Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
UNION COUNCIL
31 October 2019
Time: 4pm – 6pm
Room: Room 8, Gateway Building Floor 2 (City Campus)
___________________________________________________________
AGENDA
1. Welcome from the Chair
2. Apologies
3. Taking Membership and Declarations of Interest
4. Minutes/Notes of the last meeting
- 22 May 2019
- 14 October 2019
5. Trustee Board Update
- 29 April 2019
6. Ordinary Business
- President Updates and Forum Actions
- Current Make it Happen Ideas
- Policy – Stop the Ban on Bake Sales
- Policy – Make Sunderland SU Sustainable
- Society Grant Funding – Glass and Ceramics
7. Open Suggestions and Questions
8. AOB
9. Date and Time of Next Meeting:
- 28 November 2019, Reg Vardy 212e (St. Peter’s Campus)
UNION COUNCIL
22 May 2019
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Room: Reg Vardy Centre room 310 (St. Peter’s Campus)
___________________________________________________________
AGENDA
1. Welcome from the Chair
2. Apologies
3. Taking Membership and Declarations of Interest
4. Minutes/Notes of the last meeting
5. Trustee Board Update
- 25 February 2019
- Recruitment of student trustees
- UC member for BoT recruitment
6. Ordinary Business
- President Updates and Forum Actions
- Current Make it Happen Ideas
- Access and Participation Plan – SU response
- Course Rep changes
- Skills Academy Training
7. Open Suggestions and Questions
8. AOB
9. Date and Time of Next Meeting:
- October 2019 (TBC)
UNION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
1. Welcome from the Chair – Mandi Purvis
2 Apologies and absence:
Apologies
Tracy Redhead (Chair of Union Council)
Erina Saloastrou (Course Rep)
Claire Proctor (Course Rep)
Sam Clark (Part Time Officer)
Yussra Hajaji (Course Rep)
Diana Lamb (Course Rep - not confirmed a member)
Absent
Beth Mason (Society)
Beth Hutchinson (Society)
Sarah Whitelaw (Course Rep)
Helder Costa (School Coordinator)
3 Membership:
Details of members of Union Council present:
Presidents:
Wellbeing – Mandi Purvis
Activities – Bryan Pepple,
Student members:
Katherine Lavender (Part Time Officer/Course Rep)
Staff present:
Adam Gawne (Policy and Campaigns Senior Officer).
Union Council at 3.15pm was not quorate and was held as a meeting.
4. Minutes of the last meeting:
No comments. Agreed by those present to be a true reflection of the last
Union Council.
5. Trustee Board Updates:
Mandi Purvis provided a verbal update of the minutes provided.
No comments or questions raised.
Board of Trustee minutes not available for 25 February 2019. To be
presented at the next Union Council.
Recruitment of student trustees – an application pack was handed out to
present members of Union Council. There are 4 positions available for
students who would like to help shape the SU and to develop leadership
skills.
UC member for student trustee recruitment – a member of UC has been
requested to sit on the panel for student trustee interviews on 24 June.
Katherine Lavender nominated herself to sit on the panel.
6. Ordinary Business
Officer Updates and Forums:
Bryan Pepple
Currently finishing year in role and awaiting new team to start on 1 July.
Looking forward to welcoming Adedayo and Himanshu.
Held Forums recently with poor attendance.
Enhancing Employability campaign information now on the website. Also had
further discussions around placements and will be continuing with this as
part of new manifesto for next year.
Mandi Purvis
The presidents had been part of discussions with the University about the
Access and Participation Plan (APP) which needed to be submitted to Office
for Students. Presidents worked closely with students to gather feedback and
ensure they were consulted on to inform the Students’ Union response. In
addition, the University’s Vice Chancellor held a consultation with students
after a request by Mandi. Final SU response submitted after a joint team
effort and will sit alongside the University’s APP submission.
Disconnect to Reconnect campaign underway to encourage students off their
phones and take part in activities together to combat isolation and loneliness.
Designed to raise awareness and start other conversations. Video edited and
now online. Originally wanted to hold an event however due to timing was
unable to do so.
Make it Happen Ideas:
An updated was provided on the current ideas and that the SU is progressing
and supporting all ideas with over 20 likes.
Bryan Pepple will take lead on progressing the smoking shelter idea with the
university.
Katherine Lavender gave an update on Children Welcome Room and will be
meeting with James Madeley from the Progression Team to discuss students
with families coming on campus and campaign.
No other comments or questions.
Course Rep Changes and Skills Academy:
Information on changes to Course Rep system was shared at the meeting to
explain what has happened to date with the pilot in the Faculty of Education
and Society, where the system is against a national benchmark and what the
plans are for next year. Various recommendations have been approved by
the Representation Steering Group and will be taken forward and worked on
over the summer.
Also shared was information on the new Skills Academy to assist Course
Reps, Society leaders and SU Buddies to develop additional skills. Topics
were leadership, public speaking, Look After Your Mate and transferable
skills. All sessions had students sign up and attendance. Skills Academy will
be developed over the summer for earlier delivery starting in term 1.
7. Open Suggestions and Questions
Katherine Lavender suggested a possible idea for Make it Happen, where a
student’s campus card is uploaded to the main University app. This would
help students who forget or lose their card without having to pay for a new
one. Discussion took place on taking a picture of the card and saving it on a
device and also possibility of a digital card which could work with the swipe
system using phone NFC technology.
Mandi Purvis raised the issue of no halal food at University graduations and
students reaching out for advice via social media. Mandi has been in touch
with Elior at the Stadium of Light and discussed if halal food can be
organised. Received a positive response and will be contacting the team who
organise graduations to discuss further.
8. AOB:
None.
9. Date and Time of Next Meeting:
October 2019. Date, time and room to be confirmed.
SPECIAL UNION
COUNCIL
14 October 2019
Time: 5pm – 6pm
Room: Room 8, Gateway Building Floor 2 (City Campus)
___________________________________________________________
AGENDA
1. Welcome from the Chair
2. Apologies
3. Taking Membership and Declarations of Interest
4. Counting of Quorum
5. Minutes/Notes of the last meeting
6. Special Business
- No to No Deal Brexit
7. AOB
8. Date and Time of Next Meeting:
- 31 October 2019, 4pm – Room 8, Floor 2 Gateway Building (City Campus)
UNION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
1. Welcome from the Chair – Himanshu Kalla
(Tracy Redhead, unavailable to chair the meeting)
2 Apologies and absence:
Apologies
Katherine Lavender
Yussra Hajaji
Absent
Sam Clark (Part Time Officer)
3 Membership:
The Chair checked status of students who attended and agree to all
becoming a member of Union Council. No declarations of interest made.
Details of members of Union Council:
Presidents:
Helder Costa (HC) – Wellbeing
Bryan Pepple (BP) – Activities
Himanshu Kalla (HK) – Education
Student members:
Jenny Goodfellow (JG) – School Coordinator
Harriet Behan (HB) – Course Rep Primary Education
Eirina Saloustrau (ES) – Course Rep Biomedicine
Stacy Humphrey (SH) – School Coordinator
Paul Sambrooks (PS) – School Coordinator
Juliana Abreu (JA) – Society Leader Environment
Kamila Gorna (KG) – Society Leader Environment
Hassy Ahady (HA) – Course Rep Biomedicine
Georgios Chnarakis (GC) – Course Rep ITHM
Staff present:
Adam Gawne (AG) – Policy and Campaigns Senior Officer
4. Counting of Quorum
Meeting was declared quorate.
5. Minutes of the last meeting:
No minutes presented due to special business for discussion.
6. Special Business
No to No Deal Brexit
Helder Costa thanked attendees for coming and being involved in the
discussion on No to No Deal Brexit.
HC presented two documents to the Council: HM Government paper “The consequences of “No Deal” for UK business”, and Universities UK No Deal Briefing.
HC informed the group that following a decision by the Executive Committee
19 September 2019 and a petition launched and presently active by Jenny
Goodfellow, both in paper format and digitally on the Students’ Union
website (receiving 53 signatures to date) that he is asking the group to
approve that the SU sign up to No to No Deal. This discussion and campaign
is not about No Brexit, but no to no deal as the UK made a decision in a legal
referendum to leave in 2016. This is because No Deal will have a negative
effect on students at Sunderland.
HC presented to members, papers released by the Government (The
consequences of “No Deal” for UK business) and Universities UK (No-Deal
Briefing) and explained what predicted severe consequences will likely be on
cities like Sunderland and students with Universities UK having been explicit
that a ‘no deal’ exit from the EU would be bad for our students, researchers
and 136 member universities.
The University of Sunderland would likely suffer according to the
Government report. Universities UK highlighted that Brexit may cause issues
to visas, loss of funding and access from the EU, that EU students suffer
from changes to fee status, students will no longer be able to take part in
Erasmus and Horzion+ programmes. In addition, British qualifications may
not be accepted.
HC welcomed comments and for discussion to take place.
Discussion took place on No to No Deal Brexit with the following questions
asked and debated by members.
BP – What is the point of this meeting as Boris Johnson is looking for a deal?
Discussion took place on that it is still about preparation and putting pressure
on the Government as the EU may reject the UK’s offer or possible extension
request. There should be a plan in place for students who are paying lots of
money to study. HC noted that it is a national campaign and it is to apply
pressure to get a deal.
BP – Is there a wider body proposing an alternative deal? Further debate
took place around the No to No Deal campaign and the purpose of ensuring
there is a deal through NUS’s lobbying power. HK stated that also rushing a
deal would be detrimental.
BP – Are we coming up with solutions? Discussion took place on what other
groups have suggested as ways to get a deal, however it was noted that
certain members of the Government were pushing for no deal for other
reasons.
ES – As students is there anything we can do? Discussion took place on
possible things that students could do to support the campaign and to
encourage students to contact the SU.
BP – As Sunderland is pro-Brexit, what is planned to deal with possible
backlash? HC noted that the any risk would be monitored by Board of
Trustees. It was not about no Brexit and that he had spoken to students who
voted leave, saying they want a deal.
SH – What is going to happen through NUS taking action? HC informed
members that it was about applying pressure to the Government so they
would take notice of the impact on students.
ES – If no one wants a no deal, why is this going on? It was suggested that
elected MPs from parliament are not putting the country’s interests first.
ES – Will Brexit be beneficial? HC noted potential outcomes referred to in the
papers provided. A member noted that it is in important to be prepared as
students may suffer from food shortages if a no deal does happen.
HK noted that the UK will still have to pay regardless if it leaves without a
deal. A further discussion took place on issues around this and EU funding.
Students who are from the EU raised concerns that their UK loans that they
are currently entitled to, may be affected and that they are worried they
won’t receive funding and may be unable to complete their course or apply
for future courses.
BP opened up the discussion to those who had not spoken yet. Various
comments were made on the impact of the Queen’s speech and her role with
the Government.
BP noted that he considered the university not taking a stance on Brexit was
odd due to it being a business.
Further comments were made by students on the loss of rights for EU and
international students and access to funding. A discussion took place on why
would EU students come to the UK when there are another 26 countries
available to freely study at. Also highlighted was possible issues with
professional training qualifications and if they will be recognised across the
EEA.
HK highlighted the role of Protection Plans and how students should be kept
as they were when they started the course. Further comments were made
on transitions for students and that they should be implemented to ensure
students are not forced to leave the UK. It was noted that universities will
have to comply with Government policy on immigration and visa issues and
so pressure on companies and the University would likely be less effective
than pressure on law makers.
Members debated how the EU was progressing with talks and that the UK
was being made an example of to stop other countries leaving.
BP asked what are next steps following all this discussion. HC informed the
group that following a decision made at Union Council, that the Board of
Trustees will be asked to check the decision against legal advice and if all is
okay, to allow the SU to sign up to the No to No Deal campaign.
HK asked the group for any final comments. It was raised that any students
who signed the petition should be protected and names not disclosed. HC
informed the group that names would not be shared publically and that the
communications team would be careful in any correspondence out.
HK asked members to decide if they agreed to the SU opposing No Deal
Brexit. All agreed.
Decision: unanimous vote in favour of Sunderland SU adopting a policy
position of opposing a No Deal Brexit.
7. AOB:
Each president welcomed students to join their Forums:
Education – 15 October, 3pm, SU Social Space
Activities – 16 October, 1pm, SU Social Space
Wellbeing – 17 October, 4pm, SU Social Space
8. Date and Time of Next Meeting:
31 October 2019, 4pm – Room 8, Floor 2 Gateway Building (City Campus)
Board of Trustees Report
Monday 29th April 2019 - 4.20pm Room 7, 2nd Floor, Gateway, City Campus Trustees: Colin Ranshaw (Chair), Marie Foalle, Andrew Murtough, Laura Pike, Sarah Maluila- Tyler, Mandi Purvis, Bryan Pepple
Observer: Katie Redhead from University of Sunderland
Present - USSU: Marie Nixon, Eleanor Farrington, Katie D’Arcy, Louise Dixon, Donna Thompson, Phil Benton
1. Welcome and apologies Marie Foalle
Bryan Pepple needed to leave early.
2. Declaration of Interest PB for Item 10.
3. Minutes of Meeting 29th April 2019
CEO Update
Elections
The Board agreed the minutes to be a true
and accurate record of the meeting.
The CEO gave a verbal update on a
meeting she had attended with the VC
reference undertaking a review on the SU,
trying to make us a successful SU for
Sunderland.
The CEO reported that the Elections were
successful, we did not hit our KPI’s but we
had reduced the voting period and received
no complaints.
4. Committee Minutes
Finance, Risk & Resources Committee 3rd June 2019
The Board were updated on the meeting,
which agreed capital expenditure provision
for spends on new furniture for the refurb
if required. Also an update on SUSS AGM
Meeting.
5. Annual Plan – Trustee Dashboard
The Union’s annual plan was approved, a
draft balance scorecard was introduced
with a new layout including Strategy,
Governance/Compliance, People / E&D and
Finance.
6. Officer Update The officers gave an update to the board
reference their campaigns, meetings and
work to date.
7. Policy Review
Recruitment Policy & Equality & Diversity Policy
The Board were informed that the SU have
put together two draft policies for review.
It was agreed that the members would
send MN any recommendations/changes
via email.
8. Finance / Risk
Management Accounts for the month ending 31st March 2019
University Budget Planning Update
The quoracy was challenged at the
beginning of the meeting with BP leaving
the meeting early. We have accepted the
minutes as a true record, however any
other approvals or decisions need to be
made via an email to confirm decisions.
The Board approved the management
accounts for March 2019 after the meeting
via email.
The CEO stated that the budget was
discussed earlier in the meeting based on
her meeting with the VC.
9. Union Council Report The CEO reported that a policy had been
passed at Union Council proposed by a
student on Online Accommodation Advice.
10. Counterculture Proposal The Board agreed to approve the proposal,
this item was discussed at the beginning of
the meeting.
11. Nomination for Board of Governors 19/20
The CEO reported that Himanshu Kalla
incoming President Education was the only
officer to nominate himself for the for the
position of Board of Governors
representative.
The Board agreed to accept HK as the
representative to Board of Governors and
confirmed via email to MN.
12. Student Trustees Application The Board were updated that to date we
only have one application, we will go ahead
and interview and re-open in the new
academic year.
13. Any other Business The Board had a discussion before the
meeting reference MN (CEO’s) training
request for an MBA at Teesside University.
The Board support this decision.
14. Date and time of next meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday
24th June 2019.
Board of Trustees Report
Monday 24 June 2019 - 4.30pm Room 7, 2nd Floor, Gateway, City Campus Trustees: Colin Ranshaw (Chair), Marie Foalle, Andrew Murtough, Laura Pike, Mandi Purvis, Bryan Pepple
Observer: Doreen Reveley from University of Sunderland
Present - USSU: Marie Nixon, Eleanor Farrington, Louise Dixon, Donna Thompson, Phil Benton
15. Welcome and apologies Sarah Maluila-Tyler, Sarah has forwarded some questions, CR will bring up throughout the meeting.
16. Declaration of Interest None.
17. Minutes of Meeting 24 June 2019
The Board agreed the minutes to be a true
and accurate record of the meeting.
18. Committee Minutes
Finance, Risk & Resources Committee 3rd June 2019
The Board were updated on the meeting,
which agreed capital expenditure provision
for spends on new furniture for the refurb
if required. Also an update on SUSS AGM
Meeting.
19. CEO Update The CEO gave an update on the following:
-
University and Union Review
Access and participation
plan submission
Student trustee recruitment
ratify Mandi Purvis & Misson
Das
University Observer – MN to
draft role description for
next meeting.
20. Annual Plan – Trustee Dashboard Scorecard
The scorecard was percentages on the
following areas: -
Strategy Governance Compliance People / E&D Finance
21. Officer Update The officers gave an update to the board
reference their campaigns and work for
their year in office.
22. Finance/Risk
Management Accounts
Budget 2019/20
The Board noted the management
accounts.
The Board approved the budget for
2019/20.
23. Governance Update – Returning Officers Report from March Elections
The board agreed and accepted the
Returning Officer report.
24. Sunderland SU – Advertising Service Agreement
The CEO reported that we gain income
from Redbus for display screens we wanted
Board approval to renew the service
agreement.
The Board agreed to renew the service
level agreement.
25. Date and time of next meeting There will be a Special Board meeting on
the 17 July after the Board Away Day.
The next meeting will be held on Monday
28 October 2019.
Board of Trustees Report
Wednesday 17 July 2019 – 3.45pm Pinnacle Suite, Hope Street, City Campus Trustees: Colin Ranshaw (Chair), Laura Pike, Marie Foalle, Andrew Murtough, Bryan Pepple, Helder Costa, Himanshu Kalla, Mandi Purvis, Misson Das
Present - USSU: Marie Nixon, Louise Dixon, Phil Benton
1. Welcome and apologies
2. Committee of the Board of Trustees
Finance, Risk and Resources Committee AM – Chair MF – External Trustee HK - Officer Trustee MD – Student Trustee Governance Committee CR – Vice Chair of Board of Trustees Chair of Union Council HC - Officer Trustee (Chair of Committee) MP – Student Trustee Appointments Committee LP – External Trustee 1 x Union Council Member BP - Officer Trustee HC – Officer Trustee 1 x University Representative Disciplinary Committee Chair of Union Council SMT – External Trustee 2 x Members of the Executive (sabbatical or non- sabbatical) Executive Committee All sabbatical and non-sabbatical officers CEO Management Sub Committee CR – External Trustee (Chair) BP – Chair of the Trustee Board CEO in attendance but not a member of the Committee
Trustee Mentor Network AM – HK & MD LP – BP & DG SMT – HC & MP
The Board agreed to all the above committees.
3. Student Trustee Recruitment
The Board were informed that interviews
had taken place this morning and would
like to recommend the appointment of
Dominic Gray.
The Board agreed to approve and
ratify the appointment of Dominic
Gray.
4. Budget 2019/20
MN reported that no material changes to
the budget presented at the board in June
19.
5. Change in Sabbatical Officer HC was elected as President Wellbeing
2019/20. The appointment had been
agreed via email by the trustees.
The Board agreed to ratify the email
vote on the appointment of HC as
President Wellbeing.
6. Recruitment of External Trustees
The board discussed the forthcoming
vacancies and charged the Appointments
Committee with recruiting two external
trustees; one as Vice Chair due to CR
stepping down late 2019 and MF in the
spring 2020.
The Board agreed to recruit a Vice
Chair and External Trustee.
7. Election Chair of the Board of Trustees
CR reported that three Officer Trustees
needed to nominate one of them to hold
the post of Chair of the Board of Trustees.
All three Officer Trustees elected BP.
CR would act as Vice Chair until the
appointment of a new Vice Chair as part of
the external trustee recruitment.
CR handed over the position of Chair to BP
and congratulated him on his appointment.
BP thanked everyone for the opportunity.
8. Date and time of next meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday
28 October 2019.
Policy Heading: Stop Bans of Bake Sales on Campus
Date Proposed: 31 October 2019
Authority: Union Council
This Council Notes (Facts):
Bake sales are a traditional and inexpensive way of fundraising which can provide students with the opportunity to buy a baked good at a (potentially) lower rate than what is provided through catering outlets.
Bake sales are an opportunity to raise awareness around a cause or group (society) which students can become actively involved in or join as a member.
Sunderland Students’ Union (SU) is established in providing events and activities on campus and is responsible for managing health and safety and ensuring due diligence for student led activities.
This Council Believes (Opinions):
Student fundraising is an essential activity to support the development of community groups on campus and provides campus vibrancy and should not be stopped by the University.
The SU provides quality guidance and training for student activity and events and is equipped to support students to undertake bake sales on campus.
This Council Resolves (Actions to take & by whom):
The SU to manage on campus bake sales and create a calendar of when they can be undertaken each academic year, bookable via the SU website.
Students must complete all health and safety requirements including risk assessments and food hygiene training.
Any bake sales for a charity must have written confirmation from the charity that they are happy for this to take place.
The Students’ Union and President: Activities will proactively use their social media to help promote student fundraising activities and approved bake sales.
Proposed by
Bryan Pepple, President: Activities 2019-20
Policy Heading: Make Sunderland SU Sustainable
Date Proposed: 31 October 2019
Authority: Union Council
This Council Notes (Facts):
The environment is under extreme pressure from everyday human activities,
which has led to increased pollution and emissions being released as well as
caused significant destruction to vital ecosystems and biospheres across the
planet.
Many countries and governments have pledged to ensure the global planet
temperature does not rise above 1.5oC as part of the Paris Climate Accord. In
addition, cities (including Sunderland) and organisations have declared Climate
Emergencies in response to the issue of climate change.
Everyday small actions by individuals can make significant differences to the
impact on the planet through reduction of energy use and better use of
resources.
This Council Believes (Opinions):
As an organisation, Sunderland Students’ Union has a responsibility to be more
sustainable and should address areas of waste of energy and resource use, to
ensure that it is contributing to global efforts on sustainability and climate
change.
The Students’ Union (and University) should raise awareness of environmental
issues affecting students and provide student friendly resources about
sustainability via the Students’ Union website and social media.
Students should be inspired to take sustainable action as part of the Union’s
Your Place strategy and through the Activities and Opportunities offer.
This Council Resolves (Actions to take & by whom):
Sunderland Students’ Union to create a Sustainability Committee, to report to
the Union’s Health and Safety group, which will be responsible to monitor,
evaluate and develop recommendations on how the Union can become more
sustainable in its operations.
The Sustainability Committee will be chaired by a student from the
Environmental Society (or President in lieu of a society), have cross
organisational representation and include opportunities for students to sit on
the group.
The SU, via the Presidents, will lobby the University of Sunderland’s Estates and
Facilities Service to make improvements across all campuses and be actively
launching campaigns to encourage students and staff to be environmentally
responsible.
The Students’ Union, whenever possible and economically viable, will:
o use sustainable or recyclable paper for printing materials;
o avoid the use of non-recyclable plastic/materials for (but not limited to)
merchandise, give away items and when providing refreshments;
o become more ethical in its purchasing, using local companies or those
who have high sustainable standards, avoiding companies which cause
environmental damage or are deemed to not be sustainable through
their operations; and
o introduce a sustainable/Fairtrade range of merchandise for students to
purchase as part of income generation.
Proposed by
Helder Costa, President: Wellbeing 2019-20
Your Societies Grant Funding
Checklist / Decision
Reference 02
Applicant Glass and Ceramics
Nominal Code 340
Members 22
Membership Fee £10
Current Income £1,283.41
Amount Requested £893
Grant Information The society are organising a three-day glass painting and
silver staining workshop with a noted artist, Jonathan
Cooke. The course will run week commencing 9th
December 2019 and will be held in the National Glass
Centre. Mr Cooke has generously reduced his fees, which
normally stand at £300 per person. The overall cost for
this is £1,786 but the society have a variety of different
ways to fundraise the other half of the money by selling
tickets, selling Christmas ornaments that they will make
and then finally covering the remainder of the cost out of
society funds. This will mean society members are only
paying £30 for these sessions.
Cost Evidence
Supplied
Initial Assessment:
Activities &
Opportunities Team
Given the valuable opportunity and enhancement of
academic experience, we feel like this sum of money
would be very beneficial to the society. As this has been
well thought out and due to their willingness in raising
half of the funds themselves, we would suggest it is a
worthwhile investment. The status of the artist may also
give the University some good publicity.
Recommended: Award grant
Initial Review:
Exec Decision Panel
Queries for applicant
Amount Awarded &
Purpose
Conditions of Grant