UBC ams

Council Summary – March 22, 2023

Here are notes from the AMS Council meeting of March 22, 2023:

Born to fish: Student at Large Kai Rogers puzzled Council by talking about the importance of fishing.

Election Results: Elections Administrator Max Holmes presented the results of the 2023 elections, making them official, which means the following will be the  2023/24 Executive:

President: Esmé Decker (Remy the Rat)

VP Academic & University Affairs: Kamil Kanji

VP Finance: Abhi Mishra

VP Administration: Ian Caguiat

VP External: Tina Tong

Election Turnout: The Elections Administrator noted that the 22.9% turnout was the second highest in recent history, and the total number of votes for President was the highest ever.  He added that there were no mistakes on the ballot and all Affiliate students were able to vote.

Election Numbers Breakdown: There were high turnouts in Arts (29.2%), Science (29.1%), and Engineering (27%).  A lower percentage of grad students (16.9%) voted, but that was still relatively high.

Candidates Withdrawing: The Elections Administrator noted that many candidates dropped out before the voting and suggested better information be provided earlier on so that potential candidates will better understand the positions they are thinking of running for.

Referendums: The Elections Administrator also presented the results of the four referendum questions, which all passed:

  1. Amendments to the Bylaws
  2. General Health & Dental Plan fee increase of $52.50
  3. New $8 Health & Dental fee for gender-affirming care
  4. Increase in the Bike Kitchen fee to $4.17

Governance Review: AMS President Eshana Bhangu updated Council on plans now that the Bylaw amendments have passed, noting that as of May 1 Arts, Science, and Grad Studies will have three representatives each on Council (down from four or five) and there will be one combined rep for the three Affiliated Colleges.

           Other plans include:

  1. A new committee on Executive Performance and Accountability
  2. Monthly updates on Executive Goals
  3. Returning to oral Executive updates at each Council meeting
  4. Time limits for items on the Council agenda
  5. Reversing the Code change that barred non-voting Councillors from in camera sessions.

Pride Parade: President Bhangu said the AMS is working to participate.

Trimming: The President also said that the Executive offices are being made more efficient by reducing the number of staff and hours.

Constituency Repository: The President said a resource page is in the works for the Constituencies.

Room Bookings: VP Administration Ben Du said a plan is underway to improve the bookings process in the Nest.

Safety and Inclusive Spaces: The VP Administration said a survey is being launched about safety and inclusive spaces in the Nest.

More Microwaves: The VP Administration said the Operations Committee has approved tripling the number of microwaves in the Nest

Next meeting:

The next regular Council meeting will be on Wednesday, March 29 in the Michael Kingsmill Forum in the Nest at 6 pm. 

Sheldon Goldfarb

Archivist & Clerk of Council

Back to news