USU Board meeting: campus life, favourable finances and Civil Engineering Society fails to meet “democratic standards”
Emily Graetz reports on the September meeting.
The Board met to discuss a raft of positive developments, reflect on recent USU festivals and to share in the good news of another healthy month of finances. They also discussed the rejection of some of the Civil Engineering Society’s proposed amendments and some potential changes to Pulp.
Programs & activities
CEO Andrew Mills once again impressed the room with his monthly powerpoint, making note of the USU care packages that were sent out to staff. The initiative was - as evident in a wholesome video compilation of staff receiving their packages - hugely successful.
Mills also reported another positive for USU workers: 85% of all permanent staff have received their double vaccination. Not enough feedback from casuals has been received to ascertain a complete picture, but on the whole, the Board is understandably very pleased with this outcome. In response to a question from Pulp, Mills said that the USU were developing a roadmap out of lockdown for staff in consultation with the University and in line with a range of factors like public health orders, safety, staff workloads, venue openings and disaster relief payments.
The Board reported the ongoing success of the Language Exchange and ‘How to Life’ program. There is steady growth across the USU’s socials (bar USUEats) and the website redesign is on track. Mills dropped the 2022 enviro-friendly apparel designs which include “classic varsity-style garments” and a “refreshed gender neutral cut”. Each piece of signature style apparel is made from 30 recycled plastic bottles.
The Board also released a dual-pronged timeline of potential activities, rewards and events that will unfold in accordance with NSW covid mandates. These include care packages, member deals, sales at USyd stores and even a tapas event at Courtyard Cafe. Director David Zhu queried whether the plans meant that social events and parties might be able to continue on campus even if learning couldn’t, with Mills responding that the capacity would be there assuming sufficient staff and student interest and of course, once the state reached 70% double vax. Director Isla Mowbray also asked what the timeline would mean for Clubs & Societies looking to book out spaces on campus. Mills noted that this fell within a “whole other ballpark” but that with the renovations of the USU common room almost complete and current collaboration taking place with Sydney College of the Arts and the Conservatorium, Clubs & Societies could look forward to a more active in-person 2022.
Festivals & Events
10 clubs held events over Pride Festival, with roughly 450 people attending over the course of the week. Directors Du Du and David Zhu were both involved in the running of International Fest, with Du stating that attendance, engagement and feedback were all positive. Despite both Pride and International Fest taking place entirely online, it seems that they were both comparatively an improvement on previous years with an increase in attendance and events.
Radical Sex and Consent Week is being held in collaboration with WoCo in week 8.
Board Director and Environment Portfolio holder Isla Mowbray announced that a sustainable practices event in collaboration with the uni would be held shortly to mark one year since the release of the University’s Sustainability Strategy. More details to come.
Finances
The Board reported another positive period for finances largely due to the reduction of staff work hours (who receive disaster relief payments in place of lost work) and the money received from NSW’s Job Saver program which is expected to continue into October. Mills said that the financial “reforecast is looking far more positive and gives us a lot more breathing space”.
Civil Engineering society
The Honorary Secretary Vikki Qin noted that the USU had rejected a number of the Civil Engineering Society’s proposed amendments to their constitution as they were “problematic” and would see decisions “not really [made] on a democratic basis”. This included allowing some executive positions to be “appointed rather than elected”. In a response from Honi Soit’s request for clarification, President Prudence Wilkins-Wheat said that the Board did not think the society was going to appeal the rejections and that other amendments would pass. Wilkins-Wheat reiterated that whilst they weren’t outright undemocratic the amendments didn’t meet the USU’s “standards of democracy.”
Pulp renovations
The Board confirmed that they would not be hiring editors to replace Mia Castagnone and Kristin Miao, but rather they were taking “a real hard look at Pulp itself” and rethinking how Pulp might operate in the future.
Miscellaneous
Director Telita Goile reminded students who had received the National Student Safety Survey to complete it by October 3rd.
Meetings with Verge and the Conservatorium Student Association are ongoing with intentions to develop more festivals and improve student mental health.
The USU reported they are working closely with the SRC and SUPRA on improving the Special Considerations administration process. If students have any feedback on this matter they should get in touch with Prudence Wilkins-Wheat at president@usu.edu.au.
Students can still receive free coffee on campus if they show outlet staff evidence of their double vaccination status. This will carry over to next year.
As per last month’s meeting, the Board has not decided to take any action yet regarding proposed changes to ACNC powers on unlawful activity. Wilkins-Wheat did note that she would be in touch with SRC president Swapnik Sanagavarapu on the matter.
Wilkins-Wheat congratulated provisionally elected SRC President for 2022 Lauren Lancaster and Cake for Honi who will edit Honi Soit. Notably, Cake’s ticket includes current Pulp Editor Fabian Robertson and 2020 Editor Ellie Stephenson.
The Board went in camera to discuss tenancy and commercially sensitive information.