USU Board Meeting: Cashflow, party life and grappling with racism

Emily Graetz breaks down the March Board meeting 

The USU Board met today, reflecting on what they deemed to be a very successful Welcome Fest. The Board also canvassed marketing, club membership, revues, sexual assault and the ongoing impact of racism against Asian students in Australia. If you’re unsure about Board Member roles, check out our guide at the bottom. 

Consent Week?

Pulp asked whether the Board would consider re-introducing Consent Week given the prevelance of the sexual assault crisis in Australia. President Irene Ma stated that this question was “very much good timing” considering the Board is in the process of collaborating with the SRC on the matter. Pulp looks forward to seeing this come to fruition. 

Ma also stated that the Board had been reviewing their sexual misconduct document for Clubs and Societies. Director Benny Shen later spoke to this, saying that Clubs and Societies would have access to this revised document. 

Cashflow

Newly inducted CEO, Andrew Mills, opened the reports section of the meeting by reflecting on his “fairly tight” report for the month. Mills covered his commitment to the USU during Welcome Week - which he praised profusely. He also confirmed that Graduations would be going ahead this year! Great news indeed. 

Finances seem to be going very well according to Mills and Honorary Treasurer Cady Brown. The budget is apparently running like “clock-work”, with Mills reporting that the USU is $55,000 ahead of budget and cash flow is positive - although it was noted that the sponsorship budget for the month was not achieved. The USU’s marketing efforts are also paying off according to the CEO, who reported the accumulation of 37,000 union members and a popping Instagram. Operations also seem to be going well, with outlets running at full capacity (you would hope so considering the meeting’s emphasis on how good the budget was looking).

Funding for Clubs and Societies 

Director Prudence Wilkins-Wheat relayed concern from club’s who didn’t receive strong membership and queried about whether there would be a funding scaling system that reflected the tumultuousness of the pandemic. Vice President Nick Forbutt confirmed the scaling system used last year would likely stay in place. 

Wilkins-Wheat also spoke to the worry expressed by Revue teams who have not received clear communication about funding and proposed that there needed to be a dedicated USU role for Revues to manage such communication. Forbutt clarified funding should remain the same as in previous years and some discussion followed about how a USU role for revues would work in practise. 

Party Life

For those of you keen to get back into USyd’s party life you’ll be pleased to know that Director Ruby Lotz raised the importance of establishing an ongoing strategy for the university's bars. After an array of successful events held at Hermann’s, including International Women’s Day performances, Lotz expressed support for future events. 

Racism against Asian Students 

Secretary Benny Shen acknowledged the Atlanta shootings which were a clear indication of the increasing number of Asian hate crimes, reflecting that “for over a year, Asian people all over the world have been fighting an additional virus of hate and bigotry”. Shen suggested that the Board should look at improving support mechanisms and awareness-raising campaigns. 

Director Eve Wang commented that as “the Ethnocultural Portfolio Holder, I really agree” , arguing that “inclusiveness and diversity are the most important parts of the USU and we should always maintain these attitudes”. 

The meeting continued with more congratulations over the success of Welcome Week and International Women’s Day in particular. The Board then went In Camera (which is the confidential part of the meeting where all non-board members must leave) due to the discussion of sensitive financial information and tenancy. 

More coming next month!

Board Members

President: Irene Ma

Vice President: Nick Forbutt 

Honorary Treasurer: Cady Brown 

Honorary Secretary: Benny Shen 

Board Directors: Benjamin Hines, Ruby Lotz, Kailin Qin, Nicholas Rigby, Belinda Thomas, Eve Wang, Prudence Wilkins-Wheat

Senate Appointed Directors: David Wright, Marie Leech

Immediate Past President: Connor Wherrett