MASU Students Administrative Council 

Meeting Minutes

January 24, 2021

1.     Call to order: 6:03pm

2.     Land Acknowledgement 

a.     This week the land acknowledgement was done by Councillor Burke.

3.     Approval of the Agenda

BE IT RESOLVED (moved by Councillor Minocha-McKenney, seconded by Councillor Tobin) that the Sunday, January 24th Agenda of the Students’ Administrative Council be approved.

4.     Approval of the Minutes

BE IT RESOLVED (moved by Councillor Tobin, seconded by Councillor Burke) that the Sunday, November 29th Minutes of the Students’ Administrative Council be approved. 

5.     Reports

a.     Councillor MacLean

                                               i.     Councillor MacLean gave an update on their work thus far. Updates included first-year caucus, and committee work.

                                             ii.     For more information, see the January 24th council package.

Discussion

-       Councillor Minocha-McKenney praises and congratulates Councillor MacLean on successfully getting first-year caucus off the ground.

b.    Councillor Tobin

                                               i.     Councillor Tobin gave an update on their work thus far. Update included committee work (including Senate).

                                             ii.     For more information, see the January 24th council package.

c.     Councillor Minocha-McKenney 

                                               i.     Councillor Minocha-McKenney gave an update on their work thus far. Update included committee work, student concerns and their work combatting sexual violence on campus.

                                             ii.     Under “External Affairs”, amend to state that this committee has met since the previous council meeting.

                                           iii.     For more information, see the January 24th council package.

6.     Business Arising from the Minutes

a.     Motion Withdrawn by the Mover – Break the Silence Club Constitution

                                               i.     Discussion that was tabled at the meeting of November 29th will no longer be discussed. Motion to approve the constitution was withdrawn by the mover. 

                                             ii.     Councillor Bubar reminded council that, in the future, council should use a trauma informed approach to clubs/topics with this level of sensitivity.

7.     New Business (no items)

8.     Open Forum 

a.     Councillor Mittal: In-Camera Clarification

                                               i.     Councillor Williams clarified that in-camera discussions are not to be discussed outside of in-camera. Present councillors cannot discuss amongst themselves nor can an absent councillor be informed of the in-camera discussion. The only time in-camera discussions occur are during in-camera.

b.    Councillor Penney: Update on Pride Week

                                               i.     Pride Week has been pushed again unfortunately because of red phase and student self-isolation. 

c.     Councillor Mittal: Counselling Services for Off-Campus (Out of NB) Students

                                               i.     We partnered up with BreeLove and resolved the issue!

d.    Councillor Tobin: Executive Check

                                               i.     Councillor Tobin asked how things are going with the executive just because there were no reports for this week

                                             ii.     Councillor Penney and Councillor Ferguson explained that they have been on vacation until January 18th so there was no time for reports but there will be for next meeting!

e.     Councillor Blakney: Council Resignations

                                               i.     Councillor Blakney inquired about filling the recently vacant positions. 

                                             ii.     Councillor Ferguson confirmed that as of right now, no one is taking over the roles given the sudden nature of the resignations but there will be a by-election prior to next meeting. Councillor Nolan added that by-elections are run when council deems it necessary and these positions need to be filled. 

                                           iii.     Councillor Richardson added that it is important that we let people know the elections are happening so we can fill those positions!

                                            iv.     Councillor Blakney asked how will we transition new people into the job and what will happen if the positions go unfilled (if people do not run)?

                                             v.     Councillor Nolan stated that the executive will work with Councillor Williams to catch the new people up-to-date. If positions go unfilled, the executive will discuss then bring a solution to council.

                                            vi.     Councillor Richardson reminded council that we cannot hold this by-election forever therefore, if positions go unfilled they might go unfilled for the remainder of the semester. 

f.      Councillor Mittal: Information on MASU Jobs

                                               i.     Councillor Mittal asked about putting together a document to clarify what students will be getting into when running for a MASU position.

                                             ii.     Councillor Penney clarification: Do you mean councillor positions or Senator positions and executive positions?

1.     Councillor Mittal said it is more to do with councillors and Senators.

                                           iii.     Councillor Nolan agrees that there needs to be more clarity and commented that they were hoping to float the idea of a continuing package with information.

                                            iv.     Councillor Ferguson comments that the councillor packages are vague given the ever-changing nature of the positions but there is information on minimal hours. He suggests that we could promote the option of reaching out to current and past executive directly to get more information on their positions. 

                                             v.     Councillor Burke reminds council that there are transition reports in the MASU and councillors can check them out whenever they would like. Also let council know that Councillor Nolan ensured that transition reports are now mandatory to receive their honoraria.

                                            vi.     Councillor Penton commented that we could work on more promotion for roles in the future.

                                          vii.     Councillor Mittal further inquired about making the mandates more accessible and public. 

                                        viii.     Councillor Nolan states that the mandates have been on the website in the past but that is being worked on during their transitional period. 

                                            ix.     Councillor Davy confirms in the chat that the mandates are on the website currently 

9.     Reminders

a.     Councillor Thorburn: Community Food Smart orders due on Tuesday and Climate Week is starting January 30th, more info to come!

b.     Councillor Richardson: Campaigning has begun for the Winter elections, but there is still time to join the running. 

                                               i.     Councillor Penney confirmed with Councillor Richardson that there will be Instagram posts to promote the election.

c.     Councillor Nolan: Funding deadlines are coming up and there is an RBC panel coming up as well.

d.     Councillor Davy: Website is now up! Check it out. 

e.     Councillor Penney: Bylaw PDF link is in the chat if you’re interested in checking it out. 

f.      Councillor Williams: Remember your committees! Attend those meetings and if you cannot, tell the Chair.

g.     Councillor Burke: Reminder to have a great week!!

10.  In Camera

-       Motion to go in camera (moved by Councillor Blakney, seconded by Councillor Tobin).

-       POINT OF ORDER (Councillor Minocha-McKenney) – The conversation happening in-camera was better suited for out-of-camera. 

-       Motion to move out-of-camera (moved by Councillor Tobin, seconded by Councillor Minocha-McKenney).

11.  Adjournment: 7:02pm

-       Motion to Adjourn the Student’s Administrative Council (moved by Councillor Williams, seconded by Councillor Penney) until Sunday, January 31st, 2021.