USU Board meeting: motion passed in support of the mission of Clubs Against the Cuts
Emily Graetz reports on the October Board meeting.
The October Board meeting started out like any other with reports being taken as read and the CEO Andrew Mills delivering another one of his iconic powerpoint presentations. Yet Director Isla Mowbray’s motion to support the Clubs Against the Cuts movement and some extended question time made for a welcome departure from what are typically uneventful meetings.
Activites & events
International Fest was deemed a success with 720 attendees and 28 clubs involved and events like language sessions and virtual walking tours. The Creative Awards were also launched via an online exhibition and are currently being displayed in the newly reopened Verge Gallery.
On the staff front, October has seen a focus on supporting mental health, with casual staff receiving USUeats care packages and members from the Operations team (including Board Director Cole Scott-Curwood) volunteering their time with OzHarvest.
The USU has moved to slowly restart recruitment and a number of permanent, student leadership and volunteer roles are being advertised. 86% of permanent and fixed term staff have been double vaccinated.
Whilst there are 229 new USU members, Mills reported that the Board are still behind on their membership budget. Both new and old members can expect the presence of a quaint new coffee van to be travelling around campus. The van was donated by Vittoria Coffee and will even be taking trips out to the Conservatorium.
“I can’t wait to have a spin around campus in that”, Mills said.
Mills made note that the vote on proposed changes to ACNC powers had been postponed and was not expected to pass, “which has been the objective of many Not for Profits”. Mills has previously expressed concerns about the proposed changes, particularly citing the potential for negative impacts on organisations like the SRC.
Campus spaces
There is new flooring in the the Holme common room (what Mills is dubbing “Holme Improvements”) and clubs and societies can plan to book out the space from Semester 1 next year. The room will have a piano and is especially designed for performance activities.
The USU have been working with the Conservatorium and University Infrastructure to “revitalise” Footbridge theatre as a Conservatorium teaching space. Mills said that the Board would also be collaborating with the Con to develop their SSAF applications with a particular focus on wellness.
Manning Bar and Hermans are set to reopen to the general public in February next year, although there were talks of a Manning event planned for December.
Finances
President Prudence Wilkins-Wheat noted that the USU had an “unnecessary” amount of cash, asking whether there were plans to reinvest it. Finance Director Rebecca Sahni stated that there had not yet been a decision made on the matter.
President’s report
Wilkins-Wheat noted that she is excited for in person graduations which will be taking place in December this year. She thanked those who had been involved in campaigning to see them return in person, noting that they will result in increased revenue and importantly, a more positive student experience. Wilkins-Wheat also noted the success of Wellness Week and the Creative awards.
Motion to support Clubs Against the Cuts
Director Isla Mowbray raised a motion for the Board to support the Clubs Against the Cuts movement. Clubs Against the Cuts are a group of 20 USU societies and clubs that oppose the proposed changes and restructures to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences under a plan called “Future FASS”. Mowbray stated that the “proposal will affect the course progression of students in FASS and take away student autonomy”.
“I think we have a duty to respond… we’ve got to be dedicated to the student community”, Mowbray said.
Both Wilkins-Wheat and Director Telita Goile spoke in support. However, Honorary Treasurer Benjamin Hines, Director David Zhu and CEO Mills expressed concerns over the wording of the motion.
Zhu especially noted his reservations about the movement being connected to this week’s Student General Meeting (SGM) against the cuts. Zhu stated that whilst he broadly supported the opposition to cuts, he did not support the SGM’s motion “to oppose the university’s connection to the Australian military in light of the recently announced AUKUS submarine deal”. He stated that there was “no real substantive connection to the rest of the movement” and that he believed it would be inappropriate for the Board to vote on matters of foreign policy.
Ultimately, the Board concluded that their primary concern was to oppose the cuts and as such, the motion was amended so that the USU endorsed the mission of Clubs Against the Cuts. All members of the Board voted in favour of, except for Senate Appointed Director David Wright who abstained.
Electoral recommendations passed
The Board passed a suite of Electoral recommendations made by the USU Electoral Officer. In responding to a follow up question from Pulp, Honorary Treasurer Benjamin Hines clarified that this included a complete ban on interviews taking place prior to the start of campaigning for USU elections to ensure that no candidates are given an unfair advantage. This change will prove difficult to manage for student media who often need the additional time to prepare, conduct and edit interviews. Hines stated whilst this had been taken into account, their “cost benefit analysis” determined the recommendation be adopted anyway.
Other changes included greater clarity around exclusion zones and an amendment to state that none of the campaigning funds could be spent on alcohol. The Board was clear that the amendments were made as precautionary and clarifying measures rather than in response to any particular incidents.
Miscellaneous
Italian aperitivo will be launched at Courtyard cafe next semester, with Mills also promising accompanying entertainment “to support a campus after dark culture”.
Aranchini balls may or may not be returning to Courtyard Cafe.
There is still no word on what Pulp will look like in the future, although Wilkins-Wheat promised an update at the next Board meeting.
The Board went In Camera to discuss tenancy updates and a sensitive commercial matter.