Agm minutes nov 28th 2013

Robert Gordon University Student’s Association Annual General Meeting 28th November 2013, 5pm Riverside East Atrium, Garthdee Campus.

Present:

Student Body Assembly General (99 members signed in), including: Paul Greene, President (Communication and Democracy) (Chair) Steve Mills, President (Education and Welfare) Paddy Maughan President (Sport and Physical Activity) Martin Mgbemere, VP (Academic) Rachel Sanders, RAG Chair Alasdair Lemon, VP (Equality and Diversity) Lisanne Heijne, VP (Societies)

Union Staff (non-­‐voting): Michele Collie, General Manager Gregor Mailer, Graphic Designer Hannah Smith, Administrator Audrey Bainbridge, Student Advice and Admin Coordinator Claire Hargaden, Student Development and Volunteering Coordinator (temporary)

Apologies:

Callum Martin, VP (Entertainment and Events) Rachel Joyce, VP (Sport)

Absent:

Deena Tissera, VP (International) Elena Stanica, VP (Environmental and Ethics)

1. Welcome Welcome from Paul Greene (PG). PG introduced Kris Chapman (KC) MSYP from Aberdeen South and North Kincardine. PG offered instructions for usage of voting remotes and test vote was implemented.

2. Congratulations Congratulations offered by PG on behalf of the Students Union to new VPs: Alasdair Lemon Vice President (Equality and Diversity) and Lisanne Heijne Vice President (Societies).

3. Previous Minutes PG briefly summarised the previous minutes, a hard copy of which was provided for each student present, and proposed them for approval. An electronic vote and show of hands was held to approve the previous minutes.

Vote: For: Against: Abstain:

65 10 10

Previous minutes approved.

4. Approval of the Honorary Treasurer PG explained that the Honorary Treasurer is nominated by the Board of Governors of the University and the necessity according to the Constitution that they would be voted into position by the AGM. An electronic vote and show of hands was held to approve the Honorary Treasurer.

Vote: For: Against: Abstain:

59 12 12

Honorary Treasurer approved.

5. Constitutional Amendments 5.1 PG explained the process of voting for or against the constitutional amendments and the rights of the voters.

Speakers: In favour: Steve Mills (SM) (proposer). SM explained that the amendments to the wording in the constitution were being proposed on the advice of a solicitor and that it would aid flexibility.

Against: None

Summation: Waived

An electronic vote and show of hands was held to approve amendments to the constitution.

Vote: For: Against: Abstain:

73 2 6

Constitutional amendments approved.

5.2 PG invited a vote to accept the new Constitution as a whole.

Speakers: In favour: SM (proposer). SM explained the concept of the introduction of a trustee board and recommended the constitution as a whole as a product of the committee’s work.

Against: None

Summation: Waived

An electronic vote and show of hands was held to approve the new Constitution as a whole.

Vote: For: 80 Against: 3 Abstain: 4

Constitution as a whole approved.

6. Motions

6.1 Motion for a VP employment contract.

Introduction to the motion given by PG. Invitation to speakers to comment.

Speakers: In favour: Marta Kolodziejczak [1011746] (MK) (proposer). MK proposed that a number of paid hours would significantly help to financially support the students in VP positions in the Union and that having a contract of employment would hold them accountable to the students.

Against: Yetunde Adesaki [1215617] (YA). YA argued that plenty of student reps and volunteers work tirelessly without payment and therefore payment for VPs is unwarranted.

In favour: Jade Justice [1315807] (JJ). JJ argued that VPs make a sacrifice far more significant than that of a standard volunteer and that they ought to be rewarded accordingly.

Against: None.

Summation: Offered by MK, who argued once again that an employment contract would keep the VPs accountable.

An electronic vote and show of hands was held to approve the motion for a VP employment contract.

Vote: For: 60 Against: 15 Abstain: 7

Motion approved.

6.2 Motion regarding fossil fuels policy.

Introduction to the motion given by PG. Invitation to speakers to comment.

Speakers:

In favour: MK (proposer). MK outlined her motion stating that there ought to be more variety in the kinds of sectors recommended for work for the RGU student body. She stated that it was not wise to base the economy of an entire city on one finite resource. She argued that RGU should re-­‐focus on the renewable energy sector rather than fossil fuels in terms of jobs, job fairs and guest speakers.

Parts SM submitted a motion to delete parts of the amendment.

Speakers: In favour: SM. SM outlined that he was generally in favour of the fossil fuels policy, but wished to delete part 3.

Against: Crystal Okudo [1314970] (CO). CO rejected the motion to delete part 3. She stated that she felt it was important for students to be exposed to renewable energy options.

At this point there was an intervention from Amy McVellis [1201771] who requested clarity on the process from KC.

In favour: Richard Cooper [1009083] (RC). RC argued that there are not enough renewable energy companies in operation to uphold the motion.

Against: Eugenie Dimitrov [1309059] (ED). ED actually spoke in favour of deleting the parts.

A vote for SM’s proposal to delete part 3 of MK’s motion regarding fossil fuels was held by hand and passed by a majority.

At this point PG and KC invited any students to come forward who required clarification on parts or who might wish to make amendments. 3 students came forward.

A proposal was made to alter the text of part 2. PG invited a vote as to whether or not these changes were to be heard. A vote was held by hand and these were to be heard.

A further proposal was made to alter the text of part 3 of the motion. PG invited a vote as to whether or not these changes were to be heard. A vote was held by hand and these were not to be heard.

PG invited any speakers to come forward regarding the proposed change to the wording of point 1 of the motion. A delegate who did not identify himself argued the statement “RGU:Union should declare itself entirely free from involvement in the fossil fuels” was too sudden and needed further consideration.

A vote was taken by hand on whether or not to change the wording on point 1 of the motion.

The options for the vote were: 1. Change the wording 2. Keep it the same 3. Abstain The vote to change the wording on point 1 was passed.

The motion to make changes to part 2 was denied.

PG invited a speaker to offer a summation of the motion as amended. David Booth (DB) [1209601] made a final comment that the motion would allow RGU to move forward into examining more sources of renewable energy.

An electronic vote and show of hands was held to pass the motion with amendments.

Vote: For: 37 Against: 23 Abstain: 15

Motion approved.

6.3 Motion for a fourth sabbatical

Introduction to the motion given by PG. Invitation to speakers to comment.

Speakers: In favour: Rachel Sanders [1007112](RS) (proposer). RS argued for the need to focus on student activities in both RGU campuses and that a fourth sabbatical would aid this.

Against: None.

Summation: Waived.

An electronic vote and show of hands was held to approve the motion for a fourth sabbatical position.

Vote: For: 73 Against: 1 Abstain: 4

Motion approved.

7. Submission of Accounts

Introduction to submission of accounts given by PG. General Manager of the Union Michele Collie (MC) was invited to present the summary of accounts. MC presented the unaudited accounts for 2012/2013 outlining income and expenditure. MC explained that the accounts were at the auditors (KPMG) and once the statutory accounts were finalised they would go to the executive board to be signed off.

MC presented the affiliations of the Students Association:

National Union of Students (NUS) 2012/13 £20,417 NUS 2013/14

£21,270 Student Sport Scotland (SSS)

£5960 British University College Sport

£4671.10

MC invited questions and comments. No significant issues were raised.

An electronic vote and show of hands was held to approve the submission of accounts.

Vote: For: 65 Against: 1 Abstain: 3

Accounts approved.

8. Executive Report/Accountability

PG invited questions for the Exec committee from the floor. The following issues were raised: 1. The possibility of getting microwave facilities for students.(Remit: SM) 2. The problem of air conditioning in the labs during cold weather. (Remit: SM) 3. A comment was made regarding the confusing nature of voting where motions are concerned, and a suggestion was made to explain this process in advance of the AGM annually, verbally, as opposed to by email or other written mediums. (Remit: PG) 4. The problem of incorrect temperatures (too hot or too cold) in classrooms and lecture halls. (Remit: SM) 5. The problem of the unavailability of certain books in the library for periods longer than five days. The suggestion was made that electronic copies of these books could be made available to students. (Remit: SM) At this point SM and Paddy Maughan (PM) highlighted the point that issues of student welfare could be raised outside of the AGM by the appropriate channel and this time could be best used to comment on the business of the AGM. 6. The objection to spending Union money on paying VPs a small hourly rate was again raised. (Remit: PG) 7. The problem of constant noise and disruptions in the library for those who are trying to study. (Remit: SM) 8. The issue of to whom VPs can be accountable if they are now to be paid. The comment that volunteering awards at the end of each year ought to be sufficient. (Remit: PG) 9. A suggestion to cap the payment of the VPs to the living rate. (Remit: PG) 10. The suggestion that the university ought to provide an entrepreneurship program to encourage those who want to start their own businesses rather than work in the fossil fuels/energy sectors. (Remit: PG) 11. The inquiry as to who is eligible to apply for the position of fourth sabbatical. (Remit: PG)

The official business of the meeting concluded at 7.10pm.