MASU Students’ Administrative Council

Meeting Minutes

August 4th, 2020

1.     Call to order: 6:08

2.     Land Acknowledgement 

3.     Approval of the agenda

BE IT RESOLVED (moved by Councillor Tobin, seconded by Councillor Whiteway) that the August 4th, 2020 Students’ Administrative Council Agenda be approved.

·      Agenda clearly passes.

4.     Approval of the minutes

BE IT RESOLVED (moved by Councillor Tobin, seconded by Councillor Penney) that the minutes from July 20th, 2020 meeting of the Students’ Administrative Council be approved.

·      Minutes clearly pass

5.     New Business

OP-03 Elections and Referenda- First Reading

Councillor Ferguson:

·      Will look into changing the section on removal of campaign materials from 12 hours to 24.

·      Will also look into adding a clause that encourages candidates to take down their social media campaign materials quickly after the campaign period ends.

6.     Open forum

Councillor Blakney: Lowering the amount of money candidates can spend in an election makes it more inaccessible

·      Councillor Penney: Lowering the amount of money you can spend actually makes it more accessible. If candidates have the opportunity to spend as much as they like on campaign materials, some will have a disproportionate advantage where others don’t have the same financial means. 

Any update on enrollment numbers or any changes to the budget?

·      Councillor Ferguson: Enrollment seems to be holding steady, and a little bit of fluctuation either way does not impact the budget substantially.

Update on the tuition increase situation:

o   Ferguson: The university is maintaining their position and it doesn’t seem likely that will change. The focus is now on pushing for increased communication from the school on why this increase was made and a more detailed breakdown of the costs for students to better understand their justification.

Questions from student at large Meg Cunningham:

·      Can anyone offer a clarification regarding today’s announcement of the MtA Sackville Bubble?

o   Councillor Thorburn: The Bubble demonstrates a sense of community, working together with the town to make sure students on campus and individuals in the community all feel safe. The bubble is more symbolic rather than a contract between students and the town.

Councillor Thorburn: Reminder that an airport shuttle service will be offered in August for students coming to campus.

Councillor Richardson: A reminder that Fall elections are coming up in September. Various positions will be available and more information will be released shortly.

7.     In Camera

(Motioned by Councillor Tobin, seconded by Councillor Burke)

10 . Motion to adjourn the Students’ Administrative Council Meeting until the next meeting on August 17th, 2020.

            (Moved by Councillor Nolan, seconded by Councillor Penney)