7 council minutes 01aug18srcusyd.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/7... ·...
TRANSCRIPT
MINUTES: of the 7th regular meeting of the 90th SRC held on Wednesday 1st August. Meeting held in the Refectory Room, Quadrangle Building.
A. Meeting open at 6:45 pm
A1. Election of Deputy Chairperson The Chair proposed that Nina Dillon Britton be elected Deputy Chairperson. Moved: William Edwards Seconded: Maya Eswaran The motion was put and CARRIED.
B. Acknowledgement of Country
The University of Sydney Students’ Representative Council acknowledges the traditional owners of this land (Sydney), the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We stand on this land today as beneficiaries of an uncompensated and unreconciled dispossession that occurred over 200 years ago. Many of the descendants of those dispossessed live just down the road in abject poverty, and as young people it is important to recognise how this history of dislocation and disenfranchisement has contributed to the inequality we observe in modern society. We acknowledge both our privilege and our obligation to redress the situation as best we can: to remember the mistakes of the past, act on the problems of today, and build a future for everyone who now calls this place home, striving always for genuinely practical and meaningful reconciliation.
C. Apologies, Proxies and Leaves of Absence
Apologies were received from: James Gibson Caitlin McMenamin Chanum Torres Aaron Yi Hao Zhou Proxies: Steven Wu to Mengwei Yuan Timothy Berney-‐Gibson to Dane Luo Bella Pytka to James Newbold Tim Seguna to Jack Abadee Pranay Jha to Nina Dillon Britton
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at 8:28 William Edwards left and proxies to Lara Sonnenschein
D. Changes to Membership
E. Electoral Report E1. Consideration of any resignations Mengwei Yuan and Zhuonan Li resign as International Students’ Officer Jazzlyn Breen resigns from her role as Queer Officer Motion: That the Council accept the resignations. Moved: Liam Thorne Seconded: Winston Ma The motion was put and CARRIED. E2. Suspensions Suspension of Yi Man, Kida Lin, and Yuxuan Yang. Yuxuan Yang spoke to his suspension saying he was unwell and had gone back home to China promising to attend all remaining meetings Yi Man apologised for not attending the meetings said he would attend all meetings from now on. Kida Lin was no present to speak to his absences. Motion to expel Kida Lin from council Moved: Jazzlyn Breen Seconded: Seth Dias The motion was put and CARRIED. motion to list Yuxuan Yang’s suspension Moved: Dane Luo Seconded: Will Edwards The motion was put and CARRIED. Motion to lift the suspension of Yi Man Moved: Yuxuan Yang Seconded: Dane Luo The motion was put and CARRIED.
F. Minutes of the previous Council meeting. Minutes of the 5th regular meeting of the 89th SRC held on 6th June were circulated. Motion: that the minutes of the 6th June be accepted. Moved: Winston Ma
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Seconded: Seth Dias The motion was put and CARRIED.
G. Business Arising from the Minutes There was no business for this item.
H. Question Time of 15 minutes, which may be extended by resolution for a further 15 minutes.
Procedural motion to move straight to L3. The President’s report. Moved: Imogen Grant Seconded: William Edwards The procedural was put and CARRIED.
The President deferred the Chair to the Deputy Chairperson. L3. President’s Report Imogen Grant tabled a written report:
O-‐Day Over the break the SRC has been working hard over the break help students with academic appeals and show cause. I have also spoken at a number of Orientation events to ensure that new students know about the SRC. The stall was a success with many OBs petitioning and running campaigns on Books Not Bombs and Keep Ramsay out of USYD. Radical Education Week Rad Ed week will spotlight some of the ('radical') knowledges that are created, mobilised and sustained outside of academic institutions, by collectives, community activists, and many others. If you're critical or uncomfortable about the privileged role of academic institutions in generating knowledge today, or if you've ever been skeptical about using an academic platform to dismantle oppressive structures, then Rad Ed Week is for you! Political cartoonist Sam Wallman has created a new logo for Radical Education Week which we will be launching this week (see below).
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We are in the midst of finalising the workshop streams. Some standouts include ‘Fighting for your rights: unions and your right to strike’, ‘Queer agendas: a radical analysis of gender, sexuality and liberation’, ‘The Radical Unionism of the NSW Builders Labourers' Federation’, ‘Just transitions and the climate struggle’, ‘No pride in police: a history of police gay bashings’, and ‘Non Violent Direct Action 101’. We are also co-‐hosting a range of workshops with the NTEU. If you’re interested in hosting a workshop or panel discussion, please get in touch with myself or Nina Dillon Britton, or fill out the EOI here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEt4-‐HHJxq_iwOM6IYJU8yoJzpsovVhm9eFnGTIHIZZG_gGA/viewform. Camera, film software etc. The SRC Publications Department have purchased a new camera, microphone, tripod, studio lights etc. that student activists can use. One of the Publications Managers, Amanda, is available to provide training to activists in how to shoot quality interviews and outdoor shots. We also have Adobe Premier Pro installed onto the Honi computers and can show you the basics of using the software. As a result, we now have an equipment loan procedure with front office, whereby students need to do a brief introduction on equipment use and safety prior to being able to loan equipment. • Learn how to set-‐up and use the lights and backdrop equipment • Learn basic camera and sound skills • Learn basic editing using Adobe Premier Pro • Learn how to publish your videos for the use you require EQUIPMENT available to loan 1 x Camera + Tripod 1 x Microphone 2 x studio lights with stands and reflectors 1 x studio backdrop kit Standalone Sexual Assault Policy and Online Reporting Portal The University of Sydney has developed an online portal for students to report their experiences of sexual assault, and has been criticised by student representatives as “unethical and irresponsible” due to a series of egregious flaws. The portal was thrown together in less than a month in order to be released in time for the anniversary of the Australian Human Rights Commission ‘Change the Course’ report. The portal times out after ten minutes, meaning that if a survivor takes a break from recounting their experiences to get a cup of tea or go to the bathroom, then all their information will be deleted from the server and they will have to start the reporting process again. Reporting your assault to the University can be very retraumatising and, therefore, it is normal for survivors to want to take breaks and tell their story over multiple sittings. Management went as far to suggest that students take screenshots of the portal, paste them into a word document, fill
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out the questions in a word document and then copy and paste them back into the portal in order to circumnavigate the time limit. We will see an enormous attrition rate of people accessing the portal but never finishing their report as they will be forced to write an account of their rape in a single sitting without breaks. It also sets word limits on survivor’s stories, only current students and staff can lodge reports, and has no clear safeguards around which staff can access the portal’s sensitive data. Finally, the portal also asks survivors for their gender, sexuality and post-‐assault therapeutic history. This is an intrusion and irrelevant to how the University processes the complaint. Students should not feel like their ability to lodge a complaint is conditional on their willingness to have their privacy violated. Asking about therapeutic history is as appropriate as asking about what medical services they might have accessed post-‐assault such as STI testing or abortion. The primary purpose of the reporting portal is for survivors to lodge complaints -‐ not to survey them for internal data analysis purposes. The Students’ Representative Council pushed for the University to delay the release of the portal and to consult with experts and staff in its development. University management failed to act on any of the major concerns, instead pushing ahead with releasing the portal. By rushing to a portal fraught with problems, the University is prioritising the press announcement and cheap reputational wins above doing the job properly. We have gone to the media with the story. As of writing this report there have been stories on this botched portal in The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald. Claiming unpaid pay I am working with the Casework Manager, James, on creating resources on how to claim your unpaid time from your boss. This happens all the time, some examples of this include:
• Having to serve customers until your rostered finish time despite then having to close tills etc.
• Completing tasks for short periods after a rostered finish. • Nightfill or early start staff being required to open/shut the store before/after their actual
shit times. • Not receiving paid rest breaks. • Many others!
Number of councilors S 3(a) of the SRC constitution says: “The number of representatives shall be calculated by providing for one representative for every one thousand (1000), students enrolled in an undergraduate degree, or part thereof, and if the result is an even number by then raising that number to the next odd number, provided that the
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number of representatives shall be no less than twenty nine (29).” The latest USyd annual report (2017) records just over 34,000 undergrads—which means the number of councillors should potentially be 35—two more than the current 33. The undergraduate population has been over 33,000 since 2012 (33,008 as recorded in the 2012 USyd report, published April 2013). The undergraduate student population has grown every year since then S 3(b) of the SRC constitution says: “The Electoral Officer shall determine each year prior to the Annual Elections in September, the number of Representatives under subsection (a) above, and the number so determined shall remain unchanged until the next Annual Elections.” William Edwards spoke to the report specifically on the council numbers, and that they should not be increased both because the nomination for this year’s elections have opened and also that the council is too large already. Jazzlyn Breen spoke to the report and said she was for the changes to the council numbers. Karen Chau spoke to this and said that phrasing of the clause is not clear and is difficult to ascertain the meaning in both, whether it can be applied this election, or just next election. As such she is hesitant to raise them this year without that clarification. Vinil Kumar spoke to the motion and said that it was important that students were properly represented and there is nothing for stopping this change from happening, he was in favor of adjusting the numbers. Nina Dillon Britton said she agreed with Vinil Kumar, and that the nomination process would not be affected only how many of them got elected.
Imogen Grant said that the decision was the Electoral Officer’s (EO) and that the EO takes direction from the Council
The Secretary to Council Julia Robins clarified that the EO does not take lead or answer to the council as situated in the constitution and regulations. Vinil Kumar asked how a change would be conveyed to the council.
Karen Chau said that she would make a decision tonight contact the president with the outcome. Motion to accept the report of the President. Moved: Seth Dias Seconded: William Edwards The motion was put and CARRIED.
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I. Visitor’s Business Karen the EO spoke to the Council introducing herself to the council an asked if they have any questions. She also gave the council the EO email address, saying she was happy to receive emails on that and will attempt to respond within 24 hours. During campaigning, she will be available Monday to Friday 9-‐5. Karen encouraged everyone to nominate as soon as possible and asked if there were any questions. There were no questions.
J. Report of the Undergraduate Fellow of Senate There was no report from the Undergraduate Fellow of Senate
K. Elections
K1. Election of 1 Queer Officer Nomination received from Jazz Breen Nominated: William Edwards Seconded: Maya Eswaran There being no other nominations Jazzlyn Breen was declared elected unopposed K2. Election of 1 International Students’ Officer Joint nomination received from Mengwei Yuan and Jai Shen Nominated: Yuanan Young Seconded: Winston Ma There being no other nominations Mengwei Yuan and Jai Shen were declared elected unopposed
L. Report of the President and Executive
L1. Executive Minutes There were no minutes of the Executive
L2. Report of the Executive
Report of the executive from the 6th June – 31st July 2018.
Motion to accept the report of the Executive. Moved: Maya Eswaran Seconded: Seth Dias The motion was put and CARRIED.
M. Report of the Vice-‐Presidents
Adriana Olguin Malavisi tabled a written report:
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It’s been a very busy few weeks. I’ve been focusing primarily on organizing Welfare Week, and although it is not as big as I envisioned, it’s no small feat. Student welfare is something we don’t focus enough on, and it’s something which is very important and severely lacking at our university. The University of Sydney is well known for its lack of support services and poor student welfare. I’m aware that things such as welfare week don’t fix these issues-‐ they don’t tackle the deeply rooted issues within the University that are disadvantaging students, but they’re a good first step. While also using the SRC as a platform to lobby the University for better student support services, an increase in funding and proper training, and an expansion and de-‐centralization of services, we must also provide the resources for students who need it now. This is why I decided to run welfare week to begin with, and I’m proud of the way it’s turning out. As far as organizing, Welfare Week has been a very tough but enlightening job. It’s given me a greater look into the many issues students struggle with, but it’s also given me hope by showing me the wonderful work people are doing. After inviting a number of organizations, we’ve got people like Unions NSW, Twenty10, the NUS, as well as materials from ACon, and Rape and Domestic Violence Services. We’ll be having events, hopefully hosted by some of the collectives, and as many people involved as possible. A volunteer form has been put up on the SRC Facebook page and linked in the OB group for those of you keen to get involved. I really hope more office bearers get involved, it would be great to have a good volunteer turnout at the stall, and I would hope all office bearers support such an initiative. I also hope that this is just the first of many of these weeks to come. I hope to see Welfare Week grow bigger every year, and hopefully taken more seriously. I’m aware that there was not a lot of money allocated to such an event this year, and I worked with whatever I could as it was my fault for not securing funds earlier in the year, but I hope as the initiative grows, so does its budget. As well as welfare week, I also helped Karen Chau and her co-‐organizer with getting the SRC involved in Radical Sex and Consent Week. I’m very excited for this week as well and hope to see a lot of you there. Adriana Olguin Malavisi spoke to her report encouraging everyone to get involved. Nina Dillon Britton asked for a clarification is CAPS were attending or sending materials. Adriana Olguin Malavisi clarified that they would be attending.
Motion: that the report of the Vice President be accepted. Moved: Thomas Manousaridis Seconded: Dane Luo The motion was put and CARRIED. N. Report of the General Secretaries
Nina Dillon Britton and Yuxuan Yang tabled a written report and the Annual Budget. Budget is attached at the end of this document. Budget 2018 Report
1. The budget has a small surplus, we’re very proud of this.
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2. We’ve increased our NUS affiliation contribution by $1000 to $64 300. If this budget is passed, it will be the first time the SRC has increased its affiliation fee since before VSU. They’re apparently very excited about this.
3. We have budgeted for the hiring of a new research officer for the Casework Department. This new officer will better represent students’ interests to the ever more complex behemoth of the University’s management; be able to help office bearers with research for key campaigns; and pursue research projects concerning students’ interests such as affordable housing, welfare benefits and student services.
4. There are substantial training budgets for both the Legal Service and Casework Department.
a. This will allow the Casework team to send at least two caseworkers to a international student focused conference at the end of this to better equip themselves with skills to support international students and face the unique challenges that arise for these students.
b. This will also allow the Legal Service to be able to enrol themselves in a number of online courses that will equip them with skills.
5. Now for some of the less sexy, but equally important items: a. We’ve been able to budget for 2 weeks of casual cover for the Administration
Department. This allows the smooth operation of the SRC, allowing students to easily access our vital support services.
b. There is a new server for the SRC. Our old one was very, very, old. Includes new server $15,221.27.
c. A new database system for the Legal Service to better organise their caseload.
6. We were able to commit an additional $650 to the Office Bearers this year. We were unfortunately unable to give everyone exactly what they asked for, as the total amount requested by Office Bearers was more than $20,000 more than that, and we didn’t get an increase in SSAF this year that would allow us to do that.
7. In dividing this up we took into account three key things: a. The amount that was requested by OBs and what it was specifically for.
Printing is not included in your budgets, so that was discounted, as was requests for some campaign materials such as canvas and paint that the SRC provides at OB’s requests. Please just ask the front desk if you need these to be re-stocked.
b. The amount that collective had spent that year – to help estimate how much more money it would need to remain as active as it had been.
c. The amount of money it received in the past – because this is what many OBs have been working from in budgeting their year.
d. The amount of money that collective spent last year – to allow us to understand how much money that collective has required in the past for its activities.
8. Finally we have included a substantial Council Resources Pool for three reasons: a. Firstly, this council has already spent more than was allocated last year to
the “Executive Expenses” line item. That’s due to investments in shared resources such as the new marquee, which has been used by a number of collectives already and because this Council has passed spending itself.
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b. Secondly, it allows a pool of resources that collectives can apply for where they overspend their budget amount to access. This will still be approved and overseen by the Executive, but allows OBs of particularly active collectives to be able to pursue important campaigns and projects.
c. Finally, it provides a resource that any councillor, office bearer, member of the executive or indeed member of the SRC can apply for. This provides more equitable access to the SRC’s pool of funding, whilst still being overseen by the council and the executive. To those departments that did not get a budget, this is where funding may be applied for.
Nina gave a quick overview of the Budget. Lily Campbell understood that some collectives asked for a bigger printing budget as it is currently capped and that while printing shouldn’t be capped why is ACAR getting such a lage budget when she has seen no evidence they are doing anything. Jessica Syed replied to Lily Campbell that this is probably because she is not a member of ACAR. Lily Campbell replied asking why they were getting so much compared to Global Solidarity who do more. Nina Dillon Britton said that the allocation were based on the number of activities they had done in semester one and their funding applications. Adding that Global Solidarity and Social justice has received a funding increase this year. Adding the General Secretaries have tried to predict activity according to past activity but those projections may be wrong. Madeline Ward asked if a collective wanted to dispute their allotment what would the procedure be? Or would they need to apply though the collective pool for funding? Nina Dillon Britton Said it would come from the council pool and there would reallocation where budgets weren’t spent. Dane Luo thanked the General Secretaries for their detailed explination of the budget and asked why Sexual Harassment was such a small budget considering it was such a prevalent issue and asked the same with Student Housing. Nina Dillon Britton clarified that they didn’t not apply for funding and that for the Sexual Harassment Office much of the work is done with the women’s collective, with student housing it was based of their budget application. Connor Wherrett asked about the finances saying that UTS is always putting away savings and this budget uses up all its sundry. Nina Dillon Britton said she was not aware of UTSSA processes but their budget is much larger than the SRC’s and more like that of the USU. Adding that this is something to be thought about but there is very little room for movement on such a small budget.
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Madeline Ward noted that they have spent their budget on Growing Strong and O-‐Week alone. Nina Dillon Britton clarified that O-‐week shirts and publication did not come out of the collective’s budget. Madeline Ward noted concern about what will happen when they need more funding and the procedures that will be required for that, and will it result in a lack of autonomy. Nina Dillon Britton said that she would have preferred to have more consultation with collectives but some budget requests were only received this afternoon. Adding that while the budget is $400 smaller than last years applying for resource pool funding is the same process as any funding application. George Bishop thanked the General Secretaries for the budget but noted they mentioned paying the legal fees of activists from a motion that had failed. It was clarified that the example way hypothetical and those fees has not been paid. Lily Campbell asked why the fees were not paid when it had been voted on again and passed. Julia Robins the Secretary to Council clarified that the motion was deemed invalid and could have only been voted on if a rescind motion has been put, and none had been therefore the motion had failed. Dane Luo asked why Welfare week was not receiving funding. Nina Dillon Britton replied that none had been requested.
Motion: that the report of the General Secretaries and the budget be accepted. Moved: Liam Thorne Seconded: Seth Dias The motion was put and CARRIED
N1. Report of the Standing Legal Committee The Standing Legal Committee found no constitutional issues regarding the proposed amendments. [in motions 1 and 2]
Motion: that the report of the Standing Legal Committee meeting be accepted. Moved: Liam Thorne Seconded: Dane Luo The motion was put and CARRIED O. Report of Committees and Officers
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O1. Report of the Education Officers Lily Campbell gave a verbal report Edcon
• Books not Bombs campaign was launched across campus around Australia, this is its official launch is this week
• We are focusing on the Ramsay centre at the moment, this is exemplarity of the dangers of the neoliberal universities and how they will take money from everywhere regardless of compromise.
• ran a workshop on how to disarm to your university SOS
• Ran a workshop at SOS on the disarm campaign Ramsey Centre
• There will be a forum for staff and students on the Ramsey Centre next week
EAG • Meeting today to plan semester • Have a Zine on the way
Motion: that the report of the Education Officers be accepted. Moved: Liam Thorne Seconded: Maya Eswaran The motion was put and CARRIED
O2. Report of the Wom*n’s Officers Madeline Ward gave a verbal report Madeline Ward spoke to the issues that have arisen around misconduct and that the collective was still active and meeting regularly. She spoke about how the safe access bill showed that issues of decimalisation are still going to be difficult to manage but that issues around healthcare access are better received. Lily Campbell asked that in relation to the coming state election the collective would be putting pressure on the labour party to bind on decimalisation? Madeline Ward responded saying this would be difficult as there are people like Greg Donnelly who has attacked her personally in parliament in the Labor Party who are unlikely to bind on that issue.
Motion: that the report of the Wom*n’s Officers be accepted. Moved: Maya Eswaran
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Seconded: Lily Campbell The motion was put and CARRIED Procedural motion to add a Queer Officers Report moved: Jazzlyn Breen Seconded: Maya Eswaran The procedural was put and CARRIED
O3. Report of the Queer Officers
Things we have done
Film screening Queer Honi Banner paints On and off campus activism/ protests Weekly meetings 200+ collective Sent people to QC 40 years of Mardi Grass conference Attended other collectives events e.g. sexual assault rally today
PLANS FOR SEM TWO
Mardi grass schemes à cops and corporations out of pride, have spoken to 78ers about this, have a collective group which we are working with, ray and I have got funding to become members of the board
Ramsey Centre protest engagement – Western Civilisation has left its mark on queer people all around the world. (homophobia as a result of imperialism in Africa, Australia etc.)
Continued support of refugee activism (especially for queer refugees)
Motion: that the report of the Queer Officers be accepted. Moved: William Edwards Seconded: Seth Dias The motion was put and CARRIED
P. Special Business There were no items of special business.
Q. Motions of Notice Q1. Changes to Regulations Part 8 Section 15 (c) Highlighted in red is what has been changed Current:
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(c) For the Annual Elections, the following times will be adhered to: (i) A polling booth shall be established outside Fisher Library between the hours of
8:45am and 5:15pm on both days of polling; (ii) A polling booth shall be established outside the Jane Foss Russell Building between
the hours of 8:45am and 5:15pm on both days of polling; (iii) A polling booth shall be established at Manning House between the hours of
10:45am and 3:15pm on both days of polling; (iv) A polling booth shall be established at the Cumberland College of Health Sciences
between the hours of 9:45am and 2:15pm on both days of polling; (v) A polling booth shall be established at the Conservatorium of Music between the
hours of 9:45am and 2:15pm on the first day of polling; (vi) A polling booth shall be established at the Peter Nicol Russell (PNR) Building between
the hours of 11:45am and 2:15pm on the first day of polling; (vii) A polling booth shall be established at the Sydney College of the Arts between the
hours of 9:45am and 2:15pm on the second day of polling. Amendment: (c) For the Annual Elections, the following times will be adhered to:
(i) A polling booth shall be established outside Fisher Library between the hours of 8:45am and 6:30pm on the first day of polling and 8:45am and 6:00pm on the second day of polling;
(ii) A polling booth shall be established outside the Jane Foss Russell Building between the hours of 8:45am and 6:00pm on both days of polling;
(iii) A polling booth shall be established at Manning House between the hours of 10:45am and 3:15pm on both days of polling;
(iv) A polling booth shall be established at the Cumberland College of Health Sciences between the hours of 10:30am and 2:15pm on both days of polling;
(v) A polling booth shall be established at the Conservatorium of Music between the hours of 12:30pm and 2:30pm on the first day of polling;
(vi) A polling booth shall be established at the Peter Nicol Russell (PNR) Building between the hours of 11:30am and 2:30pm on the first day of polling;
(vii) A polling booth shall be established at the Sydney College of the Arts between the hours of 12:30pm and 2:30pm on the second day of polling.
Imogen Spoke to the motion noting that they would not be implemented this year. Adding that she should like there to be more consultation with the factions before these are voted on. Vinil Kumar spoke in favour of the changes in motions 1 and 2.
Maya Eswaran agreed with Vinil Kumar and Imogen and felt they should be held over till next year’s council. There being no mover or seconder the motion LAPSED.
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Q2. Changes to Regulations Part 8 Section 27 (j) Highlighted in red is what has been changed Current: (j) The EO shall be responsible for creating an exclusion zone of no less than a ten (10) metres
radius from all ballot boxes, within which no person shall display any poster, distribute leaflets or solicit votes, or impede without just cause the conduct of the election. For the purpose of this regulation, impeding the conduct of the election will include physically blocking, or causing to be stopped, any potential voter immediately outside the exclusion zone.
Amendment: (j) The EO shall be responsible for creating an exclusion zone of at least five (5) metres radius
from all ballot boxes subject to the EO’s discretion and with consideration to the safety of students, staff, and the public. Within this space no person shall display any poster, distribute leaflets or solicit votes, or impede without just cause the conduct of the election. For the purpose of this regulation, impeding the conduct of the election will include physically blocking, or causing to be stopped, any potential voter immediately outside the exclusion zone.
There being no mover or seconder the motion LAPSED. Q3. Campaign for Books Not Bombs and to Disarm USYD! Preamble USyd SRC activists attended the National Union of Students Education Conference last week in Adelaide. The main purpose of the conference was to discuss the new national campaign of NUS, called Books Not Bombs. This campaign is about highlighting the racist militarism of the Australian government, which is responsible for death and destruction overseas and draws billions of dollars away from public services like health care, welfare and higher education. Already this year, higher education funding has been cut by $2.2 billion which includes a cap on Commonwealth-‐supported places, while $3.8 billion has gone to weapons manufacturers to boost their exports, $35 billion on a new fleet of frigates, $7 billion on drones and $5 billion on tanks. The HECS repayment threshold has been reduced to a mere $45,000 annual income to raise more money for these crimes. USyd SRC has already held a successful campus rally on March 21 to highlight these issues. Work on the USyd campus wing of the campaign, Disarm USYD, has already begun. Disarm USYD seeks to highlight the links between our university through investment, research and personnel to major defence corporations. Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson sits on the board of Thales Australia, and USyd’s investment portfolio includes substantial investments in Honeywell and Lockheed Martin. Additionally, USyd’s negotiations with the Ramsay Centre to set up a degree for Western Civilisation shows another connection with racist corporate interests that will come at the cost of student choice and academic freedom.
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This semester, Disarm USyd will campaign against the Ramsay Centre negotiations and demand USyd divest from defence companies. It will organise the USyd leg of the National Launch Week of Books Not Bombs beginning August 6, when a national report will be released detailing all findings about university ties with military corporations. Platform
1. The SRC endorses the campaign of the National Union of Students for Books Not Bombs. a. The SRC condemns the increase to defence spending and recognises that the
Australian government is complicit in wars overseas and increasing military tensions.
b. The SRC demands that the federal government increases the higher education budget to provide for free and fully-‐funded tertiary education.
2. The SRC supports the work of its education activists on the campaign to Disarm USYD. a. The SRC condemns the investment, research and personnel ties between USyd and
companies like Thales Australia, Lockheed Martin and Honeywell and demands that the University cut these connections.
Action
1. The SRC will participate in the National Launch Week of Books Not Bombs beginning on August 6. To promote the National Launch Week, including the findings of the national report and events, the SRC will:
a. use its social media outlets; b. reach out to its members through its contact lists; c. contact relevant media outlets to cover the Week; d. ensure coverage in Honi Soit.
2. Specifically, the SRC will: a. promote and attend the forum hosted by the Education Action Group and the
NTEU to oppose the Ramsay Centre degree for Western Civilisation on Wednesday August 8;
b. promote and attend a stunt being organised for the Launch Week to highlight USyd’s complicity in war.
Gina Elias spoke to the motion highlighting the amount that has been spent on military spending and the companies that are contributing to universities. Adding that Belinda Hutchinson sits on the board of one of the arms companies with ties to the university. She encouraged everyone to support the motion. Kim waved her speaking rights to Maddie Clarke Maddie Clarke spoke the motion saying that it was a good campaign and was building to a national campaign. She encouraged everyone to vote for the motion. Lara Sonnenschein spoke to the motion saying that she’s not going to repeat herself and that disarm ANU had a protest in Canberra over a meeting of arms developers there and encouraged everyone to get involved in the campaign.
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Adriana Olguin Malavisi spoke against the motion saying there was an issue with platform 2 of the motion. Adriana Olguin Malavisi added that private partnerships are often how the university gets funding to do medical and physics research, and that this positive reseach can’t bedone without their funding support. Thomas Manousaridis spoke against the motion calling free education a joke and that this shows the wrong priorities and a focus on middle class welfare. Arguing that a focus on pushing against the lowering of the HECS pay back threshold would be a better campaign. Lara Sonnenschein read out previously motions that has been passed with similar aims saying that there is no consistence with those arguing against it. Adriana Olguin Malavisi did not agree with elements of the motion particularly platform 2 a. Lara Sonnenschein said this is no different to the motion condemning “partnerships” they supported earlier in the year. Adriana Olguin Malavisi said she did not believe she or her faction would have supported that motion. And if they did she does not agree with that decision. Lily Campbell spoke in support of the motion at said that the argument that education was middle class welfare was “disgusting” and that the majority of student were form working class families. Adding that most people with degrees do not go into the upper echelons of society but the general workforce as often a degree is a basic requirement. Adding that she had spoken to Adriana about this and didn’t know why she would think that companies profiting from murder are good to work with on medical research. Jazzlyn Breen said that while labor right like to talk about the working class they do so like they are a homogenous group. Adding that she comes from a working class family and they language used by unity is not representative of her experiences and speak more to their lack of understanding of the needs of these communities. And that many people are forced into role by their circumstances not desire. Nina Dillon Britton agreed and echoed Lily Campbell’s comments adding that it is those who insist on those skills to employ people who should be paying a higher amount of taxes so that people can get those qualifications, adding that international students aren’t covered by HECS so can’t be included in a middle class welfare argument. James Newbold noted that the impact of HECS debt occurs when people have to start paying it off adding that he thinks it can be agreed that research tainted with corporate funding isn’t good research. Adriana Olguin Malavisi responded to Jazzlyn Breen’s comments saying it was presumptuous to know what her and her factions backgrounds were. Jazzlyn Breen said that Adriana Olguin Malavisi failed to address any political point and simply employed identity politics.
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Jack Manson spoke in support of the motion and Jazzlyn Breen’s comments adding that it is working class people are pushed into jobs to survive it’s not a choice and when we apply this to war it is the working class who are conscripted while the rich get out of service.
Moved: Gina Elias Seconded: Kim Murphy The motion was put and FAILED the count was noted at 9 for 10 against and 4 abstentions.
Q4. SAVE THE ABC! PUBLIC BROADCASTER IN PUBLIC HANDS! Preamble: In June the 60th Federal Council of the Liberal Party voted to privatise the ABC and in the most recent federal budget $83m was cut from the public broadcaster. This has lead to job cuts and cuts to programming with the most recent loss being ‘The Checkout’, a popular comedic consumer affairs program. The ABC has often been a balanced shining light in a right wing, corporate media landscape. Flagship current affairs programs such as Four Corners, Lateline and 7.30 have been key in reporting on the big issues facing Australia and the world. Exposing and highlighting issues such as government corruption, the deplorable conditions international students face at university, rape on campus, wage theft, the rise of racism and the far right, income inequality and the housing crisis the ABC has been critical in bringing student issues to light. In addition to the incredibly important and valuable reporting the ABC does it is the standard bearer for the arts and TV in Australia. From platforming suppressed voices through programs like Redfern Now and Riot, to supporting music through triple J and Rage the ABC is central to Australia’s cultural fabric and is something we can’t afford to lose or privatise. Platform:
1. The SRC believes in the public ownership and proper funding of the ABC 2. The SRC notes how important the ABC is for rural and regional communities. Particularly
ABC radio. 3. The SRC acknowledges that the ABC is central to a functioning democracy 4. The SRC supports the ABC being central to story telling, music, arts, comedy, children’s
programming, current affairs and culture in Australia. 5. Michael Rowland and Virginia Trioli are just better journalists and breakfast TV hosts than
Sam and Kochie Action:
1. The SRC will support and attend any actions in the Save the ABC campaign being spearheaded by several organisations including GetUp! And the MEAA
2. The SRC will publicise Save the ABC content on it’ Facebook page when appropriate
Jack Mansell spoke to the motion saying that while he doesn’t see the ABC as particularly progressive it is important to maintain. Hersha Kadkol spoke in favour of the motion saying she was against the privatisation of any public
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resource but agreed with Jack Mansell that it is not inherently progressive and have use dog whistle tactics in their journalism. Adding that she thinks Triple J’s Hack with Tom Tilly is a terrible show that encourages racists by legitimising them. Kim Murphy spoke to the motion saying it is deplorable when the government cuts funding to public services but agreed that the ABC is not progressive and this motion is naïve. Adding that many of its shows like QandA are supposed to be democratic but will not allow proper debate. Manning Jeffery spoke against the motion saying that an organisation that relies on public funding will always skew left wing. And looks forward to the privatisation of the ABC. George Bishop spoke against the motion saying the ABD was bias to the left wing and that the journalists were overpaid. Adding that Triple J is not a good radio station and that the only programing that should be supported is the rural programming as they need public funding. George Bishop noted he will abstain from the motion.
Moved: Harry Gregg Seconded: Tom Manousaridis The motion was put and CARRIED
Q5. STOP THE CUTS! FUND EDUCATION: Preamble: In the latest federal budget the Turnbull Liberal/National government has taken another sledge hammer to higher education and Sydney University has had funding cut again. The 2018/19 federal budget means the following for Sydney University Students:
• A fresh cut of $62m from Sydney University alone. • A decline of 2.8% in public funding. • Students will have to start repaying HECS when they earn $44,999. This is only roughly
$6,500 above the full time adult minimum wage. These disgraceful attacks on students from the federal government must be opposed at every turn. They will impoverish students, saddle them with higher debt sooner and lock them out of education. Platform:
1. The Sydney University SRC condemns the Turnbull Government for yet again cutting tertiary education funding.
2. The SRC calls for fully funded and free university education for all students, both domestic and international.
3. The SRC acknowledges these cuts disproportionally affect LGBTI students, women students, students of colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, working class students and students from rural and regional areas.
4. The SRC acknowledges the need for a strong national campaign against these attacks on higher education.
Action: 1. The SRC will include its opposition to these cuts in education campaigns in semester 2.
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2. The SRC will support the NUS ‘Bury the Bill’ campaign which seeks to fight these changes that will be voted on in the senate in August.
Lily Campbell spoke in favour of the motion noting that the challenging this with fighting these changes is because they are being implemented through back door means which makes it harder to bring people’s attention to them. Brandon Hale spoke to the motion but disagreed with platform 2 as he does not support free education. Moved to amend the motion to remove platform 2. The movers rejected the amendment. The amendment was put as for foreshadowing motion. Lara Sonnenschein spoke to the motion agreeing with Lily Campbell and noting that it is funding cuts that drive the need for private partnerships. Moved: Harry Gregg Seconded: Will Edwards Motion was put and CARRIED Manning noted his dissent As the motion passed the foreshadowing motion LAPSED. Q6. Recognising the importance of promoting inclusion and access of students and staff living with a disability, that the SRC: 1. Urges the university to install disability access ramps and/or lifts in Footbridge Lecture Theatre so that staff and students can reach the front of the theatre. 2. Encourages the SRC Executive to advocate accordingly in discussions with university decision makers. 3. Encourages the SRC Executive to seek further feedback and advice from the Disability Officers and the SRC Disabilities Collective on what would be most helpful for students and staff living with a disability in relation to accessing Footbridge Lecture Theatre.” George Bishop spoke to his motion covering its main points and highlighting the struggles faced by students with a disability adding that this aimed to offer practical support to those students. Adding that his inaccessibility also affect teachers with a disability who cannot access the stage area. Concluding that he was not sure of the best course of action and felt that the disability collective should be consulted to find more areas where there needs to be changes. Kim Murphy cited issues with the motion saying that she is in support of accessible learning spaces but that the mover of the motion is a member of the liberal party, a party that has removed millions from disability funding and she find that this motion is a part of cynical behaviour and will
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vote it down accordingly. Adriana Olguin Malavisi spoke in favour of the motion saying that it is a motion of merit and that a good motion focusing on student issues shouldn’t be rejectd because of the mover’s political affiliation. James Newbold spoke to the motion saying that he agrees there is something wrong with the movers but not the motion and as such the motion should be supported as it assists students. Moved: George Bishop Seconded: David Wan Motion was put and CARRIED. Q7. Ramsay Centre Preamble The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation was created in 2017 with part of a $3 billion bequest from health care magnate Paul Ramsay. Sydney University Vice-‐Chancellor Mike Spence has announced that the university is in negotiations with the Ramsay Centre over the establishment of a degree in “Western Civilisation.” Tony Abbott’s comments to the right-‐wing Quadrant journal that the degree isn’t just “about Western civilisation but in favour of it,” indicates the ideological purpose of giving academic respectability to racist ideas. In the Quadrant interview, Abbott went on to favourably compare Paul Ramsay with Cecil Rhodes, the architect of South African apartheid. One of the main excuses for the Ramsay Centre has been that it is an opportunity to recoup some of the funding that has been cut to humanities subjects in recent years. In reality, it has been the same people who sit on the Ramsay board, like Tony Abbott and John Howard, who have systematically gutted higher education funding over the past two decades. Sydney University academics, in their open letter against the Ramsay Centre, note that the classics, languages, gender studies and normative philosophy have all suffered heavily under federal tertiary education cuts. Beyond the immediate concerns around the racist content of the proposed degree, the NTEU has raised central concerns over academic freedom. Ramsay Centre CEO Simon Haines has said “We would not be willing to hire somebody who is coming in with a long liturgy of what terrible damage Western Civilisation had done to the world.” Tony Abbott implied that the Ramsay Centre CEO and academic director would wield considerable influence over staffing and curriculum decisions. This is reason for great concern over academic freedom, integrity and independence. A Sydney Morning Herald report notes that the Ramsay Centre intends to sit in on classes, monitor content, and have the right to veto curriculum decisions by academics in any future Western civilisation degrees. Platform
1. The SRC opposes the Ramsay Centre having any presence on Sydney University campus. 2. The SRC recognises the Ramsay centre as a right wing, racist organisation with the goal of
promoting European supremacy.
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3. The SRC recognises the serious threat the Ramsay Centre poses to students and staff -‐ further privatising education and restricting academic freedom.
Action 1. All SRC councillors and OBs will attend the rally against the Ramsay Centre on 15th August.
The SRC will also share the rally event from its main Facebook page. 2. The SRC supports and will be actively involved in the EAG Forum organised against the
Ramsay centre on August 8. The event will be shared from the SRC Facebook page. Jack Mansell spoke to his motion noting that there are a number of issues with the centre the biggest being that it presents racism and culture wars as having academic legitimacy. Noting that if Western civilisation defeated the Nazi’s it’s worth noting that they also created them. Adding that if the Centre is allowed to have control over what and how academics teach then academic freedom is compromised. The NETU has raised this concern. Maddie Clark spoke to the motion agreeing with Jack Mansell’s comments and adding that this is an opportunity to better engage students around issues of their rights at university. Sophie ______ spoke in favour of the motion and said that the centre should not be able to determine academic content as they should not be able to impede student’s right to learn. Suggesting that this be looked at with the context of the books not bombs campaign which shows that one of the biggest reason we have gone to war has been western civilisation. Manning Jeffery spoke against the motion speaking in favour of a free market in education and that if someone doesn’t like the ideological direction of the Ramsey Centre they shouldn’t do its classes but there should be a choice. An amendment was proposed by Vinil Kumar to end platform 1 with an exclamation mark Jack Mansell responded to the amendment saying that the idea that the free market can be applied to education is appalling. The amendment was not amenable to the movers and was withdrawn. Moved: Jack Mansell Seconded: Imogen Grant The motion was put and CARRIED. Manning Jeffery noted his dissent Q8. Unite against Trump US President Donald Trump will be visiting Australia in mid-‐November. Inspired by the scale of the protests against his UK visit, organising for a mass demonstration has begun. Last Wednesday night, the Unite Against Trump alliance was formed, comprised of a broad coalition of left-‐wing politicians, activists, unionists and students, all outraged at Trump’s vile racism, sexism, homophobia and war-‐mongering.
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The first meeting was a success, with 80 activists in attendance to discuss the campaign going forward and a launch of the alliance’s Facebook page. The alliance is open and inclusive to all campaign groups, unions and community groups and individuals who want to get involved, so we can give Trump the biggest “welcoming” he deserves. The University of Sydney SRC should join the United Against Trump alliance and be active in the campaign. Trump’s election has emboldened the far-‐right globally, including Australia, and the SRC should fight against all forms of discrimination. A mass mobilisation not only sends a message to the far-‐right that their bigotry is not tolerated, but to the Australian government, that their actions will not be silently accepted. Moreover, the SRC needs to stand in solidarity with persecuted migrants the world over against Trump’s muslim ban and increased attacks on refugees -‐ recognising that his inspiration for locking up children comes from the bipartisan Australian policy of torture. As David Shoebridge, Greens MP said, this protest is “not just no to Trump, it's yes to peace and equality because these are the values Australians will rally around.” Platform
1. The SRC opposes Donald Trump and every thing he stands for 2. The SRC condemns the Australian government for facilitating his visit and calls for him to
be denied entry to Australia 3. The SRC supports holding a mass protest against Trump’s visit
Action
1. The SRC will join the Unite Against Trump alliance and will participate in the protest against Trump’s visit in November
2. The SRC will give serious resources to organising, building and promoting the future protest
Moved: Sophie Haslam Seconded: Kim Murphy The motion was put and CARRIED. Manning Jeffery noted his dissent
Imogen Grant moved from the Chair that R1 be held over till next meeting so Harry Gregg could speak to his report. The meeting closed at 10:02 pm.
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Budget 2018 Summary Total income $1 826 351.00 Total expenditure $1 826 063.36 Net surplus $287.64 Income SSAF (Student Services Amenities Fee) – allocation from University $1 765 351
Sundry – interest earned from our reserves and term deposits $45 000.00
Membership – fee paid by students running for election $5 000.00
Honi ads $11 000.00 Total $1 826 351.00 Expenditure Representation Collectives and Departments Autonomous Collective Against Racism (ACAR) $2 000
Campus Refugee Action Collective (CRAC) $3 200 Disabilities and Carers Collective $2 450 Education Action Group $20 200 Environment Collective $9 500 Indigenous Collective $1 000 International Students' Collective $1 500 Queer Action Collective $3 700 Wom*n's Collective $3 150 Global Solidarity Department $1 500 Intercampus Department - Sexual Harassment Department - Social Justice Department $1 500 Student Housing Department $400 Welfare Department $1 000 Council Resources Pool $6 000
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Subtotal $57 100 Student stipends – President, General Secretaries, Wom*n’s OBs, and Education OBs President Stipend $38,836.80 President Superannuation $3,689.50 General Secretaries’ Stipend $25,891.20 General Secretaries’ Superannuation $2,459.66 Wom*n’s Officers’ Stipend $25,891.20 Wom*n’s Officers’ Superannuation $2,459.66 Education Officers’ Stipend $25,891.20 Education Officers’ Superannuation $2,459.66 Subtotal $127 578.89 National Union of Students (NUS) Affiliation fees $64 300.00 Conference – fees and travel subsidies $18 000.00 Subtotal $82 300.00 Elections Electoral Officer (EO) stipend $10 000 Electoral Officer Budget: Polling Booth Attendants (PBAs) wages, PBAs superannuation, Ballot papers, Miscellaneous expenses
$55 000
Subtotal $65 000 O-Week Stalls $4 335.00 Merchandise $7 165 Handbooks $8 000 Subtotal $19 500 Representation: net expenditure $350 478.89 Publications Honi Soit Editors’ stipends $44 000 Printing and discretionary $52 500 Subtotal $96 500
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Publications staff expenses Salaries $92, 619.24 Superannuation $11, 814.08 Distribution salary $7,329.17 Other – training, car-parking, miscellaneous expenses, etc. $11,160
Subtotal $219, 422.49 Publications: net expenditure $212 093.32 Welfare Casework Salaries $447,534.18 Superannuation $58,975.48 Other $8 000 Research Officer $29 189.47 Subtotal $543 699.13
Legal Centre Salaries $134 795.70
Superannuation $17 027.54
Other $13 176.77
Conflict registry and training $5 076
Subtotal $170 076
Welfare: net expenditure $713 775.13
Infrastructure Administration Salaries $340,542.82 Superannuation $43 529.99 Casual cover – 2 weeks $2 758 Other $106 000 Subtotal $492 830.81
Bookshop Salaries $33 606.04
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Other $14 950
Subtotal $48 556.04
Infrastructure: net expenditure $541 386.85
Total $ 1 826 063.36