AGENDA FOR THE STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD AT 4PM ON WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2013
1. APOLOGIES Anthony Pulsford Emily Pinner Gabby Westhead Georgiana Bernhardt Taffy Chitemerere 2. SHAHRIA - SEMESTER 2 EVENTS 3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 27 NOVEMBER AND ANY MATTERS ARISING 4. OFFICER REPORTS 5. NEW SOCIETIES 6. ELSPETH TO TALK ON FOCUS GROUP 7. AOB
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MEETING, THERE WILL BE AN OPTIONAL FOCUS GROUP THAT SHOULD GO ON FOR NO LONGER THAN 45 MINUTES
Environmental Officer Report 9th December 2013 Report Agenda: 1. Projects 1.1 ‘#Heretohelpyou... change the world’ 1.2 Speciality Diet Catering 2. Panels 2.1 Managed Print Services 2.2 Food Panel 2.3 Biodiversity Panel 2.4 Sustainable Procurement
1. Projects:
1.1 ‘#Heretohelpyou... change the world’: The #Heretohelpyou... change the world campaign launched last week in which we ask students to donate a range of goods for helping people who are homeless within Oxford. This is being done in partnership with Oxford Homeless Pathways (Charity No: 297806) who O’Hanlon House in Luther Street.
We’re asking students (and staff) to donate goods ranging from (new) toiletries, warm clothing, towels etc., which can deposited at either the Union (in the Glass bowl), the Enquiry Centre at Gipsy Lane, Westminster Square at Harcourt Hill and the reception at Wheatley. The Enquiry Centre has also agreed to donate the clothing from lost property at the end of semester as well.
RAG have kindly agreed to help me logistically by bringing donations from Harcourt Hill or Wheatley campus to Helena Kennedy for centralised storage until they can be donated on the 24th December.
1.2 JHBB SU Bar: JHBB SU Bar: The SU Bar in JHBB currently no longer has plans to incorporate food due to having a small kitchen. This is counter to previous discussions and guidance in food panels. It is currently unknown if (or when) the SU bar will include food on the menu.
Grab&Go: Due to the success of the Urban Eats (gluten free) rolls at Gipsy Lane, they have been rolled out at Helena Kennedy Grab&Go as well.
2. Panels:
2.1 Managed Print Services Panel: Have not met in the last 2 weeks.
2.2 Food Panel: Have not met in the last 2 weeks.
2.3 Biodiversity Panel: Biodiversity Group Have not met in the last 2 weeks.
Energy Action Group Have not met in the last 2 weeks.
Procurement Action Group Have not met in the last 2 weeks.
Sustainability Engagement Group Have not met in the last 2 weeks.
2.4 Sustainable Procurement: Have not met in the last 2 weeks.
Miah, Mohammad Sohel Ethnic Minority Officer
Date:10/12/13
Activity
Description
Outcome
Meeting with Islamic Society President
I have met Abdin Karim and spoken to him about the Wheatley prayer room issue. He informed me that he has communicated with students concerning the decision regarding a new room
They have agreed to use the new space for prayer with adequate facilities
Communications with ECU research fellow
I have been in touch with Neil Currant (Educational Development Consultant) regarding taking part in an interview schedule with SU representatives about the Equality Challenge Unit from the students perspective in terms of equality and diversity project
We have agreed to conduct the interview on 11 December 2013 via Skype or phone which will follow supporting the development of equality and diversity, skills and the academic values of teaching staff in higher education institutions
BME feedback
I received a lot of positive and encouraging feedback from the Ethnic Minorities’student who attended the meeting. They were interested to know more about the support scheme offered by the Union
I have passed on the message to Ken Harris, Reps’ Co, and requested that he inform the relevant student about the contact available
Rachel Arnold
Mature Students Officer
First of all apologies, I do exist but I also work until 5pm so am unable to attend council meetings.
I don’t have a great deal this meeting due to it being very quiet due to exams. The only thing really that needs bringing up is through complaints re accommodation. I have been speaking with a student who felt they had to move due to staff and wardens not helping them, ignoring complaints and when they did mention it they were told to keep quiet or everyone would know she was a snitch. This student felt they had no other choice but to move to private accommodation. The second accommodation complaint I’ve had has been from numerous residents in the CBSV PG centre complaining about noise from the UG blocks. This is all that I have to bring to the table. Hopefully I will make a meeting after Christmas. I wish all council members a happy holidays
Thanks Rachel 09/12/2013
MINUTES OF STUDENT COUNCIL HELD ON 27 NOVEMBER 2013 Present: Tom Smith – VP:AE (Chair), Paul McCormack – VP:SE, Rachel Rimmer – HSS, Anthony Pulsford – HLS, Miah Mohammad Sohel – Ethnic Minorities’ Officer, Georgiana Bernhardt – HSS, Ryan Bratley – RAG President, Christiana Imafidon – TDE, Carl Bennison – TDE, Tobias Fett – TDE, Emily Pinner – Disabled Students’ Officer, Emily MacPherson – HLS, Emma Patterson (assisting EP in her role), Jayson Quayle – Environmental Officer(Skype), Pierre Marshall – Observer, Matt Hayes – Reps’ Co, & Val Price – Admin & HR Co-ordinator (minutes) 1. Apologies Rachel Arnold, Gabby Westhead, Rebecca Ogden, Chris MacHardy & Joel Holmes
Lee Humber University UCU Representative, spoke to Council about the proposed day of action, why Union members will strike, how it will affect students and his hope for students to support Union members. TS to send Lee Humber a copy of SC’s decision to support the day of action 2. Minutes of the Meeting Held on 13 November 2013 and Any Matters Arising ● MSM will speak to TS to discuss the points he raised re UCAS; ● EP had not checked her suspicions re 99% v A+ but no need to c/f; ● No safety bus training has been arranged but PMc will forward details to RO when he has some news. GB to raise lack of inter/cross faculty communications at the next AESC JH still to write to Janet Beer to ask for speedy resolution on pay negotiations – DW to be asked to remind him. He still needs to share letter with council members before sending it ●
Pierre Marshall asked if Unions could use our spaces. TS wasn’t in receipt of a decision on this but will find out and let UCU members know
TS to email Lee Humber, Bob Langridge and Leander Reeves with the decision on ●
Pierre had contacted the TUC.
3. Logistical Update – Supporting the Day of Action on 3 December ● No council members should cross any of the pickets lines; ● As many Council members as possible to be on the picket lines; ● Picket lines in action between 7.30am. and about 11.30am.; ● If you can’t do the ko session come along as and when able; ● Hoodies to be worn; ● Anyone who doesn’t have one, can get an orange hoodie from Comms. 4. Report Back of the AGM ● Inquorate with only 27 attendees; ● Reconvened meeting will go ahead in the SU training room at 12 noon on Friday 29 November; ● Quoracy requires only one attendee in this situation; ● All motions were voted upon and those indicative votes will be relayed to the attendees of the reconvened meeting. EP left the meeting
5. Officer Reports VP:SE - Paul McCormack ● 320 attended the Children in Need event. The RAG President was helped for his input; ● He is working with Reps around the NSS scores. There will be more work next Semester to let students know which of the services etc they use/depend on that are provided by the Union. EP re-entered the meeting TS left the meeting ● ●
No Mince Pies – annual event for our local elderly residents – Friday 29 November; An annual Society meeting to be called on Wednesday 4 December. This is to discuss best practice and what help the Union can/should provide for Brookes students, changes in processes and committee election policy.
TS re-entered the meeting PMc to e-mail CB with the name of who he should contact re use of HK space for Societies next Semester VP:AE - Tom Smith ● Apparently students are being offered incentives to resign housing contracts ● EP believed that encouraging students to rent through Sturental was part of the Rent smart campaign; EP and EMc to send relevant papers/flyers to TS ●
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Some attendees thought that the letting agent feedback ie or was unproductive as it seemed to show that there were a lot of unhappy people. However TS thought it was worthwhile as many students were praising their letting agents and putting a smiley face in the appropriate place; TS confirmed that some letting info was handed out during freshers’ fair because we cannot police what happens off campus. If any were handed out in the actual fair it was because random people had wandered in, after all it is an open event, and, if noticed, they would have been asked to leave; A short discussion on the GPA system ensued.
Mature Students’ Officer – Rachel Arnold ● It was noted that it would be appreciated if the Mature Students’ Officer could report back on the things she had done/achieved as well as her intentions; ● The advertised evening forums (7pm) were thought to be too late for a large amount of mature students as they may have parent/carer responsibilities etc. It would be good to hold some forums over the lunchtime. MH left the meeting Ethnic Minorities Officer – Miah Mohammed Sohel There were no questions, comments or criticisms.
Disabled Students Officer – Emily Pinner ● Strike day coincides with International Day of Disabled People. TF & CI left the meeting ●
Union can help by promoting it through social media and by reading the NUS blogs
Q. The library layout at present is very difficult for dyslexic students who can get distracted. Are there any plans for separate areas in the new library? A. Need to wait and see what the new library is like when it is fully functioning. There is space in the current library for people who need it. A member of library staff can be asked – they are very helpful. Environmental Officer – Jayson Quayle Q. What happened with the smoking policy? A. This is being dealt with through the University and the issue of smoking in halls is presently under discussion. In flats, certain bedrooms are designated ‘smoking’ but then smoke does get into all areas of the flat. There are non-smoking halls but they are more expensive. ●
PMc felt that students would use (heated) smoking shelters if more were made available and JQ confirmed that he is working with the sustainability team to provide more shelters on all campuses.
CB left the meeting RAG President – Ryan Bratley ● Movember didn’t go well although it had generally been well received by the University as a whole; ● PMc was thanked for all his efforts with CIN which culminated in a very successful evening. 6. New Societies ● Maths, Construction and Nutrition are now official Societies; ● Eight enquiries were received after CIN with ice skating and multi-cultural amongst the interested parties. 7. AOB ● Here to Help you… get though exams – details on website. Please sign up to help.
Tom Smith Officer Report 11.12.13 <- spooky
What
What Happened
Anything else
Business FAESC AGM Re-run Semester 2 Events planning Going on Strike
I fought the law
the law won
AESC Meeting HereToHelpYou Get Through
sweets and exam tips outside the library
Ashmolean Task and Finish Group Exam Invigilators Training Session Meeting with Janet Beer, John Raftery, Claire Mayne and Subira Wahogo
Discussing the recent football team event page on facebook, as well as the issue of sexual harrassment and rape at Brookes, and asking her support
PESE Steering group Ashmolean Publicity and promotion
how to encourage students to attend, and ensuring the event is co-branded with union logos etc...
ongoing
Officer Report Paul Societies Review Societies Review went really well with around 50 committee members attending. The main discussion was that of budget forms, I have made a suggestion which societies have agreed on. We will block out a morning on Mondays (9am-1pm) where we will have a drop in session. This means that societies can come in with their budget forms and get an on the spot response, if there is a problem it can also be solved at the same time. It was a great meeting with a good discussion about the difficulties societies face and how we can work together to solve them.
Refreshers I have started work with societies over our refreshers week, the general feedback from the societies meeting was that refreshers provided a good platform to increase membership and showcase society activity. With the move into the new building this has caused some problems, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what space will be available to us. However, the general plan is to put activity into the new space and have have society activity in the old space. Of course we will look to host society in the new space if it is logistically possible.
Semester 2 Performances I have begun work with the performance societies over an effective performance schedule for semester 2. We have more public performances now than ever before, something I have actively pushed. However, this does mean that we are limited on space we can provide. I have a series of meeting with performance societies planned so we can work together to combat this. I want performance societies to support each other and have an input into the direction of public performances at the Union.
Head of Wellbeing Recruitment I was involved in the recruitment for the position of Head of Wellbeing. This person has overall responsibility for the counselling service, chaplaincy and disabilities services.
I spoke openly about the need for this person to react to an ever changing student demand. There was a successful recruitment.
No Mince Pies Every year the Union and University hold an event for older members of the community. I recruited 5 student societies to perform, hosted the event and ensured the successful running from the Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side. The guests had a great time and I feel the students involved gave Brookes a great name that afternoon. I was very proud.