democracy and governance committee 03.12.14
TRANSCRIPT
Change, Policy and Research
GUILD COUNCIL
Democracy and Governance Committee
03/12/14
Chair: Maria Finnerty
Change, Policy and Research
Apologies
Kane Davis – proxy to Maria Finnerty
Oscar Maddox
Milly Hindle
Bess Tuo – proxy to Natasa Christofidou
Chris Ngyuen – proxy to Alexandra Beeler
Rachael Gillies – proxy to Matt Bate
Ben Street – proxy to Kate Hawkins
Emily Bevan – proxy to Kate Hawkins
Naomi Armstrong
Carlus Hudson – proxy to Harry White
Marcel Golten
Present
Lucy Whitaker
Harry White
Alexandra Beeler
Natalie Anderson
Natasa Christofidou
Maria Finnerty
Fong Khei Mah
Kate Hawkins
Matt Bate
In attendance
Julia Bush
Johannes Neumann
Change, Policy and Research
AGENDA
1. Student Idea: Develop Cross Keys into a Functional Study
and Social Space and/or Food Outlet
2. Student Idea: To Have a Quiet Non-study 'Zen' Space on
Campus to Think, Re-charge and Relax
3. Student Idea: To Reinstate the Cafe in the Institute of Arab
and Islamic Studies
4. Student Idea: To Support the Inclusion of the Green Party in
the National Televised Debates
Change, Policy and Research
5. Student Idea: The Guild Should Stop Accepting Political
Statements as Student Ideas
6. Student Idea: The Grove Diner Should be able to Serve Hot
Drinks in China Cups or Mugs Instead of Just Disposable
Cups
7. Student Idea: More Development and Training on Public
Speaking and Lecturing
8. Student Idea: Create Opportunities for Student Workers
Along the Lines of the German System
Change, Policy and Research
1. Student Idea: Develop Cross Keys into a Functional
Study and Social Space and/or Food Outlet
138 votes
95.7% positive approval
More PGCE students engaged with this issue, while on
placement, than have voted in Sabb Elections for 3 years.
Results:
http://www.exeterguild.org/change/ideas/idea92-crosskeys/
Report:
http://www.exeterguild.org/pageassets/change/ideas/idea92-
crosskeys/Student-Idea-Report-92-CrossKeys.pdf
Change, Policy and Research
1. Student Idea: Develop Cross Keys into a Functional
Study and Social Space and/or Food Outlet
This idea was postponed to be held at a Guild Council meeting
on St Luke’s Campus in January 2015
Change, Policy and Research
2 . Student Idea: To Have a Quiet Non-study 'Zen' Space on
Campus to Think, Re-charge and Relax
130 votes
84.6% positive approval
Results:
http://www.exeterguild.org/change/ideas/idea93-quietspace/
Report:
http://www.exeterguild.org/pageassets/change/ideas/idea93-
quietspace/Student-Idea-Report-93-QuietSpace.pdf
Change, Policy and Research
2 . Student Idea: To Have a Quiet Non-study 'Zen' Space on Campus to Think,
Re-charge and Relax
Kate Hawkins stated that there were quiet spaces already available in the Chaplaincy –
Lucy Whitaker replied that the proposer was keen for an area without religious
connotations and closer to study spaces. Natasa Christofidou suggested the loft; Matt
Bate replied that study and society spaces are also needed and Maria Finnerty agreed
that space shouldn’t be taken away from those needs.
Fong Khei Mah suggested using unused Forum seminar rooms; Harry White stressed
the need to separate its purpose from just being used as another study space.
Alexandra Beeler told Council that the Meditation Society, who support the idea, have
recently acquired meditation cushions. Julia Bush suggested using these to trial ‘pop-up’
quiet/meditation zones across campus. Lucy Whitaker discussed the practicalities of this,
specifically if Meditation Society could just book rooms and do this in the daytime, with
this space being open to all (not just the society).
Change, Policy and Research
2 . Student Idea: To Have a Quiet Non-study 'Zen' Space on Campus to Think,
Re-charge and Relax
Johannes Neumann suggested an empty corridor in the Library; MF stated that she
thought the ideas discussed were more realistic as a starting point than designating a
permanent space to this right away. KH suggested that she liaise with the proposer and
Meditation Society about these options, with Matt Bate and Ben Street to investigate
other space options for this idea.
Council voted to instruct the Sabbatical Officers to work with the proposer
and Meditation Society on options such as pop-up meditation zones and
explore space options for a more long-term solution.
FOR - 16 AGAINST - 0 ABSTAIN - 4
Change, Policy and Research
3. Student Idea: To Reinstate the Cafe in the
Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
119 votes
94.1% positive approval
Results:
http://www.exeterguild.org/change/ideas/idea97-iaiscafe/
Report:
http://www.exeterguild.org/pageassets/change/ideas/idea97-
iaiscafe/Student-Idea-Report-97-iaiscafe.pdf
Change, Policy and Research
3. Student Idea: To Reinstate the Cafe in the
Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
Council discussed why the Cafe was closed in the first place, with questions
raised about its profitability. Suggestions were made about ways this
potential issue could be overcome, for example running the Cafe as a co-
operative or non-profit venture. Lucy Whitaker and Kate Hawkins both
agreed that, as neither of them knew that a cafe had ever existed there, there
was a potential communications issue to be resolved.
Council voted to pass this idea to Rachael Gillies to investigate
options for reopening a cafe.
FOR - 16 AGAINST - 0 ABSTAIN - 4
Change, Policy and Research
4 . Student Idea: To Support the Inclusion of the Green Party in
the National Televised Debates
Petition to Condemn the BBC for their stance on this issue:
Idea submitted following discussion between proposers and Guild Staff
99 votes
85.9% positive approval
Result:
http://www.exeterguild.org/change/ideas/idea98-greenparty/
Report: http://www.exeterguild.org/pageassets/change/ideas/idea98-
greenparty/Student-Idea-Report-98-greenparty.pdf
Change, Policy and Research
4 . Student Idea: To Support the Inclusion of the Green Party in the National
Televised Debates
Maria Finnerty told Council that the Guild is required to remain politically neutral in
the run up to the General Election, and that while the idea could still pass, it would
need to be reworded to not state direct support for the Green Party, but rather be a
neutral statement on the importance of equal inclusion.
Harry White defended the idea in its current form, saying that this was not necessarily
an expression of support for the Green Party, but rather just their right to be
included in the debates. Natalie Anderson argued that it would nonetheless appear
the wider student body that the Guild was supporting them.
Julia Bush stressed the weight of opinion behind this idea as showing that, even if the
idea cannot be passed as it stands, the Sabbatical Officers should discuss other
options with the proposers. Maria Finnerty suggested the Sabbs should talk to the
submitter about rewording the motion and lobbying the NUS on making a statement
about this issue.
Change, Policy and Research
4 . Student Idea: To Support the Inclusion of the Green Party in the National
Televised Debates
Matt Bate added that the Guild would be including the Green Party in its debates, and
that he would communicate this to the proposers.
Harry White reiterated his support for the motion, saying that the Green Party is a
traditionally a party that receives a lot of support from students.
In light of the need for Guild neutrality, Council voted to instruct Matt
Bate to work with the proposer on possible alternatives to the idea, such
as rewording the idea to be politically neutral and lobbying the NUS to
take a stance on this.
FOR - 14 AGAINST - 0 ABSTAIN - 6
Change, Policy and Research
5. Student Idea: The Guild Should Stop
Accepting Political Statements as Student
Ideas
64 votes
Neutral - 57.8% positive approval
Results: http://www.exeterguild.org/change/ideas/idea94-political/
Report:
http://www.exeterguild.org/pageassets/change/ideas/idea94-
political/Student-Idea-Report-94-Political.pdf
Change, Policy and Research
5. Student Idea: The Guild Should Stop Accepting Political Statements as Student Ideas
Alexandra Beeler said she didn’t think the Guild could support students to get involved in politics
and creating change if they were to stop accepting political ideas. Lucy Whitaker questioned what
would be considered to be ‘too political’ – supporting students attend demonstrations, for
example. Matt Bate said that Student Ideas should be for students to decide how to interpret, and
if a student was against a political idea they could choose to vote against it or not vote at all.
Julia Bush pointed out that this idea received 37 votes in agreement, whereas some of the most
political ideas have passed with hundreds of votes. Kate Hawkins stated that the Guild itself, as a
union, is inherently political. Lucy Whitaker suggested creating guidelines for submitting ideas; KH
said she felt this would create a barrier to student engagement, and that we should keep the ideas
system as open as possible and not restrict what students can submit. Matt Bate said it was better
to discuss each idea as it comes in rather than impose a blanket ban.
Council voted on the idea:
FOR - 0 AGAINST - 16 ABSTAIN - 4
The idea failed.
Change, Policy and Research
6. Student Idea: The Grove Diner Should be able
to Serve Hot Drinks in China Cups or Mugs
Instead of Just Disposable Cups
37 votes
Neutral – 62.2% positive approval
Result:
http://www.exeterguild.org/change/ideas/idea95-grovecups/
Report:
http://www.exeterguild.org/pageassets/change/ideas/idea95-
grovecups/Student-Idea-Report-95-GroveCups.pdf
Change, Policy and Research
6. Student Idea: The Grove Diner Should be able to Serve Hot
Drinks in China Cups or Mugs Instead of Just Disposable Cups
Maria Finnerty asked about the motivations behind the idea and if it was about
sustainability; Matt Bate replied that he believed this was an environment issue.
Lucy Whitaker asked which is more sustainable, paper cups or reusable mugs
taking into consideration recycling and the water used to clean mugs. MF
suggested that this is something Rachael Gillies could look into and use her best
judgement on.
Council voted to instruct Rachael Gillies to use her own judgement to
look into the issue, come to a decision over which option is the most
sustainable and act accordingly.
FOR - 16 AGAINST - 0 ABSTAIN - 4
Change, Policy and Research
7. Student Idea: More Development and
Training on Public Speaking and Lecturing
33 votes
84.8% positive approval
Results:
http://www.exeterguild.org/change/ideas/idea91-speaking/
Report:
http://www.exeterguild.org/change/ideas/idea91-speaking/
Change, Policy and Research
7. Student Idea: More Development and Training on
Public Speaking and Lecturing
Some councillors expressed concern at this appearing insulting
or patronising to lecturers. Council were informed that the
Head of Academic Development and Director of ASPIRE had
been consulted and offered their support to the idea.
Council voted to pass this idea to Ben Street to work
on.
FOR - 16 AGAINST - 0 ABSTAIN - 4
Change, Policy and Research
8. Student Idea: Create Opportunities for
Student Workers Along the Lines of the
German System
33 votes
75.8% positive approval
Result: http://www.exeterguild.org/change/ideas/idea96-
studentworkers/
Report:
http://www.exeterguild.org/pageassets/change/ideas/idea96-
studentworkers/Student-Idea-Report-96-studentworkers.pdf
Change, Policy and Research
8. Student Idea: Create Opportunities for Student
Workers Along the Lines of the German System
This idea was postponed on request of the proposer due to
their inability to attend the meeting.
Change, Policy and Research
9. AOB
There was no other business.