Pulp Live: SRC Meeting 10/03/2020

The 35 elected members of the Student Representative Council (SRC) meet monthly to debate motions and keep updated on the organisation’s activities. Pulp attends the second meeting of the year to see what your student representatives are up to.

Before the meeting starts… What is the SRC? It’s a student organisation made up of 35 undergraduate students who are elected in Semester 2. Its most technocratic purpose is to represent students on various university committees and decision-making body, while it also offers legal and caseworker services. Perhaps most visible is the activism completed by the SRC’s various Collectives and Office Bearers, which covers a variety of issues including campaigns against sexual assault on campus, fee deregulation, and supporting climate justice.

6:30pm - Meeting opens. President Liam Donohoe begins with an Acknowledgment of Country and reads out the proxies for the meeting.

Layla Mkhayber has resigned as a councillor and welfare officer. This resignation carries.

We take a few minutes to read the minutes from the previous meeting. They’re quickly approved.

6:40pm - Election of 2 Indigenous Students’ Officers. This position wasn’t filled at RepsElect last year, so it’s still open. Two students - Matilda Langford and Leroy Fernando - nominate.

There’s a bit of bureaucracy regarding the Executive Minutes and the Report of the Executive. The Executive is a smaller group within the SRC that helps control budget allocations and funding.

6:45pm - President’s Report. Liam begins by talking about “what the fuck is happening with SSAF”. SSAF, which students pay at the start of each semester, funds the SRC. Liam explains that the SRC received an email on Monday morning saying that new projects requiring SSAF spending are on hold until census date, when the University will know how much SSAF is available. This is a consequence of COVID-19 affecting the number of students attending USyd.

This is going to make some of Liam’s planned projects harder: sadly, it will stop the SRC from building new office space for a third lawyer dedicated to sexual assault cases. The food closet, an election promise from Donohoe, got instant approval when he first proposed it to the University, so he’s hopeful it’ll still be able to get done. Information workshops for students, on issues like ‘how to deal with the police’, are expected to go ahead.

Donohoe expresses disappointment over the obstacles this might pose to funding the SRC’s activity as well as the University’s communication on the issue. He says “we’re going to have to really push Pip Pattison [the Deputy Vice Chancellor Education]” to properly fund the SRC.

He goes on to discuss the “chaos” caused by COVID-19, suggesting that at some point the University may be likely to shut down. He says that councillors should be thinking hard about how the SRC might deal with that situation if it arises.

Reflecting on Welcome Week, Donohoe praises the Environment Collective and newly established International Students’ Collective for their large volume of sign-ups. He says the year has started well, with many different protest actions being organised. He’s also glad that the SRC has completed the hiring process for a second lawyer after the position became vacant last year.

Donohoe discusses the planned changes to the Student Association Policy, which would give the University more control of student groups (like Collectives and even factions). It remains unclear what the implications of the Policy would be, but there’ll be a motion on that later. Donohoe suggests that the policy is motivated partly by a desire to make student groups subject to the Student Code of Conduct as well as the Uni’s struggles with student experience rankings.

Liam describes the Uni’s approach to student wellbeing as follows:

In question time, a discussion ensues about the challenges posed by the SSAF system, which limits the autonomy and financial independence of the SRC. Donohoe describes the current system as “the worst of both worlds” as students still have to pay SSAF fees but student unions have much less power.

Julia Kokic, a councillor from the Moderate Liberals, asks that the council note that the Gillard Labor Government introduced SSAF fees. This is true, but the system was introduced in response to Howard’s Voluntary Student Unionism legislation in 2006.

Lily Campbell (Socialist Alternative) emphasises the need to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19 and how this may change activism. This is a “difficult and unprecedented situation”, says Donohoe, who suggests that the SRC would probably close its doors during a shutdown.

Nicholas Comino (College Students for SRC) asks about how long-term the crisis is likely to be. Donohoe says that learning may go online if the crisis is prolonged. Charlotte Bullock (Student Unity) notes that going online is also the plan at UTS. Roisin Murphy (NLS) notes that online learning will be hugely difficult for students who don’t have their own computer. There is a lot of concern over the various costs of COVID-19 and the travel ban. The mood of the room is not positive about this year’s educational prospects, whether it be for low-SES students, science students or international students.

Almost an hour later, the President’s report passes. No controversy so far, but a lot of consternation.

7:35pm - Vice-Presidents’ Report. Felix Faber (NLS) and Charlotte Bullock (Student Unity) talk about their interactions with students at satellite campuses and an upcoming survey about the 2018 curriculum change which brought in OLEs.

7:40pm - General Secretaries’ Report. Abbey Shi (Advance) and Liam Thomas (Student Unity) draw attention to the SRC budget for the year. The budget now includes a shared pool of council resources to help collectives collaborate. Again, COVID-19 and its financial effects gets a mention.

7:45pm - Education Officers Report. Jack Mansell (Socialist Alternative) says that mobilising students around climate action is a major opportunity for student activism. There’s concern about the potential for austerity cuts from the University; there’s an NTEU demonstration coming up on 25 March to combat threats to staff working conditions. “It’s really important that we have an approach of not accepting any of the cuts or any of the austerity”, Mansell says.

7:50pm - Women’s Officers Report. Vivienne Guo says that the Women’s Collective (WoCo) has had a good start to the year, with increased membership and new involvement in community groups like Grandmothers Against Removals. They’ve done several fundraisers to support families affected by First Nations deaths in custody. They are holding a Consent Workshop tomorrow and are preparing for Women’s Honi in Week 8.

7:53pm - Interfaith Officers Report. Maddie Powell (Socialist Alternative) asks Interfaith Officer Wilson Huang whether he supports or opposes the proposed religious discrimination bill. He says he’s opposed to the bill in its entirety and is concerned about its complexities for religious people, including religious LGBTQ+ people.

7:57pm - Global Solidarity Officers Report. Holly Hayne (socialist Alternative) talks about the importance of climate activism and the upcoming blockade of the ‘Future of Mining’ conference as well as the March 13 Uni Student Climate Strike. Global Solidarity is also working with the Students for Palestine club.

8pm - International Students’ Officers Report. The International Students’ Officers have been involved in creating the new International Students Collective, which has started meeting. They had a successful start at Welcome Week and are now working on the campaign for International Student Opal Cards.

8:05pm - Social Justice Officers Report. Deaglan Godwin (Socialist Alternative) emphasises the ongoing climate justice movement. Godwin criticises the University’s tokenism regarding Mardi Gras.

8:07pm - Motions start:

The first motion comes from Liam Thomas, the General Secretary and a member of Labor Right, who wants to condemn the Northern Territory Greens for preferencing far-right parties in the Northern Territory elections. An amendment is proposed to condemn the role of NT Labor for their role in fracking and systemic racism against Indigenous people. Owen Marsden-Readford, who proposes the amendment, says that the council can’t ignore the role of major parties for ongoing racism, which is “an intrinsic part of running the Australian state”. Labor Right councillors refuse to support the amendment (it does make you question how much this motion is about condemning racism).

Liam Donohoe speaks in favour of the amendment. He notes that each branch of the Greens makes decisions separately and questions the part of the motion which condemns Adam Bandt for the actions NT Greens. He suggests this is really just Labor Right playing politics.

Roisin Murphy proposes an amendment to acknowledge the harm of fracking both for the environment and for First Nations people. There’s some confusion over the amendments being tabled. Because Marsden-Readford’s amendment significantly changes the motion, it becomes a separate motion which is voted on later. Lily Campbell argues about which order the votes for the motions should be. Felix Faber, the chair of the meeting, insists on the procedure.

Faber then speaks about the motion, saying that fracking is “disgusting” and claims that the Greens must be held to a higher standard than other parties (he’s a member of Labor Left). Campbell speaks to say that it’s cynical for Labor member to criticise racism in politics due to their stances on refugee issues and Islamophobia.

The motion including Marsden-Readford’s amendment finally passes.

8:35pm - Next motion: Save campus life. Vice-President Felix Faber speaks in support of his motion to save campus life, saying that we need to fight for a more active and vibrant campus life.

Roisin Murphy notes that “having leisure time is actually one of the biggest things that produces a flourishing intellect in young people. It’s, like, where play time comes from.” Murphy says it’s essential that students have access to leisure to fuel productivity. We hear someone say “on endless smoko”.

Liam Donohoe mourns the loss of a vibrant uni life, where student culture has been eroded by students’ long commutes, the decline of student unionism, and the neoliberal obsession with ‘networking’ rather than - you know - actually having friends. He condemns the approach of University management to student welfare.

Liam Thomas points out that students are forced to work long hours which prevent them from enjoying campus life. The motion passes easily. Julia Kokic is a lone voice against it, saying she likes the University’s Alcohol Policy. Socialist Alternative heckles, “Liberals hate fun!”

8:45pm - Support SCA students. Another motion proposed by Felix Faber. The move of SRC to Camperdown from their Rozelle Campus is described as another case of the University “fucking students over”. Holly Hayne laments the lack of good quality art education thanks to widespread cuts to the Arts, for instance like those currently occurring at Macquarie University.

8:52pm - Stand with staff against management’s austerity measures. Jack Mansell, one of the Education Officers, speaks about the cuts occurring in many Universities and their effects on staff workers’ rights. He argues that there should be “a fundamental transformation of the way that our universities run” by challenging the “user pays model”. Various speakers express concern that COVID-19 will be used as a tool for universities to justify austerity measures. The motion passes, with Liberal councillors opposing the motion.

9pm - Solidarity with the victims of the BJP’s anti-Muslim attacks. Socialist Alternative member Alex Panzarino criticises the BJP for its fascist policies towards Muslim people in India, emphasising the importance of refusing to capitulate to the far right. The resistance of Muslims and university students to the BJP is described as “exemplary and courageous”. Ethnocultural officer Kedar Maddali asks to amend the motion to propose support for the Autonomous Collective Against Racism’s upcoming protest against the BJP’s policies. They speak about their personal connection to the violence in India, emphasising the importance of standing against it.

9:10pm - March 13th Climate Strikes. Maddie Powell speaks in support of ongoing climate strikes given the context of an unprecedented summer of bushfires. Uni Students for Climate Justice (US4CJ) have called the March 13th Climate Strike in response to the global ‘Fridays 4 Future’ movement. Powell calls a motion passed at the previous meeting, which condemned US4CJ for using the word ‘strike’, “sectariana”, claiming that members of the student community and the NTEU clearly support the action. Edie Stephenson (Socialist Alternative) emphasises the importance of “abolishing” the fossil fuels industry.

Now for some controversy! Jordi Pardoel from Solidarity (a rival socialist organisation) is arguing that the action shouldn’t be called a strike because Uni Students for Climate Justice has not been democratic in their organising and doesn’t represent the climate movement as a whole. Pardoel suggests that the 1 May strike is a real strike. Members of Socialist Alternative seem unhappy with all this.

Student Unity, on the controversy, heckles “who cares! It’s a word.” Pardoel responds “It’s just a word… to bureaucrats”. This is part of an ongoing conflict which included Solidarity placing stickers over the word ‘strike’ on US4CJ posters. All very normal…

It starts getting personal. Lily Campbell criticises Solidarity for dividing the Left, arguing they’ve been undermining the climate movement by their sectarianism. The Moderate Liberals clap enthusiastically.

Liam Donohoe says that Grassroots supports the rally but doesn’t agree with describing it as a strike. He agrees that “it could meet the technical definitions of a strike” but is concerned that calling it a strike could confuse students, because the strikes are organised by disparate organisations with inconsistent messages. He says that Uni Students for Climate Justice hasn’t had open meetings and refers to the “strong and successful” Climate Justice Alliance as a better place for organising strikes.

Felix Faber says “students don’t really care whether you call it a strike or an action” but concludes that the endorsement of this action by students unions would make it a strike. He calls it “pointless quibbling”, to applause.

Lily Campbell is speaking again. She says this is all “petty crap” and objects to Donohoe’s earlier characterisation of Socialist Alternative. In what could be controversially described as a Freudian slip, says “it’s a fucking rally”, something with which Solidarity certainly agrees. The Liberals are amused, to say the least.

Finally, the motion passes, and the rally/strike/action/oh-my-god-who-cares is officially a strike.

9:50pm - Break. We get a much needed break. Solidarity and Socialist Alternative members continue to argue.

How are your student reps spending their precious break? They’re making the most of ABS1050’s projector:

James Ardouin, who was a Councillor and Residential Colleges Officer from the Moderate Liberals last year, remains unhealthily obsessed with the SRC. He’s been sitting in the front row, gripping a copy of the SRC regulations like he’s holding onto his stupol relevance.

10:10pm - The meeting resumes. Our first motion is about the Wet’suwet’en people in Canada, who are currently fighting a gas pipeline through their land. Grace Bowskill from Socialist Alternative proposes the motion, drawing the conclusion that the fight against the fossil fuels industry can model itself off the
Wet’suwet’en nation’s blockade. Several speakers criticise the failure of ‘liberal’ governments, including the Trudeau government in Canada, to seriously deal with the issue of environmental justice and ending the fossil fuels industry.

10:20pm - Final motion! We’re almost done. We’re on the last motion: ‘Trump’s ‘deal of the century’ Peace Plan Secures a Future of Apartheid for Palestinians’. Holly Hayne describes the terrible conditions faced by many Palestinians, arguing that Trump’s peace plan for Israel and Palestine perpetuates injustice for Palestinians. Hayne criticises the idea of a two-state solution, suggesting that it is an insufficient response to the issue: “colonial expansion”.

Julia Kokic, a Moderate Liberal, says she’s “sick of talking about geopolitical affairs in SRC meetings… It’s just so exhausting.” She tells us she’s had enough of Israel being brought up at SRC and being framed as an apartheid state. She claims that Arabs in Israel enjoy equal rights along with representation in parliament. She wants the SRC to stick to “photocopiers and bubblers”. The controversy over the “antisemitic” material in Welcome Week Honi Soit gets brought up once again.

Lily Campbell returns to refer to a number of Israeli laws which discriminate against Palestinians, defending the discussion of worldwide affairs in SRC as providing solidarity and allowing for activist mobilisation. The motion passes, with the Moderate Liberals opposing it.

10:35pm - Meeting’s over! We’ll be back in April.