Here are notes from the regular AMS Council meeting of April 3, 2019:
New Policy Advisor: Managing Director Keith Hester introduced Patrick Meehan as the new AMS Policy Advisor.
Electoral reform: Council passed Code amendments to ban postering by candidates in elections, but declined to approve restrictions on the participation of AMS staff in the elections process. Council also declined to pass a rule setting a deadline for validating referendum petition signatures.
Transition reports: Council amended Code to add details to what is required in transition reports from the Elections Administrator and the Ombudsperson.
Equity Caucus: VP External Cristina Ilnitchi explained the history of the Caucus and said the aim now is to create an equity plan, out of which there may come a new Equity Caucus. But the plan will go beyond structures. Council directed the Advocacy Committee to create a working group to produce an Equity Plan document by next November.
Presidential award: Council was informed that AMS President Marium Hamid has been awarded UBC’s Edward J.C. Hossie Leadership Award for being “one of the most transformational and positive Presidents in AMS history.”
All-Presidents Dinner: In response to a question about invitations, AMS President Marium Hamid explained that it is not possible to invite every AMS club, or we’d need capacity of 1,000. The 70 most involved clubs received invitations.
AMS Asks: VP Academic & University Affairs Max Holmes said the vast majority of AMS asks have received funding in the UBC budget, including additional Work Learn jobs for students on and off campus, increased funding for first year orientation, and funding for Integrated Student Health Services.
Block Party: Managing Director Keith Hester said the amount of revenue for Block Party is the most ever.
Pit hours: In response to a question, Managing Director Keith Hester said the Pit will continue to be open only on Wednesday nights.
Advisory Board: HR Committee Chair Cole Evans announced that the first meeting of the Advisory Board has been postponed because of cancellations and a resignation, but hopefully a replacement can be appointed at the April 24 meeting.
Norm Theatre: As chair of the New SUB Committee, VP Administration Chris Hakim told Council that the expectation is that the Norm will reopen in May after a decision is made about expanding its repertoire to include live shows.
Arts Constitution: After much discussion of the membership section of a proposed new constitution for the Arts Undergraduate Society, Council decided to postpone further discussion till a later meeting.
Next meeting: The next regular Council meeting will be at 6 pm on April 24, 2019 in the Michael Kingsmill Forum on the fourth floor of the Nest.
Sheldon Goldfarb
Archivist & Clerk of Council
Back to news