Live: SASS AGM 2020

Ellie Stephenson reports.

I’ve Zoomed into this year’s Sydney Arts Students’ Society (SASS) Annual General Meeting, where the Executive for next year will be elected. SASS AGMs are notorious for allegations of stacking and factionalism, and this one is no different: there have already been disputes about the eligibility criteria for voting, which some students have argued is overly restrictive and excludes students who have been locked out of SASS events thanks to COVID-19.

6:48pm - We’re waiting for the meeting to start - SASS is apparently double-checking voters’ eligibility. There are now 119 participants in the Zoom, although it’s unclear how many participants can vote. Sign ups to vote are still open.

7:02pm - Still waiting. Current Secretary Belinda Thomas writes “i’m sorry this process sucks i hate it here we r trying our best i promise” in the chat.

7:10pm - Current President Nick Rigby warns there are only 5 minutes left to register to vote.

7:15pm - The registration link has been closed. Rigby tells the meeting this is a “first step” towards getting the meeting started. The Zoom will be locked at 7:22pm.

7:22pm - The meeting is locked. The wait continues.

7:24pm - We’re starting. After the Acknowledgement of Country, Nick Rigby welcomes everyone to the meeting and reiterates a couple of rules: students must have registered to vote and can only vote if they are in the Zoom. We are not allowed to partake in “disruptive behaviour” like unmuting to interrupt the election. Zoom backgrounds supporting a particular candidates are also not permitted.

7:29pm - Time for the Annual Reports. President Nick Rigby mourns that COVID-19 has taken away in-person events, but praises the Society’s Welcome Week sign-ups and party. Rigby also praises the publication of the ARNA, 1978 and ZAMI journals. He says the Society has been “at the centre of my uni life” and thanks the Society for the opportunities it has given him.

Treasurer Jaz Judd speaks next, describing the Society’s finances as “quite good” and “well-prepared for 2021”. He speaks about the creation of a Disability Officer position and a Women’s sub-committee.

Secretary Belinda Thomas says she loves SASS, and is “super proud of this team and super proud of what we managed to accomplish this year”. She thanks the Executive Team and the SASS community.

Vice President (External) Nicole Baxter says she is “so, so proud of everything the team has achieved” and discusses her role, which deals with the Society’s marketing and communications. She praises 1978 and ZAMI, thanking SASS’ Publications Directors. She also thanks SASS sponsors Little Fat Lamb, Canva and Archie Rose.

7:40pm - We’re at the election of the Executive. Nick Rigby moves to appoint USU President Irene Ma as the Returning Officer and Casper Lu as the Deputy Returning Officer. The vote succeeds (as Rigby has decided “that’s a lot of hands up”).

Irene outlines the election process. Notably, candidates will receive only 45 seconds to speak - hardly time to outline a substantial vision for the Society. There will be no scrutineers for this election, which might become controversial. Typically scrutineers are used to check that the vote count proceeds fairly.

Prudence Wilkins-Wheat asks whether attendees can ask questions to the candidates, and what the rationale is for the lack of a scrutineers. Someone (on Irene’s microphone, probably Casper) answers that votes are automatically counted online, hence the lack of a scrutineer. Students can ask the candidates questions but only if they are relevant - a standard which is not explained.

Irene is asked how long students will be given to vote. She initially answers 5 minutes, before being told by Nick Rigby 10 minutes, and then back to 5 minutes. It’s a little unusual for an RO - who is meant to be independent - to be directed by the President.

7:49pm - Nicole Baxter is the sole nominee for President. She describes SASS as “one of my personality traits” and reflects on her “years of service for the Society”. “Whilst being on the SASS Exec is fun… it is also a great responsibility, and not to be taken lightly or used for political gain”, she warns. Irene congratulates her before Casper, the Deputy Returning Officer, reminds her that a vote of confidence needs to be taken in order to confirm her unopposed election.

Prudence Wilkins-Wheat attempts to ask Nicole a question - after a little confusion, Casper says questions are allowed. She says that she believes the election disenfranchises students who may not be able to make it to campus, and argues that the Society can be cliquey. She asks Nicole how she intends to make SASS “more inclusive to all students, not just the socio-economic elite”.

Nicole defends the constitutional amendments which prevent students from voting on the basis that they avoid stacking: “SASS voting rights should be, and I will maintain this until my dying breath, should be reserved for those who are genuinely involved in the Society”. She argues that Prudence’s question is irrelevant to her candidacy.

Swapnik Sanagavarapu tells Nicole that the SASS President is an ex-officio member of the SRC; he asks her if she will pursue closer relationships with the SRC and join the campaign against the Government’s fee hikes. Nicole answers that the HESA Bill is “ridiculous” but says SASS should be “apolitical” to avoid driving away students. She opposes SASS endorsing protests but supports “advocacy and sentiments and sharing resources”.

Irene once again forgets we need a vote of confidence, with Casper intervening a second time. Nicole is eventually declared President.

8:02pm - We move to the Vice President (Internal), which has one nominee, Yanyan Chen, who is running for a second term. She wants SASS to “make the most of the new normal” and concludes “I cannot wait for next year”.

Yanyan is declared elected.

8:04pm - Vice President (External) has received a nomination from Jaz Judd and Lauren Lancaster.

Jaz speaks first, explaining why the role is important. He believes his experience as Treasurer will be beneficial experience for the position.

Lauren is next. She says SASS needs an “outsider perspective to bounce back from COVID creatively”. She speaks about her recent election to the SRC and experience working for NGOs. She highlights the need to make SASS more accessible and “meaningful for the future of Arts students at the University of Sydney”.

Nicholas Comino asks Lauren what the current Executive has done which is “not meaningful”. She responds by arguing that the Society has been hijacked by factional interests, which “speaks to a lack of care for what the Society can actually do”.

Jayfel Tulabing-Lee asks Jaz how he plans to make SASS “more inclusive and accessible”. He says he would ensure “specialty roles” (like Women’s and Disability Officers) are involved in event planning, but adds “nothing in particular” beyond these positions.

SASS has ruled Amanda Dheerasekera ineligible to vote. She contests this, saying she attended the Welcome Week party, although her ticket was in Prudence Wilkins-Wheat’s name. She is asked to find “hard evidence” of her attendance at the party - specifically a photo. She now has to trawl through the event’s photo album.

A couple of people have received multiple voting link emails, which Casper Lu says is fine.

The Executive has been sent a picture with Amanda in the background, however they’re now asking for a clearer photo. There’s some consternation from Prudence and Amanda regarding how high the burden of proof is here, but eventually she’s allowed to vote.

Jaz Judd is elected.

8:26pm - the election for Secretary is next up. The candidates are Angelina Gu and Lauren Lancaster.

Angelina, this year’s Socials Director, describes her vision for SASS as revitalising a post-COVID campus. She adds that she is “committed to defending Arts at USyd”.

Lauren says she has “the organisational skills” to be Secretary and argues the Society needs to have greater transparency.

We overhear Casper yelling “Can you please stop talking shit right now, I’m trying to do my fucking job!”. He seems to be in the same room as the Executive, and his job frankly does not seem pleasant right now.

Angelina Gu is elected.

8:37pm - Aiden Cheney is the sole nominee for the position of Treasurer.

He described being in SASS as a “phenomenal experience” and refers to his Economics degree as a useful prerequisite for the role. He says he’s an “active and devoted member of the Society”.

He’s elected.

8:40pm - There are three nominations for Socials Director: Caitlin Clarke, Katherine Morris, and Lauren Lancaster.

Caitlin, the current Socials Director, speaks about her experience in the role.

Lauren says the Socials Directors for this year have done a great job, and next year should “make sure we’re bringing in as many people as possible” through better social media marketing.

After some technical issues, Katherine, this year’s Sports Officer, discusses the need to adapt (in her words, “regurgitate”) the Society’s events to Zoom. She says she is keen to “put in more” and “take more responsibility” in SASS.

Caitlin Clarke and Katherine Morris are elected.

8:52pm - There are four nominations for the Publications Directors: Jenna Large, Thomas Israel, Alexander Whitehead, and Harry Peters.

Jenna Lorge is an incumbent Publications Director and speaks of her “hard yards” in the role this year.

Thomas Israel speaks about his involvement in editing ARNA and 1978 and says he wants 1978 to be led by a “proud queer person”.

Alexander Whitehead says he wants to work with “diverse” writers and artists to “curate something really truly special, representative, and radical”.

Harry Peters says the SASS journals are “a chance to really express how [students] think and feel about the world”. He says he hopes to continue Jenna and Kate’s work this year.

Apparently the AGM is constitutionally required to finish by 9pm, which may be difficult given voting on Publications Director will close at 9:02pm.

Jayfel Tulabing-Lee asks about what this rule means for the election. Irene Ma responds that the difficulty of running the Zoom meeting means it’s not an issue - and that if appealed to the USU they will likely rule in favour of extending the meeting. How Irene’s interests as USU President interact with her role as Returning Officer is unclear.

“I love how the Constitution can be broken when it comes to trivial matters like this… but not on matters of enfranchisement”, SRC President Liam Donohoe complains.

“Liam, please relax”, Adriana Malavisi responds. Someone asks to kick Liam out.

Thomas Israel and Jenna Lorge are elected.

9:06pm - The candidates for the two Sports Directors are Jennifer Kwon, Jamie Nguyen, Katherine Morris, Tom Martin, Alexandra Caddy, Tyla Cooke and Lauren Lancaster. Katherine Morris withdraws as she was already elected as Socials Director.

Jennifer Kwon was previously the Ethnocultural Officer for SASS and says she is now “really dedicated to creating opportunities for more women to enjoy sport”.

Jamie Nguyen describes SASS as “a family” and hopes to give back to it. “I would love to help organise face-to-face interfaculty events,” he adds.

Tom Martin says he is nominating for the position because he sees “the value of interfac sport” and wants to “continue to help foster that as COVID recedes”.

Alexandra Caddy says she has “really thrown [herself] into sport this year at USyd”. She wants to encourage more interfaculty sport after COVID-19.

Tyla Cooke says “bubble soccer” was her first experience of SASS this year and argues that while she has no experience in the Executive, she has the “enthusiasm and confidence” for the role.

Lauren Lancaster discusses the role of SASS sport in providing a “sense of community” and wants to do “really fun events like Colour Runs”. “I was a ballet dancer, national runner, that kind of thing…” she says casually.

Katherine Morris interrupts to complain about someone not being “entirely truthful” in their statements about their attendance, but is told she is not allow to speak.

Adriana Malavisi wants to know which student Katherine’s complaints were about (same), but given she missed question time, I guess we will never know.

Jennifer Kwon and Jamie Nguyen are elected.

9:20pm - Aditya Nair is the only nominee for International Student Representative. He’s the incumbent and is running for another year in the role. He’s elected unopposed.

9:21pm - David Delprat is the only nominee for Postgraduate Student Representative. Like Aditya, he’s running for another term. He reminisces about driving Little Fat Lamb to Arts Camp and ruining his car’s suspension. Inspiring. He’s elected unopposed.

9:23pm - There are three nominations for Queer Officer: Kate Scott, Zara Thompson, and Bella Henderson.

Kate Scott says she wants to build upon programs like the 1978 journal, which she helped to establish, and the Pride Picnic. She also wants to establish a queer mentoring network, film screening and diversity and ally training.

Zara Thompson says she wants to “build connections” within the queer community and “educate others about queer issues”. She wants to advocate for more pride events and facilitate partnerships with community organisations.

Bella Henderson says she is “bisexual but men are on thin ice”. She says “SASS has a really important role in elevating queer experiences”.

Kate Scott is elected to the position.

9:33pm - Now for the Women’s Officer position. The candidates are Jamaica Leech, Tara Luckock, Zara Thompson, Lauren Lancaster, Lara Santos Soares Braga and Nicole Stramotas.

Jamaica Leech says SASS can create “real change” through enacting more training to ensure the Society is inclusive.

Tara Luckock discusses the need for things like “careers nights” and social events like wine and painting nights.

Zara Thompson says she is “super passionate” about women’s advocacy and already has sexual harassment training and would encourage others to get it.

Lauren Lancaster says she has been “a feminist since day dot” and wants to ensure that “women and non-binary folk take a central position” in SASS decision-making, by improving the way the Society deals with sexual assault.

Lara Santos Soares Braga says she is a “big advocate for women, especially women of colour” and wants to focus on women’s safety on campus.

Nicole Stramotas says she wants a Society “free from discrimination, disrespect and harassment” by making SASS events more comfortable for women.

Sarah Halnan asks Lauren Lancaster about “run-ins” with people from her faction (Grassroots), and how she would respond to people she ideologically disagrees with. Lauren says she would put aside factional differences and that she values the safety of women and non-binary people above everything else.

Prudence Wilkins-Wheat asks the candidates what work they would do with the SRC Women’s Collective.

Jamaica says she has not yet got involved in the Women’s Collective but that she would be keen to do so. Tara echoes this response, calling it “absolutely necessary… to be part of the Collective”. Zara says she is a member of the Collective but is not particularly involved in it, however she says she would be “more than happy to get far more involved in the Collective”.

Lauren says she has been “really involved” in the Collective and discusses the impacts of the HECS changes on female students. Lara says she would like to work with the Collective on issues like sexual health and sexual assault. Nicole says she would love to join the collective and get more involved.

Zara Thompson is elected.

9:51pm - Ayden Marzinotto is the only candidate for Indigenous Officer.

He says he’s familiar with the Indigenous support networks around the University and would like to support other Indigenous SASS members.

Ayden is elected unopposed.

9:52pm - Belinda Thomas is the only candidate for Ethnocultural Officer.

She says “I love SASS and I want to be a support network to everyone in the Society… my ear is bleeding so I’m going to stop talking”.

She is elected unopposed. We’re a little worried about her ear :/

9:53pm - Alistair Schillert is the sole candidate for Disabilities Officer.

He wants to give back to SASS and be “a supportive advocate for the wider disability network in SASS” and be a “point of contact for any disabled individuals”.

Alistair is elected unopposed.

9:55pm - Nick Rigby is back as the Chair of the meeting. In general business, Prudence Wilkins-Wheat urges students to attend the next protest against fee increases as they directly affect Arts students.

The meeting is declared closed at 9:57pm. Phew.