Here are notes from the regular AMS Council meeting of Wednesday, June 24, 2026:
Palestine and Cutting Ties: Council heard from a student at large calling on the AMS to continue advocating for cutting ties with Israeli institutions. Later in the meeting a motion to add an Executive goal to this effect failed on a tie vote.
Well-Being: Council heard a presentation about the refresh of UBC’s strategic framework on well-being, then broke into groups to discuss how student leaders can support the framework.
Food Bank: Council approved an expenditure of up to $24,000 to expand and refresh the Food Bank over the summer. A renovation to install a sink in the Food Bank is planned for 2027.
Tables and Chairs: Council approved an expenditure of up to $32,000 to purchase additional tables and chairs for the Nest.
Pit Renovation: After at first rejecting a $50,000 proposal to renovate the Pit to make it more of a nightclub, Council reconsidered and approved the proposal with the provision that the part of the project involving spending on a mural be looked at by the Finance Committee and the newly created Business Development Subcommittee.
AES: Council heard the annual report on the Academic Experience Survey, which revealed student concerns about finances, grading timelines, the use of AI, guidance on choosing a major, and discrimination. There was also support for creating a database of past exams and for getting access to past syllabi.
GSS Councillor Josh Bradbury expressed concern that surveys continue to show the same safety issues in certain parts of campus. VP Academic & University Affairs Jaiya Panchi said she would circle back to this at the July Council meeting.
GSS Councillor Bryan Buraga noted the disproportionate amount of negative outcomes reported by Black, Indigenous, Trans, and Queer students and asked what would be done about that. VP Panchi said she would be reaching out to groups representing those students.
Sustainability Priorities: Council approved the annual sustainability priorities presented by VP Administration William Sparks, who noted that this year’s priorities connect with the work being done to update the AMS Sustainability Action Plan (ASAP). He said the focus this year will be on tangible improvements and measurable targets, such as diverting 90% of waste by 2030.
Goals: Council approved the finalized version of the Executive’s 63 goals, which are grouped under the five pillars of:
Add/Drop: Science rep Katherine Cai wondered if the goal of extending the add/drop period might mean making that period too long. VP Jaiya Panchi said she would be holding future discussions on this.
Emergency Housing Bursary: GSS Councillors Bryan Buraga and Katelynn Hubenig wondered if the goal of creating an emergency housing bursary would overlap with what UBC already offers. AMS President Dylan Evans said there are gaps in what is currently offered that the goal is meant to address.
Grad Class Gift: President Evans said that out of an abundance of caution the $25,000 grad class gift for organizational development is being rescinded, and the hope is to create some guidelines for the gifts to avoid these situations in the future.
The next regular Council meeting will be on Wednesday, July 22 in the Michael Kingsmill Forum in the Nest at 6 pm.
Sheldon Goldfarb Archivist & Clerk of Council
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