Students’ Union annual general meeting – as it happened
Join The Square live from the Oliver Thompson Lecture Theatre at the Students’ Union annual general meeting from 6pm.
Motion is disapproved. Calls for a re-count, but people are leaving. Is this not a democracy?
A warning issued against personal attacks, once again.
City OnLine votes in favour of the motion!
Scott Campbell: “it’s not journalism, it’s propaganda.”
“The student media has to change … or it will be crippled”
Furious voices from the audience as Sam Gould goes up to speak for the motion.
“We don’t feel like we can make progress if it’s taking ages for you to feedback on our posts.” – Jacobsen-Zafar
Jacobsen-Zafar told: No questions, you have to before or against.
Rima very vocal in her support of Natalia…
Maria Jacobsen-Zafar silenced. Natalia FINALLY steps up to speak against the motion.
Down to the last motion! Will SU media teams get better management?
Motion passed.
“It is a huge political issue, we should think of the economic factors”
A challenger appears!
Motion to support the NUS’s free education campaign supported by Issy.
The vote has been passed so hopefully all City students can look forward to a potentially ‘free’ graduation ceremony.
Lower graduation fees: Appeal for lower price for academic dress for graduation.
Crowd thinning as the last two motion are brought up.
An overwhelming “No”, due to the motion having to be accepted as it was written.
Debate over a confusion between the “constitution” and the “regulations” of the SU… some students outraged.
Issy Cooke states that the Union will be running “illegally” if the motion is passed, says that tonight will be a waste.
THE REVOLUTION to be discussed.
Motion is disapproved. A blow for press freedom.
Jack Fenwick rousing support for the motion, references the Footlights and the Oxford debating society.
Rima calls herself a “spokesperson” of the university, not a good use of her time to support independent media.
Rima here again: “I would support any student led project”, however, not independent media outlets.
A warning against personal attacks from the panel, otherwise the motion will be tabled.
Rima has been “amazing” at helping societies, claims an opponent.
Scott accuses Rima of “bullying”.
Scott down again to discuss support for student media.
Motion passed! first victory for the Square!
Rima states that the AGM has been “very successful”, students given plenty of notice, from September.
“We have passed a lot of motions successfully”, says a detractor from the motion.
“This whole AGM has been a complete joke” – Scott
Scott to talk for the motion to give more notice of AGMs.
Motion struck down. Shame…
One student asks, “why is Rima allowed to vote? She is basically speaking against the students.”
Scott Campbell accuses Rima of lying about her stance on the boycott!
“We did not take a stance because we could not gauge how the boycott would affect the students.” – Rima
Rima to speak against the motion… predictable.
Rima nods in approval when the motion is called “not very good.”
Someone comes down to the floor to talk AGAINST the motion.
Jack Fenwick is on the scene.
Next up: Should the union take an early stance against boycotts and strikes?
Motion passed, DramaSoc members are delighted.
Motion being discussed: Allow the drama society to be given access to the performance space.
The motion has been accepted.
Motion aims to reduce the amount of time for background checks for speakers.
Next up, motion on the 20 days external speaker policy.
We are half-way through the 18 motions and the room is starting to clear out.
Motion has been passed.
Incl. sending out messages to students on days of faith, improving the chaplaincy programme, improving prayer rooms.
“The university could be doing a lot more to support its students of faith” – Rima
Rima to speak about supporting students of faith at City.
Allocation of additional funds to CULSU: Approved. Will we see better societies?
Rima: “I don’t care if the Sun editors come down [to City], there is a certain quality of Journalism that we want to promote.”
Motion passed. No more page three?
Scott: The university should not be actively tarnishing a media organisation that they send graduates to.
No more page three motion: Scott Campbell to speak against.
There seem to be no conservative students in the audience today. All are desperate for change.
It’s official, the motion has been declined.
Not surprising considering the lack of university tradition and culture, but quite sad honestly.
The dawning of a new era…. the era of CityBar.
A legacy has been tarnished… RIP Saddlers.
Tensions are beginning to explode here as this motion looks set to go all the way.
Jack and Scott take the floor to discuss the motion… This is crazy!
Claims that there was plenty of awareness the vote on the Bar’s name… Boos are heard.
Deputy editor Jack comes back at Rima, “why would you hold the vote to change the bar name in the first place?”
“Disrespectful” to call CityBar “weak and feeble”, strong attack by the SU president.
Rima opposes the motion! Shock!
CityBar is a “weak and feeble” attempt at a bar name.
The Square is up! Editor in chief tries to get Saddlers back!
The students will finally get the help they deserve.
Overwhelming yes!
Pure City proposal up next. Will better accommodation be achieved?
Another overwhelming yes as Issy punches the air in delight.
Support for student leaders being discussed now.
Overwhelming yes for the proposal.
SU previously rejected the formation of the society…
Formation of a TEDx society being discussed.
Friday prayers motion passed.
A huge partisan crowd here tonight. It is thunderous in the Oliver Thompson.
Rima cannot clarify what is allowed or not allowed by the university re Friday prayers.
Uni’s prayer rooms are too small, claims motion spokesperson.
Rapturous applause when the Friday prayers motion is brought up.
Proposal to allow societies to book rooms before 6pm is approved.
“What about other students that have classes? They will miss events.”
Overwhelming support… But ONE PERSON speaks out!
Each student has one minute to put forward their argument.
City University Timetabling Policy to be discussed first.
Motion proposals being drawn at random for discussion… out of a hat.
At last, student proposals going to be discussed!
No-one has turned up for UNICEF either… Rima has to explain what it is. Last Resort.
Amnesty International spokesperson doesn’t pitch up, someone else has to step in. Who would vote AGAINST Amnesty International?
Voting process being rushed up due to lack of time… NUS and London Citizens affiliations passed without counting.
A hilarious vine on the AGM Twitter feed has lightened the mood around the Oliver Thompson.
Half-time, and the break has been called off due to time constraints and poor organisation.
KPMG approved as City’s auditor in a landslide vote… Something we can agree on at least.
White abstention papers are being passed around. Very high-tech!
Overall SU income is £569,100 for 2013-2014.
Rima unaware if she’s breaking the law over trustee reports…
Rima: “It doesn’t say in the constitution that we have to deliver the reports”
Natalia’s report has been approved.
We’ve been told to “stop talking”, reminiscent of primary school days…
Results on Issy’s Report: Passed.
Results on Rima’s mystery report: 89 Vote “for”… Report has been passed.
“We are constitutionally required to hold a vote on the trustee reports.” But aren’t they also required to actually SHOW us the reports?
Reports will be published AFTER the AGM… oh dear.
Next up, President Rima’s report… has anyone actually read it?
72 percent “for” on the trustee report. Therefore, it has been approved.
Many abstentions amongst the students, confusion reigns.
“We’re going quite slowly to make sure everything goes okay”, SU spokeswoman says. She’s not wrong.
The accuracy of the voting system can undoubtedly be called into question.
Confusion about whether the Sabbaticals can vote for their OWN reports… “Are they students?”, say some.
A smattering of “for” votes… Students seem confused about what they are voting for.
Vote has to be done on the trustee report today. A vote against will mean that the reports will have to be re-written.
Confusion about the approval of the trustee report. Not enough time given to read it. Outrage ensues.
Only six questions asked due to “time constraints”!
“Surely there must be specific figure you’re approaching the Uni with?” Rima diverts the question, giving details about how the Union approached the Uni.
We cannot say who the University employs for faith communication issues, says Rima. “We’re a separate body.”
Lights dim at the OTLT, a sign of the SU’s fate?
Issy: The Union is not top notch on communication.
Difficulty on finding the societies section on the current SU webpage. “The tabs are a bit awkward”, says Natalia.
Non-answer given by Rima…
More funds for the Union: We need as much funding as we can get, says Rima.
Natalia: “I’m not 100% sure on the process” Unaware of her own job?
“Should students not be given the freedom to start a society whenever they want?” call for society establishment deadline to be abolished.
Rima humbled by the Square’s deputy editor!
Scathing remark and applause: “how do you expect us to hold the union to account when you only give us the reports when we’re walking into the room?”
Now, over to questions.
Natalia is organising the Christmas/end of year party, will have live performances at Saddlers.
Union trying to increase engagement and participation in sports.
Natalia takes a dig at her colleagues: “I’m not gonna talk as much as the others because I actually want to hear your questions.”
LectureCapture going to be implemented more widely to lecture halls with over 60 seats.
Issy will be on the walkway every Friday from 11 till 3 so that students can speak to her, great news.
300 student reps have been trained, one-to-one training being offered.
Impartial boycott information sheet may be released in the future.
Issy: trying to increase the presence of the executive committee amongst students.
Over to Issy Cooke!
New Student Union website to be launched, Rima: “the website could definitely do with some updating”
Union looking at installing water fountains in the library, huzzah!
Rima: Green Dragons project looking for funding
Rima praising the delivery of the Fresher’s programme and the new catering company Sodexo
The SU have only distributed a few copies of the officer reports and students are beginning to wonder what Rima is talking about.
Rima: Trying to form a “new strategy” for the Union
Rima: officer reports “Looking at how to make the board a stronger board”
University has agreed to review the Union’s “block grants”
That proposal, along with others, was rejected.
Rima: “Proposals were made two years ago to take over commercial services in the university”
Rima: “First AGM that we’ve had in many years”
You can read every AGM motion online at: tinyurl.com/culsuagm2014
Not everyone will get to speak due to the large turnout, it has been revealed…
aaaaaand we’re off!
VP activities Natalia is SO out of touch with events and activities that she can’t spell Sodexo correctly!
Rima’s report that was supposed to have been sent out this morning has STILL not been printed.
A swarm of latecomers arrives, the turnout may end up being very good – a capacity crowd perhaps at the OTLT?
Just announced that proceedings will begin in 10 minutes. People may start to get restless and impatient…
16 minutes late, oh dear…
Rough estimate of around 120 people have shown up so far. Latecomers still arriving. The Chair and panelists are raring to go.
With proceedings about to start, the Oliver Thompson lecture theatre is beginning to fill up. Many empty seats, however.
When asked what percentage of votes are needed to get motions passed, President Rima refused to reveal until we were all in the room. Does she actually know…?
Natalia Rajapakse, Vice President for Activities, and President Rima have graced us with their presence.
It’s Friday night, there are 10 minutes to go until the start of the AGM and the atmosphere is building. Still no sign of Students’ Union President Rima yet, though – or any of her Vice President colleagues.
Thank you for joining us today. The Square, out.