MASU Students’ Administrative Council
Meeting Minutes
The Students’ Administrative Council met on May 23rd, 2022, beginning at 7:05 pm via Microsoft Teams.
Call to Order: (7:05 pm)
- Chairperson Nowlan called the meeting to order.
Land Acknowledgement
- The land acknowledgement was done by Chairperson Nowlan.
Approval of the Agenda
- BE IT RESOLVED (moved by Councillor Lesser, seconded by Councillor Minocha-McKenney) that the Monday, May 23rd Agenda of the Students’ Administrative Council be approved.
Approved by CONSENT
Approval of the Minutes (held off due to complications arising from obtaining the last council’s
minutes.)
Reports
- Councillor Minocha-McKenney
- Councillor Minocha-McKenney gave the council an update on their work since the
beginning of their term as the President and CEO of the MASU and set out their priorities
going forward.
- In their first month, Councillor Minocha-McKenney has focused on: executive planning,
transition and training, pushing the vision and mission statement of the MASU via updated
email signatures and the MASU website, and working with the CASA and the NBSA.
- Councillor Minocha-McKenney has also allocated time words signing contracts with
previous recipients of the green investment fund and attending convocation on behalf of the
MASU.
- Going forward: the executive completed a planning session, which will be presented at
the next SAC meeting. As well, one of Councillor Minocha-McKenney’s priorities for this
year is strategic planning.
- Councillor Warr
- Councillor Warr gave the council an update on their work since the beginning of their
term as the Vice President, Student Life and set out their priorities going forward.
- Councillor Warr has spent the first few weeks familiarizing herself with the MASU
office, staff and executives.
- In their first month, Councillor Warr has met with Maggie Brewer to discuss mental
health initiatives and goals for the summer and the upcoming year. As well, Councillor
Warr has met with the International Orientation Chairperson, the University Orientation
Chairperson, and the Residence Life Manager to discuss training for orientation crew and
committee, as well as residence executives and residence assistants.
- Going forward: Councillor Warr aims to continue work on MASU support for residence
students and the MASU’s role in International Orientation and University Orientation.
- Councillor Lesser
- Councillor Lesser gave the council an update on their work since the beginning of their
term as the Vice President, Finance and Governance and set out their priorities going
forward.
- In their first month, Councillor Lesser has been focusing on updating several MASU
policies. Councillor Lesser has finished their amendments to policy 1000 and has begun
drafting several new policies on the matters of committee operations, caucuses, services,
orientation policy, archiving and strategic planning.
- Councillor Lesser has met with Dr. Pascoe-Deslauriers concerning a second year of
partnership between the MASU and COMM 3321. The executive committee has approved
this partnership. This year, the partnership will focus on non-academic student employees.
- As well, Councillor Lesser has had meetings with; Robert Inglis (University VP Finance
and Administration), Chris Milner (University Budget Director), Guillane Maxwell
(University Controller) and the International Orientation Chairperson.
- Going forward: Councillor Lesser aims to continue their work on policy writing, the
COMM 3321 Partnership, human resources reform, and the MASU strategic plan.
- Councillor Mittal (report has been postponed until the next meeting of the Students’
Administrative Council due to excused absence.)
- Councillor Chun
- Councillor Chun gave the council an update on their work since the beginning of their
term as the Vice President, Academic and University Affairs and set out their priorities
going forward.
- Councillor Chun has spent the first few weeks familiarizing herself with the MASU and
her position by reviewing the MASU drive, and reading past transitionary reports.
- In their first month, Councillor Chun resigned the MASU’s contract with the Princeton
Review, has met with the Nimbus representative to renew the MASU’s contract and has
attended Senate and the Board of Regents.
- Going forward: Councillor Chun aims to finalize the Nimbus contract and to conduct
Senator training.
- Councillor Huynh
- Councillor Huynh gave the council an update on their work since the beginning of their
term as the Vice President, External Affairs and set out their priorities going forward.
- In their first month, Councillor Huynh has had meetings with the NBSA, the CASA, and
the mayor to make introductions and discuss the role of the MASU in these alliances/
collaborations. As well, Councillor Huynh has been in contact with representatives from
Horizon Health to talk about the Sackville Hospital. Furthermore, Councillor Huynh ran the
first month of the food box on its regular schedule
- Going forward: Councillor Huynh aims to have the bike co-op set up by June and plans to
prioritize student-senior housing.
Business Arising from the Minutes (no business)
New Business
- Policy 1000
- Becomes the discretion of the VPFO and VPCM, rather than the Students’ Administrative
Council, to uphold matters of formatting.
- Adjusts policy numbering to accommodate new series of policy
BE IT RESOLVED (moved by Councillor Lesser, seconded by Councillor Minocha-McKenney) that
the Students’ Administrative Council approves the amendments to Policy 1000 as presented.
Motion CARRIES
Discussion
Councillor Minocha-McKenney: Thank you, Councillor Lesser, for doing this work- this will help
streamline some stuff. I also would like to note to the council that it is okay for councillors to feel lost
or confused as we will be trained on this later.
Councillor Lesser: To second Councillor Minocha-McKenney, it is okay to feel overwhelmed; you
will be trained at a later date. For now, please ask any questions or send me an email - it is important
that everybody understand what is going on.
- The Caribbean Student Association Constitution
- Aims to: familiarize students with the Caribbean Islands and provide a safe space for
Caribbean students.
BE IT RESOLVED (Motioned by Councillor Warr, seconded by Councillor Minocha-Mckenney)
that the Students’ Administrative Council approves the Caribbean Students' Association as a MASU
club.
Motion CARRIES
Discussion
Councillor Minocha-McKenney: Does this club have a membership fee?
Councillor Warr: No, it does not
Open Forum (no discussion)
Reminders (no reminders)
In-Camera (7:44)
BE IT RESOLVED (moved by Councillor Lesser, seconded by Councillor Warr) that the Students’
Administrative Council moves to in-camera.
Motion CARRIES
BE IT RESOLVED that the Mount Allison Students' Union shall offer Callie Dowell the
position of Assistant Entertainment Director.
Motion CARRIES
WHEREAS the resignation of the Social Justice Coordinator has occurred on May 9th, 2022;
WHEREAS the Vice President, External Affairs has suggested the hiring of an existing staff
member into the role rather than the initiation of a new hiring process;
BE IT RESOLVED that Section 5 and Section 7 of OP-04 shall be temporarily suspended until
this meeting is adjourned;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Vice President, Finance and Governance, at the
permission of any given Executive Officer, may recommend the hiring staff managed by that
Executive Officer to fill a vacant role within the portfolio of that officer
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Student's Administrative Council shall evaluate that
recommendation based on the factors observed in their initial interview and the
recommendation of the Executive Officer who oversees the vacant position.
Motion CARRIES
BE IT RESOLVED that the Mount Allison Students' Union shall offer the position of Social
Justice Coordinator, upon her acceptance, shall appoint her to the role immediately for a term
ending on April 30th, 2023
Motion CARRIES
Adjournment:
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting upon the completion of the agenda at 8:12 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Paige Meisner
Secretary (Deputy Chairperson)