Here are notes from the regular AMS Council meeting of March 11, 2020:
New Recreation Facility: After hearing a presentation from UBC’s Associate Director of Facilities, Council voted to approve agreements with the University to finance and manage the new recreation facility that students voted to pay for in the 2017 AMS referendum (students will pay about one-third of the cost via an AMS fee, and will have three of the seven seats on the facility’s management committee).
Climate Strike: Council heard a presentation about a climate strike planned for April 3, but with a caveat that the strike may be cancelled because of COVID-19. The organizers said the previous strike, on September 27, was successful in getting the University to declare a climate emergency and commit to fossil fuel investment. AMS VP External Cristina Ilnitichi said the AMS would be supporting the strike.
Elections! The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Ahsan Sahibzada, announced the election results, making them official. The new AMS President will be Cole Evans. The other Executives will be VP Finance Lucia Liang, VP Administration Sylvester Mensah Jr., and VP External Kalith Nanayakkara. (The VP Academic & University Affairs, or VPAUA, is still to be chosen in a special election.)
Indigenous Seat (and turnout): The CEO also announced that the bylaw amendment to create an Indigenous seat on Council passed. However, the omnibus bylaw amendment question failed for lack of quorum, and turnout generally was down, perhaps because of the ban on posters.
Council discussed the turnout issue and directed the Student Life Committee to look into it. It also directed that the omnibus bylaw amendment question be rerun at the same time as the special election for the VPAUA.
Get Thrifty: VP Admin Cole Evans announced that the thrift store approved in a referendum last year held its grand opening in the Life Building.
Ovens: Council approved an expenditure of just over $40,000 to buy two new ovens for the Nest kitchen.
Health & Dental Plan: Council went in camera to discuss an RFP related to the plan.
COVID-19: Managing Director Keith Hester said Block Party was still on for now, but some sponsors had pulled out (Block Party was later cancelled). Council passed a motion allowing it to meet by teleconferencing or videoconferencing if necessary, and President Chris Hakim said he would report back with contingency plans.
Next meeting: The next regular Council meeting was scheduled to be at 6 pm on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 in the Michael Kingsmill Forum on the fourth floor of the Nest, but because of COVID-19 may be held virtually.
