Salem Al-Sawaf Entertainments Officer X X

Sam Chequer Welfare Officer X X

Tim Foster Clubs and Societies Officer X X

Appendix 1 London Student Manifesto

Housing

Considered: - London Assembly investigation into student housing. - Private rented housing regulation and accreditation across London. - Provision for international students - the Rent Guarantor scheme. - Targeting unsuitable landlords - Highlight good examples. - London wide registration scheme for landlords. - Stop Landlords/estate agents ability to discriminate based on occupation. - Commitment to put empty housing put back into use.

Draft Manifesto Point:

- Demand a London Assembly investigation into student housing - Mayoral commission creating a charter with students and landlords. And accreditation.

Crime

Considered: - More funding targeted at students about how to safe in London - Strategy on violence against women students in London - Prevent is bad - Stop & Search more likely amongst some groups of students - Mayor makes a commitment to a much more progressive approach, including new

initiatives - Risk of heavy policing - Risk of heavy sentencing - Disconnect between students & police - Political commitment to the right of people to demonstrate - Stop kittling


- Demand more communication and involvement with students. Possibly including a Metropolitan police rep just focusing on students in order to liaising with groups and SU officers. Involving students and SU‟s with decisions about policing student Activites and students as targets of crime.

- Prevent is fundamentally flawed, ineffective and discriminatory. Demand the mayor should call for a change in policy and a reverse in direction.

Transport

Considered: - Introduce student discount on daily travelcards - A more progressive pricing model which considers those who are lower paid - Ability to top up at bus stops and more places in London - More obvious which taxis are legal, and increase taxi ranks at night - Programme for students to get more artwork displayed in public spaces and on the

transport network - More cycle lanes that are close to Universities and around halls of residence / areas of

high student density - More racks next to Universities and places where students live - Boris Bikes (Expanded - Encourage better cycling safety, Why isn‟t this connected to

the oyster card system?) - Some Universities have their front doors opening up onto busy roads - Better access for disabled students around their place of living & study


- 30% Discounts on PAYG and travel cards

- Cycling provision for students. Demand more cycle lanes on major cycle routes and racks in student areas.

Employment

Considered: - Not enough done for WP within London - Mayor does more to advocate international students


- Demand for a direct commitment to delivery by GLA on apprenticeships and training in order to support WP

- Unpaid internships in London are bad. Mayor to create a list/accreditation on employers who pay their interns a fair wage.

- Mayor does more to advocate international students. Demand the mayor writes to the minister and takes a public stance on the issue.

london student manifesto

I will: I will have achieved this when: what I have done so far: O N

Gi London Manifesto for Mayoral Election Attend London meetings to contribute QMSU to the London Manifesto

- October 2011

- QMSU attended 3 meetings with other

London Unions. - Manifesto drawn up.

Gii Write QMSU Manifesto In conjunction with the London Manifesto, a QMSU manifesto would bring the matter closer to home.

- November 2011

Giii Manifesto Launch Plan and execute a launch on campus in line with beginning of voter Registration

- Details of voter registration not yet available - Launch to be planned for Semester 2

lobbying the candidates


Gi Meet GLA candidates Consult student body on manifesto topics, research student and constituencies, and ask for candidate pledges and short responses

Gii Question Time Invite local candidates to QM and take students to ULU Question Time.

0 25 50 75 achievement level: 100

student voting


Gi Automatic registration for students on campus Work with College to get them to automatically register students in QM accommodation

-

Gii Polling station on campus Negotiate with local council to have a polling station on campus

-

Giii Student voter turnout in line with overall London turnout Marketing plan

0 25 50 75 achievement level: 100

Appendix 3 Student Council and Part-time Officer Consultation

01.11.2011 minutes

Documents

officer reports

meeting of student council

student council minutes

student council members

mile end students

london students

philip gilks student

apologies apologies