Tobias Langtry
Every month the student representatives meet to discuss the business of the UWA Student Guild. This report details the happenings of the Student Guild Council meeting held on Wednesday, 28th June, 2023. Discussion concerned the resignation of PAC President Taniya Shrimali, job cuts proposed for Student Life at UWA, and the University’s support for students looking for accommodation.
Readers can find the meeting agenda here. If an amendment is considered ‘friendly’ by the council member who initiated the motion the amendment is accepted. If an amendment is ‘non-friendly’ the amendment has to be voted on by the whole committee to be accepted
6. DIRECTORS’ REPORTS
6.1 Managing Director
The Managing Director, Tony Goodman, says that the feedback received from the State Government’s university review was “good.” The Guild is currently recruiting a creative manager and have just successfully recruited a volunteer manager.
Guild elections are coming up soon and the Guild have begun their meetings with University Management regarding their Master Plan. A review of Guild catering, provided by Future Foods, has begun.
6.2 Finance Director
The Finance Director, Mutya Maraginot-Joseph, tells the council that the Guild is recording a $96,000 profit, $15,000 better than predicted in the budget. Revenue from property is better than budgeted. Revenue from catering and Tavern were a little worse than budgeted, partly because of consultant fees from the review by Future Foods. Expenditure from the employee departments is lower than expected because a number of staff are taking annual leave.
9. QUESTIONS TIME – Student Reports
Melani De Alwis has a question for Geemal Jayawickrama. Melani notes that in his report Geemal says he is open to the State Government’s review of the university sector, which may recommend the amalgamation of WA universities; why is Geemal open to this when guild presidents from other WA universities oppose it?
Geemal says that his position (the Guild should be open to the feedback provided by the review) is endorsed by the Guild Council and informed by consultation with students. “In none of the feedback did they say they were against a merger.”
Viknash VM says that the Guild is merely open to the review; the Guild is not endorsing any particular recommendation until the review has been finalised. The university sector is “in a really bad place right now.” We “want to see more funding for students. If a review brings more money then we’re all for it.” The UWA Student Guild doesn’t have to align with all the other WA guilds. Viknash notes that Melani had an opportunity to provide feedback when Geemal was consulting the Council.
Melani has a question for India Creed (the Head of Residential Students Department). Melani notes that in her report India listed Fever Pitch as one of her achievements. Fever Pitch was a live music event held in March.
Why is Fever Pitch listed as an achievement when the event was a net financial loss for the Guild?
India considered Fever Pitch an achievement because they coordinated with five colleges to run the event. They provided discounted or free tickets for students who otherwise would be financially unable to attend. Attendance from College Row residents was high.
Melani notes that Fever Pitch was intended to be run in collaboration with student guilds from other WA universities. However, these guilds withdrew from the event because they feared they would lose money overall. Why did the Guild continue with the event if these other guilds withdrew, given that the event actually was a net financial loss?
India says that the student guild from Curtin University did sell tickets. However, it’s not her purview as Head of RSD to discuss other student guilds.
Geemal says that there is a certain amount of money set aside in the budget to run events each year, and this money was spent on Fever Pitch, as planned.
Will Partridge says he wants the student reports that were submitted late to be recorded as such on the meeting minutes.
Kaelin Abrahams has a question for Luke Alderslade. Luke has been working on setting up a Duke of Edinburgh program through the Guild. Apparently, this program had been rejected by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Education. Why?
Luke explains that he had submitted a grant proposal last month. It had been rejected due to concerns about 1) low socio-economic accessibility, 2) funding capacity, and 3) budget review.
In response, Luke is working on an updated proposal. Accessibility concerns have been met because funds have been reserved for a subsidy that UWA students can apply for if they qualify. Luke aims for the funding to come through the National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund received by the University. Luke wants the funding to come through the University as that funding would be more stable and long-lasting than if it were provided by the Student Guild. The proposed Guild budget will include increased subsidies for International and Residential students.
Kaelin has a question for Will. Will has been working on the Student Leadership Training (SLT) program. How much progress has been made and what has attendee feedback been like?
Will explains that the new program has not been run yet. The program is intended to be shorter and run in-house. Student Assist staff are currently being upskilled to provide this training.
Tony Goodman, the Guild’s Managing Director, explains that Stark Training (who have run the training program in the past) have been an issue. The Guild plans to run the training program in-house, but proposed job cuts in the Student Life department of the University impacts the training of staff.
Kaelin asks Bradley Carter whether he is scared about having responsibility for some major projects (including the Guild Ball). Bradley says he is excited.
Geemal asks Melani a question. Melani has been working on a ‘Know Your Rights’ guide. “Out of curiosity” how long will that guide be?
India chimes in, asking Melani where the content for the guide is coming from (since Melani had only consulted with one stakeholder at time of meeting).
Melani explains that a lot of the content has come from previous iterations of the guide, as well as research necessary to modernise that content.
12. MOTIONS ON NOTICE (OPERATIONS)
12.1 The 110th Guild Council approves the presented updates and changes to the rules of the Public Affairs Council.
Moved: Taniya Shrimali
Seconded: Geemal Jayawickrama
Taniya Shrimali (the President of the Public Affairs Council at time of meeting) speaks in favour of the motion. Taniya explains that these rules were updated to be more consistent with the rules used for other councils, such as the Societies Council. The rules were designed to provide clarity to the Council’s purpose, introduce a marketing officer position, and clarify affiliation requirements.
Geemal Jayawickrama speaks in favour of the motion, thanking Taniya for her work on the new rules.
Motion passes.
12.2 The 110th Guild Council accepts the resignation of Taniya Shrimali from the position of the Public Affairs Council President.
Moved: Geemal Jayawickrama
Seconded: Bradley Carter
Geemal Jayawickrama speaks in favour of the motion. Geemal is “very sad” about Taniya Shrimali leaving, and praises Taniya for the work she has done. According to Geemal, PAC has been very active on campus this year and Taniya should be “very proud” of her achievements.
Bradley Carter says he is very sad to second this motion, thanking Taniya for “being amazing, always.”
Taniya thanks Bradley and Geemal for their kind words. Taniya says she feels sad about leaving and thanks the council for their support. Taniya’s time working as PAC President has been “very crazy” but she will cherish all the memories and friends she has made. Taniya is confident in the new PAC President.
Viknash VM is very shocked about Taniya leaving and says that he has never seen such a good PAC President before.
Kaelin Abrahams (jokingly) speaks against the motion and declares that he will filibuster the motion in protest. To do so, Kaelin begins talking about American cheese. More seriously this time, Kaelin praises Taniya for her support and for doubling PAC’s online presence in less than a year. Kaelin is really impressed; “I f***ing love you so you better stick around.”
(Author’s note: awww)
India Creed echoes their praise for Taniya, telling the council that this had been the first year she had heard a student on College Row mention PAC.
Motion passes.
12.3 The 110th Guild Councils appoints Akshata Jois to the position of the Public Affairs Council President.
Moved: Geemal Jayawickrama
Seconded: Bradley Carter
Geemal Jayawickrama and Bradley Carter both speak in support of the motion, expressing their confidence that Akshata Jois will do well.
Kaelin Abrahams asks Taniya Shrimali if she has any advice for Akshata.
Taniya tells Akshata to make use of the people around her; collaboration is good and that’s what PAC is about. Taniya speaks in favour of the motion; Taniya says she is confident that Akshata will do well, given her experience as PAC Vice President. Taniya says that Akshata is a good leader with a good heart.
Motion passed.
12.5 The 110th Guild Councils appoints Chido Mukomberanwa to the position of Ordinary Guild Councillor.
Moved: Geemal Jayawickrama
Seconded: Bradley Carter
Geemal speaks in favour of the motion. Geemal explains that an OGC, Kajol Sharma, has resigned before the end of the first semester. According to the relevant rules, the new OGC is to be selected by recounting the votes cast last year. Chido Mukomberanwa is the candidate selected through this process.
Bradley Carter speaks in favour of the motion. Bradley is very excited to have Chido on board, explaining that she has been a part of ECOMS, the Ethnocultural Department and other roles on campus.
Motion passes.
12.6 The 110th Guild Council approves the 2023 Mid-Year Budget Review.
Moved: Geemal Jayawickrama
Seconded: Bradley Carter
The Finance Director, Mutya Maraginot-Joseph, explains that there hasn’t been much of a change to the budget.
The Managing Director, Tony Goodman, says that things are “looking pretty good at this stage.”
Motion passes.
12.7 The 110th Guild Council approves the updated Volunteering Committee Constitution.
Moved: Robert Whitehurst
Seconded: Geemal Jayawickrama
Motion passed.
14.0 MOTIONS ON NOTICE (REPRESENTATION)
14.1 The 110th Guild Council:
i) condemns the 2023 UWA Student Life Restructure proposal.
ii) commits to protecting and advocating for the best interests of students.
iii) condemns the proposed staff cuts and commits to working alongside the NTEU to protect staff rights.
Moved: Geemal Jayawickrama
Seconded: Robert Whitehurst
Student Life is the department responsible for student services. 60 positions are to be made redundant while 37 new positions will be created. There will be a net loss of 23 positions and the Health Promotion Unit is to be cut entirely. To learn more about these proposed job cuts, see this article here.
Geemal Jayawickrama speaks in favour of the motion. Geemal explains he’s been working with the National Tertiary Education Union about the issue.
Robert Whitehurst speaks in favour of the motion. Robert worries that this proposal will hurt student services by undermining job security; “how can you focus on your work if you’re scared of losing your job? … This is clapped and I am so against it.”
Melani De Alwis speaks in favour of the motion. Melani says that this proposal is really horrific and a “slap to the face of staff and students.” Melani worries that students will depend even more on limited Guild resources if these job cuts hurt student services.
Kaelin Abrahams speaks in favour of the motion. Kaelin strongly opposes the restructure, fearing it would create a “terrifying, dystopian future.” Kaelin worries about the potential consequences of poor student services, particularly for students with complex needs, like sexual assault victims. Kaelin is particularly worried about the Health Promotion Unit being cut.
India Creed speaks in favour of the motion. India is strongly opposed to the Health Promotion Unit being cut. India emphasises the valuable work the Unit has done to proactively protect the health and wellbeing of students.
Motion passed.
14.2 The 110th Guild Council acknowledges:
i) The UWA Accommodation Concierge’s efforts in assisting over 1000 students with their accommodation needs in Semester 1, 2023 and future proposals to expand accommodation options on campus especially for students with families;
ii) That there are students who are still struggling with the rental crisis and directs them to the resources currently available;
iii) That there is a cost-of-living crisis, and that no student should be left behind.
Moved: Geemal Jayawickrama
Seconded: Viknash VM
Geemal Jayawickrama speaks in favour of the motion. Geemal explains that he has been in contact with the Concierge and has found that the Concierge had helped more than 1000 students. Some of this support included renting out accommodation from third party hosts. This support was really important because there are so many students struggling with housing.
Viknash VM speaks in favour of the motion. Viknash is happy to know how many students are being helped. UWA is the only University to provide this kind of support. The Guild is a not for profit organisation and it’s important that the Guild supports students.
Melani De Alwis has a question for Geemal. Melani agrees that housing is a big concern but wonders why the issue wasn’t brought up when Geemal had a meeting with guild presidents from other WA universities. Melani stresses that students don’t just need accommodation, they also need housing that is stable and sufficient.
Viknash stresses that the Guild or the University can’t solve the housing crisis on their own and it’s important for the State and Federal government to step up their support for students.
Melani speaks in favour of the motion. She agrees that housing access is a big concern.
Viknash proposes an amendment to the motion. The amendment would add section 14.2.4, which reads as “iv) directs the Guild to work with UWA to ensure more visibility of the service and ensure students are aware that help is available and no one falls between the cracks.” (Friendly).
Kaelin Abrahams speaks in favour of the motion. Kaelin says that the Concierge service is really valuable. While the Guild is doing well, this is a systemic issue and it will require the government to do more.
Motion passes.
16.0 GENERAL BUSINESS
16.2 The Voice Campaign
Kaelin Abrahams expresses concerns about the probability of a Yes vote succeeding. Kaelin notes that, according to polls, WA has the highest proportion of likely No votes in the country. Kaelin tells the council that this creates an opportunity for the Guild to make a significant impact and the Guild should consider directly supporting the Yes campaign.