SRA meeting overview: Sept 23

On Sept. 23, the Student Representative Assembly met in room 111 of Gilmour Hall to share faculty reports and vote on a number of proposed motions.

https://www.facebook.com/MSUMcMaster/photos/a.667072926656928/2080311201999753/?type=3&theater

One debated motion was the creation of a communications, advertising and student engagement ad hoc committee. The committee would exist to review current models of student engagement and offer recommendations to SRA committees. The motion was moved by SRA Science representative Eric Shingleton-Smith and was subsequently passed by a clear majority of the assembly.

A few members brought up concerns regarding the purpose of this committee as there is a service committee already in place. Vice president (Finance) Scott Robinson stressed the narrow scope of this committee as it only gives reports in November and March.

At the end of the report period of the meeting, MSU president Ikram Farah encouraged the SRA caucus to be more active in collecting feedback on McMaster’s freedom of expression guidelines, especially considering the Ford government’s new mandate for Ontario governments to implement formal policies.

“Should it be a policy, at least let it be the best guidance document possible that is reflective of the students who will be affected by it most,” said Farah.

Some representatives argued that there should be more events targeted at engaging students on this specific issue.

A notable motion was an amendment to election bylaw 10A.

In particular, bylaw 10A was modified so that candidates who appeal an elections committee ruling must submit documentation at least 48 hours before the appeal meeting. This was to ensure enough time for the elections committee to review appeals, a concern that arose after the 2018 presidential election. This motion was moved by Farah and passed unanimously by the assembly.

The amendment clarified what it means for members and nominees to be in “good standing.”

The next SRA meeting will be held on Oct. 14 at 5:00 pm in Gilmour Hall room 111.

Other highlights from the meeting:

• Four new clubs were ratified following an appeal process: Arts in Research Technology, the McMaster Pokemon Go Club, The Affinity and The Impulse.
• SRA (Science) representative Raisa Ahmed nominated herself for an open seat on the internal governance committee. She was the only member nominated.
• The meeting featured two delegations from the Equity and Inclusion Office and the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance. Associate vice president Arig al Shaibah spoke on behalf of the EIO on the equity, diversity and inclusion action plan.

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