Student forum agenda: 20/11/2024
Introduction.
Mini sab update.
Network leader update.
Ideas and petitions debate topics.
Idea / petition Information
Demand Bangor University boycott
Costa and StarbucksNida
“Boycott companies that are complicit with the occupation and genocide. The companies specifically targeted are Costa Coffee and Starbucks (which are on university grounds).
Costa Coffee is a wholly owned subsidiary of Coca Cola, who have operated in Atarot, an illegal Israeli settlement under international law, since 1968. They have also been operating a bottling plant in the industrial zone within the occupied city of Ramallah since 1998. This is just the tip of the iceberg with Coca Cola, as their history with Israel is complex and deep, including involvement with Israel’s powerful political lobby ‘AIPAC’.
Establishing presence on occupied land has contributed to the normalisation of illegal settlements and apartheid to take place in Palestine. Knowingly expanding the illegal occupied areas capacity has only helped Israel build more control over the Palestinians.
Starbucks has been complicit in unionbusting the Starbucks Workers Union (SWU) due to staff members speaking out in solidarity with Palestine. Regardless of the topic, a company prevalent with union-busting does not align with Bangor University’s stated values of Inclusivity and Respect and therefore has no place on our campus. Additionally, suppression such as busting a union over speaking out shows continued complicity by an attempt to limit communication on a matter the ICJ continues to be plausible genocide and confirmed apartheid.
Actions
Have radar keys available for disabled students to take so they can access all accessible toilets-Nida
Demand now that Bangor University removes these coffee establishments from the premises and remove all products owned by Coca Cola and Starbucks to avoid contributing to corrupt companies.”- Proposer
“In a few establishments around Bangor, some of which are University, have accessible toilets that require a radar key to open. Many disabled people don't have radar keys and therefore cannot access the toilets without having to ask staff, which can be embarrassing for some. I propose that the student's union should have a supply of radar keys to give to students upon request so that they don't have to worry about whether or not they'll have access to a bathroom anywhere in Bangor." -Proposer
Ethical Careers Policy –Rose and Mya
Less Plastic in Vending machines - Mya
Bangor University has made various commitments to sustainability but does not have any procedures in place to ensure that the careers the university promotes align with this. As such, at the recent careers fair, many unsustainable companies were present, including Europe's #1 polluter. We are proposing an ethical careers policy which will ensure that Bangor University's careers promotion aligns with its commitment to sustainability.
Vending machines across campus have products that contain soft and hard plastics. They also contain products from brands such as Coca Cola who are large polluters and are not fair trade certified. Making Bystander Intervention Training Mandatory - Rose Bystander Intervention training is carried out by the university to students that covers topics such as sexual consent and antiracism. The current delivery method of the training does not ensure that all students receive this training. The training would be more effective if it were carried out online and confirmation that students have completed and understood the training is collected
before students are allowed to start their studies.
Reclaim the NightRose With rising concerns around spiking, we felt that it was an appropriate time to bring back the Reclaim the Night march. The march will take place along Bangor High Street on the evening of Tuesday 3rd of December to show our opposition to spiking, sexual misconduct, and gender-based violence, with speeches beforehand. There will also be a session before to make signs, banners, and placards for the march.
Anti-Drink SpikingRose Concerns around spiking have been raised by students at Bangor for many years, including recently. We want to work with students, the university, and local businesses to make Bangor safer for everyone. Your feedback on this will help us understand where we need to direct our work in this area.
PGR Events updateRose Work is being carried out with the Doctoral School to organise a networking event for PGR students across the university. This will include information from the SU, Doctoral School, and Postgraduate Network, and will also have an opportunity for you to give your feedback on the PGR experience at Bangor. This event was a big success last year.
PGR Event in New Year – Nida
There is an interest to organise a PGR event after new year so if any student wants to get involved, they are more than welcome.
Christmas Event - Nida A Christmas event is organised for the 11th of December in the evening after 5pm. The organisation is still in progress however if students want to contribute in any way, they are more than welcome to meet after the meeting.
Monthly fee instalments for international studentsNida
There is a keen interest in lobbying the university for monthly fee instalments for international students to make it easier for international students to pay fees.
Welsh Language Students’ InsightGwion
Culture and sports update - Hollie
UMCB is keen to gather insight and research on the experiences of Welsh language students that go beyond just the Teaching and Learning experience, and we are keen to reach a wide range of Welsh students including some of those students who are harder to reach such as those not living in JMJ Halls, not involved in UMCB activities, and living at home etc.
A survey will be run and are looking to possibly do a focus group to focus on some themes. The survey goes live on 25th November.
Survey Themes
Teaching and Learning
Services through the medium of Welsh
Study spaces/ Social Spaces
Halls / Living at home
Recruiting Welsh Students - why choose Bangor?
Understanding of UMCB and being a member of UMCB
The VP for culture and sports is focusing on improving the culture in sport here at Bangor especially surrounding the annual event Varsity. Evidence is being gathered to help produce a campaign to encourage students to engage in more positive sporting behaviour and culture in both supporting and playing. From the campaign, it is hoped that there is an increase engagement in sports more widely within the University.
Open slots for debating topics
Are there any national issues that students wish to take to the National union of students or NUS Wales (Nida Ambreen presenting)
Student Forum Meeting Minutes
Students’ Union/Undeb Bangor
Wednesday 20th November 2024
13:00 to 15:30
Room of Requirement, 4th Floor Pontio
Meeting started at 13:05
Staff present:
George
Hollie
Mya
Nida
Rose
Fran
Gwion Danny
Introductions:
12 students (not including Sabbs) were present.
Idea/petition 1: “Demand Bangor University boycott Costa and Starbucks”
University has agreed to conduct a review, however cannot remove companies until their contracts end. Once contracts start coming to an end, students will be surveyed if they want to remove these businesses, which can result to removal of these businesses. Sabbs have sent emails asking how and when this review will happen.
Indicative vote: Yes, in support of idea: 12, No :0, Abstained: 0
Idea/petition 2: “Have radar keys available for disabled students to take so they can access al accessible toilets”.
1st Flood pontio has disabled toilets that need radar keys. Nida wants students to inform SU if any other toilets need radar keys. No vote carried out as universal support for Disability access, it’s a right.
Action points:
Nida to get radar keys for disabled toilets
Nida to ask where disabled students can get radar keys from
Idea/petition 3: “Ethical Careers Policy” - Rose and Mya
Latest careers fair included polluting companies that go against the university’s sustainability values. Rose has a proposal drafted to the university to stop working with companies that go against values.
Action point:
Rose to get proposal sent and get feedback from it
Idea/petition 4: “Less plastic in Vending machines” - Mya
Indicative votes:
Remove plastics from vending machines: Yes – 12, Abstain – 0, No – 0
Remove Coca Cola from vending machines: Yes – 10, Abstain – 2, No – 0
Remove BDS products from vending machines: Yes – 12, Abstain – 0, No – 0
Action point:
Mya to continue the work forward and less BDS products proposed by student during Forum to be also taken forward.
Idea/petition 5: “Making Bystander Intervention Training Mandatory” - Rose
Rose emphasises that the way it is delivered is inefficient and not mandatory. As often lecturers must give up lecture time for training to be carried out.
Indicator vote: “Should Bystander intervention training be mandatory and centrally timetabled?”: Yes – 12, Abstain – 0, No – 0.
Notes:
Students asked if it would be carried out every year.
Another student asked if there are any measures to make sure students are engaging
Idea/petition 6: “Reclaim the night” - Rose
Event is happening 5-7pm 3rd December
Creating banners joint with Craft society.
Information that is present on the agenda was shared. No further comments.
Idea/petition 7: “Anti-Drink Spiking” - Rose
Rose mentioned Harp and Academi do a lot of work testing drinks for spiking and providing drink covers.
Comments from students:
a. Bar Uno/Academi, show people where the drink covers can be found or give them out to all.
b. Having a targeted campaign for Fresher’s week especially to prevent drink spiking, perhaps have ‘buddy’ system.
c. Have information around to inform students of how to spot if their drink is spiked.
d. Include anti-spiking measures and information of what to do if someone's has been spiked in Bystander intervention training.
Idea/petition 8: “PGR Event in New Year” - Nida
Information on agenda read out, agreement between Nida and Rose. No further comments.
Idea/petition 9: “Christmas Event” - Nida
Nida mentioned that it's hard to have students and staff co-organise and attend events. Information regarding the event from agenda was read out. No further comments.
Idea/petition 10: “Monthly fee instalments for international students” - Nida
Nida’s second year of pushing for this change. Wants more students to get involved with initiative to speed up university response time. Action: Nida to keep up the work
Idea/petition 11: “Welsh Language Students’ Insight” - Gwion
Finding out more information from Welsh students on specific issues for example why locals choose to live at home, why choose Bangor etc.
Potential action point:
Gwion to help promote survey that goes live on the 25th of November.
Idea/petition 12: “Culture and sports update” - Hollie
Hollie wants to focus on a more supportive culture in sport especially surrounding Varsity. No further comments.
Additional notes:
Student representing Bangor for Palestine mentioned that some companies included in Bangor University’s investment portfolio “are complicit to genocide of not only Palestinians, but also Congolese and Sudanese people”, some examples mentioned as Alphabet (Google), Microsoft etc. Nida mentioned that this is more relevant towards university instead of the Student’s Union.
Meeting ended at 13:50.