Here are notes from the regular AMS Council meeting of January 13, 2021 (held virtually on Zoom):
Election Changes: The Chief Electoral Officer, Isabelle Ava-Pointon, reminded Council that the upcoming Executive elections will be taking place entirely online, with no in-person events. Council then passed two further changes because of the COVID situation: reducing the number of nominators needed by each candidate and banning lawn signs. Election campaigning will begin on February 20, a bit earlier than usual, and voting will take place March 1-5.
Fund History Revisited: Council discussed the fee referendum of 2011 in an attempt to understand the limitations on such funds as the Clubs Benefit Fund and the Child Care Bursary Fund. VP Finance Lucia Liang said she would like to use money from those funds for purposes beyond what is stated in AMS Code and perhaps beyond what the referendum said – but it is a bit unclear what the referendum said. The AMS lawyers will be consulted.
Clubs Days and Sustainability: VP Administration Sylvester Mensah Jr. said the second set of Clubs Days will be January 25-29 and work is continuing on new ways to engage with the clubs in our virtual environment. He added that plans are underway for transforming the corridor connecting the Nest and the UBC Life Building into a sustainability hallway with a mural.
Fermentation Lab: Lawrence Liu of the Fermentation Lab Committee reported that UBC Land & Food Systems is proposing a new building which could house the proposed Fermentation Lab (formerly known as the AMS microbrewery).
Athletics & Recreation Fee: Responding to a question from Senate rep Anisha Sandhu, Board of Governors rep Max Holmes said the University would not be eliminating its athletics fee. VP Academic & University Affairs Georgia Yee said she could ask UBC athletics people to come to Council to give a fuller explanation.
Next meeting:
The next regular Council meeting will be held on January 27, 2021.
Sheldon Goldfarb
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