Here are notes from the regular AMS Council meeting of November 22, 2023:
The Old Order Changeth: CouncilSpeaker Max Holmes announced his resignation. This just two weeks after AMS President Esmé Decker went on leave and two months after VP External Tina Tong also went on leave.
Leaves of Absence: Student at Large Brandyn Marx asked Council to amend Code to put limits on the length of leaves of absence so that instead of appointees serving as interim Executives students would be able to vote for new Executives in a by-election.
AMS and the UBC budget: VPAUA (and acting president) Kamil Kanji told Council that the AMS had submitted its asks to the University for the new University budget. These include increased funding for graduate students, international students, the University’s Centre for Accessibility, food security, career support, an exam database, undergraduate research, and mental health.
Elections Committee: Council approved a Code change to reduce the size of the Elections Committee by removing the Communications Officer and the Events Officer. Max Holmes, who is staying on as Elections Administrator, said the Elections Administrator and the Chief Returning Officer can handle the duties formerly performed by the discontinued positions.
Speaker’s Powers: After much debate, Council approved a Code change to give the Speaker the power to bar individuals from multiple meetings for reasons of safety or if there is a fear that an individual will disrupt the proceedings of Council.
All Staff: Managing Director Justin Lieu said a staff Town Hall was well attended (60 staff members showed up), and there were fruitful conversations on a number of topics, the most popular one being food offerings in the Nest.
Study Tables: VP Admin Ian Caguiat said tables will be available on the lower level of the Nest during the exam period until December 22.
EPA: Karisma Jutla, vice-chair of the EPA Committee (on Executive Performance and Accountability), said an investigations subcommittee has been set up.
Next meeting:
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6 in the Michael Kingsmill Forum in the Nest at 6 pm.
Sheldon Goldfarb
Archivist & Clerk of Council
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