Omnibus Motions: Council approved omnibus motions covering a number of items:
1) Appointment of a new Ombudsperson (Oluwakemi Oke).
2) Appointment of a new Chief Electoral Officer (Isabelle Ava-Pointon).
3) Reappointment of Kareem Ibrahim as Council Speaker.
4) Extending the health and dental administration contract with Studentcare for two years.
5) Amending Code to change procedures concerning Resource Groups.
6) Amending Code to create a new Student Service to be called AMS Peer Support (which will combine the old Speakeasy and Vice services).
7) Amending the policy on the Academic Experience Survey.
Executive Goals: The Executive spoke to Council about their achievements over the year now ending, highlighting the following points:
1) Creating an AMS sexual violence policy.
2) Convincing the provincial government to introduce a grant program.
3) Mobilizing students and getting politicians to engage with them during the federal election campaign.
4) Organizing a Town Hall about the University’s sexual misconduct policy.
5) Creating the Open Education Resources Award to promote the use of open resources.
6) Putting an online financial transfer system in place for such things as club reimbursements.
7) Reopening the Norm Theatre.
8) Building connections between the AMS Services and the University communities.
9) Acquiring $50,000 for Food Bank.
Missing Goals: Several Councillors asked why the goals from the VP Administration were not included. VP Administration Cole Evans apologized for not having them ready in time. A motion of censure was proposed but was overwhelmingly defeated.
Preliminary Budget: Because of the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, VP Finance Lucia Liang presented three versions of the budget, based on three different projections for enrolment. She said the top priority will be maintaining Student Services.
COVID and Government: VP External Cristina Ilnitchi noted the federal government’s announcement that morning about support for students and said it was a big win.
Graduation: VP Academic & University Affairs Julia Burnham said there had been an excellent meeting about creating a virtual graduation ceremony.
U-Pass Suspension: With most students not using transit because of the COVID situation, Council approved a motion to suspend the U-Pass contract from May through August. Discussions are still underway about refunds for April.
Next meeting: The next regular Council meeting will be held virtually on May 13, 2020.
