Here are notes from the regular AMS Council meeting of August 4, 2021 (held both in person and on Zoom):
The Past and Future: Former AMS VP Finance Chris Diplock (from 2008-09) showed up to talk about something new, the planned AMS Thingery, a library of things: equipment to be shared, borrowed. Chris works for the organization setting up Thingeries in Metro Vancouver, and one is now planned for the AMS Nest.
New Electoral Officer: Council approved the appointment of Oscar Yu as the AMS Chief Electoral Officer for 2021-22.
Masks and Vaccines: Eshana Bhangu, the AMS VP Academic & University Affairs, expressed her displeasure at the response to the letter approved by Council last time calling on the University to mandate vaccinations for those living in student residences and to require masks in large lecture halls. She said the responses have been inadequate. AMS President Cole Evans wondered why the University has not been transparent in its discussions, despite the AMS asking for open dialogue.
Max Holmes, one of the students on the UBC Board of Governors, said he would convey these concerns to the Board. He said the students on the Board have been asking for a more public process.
Committee Meeting Times: Council approved a Code amendment to eliminate committee meetings on weekends, but they will still be permitted on weekday evenings. The issue has been to balance not requiring staff to attend outside of office hours with the need to schedule at those times to accommodate Councillors and students at large who have 9-5 jobs.
Air Conditioning: Council approved an expenditure of $47,867 to add more cooling units to the Nest.
Historical Update: The Archivist talked about the earliest Indigenous students at UBC, including Frank Calder, who went on to be the first Indigenous cabinet minister in BC, and Alfred Scow, who became the first Indigenous judge in the province.
Next meeting:
The next regular Council meeting will be held on August 25, 2021 at 6 pm.
Sheldon Goldfarb
Sheldon Goldfarb
Archivist & Clerk of Council
