Notes from UMSU council

Tessa Vanderhart Staff

The second-last meeting of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union council was held April 6, 2005. Council meetings are held every second Thursday during the school year at 6:30 p.m. in UMSU council chambers in 176 Helen Glass. The last meeting of the current council is scheduled for April 20.

Turnover

While in past years the “Turnover” meeting served to fill out the UMSU executive by hiring three directors, this year the entire executive was elected — meaning that the 2006 council changeover meeting was purely ceremonial. Still, new councillors made their first appearance, accompanied by outgoing members of council who were rarely seen, and turnovers of the pastry variety.

WUSC

Council voted to donate $800 to the World University Service Canada (WUSC), as the U of M chapter of the organization — which sponsors refugees to study in Canada — was unable to find the $20,000 required. The price increased last year from $15,000, the funding for which came from a student fee collected with tuition and administered by UMSU.

UMSU president Amanda Aziz noted that to avoid future budget shortfalls, a referendum will likely be held in conjunction with the 2007 UMSU general election to increase the WUSC fee, as it is cheaper for UMSU to pay $800 than hold a referendum outside of an election. The funds will come from the UMSU businesses’ surplus, brought forward into the current budget to avoid carrying a net profit (something the non-profit students’ union cannot do).

Executive report

UMSU president Amanda Aziz reported consultations with vice-president (administration) Deborah McCallum on having more UMSU-controlled spaces in University Centre.

She also said that the university is presently beginning a study on students’ views on more security cameras on campus.

CRO report

The final report of UMSU general election Chief Returning Officer Caitlin Brown was presented to council. She noted that the election ran smoothly in light of the numerous changes to election policy, with an about-average voter turnout of 10.8 per cent, and no complaints to the Elections, Discipline, Interpretation and Enforcement (EDIE) board.

She noted that 770 University One students voted, which is proportionally very high. Brown added that voter turnout might have been improved by not limiting the number of polling stations to 10; in previous years there have been polling stations in every faculty and residence, but more resources, specifically more poll clerks, are required to make this feasible. Discussions about having an election concurrent with that of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) will also be considered for next year.

UMSU budget

Director of Internal Administration Rachel Gotthilf reiterated some budgetary notes from the last council meeting, including the receipt of a $300,000 health and dental plan debt carried over from previous councils. For next year, the health and dental plan deficit will be paid from a fund separate from the UMSU budget, in order to pay off this debt over the next five to 10 years.

The digital copy centre has also eaten up some of UMSU’s expected budgetary surplus, as new machinery incurred capital costs of an additional $4,600, bringing the total to $10,000.

Policy changes

Policy and bylaws committee chair Paul Taylor introduced a sweeping round of policy changes, to be continued in the next council meeting. There will be a permanent environmental sustainability committee, as opposed to this year’s ad hoc committee. In addition, there will no longer be a student affairs committee, as the catch-all committee has been less effective than ad-hoc committees will be next year, he said. The policy committee also attempted to clear up the language surrounding student community representatives, because according to Taylor the policy currently suggests that they represent student issue groups, such as the Womyn’s Centre, instead of students.

Whereas earlier in the year UMSU council gave speaking rights to all students, now all students will have the ability to make motions at council, provided they are submitted at the council meeting before they are to come to a vote. Previously all motions had to be submitted through committees.

Finally, members of the 2006-07 council may be removed from office for failing to attend three consecutive council meetings, or six in total. If proxies to council are not provided, a committee will be struck to examine the absenteeism of individual councillors.

Aboriginal Students’ Centre

Director of Student Affairs Josh Mason closed the meeting with an impassioned call to arms regarding the proposed Aboriginal students’ centre on campus, which he says has been planned by and large without the consultation of Aboriginal students. He called for political action, as the plans for the centre continue to decline in funding and scope.





Volume 93 • Issue 29	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	April 12, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Notes from UMSU council Tessa Vanderhart Staff The second-last meeting of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union council was held April 6, 2005. Council meetings are held every second Thursday during the school year at 6:30 p.m. in UMSU council chambers in 176 Helen Glass. The last meeting of the current council is scheduled for April 20. Turnover While in past years the “Turnover” meeting served to fill out the UMSU executive by hiring three directors, this year the entire executive was elected — meaning that the 2006 council changeover meeting was purely ceremonial. Still, new councillors made their first appearance, accompanied by outgoing members of council who were rarely seen, and turnovers of the pastry variety. WUSC Council voted to donate $800 to the World University Service Canada (WUSC), as the U of M chapter of the organization — which sponsors refugees to study in Canada — was unable to find the $20,000 required. The price increased last year from $15,000, the funding for which came from a student fee collected with tuition and administered by UMSU. UMSU president Amanda Aziz noted that to avoid future budget shortfalls, a referendum will likely be held in conjunction with the 2007 UMSU general election to increase the WUSC fee, as it is cheaper for UMSU to pay $800 than hold a referendum outside of an election. The funds will come from the UMSU businesses’ surplus, brought forward into the current budget to avoid carrying a net profit (something the non-profit students’ union cannot do). Executive report UMSU president Amanda Aziz reported consultations with vice-president (administration) Deborah McCallum on having more UMSU-controlled spaces in University Centre. She also said that the university is presently beginning a study on students’ views on more security cameras on campus. CRO report The final report of UMSU general election Chief Returning Officer Caitlin Brown was presented to council. She noted that the election ran smoothly in light of the numerous changes to election policy, with an about-average voter turnout of 10.8 per cent, and no complaints to the Elections, Discipline, Interpretation and Enforcement (EDIE) board. She noted that 770 University One students voted, which is proportionally very high. Brown added that voter turnout might have been improved by not limiting the number of polling stations to 10; in previous years there have been polling stations in every faculty and residence, but more resources, specifically more poll clerks, are required to make this feasible. Discussions about having an election concurrent with that of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) will also be considered for next year. UMSU budget Director of Internal Administration Rachel Gotthilf reiterated some budgetary notes from the last council meeting, including the receipt of a $300,000 health and dental plan debt carried over from previous councils. For next year, the health and dental plan deficit will be paid from a fund separate from the UMSU budget, in order to pay off this debt over the next five to 10 years. The digital copy centre has also eaten up some of UMSU’s expected budgetary surplus, as new machinery incurred capital costs of an additional $4,600, bringing the total to $10,000. Policy changes Policy and bylaws committee chair Paul Taylor introduced a sweeping round of policy changes, to be continued in the next council meeting. There will be a permanent environmental sustainability committee, as opposed to this year’s ad hoc committee. In addition, there will no longer be a student affairs committee, as the catch-all committee has been less effective than ad-hoc committees will be next year, he said. The policy committee also attempted to clear up the language surrounding student community representatives, because according to Taylor the policy currently suggests that they represent student issue groups, such as the Womyn’s Centre, instead of students. Whereas earlier in the year UMSU council gave speaking rights to all students, now all students will have the ability to make motions at council, provided they are submitted at the council meeting before they are to come to a vote. Previously all motions had to be submitted through committees. Finally, members of the 2006-07 council may be removed from office for failing to attend three consecutive council meetings, or six in total. If proxies to council are not provided, a committee will be struck to examine the absenteeism of individual councillors. Aboriginal Students’ Centre Director of Student Affairs Josh Mason closed the meeting with an impassioned call to arms regarding the proposed Aboriginal students’ centre on campus, which he says has been planned by and large without the consultation of Aboriginal students. He called for political action, as the plans for the centre continue to decline in funding and scope.


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