Student Council Minutes Wednesday 23 November 2011 at 6.30pm in the Milton Lecture Theatre, Garrod Building

Chair: Eleanor Hallam Mile End Officers present (12): Ben Richardson (Student Representative) Caz Parra (Secretary) Darcie Tyler-Henley (Volunteering Officer) Dominic Todd (Sports Officer) - part Donald MacKinnon (LGBT Officer) Edoardo Palmombo (Welfare Officer) Ellen Kiely (RAG Officer)

Michael Gilbert (Postgraduate Officer) Ozzy Amir (Campaigns Officer) Shaun Ramanah (Students with Disabilities Officer) – part Tom Voice (Ethical and Environmental Officer) Wilson Wong (Societies’ Officer)

Mile End Officer apologies (4)Andrew Kanyemba (Black Students Officer) Chris Smith (Student Representative) - proxy

Ciara Squires (Student Representative) - proxy Wanda Canton (Women’s Officer) - proxy

Barts and The London Officers present (11): Adnan Aslam (Dental Representative) Andrew Smith (Student Representative) Hannah Downer (Treasurer) Jeeves Wijesuriya (Vice-President London) Jon Cramphorn (Vice-President Barts) Mandi Pal (Secretary)

Michael Samy (Communications Officer) Richard Donovan (SSLC Rep) Rob Zabihi (Dental Representative) - part Salem Al-Sawaf (Entertainments Officer) Sam Chequer (Welfare Officer)

Barts and the London Officer apologies (3)Amy Coulden (Entertainments Officer) Nicolas Blondel (Campaigns Officer)

Tim Foster (Clubs and Societies’ Officer)

Sabbatical Officers in attendance: Sophie Richardson (President) George Ryan (Vice-President Association)

Sam Creighton (Vice-President Communications) Dominic Bell (Vice-President Activities)

Union Staff in attendance: Philip Gilks (Student Voice and Development Manager) Tom Sutton (Representation and Democracy Co-ordinator)

1.0 Apologies Apologies were noted and accepted. 2.0 Chair’s Welcome Announcements Chair welcomed members to the third meeting of the semester. 3.0 Minutes from the meeting of Student Council held on 1 November 2011

Noted and approved as an accurate record. 4.0 Officer Reports

Noted.

Sam Creighton voiced disappointment that only six out of thirty-six Part-time Officers sent in Officer reports before the close of the agenda.

4.1 Action

Part-time Officers are to email tom.sutton@qmsu.org with a list three to five actions or activities (no more than 50 words per point) they have undertaken since the last meeting of Student Council to impact on students’ lives before the agenda item deadline for all future meetings.

5.0 Executive Action Plan

Noted.

6.0 Election to Consultation Working Group Student Council elected members to the Consultation Working Group.

6.1 The Barts and The London Part-time Officers elected were Adnan Aslam, Jeeves Wijesuriya, Jon Cramphorn and Richard Donovan.

6.2 The Mile End Part-time Officers elected were Darcie Tyler-Henley, Edoardo

Palombo, Ozzy Amir and Wilson Wong.

6.3 The Full-time Officers elected were Dominic Bell and George Ryan.

7.0 Representative and Democratic Decision Making. Dominic Bell spoke for a motion to create deadlines for agenda items, motions and supplementary items for Student Council. He argued that creating this rule would avoid rushed policy making without consultation with students and will lead to more representative decision making.

Dominic Bell waved the summation.

Student Council voted for the motion.

- 21members voted for - 0 members voted against - 3 members abstained

8.0 Bring a Guest

Ben Richardson spoke for a motion to require Officers to bring a guest to future Student Council meetings. He argued it was important to increase the number of students attending Student Council and could increase student interest in the Union. Andy Smith spoke against the motion. He argued that forcing members of Student Council to bring a guest would not necessarily encourage students to attend and take an active role. George Ryan spoke for the motion. He argued that the motion was a step in the right direction in terms of involving more students with Student Council. He pointed out the motion did not force Officers or students to do anything.

Edoardo Palombo spoke against the motion. He argued that it was difficult to motivate students to attend the General Meeting and implied it would be difficult to motivate students to attend Student Council. The Union needed more of a publicity strategy to encourage students to get involved in Student Council. Ben Richardson waved the summation. Student Council voted against the motion.

- 6 members voted for - 16 members voted against - 3 members abstained

9.0 No Confidence in the Minister for Universities and Science

Sam Creighton spoke for a motion outlining a position of no-confidence in David Willets, the Government Minister for Universities and Science. He argued Willet’s policies such as higher university fees, cuts to teaching grants and reforms to research funding had thrown the Higher Education sector into chaos.

Sophie Richardson waved the summation.

Student Council voted for the motion.

- 20 members voted for - 1 members voted against - 4 members abstained

10.0 NUS National Demonstration

Ozzy Amir spoke for a motion calling for a NUS National Demonstration. He argued that another demonstration co-ordinated by the National Union of Students would help continue the fight against the governments reforms to Higher Education. Demonstrations had proven themselves to be an effective method of expressing dissent.

10.1 Amendment

Noted Ozzy Amir’s amendment to delete all and insert a re-worded motion.

Ozzy Amir waved the summation. Student Council voted for the motion.

- 16 members voted for - 2 members voted against - 7 members abstained

11.0 UAF Affiliation

Edoardo Palombo spoke for a motion seeking affiliation to the pressure group Unite Against Fascism. He argued affiliation was line with the Union’s existing policies on zero-tolerance and anti-fascism. Although a debate against fascism should take place, fascist groups should not be permitted to speak on campus to incite racism and hatred. Michael Gilbert spoke against the motion. He argued the adoption of a no-platform policy, which the motion proposed, infringed upon the right to free speech and the right to freedom of expression. Fascism was not countered by excluding fascists from debate. Edoardo Palombo spoke for the motion. He argued, the University or the Union should not promote any belief that racist speech is acceptable. Members of fascist groups should not be permitted to enter campus and use language that offends people. Juel Ahmed (Computer Science) spoke against the motion. He argued support for fascist groups was at an all-time low and removing a platform was equivalent to declaring we don’t want to debate or discuss the issue.

Donald MacKinnon spoke for the motion. He argued affiliation to Unite Against Fascism was hugely beneficial and widely supported. Those speaking against the adoption of a no-platform policy should have submitted an amendment to the motion. Sam Creighton spoke against the motion. He argued that the motion did not propose a comprehensive no-platform policy. If the Union did adopt a no-platform policy it should be one that protects students and establishes clear guidelines. Chair moved to a vote. Less than two-thirds of Student Council voted for the motion.

- 5 members voted for - 17 members voted against - 3 members abstained

12.0 Reinstate Vik Chechi

Ozzy Amir spoke for a motion to issue support for Vik Chechi, the suspended Queen Mary Branch Secretary of the Trade Union Unison. He argued the union organiser had been suspended by the College for his Trade Union involvement. The motion called for him to be reinstated.

12.1 Clarification

Andy Smith sought clarification on what grounds the Branch Secretary was suspended.

- Michael Gilbert was assured it was for Trade Union activity.

Sophie Richardson spoke against the motion. She argued the Union should avoid taking a stance until all the facts are made public and the relevant College and employment processes were concluded.

12.2 Procedural Motion

Jeeves Wijesuriya spoke for a procedural motion to vote on QMSU resolves in parts. He argued taking QMSU resolves in parts would allow Officers to support QMSU notes and QMSU believes without supporting points of QMSU resolves. Wilson Wong argued against the procedural motion. He argued that not all Officers were aware of being able to propose such procedural motion. The procedural motion could have been used by Officers at several points throughout the year. The motion should not pass to ensure consistency. Jeeves Wijesuriya spoke for the procedural motion. He argued that just because some Officers were not aware it did not mean it should not be used in the current situation. Sophie Richardson spoke against the procedural motion. She argued that taking the motion in parts would not make any difference because the entire motion was not based on facts made public. Student Council voted against the procedural motion

- 10 members voted for - 11 members voted against - 1 members abstained

Michael Gilbert made the summation for the motion. He argued the suspended Branch Secretary was successful in his role as a Union organiser, well respected by staff and student activists, and could have sufficiently antagonised the College to provoke his suspension.

Student Council voted against the motion.

- 8 members voted for - 10 members voted against

- 7 members abstained 13.0 Motion for the Proposal of a Budget Reserved for New Societies and Clubs

Edoardo Palombo spoke for a motion measures to boost the numbers of students involved in Union sports clubs and societies. He argued the Union had fewer clubs and societies per student membership compared to other London Unions and the set of measures proposed would increase the numbers of sports clubs and societies. Wilson Wong spoke against the motion. He argued the proposal did not give societies and sports clubs what they needed to be successful. Members of the Societies and Student Groups Advisory Board considered the proposals as ill-thought through. Edoardo Palombo spoke for the motion. He argued an increased budget would go a long way to allow new sports clubs and societies to form. Prospective societies and clubs supported the proposals. Andy Smith spoke against the motion. He argued the requirements in the motion were difficult for Barts and The London societies to achieve. More conditions should be applied to the additional grant to ensure funds are put to good use. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted against the motion.

- 5 members voted for - 16 members voted against - 5 members abstained

14.0 Condemnation of Library Staff Redundancies

Michael Gilbert spoke for a motion seeking Union condemnation of College staff redundancies. He argued the Union should support library staff facing redundancies. The redundancies would severely impact upon the student experience. Research suggested students felt the library was the safest location on campus, and library staff redundancies would reduce contact with distressed students. Jeeves Wijesuriya spoke against the motion. He argued it was not clear how many members of staff would lose their jobs and what impact it would have on library provision. If the library was considered as the safest location on campus the issue was not library staff redundancies but improving welfare services. Michael Gilbert for the motion. He argued that welfare services were likely to face staff cuts too. Fewer staff would adversely affect the student experience even if the College had committed to more staff hours. Jeeves Wijesuriya spoke against the motion. He argued if more staff hours had been committed by the College the staff changes may have a positive impact on library provision. If safety on campus was the concern, a motion should instead be proposed against redundancies in welfare services.

Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.

- 11 members voted for - 8 members voted against - 7 members abstained

15.0 Affiliation to Education Activist Network

Ozzy Amir spoke for a motion seeking affiliation to the campaign group Education Activist Network. He argued the Union had worked closely with the group in the past campaigning in line with the Union’s policies on free education and opposing university cuts.

15.1 Amendment Noted Ozzy Amir’s amendment to delete all and insert a re-worded motion.

15.2 Clarification

Sophie Richardson clarified that the affliction was subject to Queen Mary’s College Council’s approval of a bye-law change passed in January 2011 to allow Student Council to affiliate to external organisations.

Chair moved to a vote. Less than two-thirds of Student Council voted for the motion.

- 16 members voted for - 4 members voted against - 5 members abstained

16.0 Time, date and place of next meeting

6.30pm on Tuesday 13 December in the David Sizer Lecture Theatre

officer: position: 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0

for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain

Ben Richardson Student Representative X X X X X

Caz Parra Secretary X X X X X

Chris Smith Student Representative X X X X X

Ciara Squires Student Representative X X X X X

Darcie Tyler-Henley Volunteering Officer X X X X X

Dominic Todd Sports Officer No record

Donald Mackinnon LGBT Officer X X X X X

Edoardo Palombo Welfare Officer X X X X X

Ellen Kiely RAG Officer X X X X X

Michael Gilbert Postgraduate Officer X X X X X

Ozzy Amir Campaigns Officer X X X X X

Shaun Ramanah Students with Disabilities Officer

No record X X X X

Tom Voice Ethical and Environmental Officer

X X X X X

Wanda Canton Womens Officer X X X X X

Wilson Wong Societies Officer X X X X X

officer: position: 12.1 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0

for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain

Ben Richardson Student Representative X X X X X

Caz Parra Secretary X X X X X

Chris Smith Student Representative No record X X X X

Ciara Squires Student Representative No record X X X X

Darcie Tyler-Henley Volunteering Officer X X X X X

Dominic Todd Sports Officer No record X X X

Donald Mackinnon LGBT Officer X X X X X

Edoardo Palombo Welfare Officer X X X X X

Ellen Kiely RAG Officer X X X X X

Michael Gilbert Postgraduate Officer X X X X X

Ozzy Amir Campaigns Officer X X X X X

Shaun Ramanah Students with Disabilities Officer

X X X X X

Tom Voice Ethical and Environmental Officer

X X X X X

Wanda Canton Womens Officer No record X X X X

Wilson Wong Societies Officer X X X X X

officer: position: 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0

for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain

Adnam Aslam Dental Representative X X X X X

Andrew Smith Student Representative X X X X X

Hannah Downer Treasurer X X X X X

Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London X X X X X

Jon Cramphorn Vice-President Barts X X X X X

Mandi Pal Secretary X X X X X

Micheal Samy Communications Officer X X X X X

Richard Donovan SSLC Representative X X X X X

Robert Zabihi Dental Representative X X X X X

Salem Al-Sawaf Entertainments Officer X X X X X

Sam Chequer Welfare Officer X X X X X

officer: position: 12.1 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0

for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain

Adnam Aslam Dental Representative X X X X X

Andrew Smith Student Representative X X X X X

Hannah Downer Treasurer X X X X X

Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London X X X X X

Jon Cramphorn Vice-President Barts X X X X X

Mandi Pal Secretary X X X X X

Micheal Samy Communications Officer X X X X X

Richard Donovan SSLC Representative X X X X X

Robert Zabihi Dental Representative X X X X X

Salem Al-Sawaf Entertainments Officer X X X X No record

Sam Chequer Welfare Officer X X X X X