Assembly: 25/11/2021
Tuesday 30-11-2021 - 14:21
Laura Sadler, Assembly Media Observer, reports from the Emergency Assembly, 25 November.
Highlights
Motion: Drug Harm Reduction Policies and Practices
The Assembly began with business pertaining to past Assembly meetings. Minutes as well as the Honorary Life Membership and the Democracy Review Motion from June were ratified. (Please see https://www.durhamsu.com/main-menu/voice/assembly/assembly-papers for more information).
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees report was presented which contained the new appointments of Graeme Osborn as Chair, and Seun Twins as Vice-Chair. Assembly ratified Peter Robertson as the Returning Officer.
Officer Updates
Each of the five SU sabbatical Officers presented their priorities and an update on their recent work.
The SU academic Officers voiced a focus on mitigating strike impact, ensuring good quality hybrid teaching and the continuation of positive academic practices adopted during the pandemic.
Jack Ballingham (Opportunities Officer) emphasised the ‘heartening bounce-back of events’ this year, the success of the Freshers Fair and continuing his work on the Freedom of Speech Bill.
Jonah (Welfare and Liberation Officer) is focusing on mental health practices, the response to spiking and student sex workers.
Seun (SU President) is focusing on the Culture Commission as well as giving talks around gender-based violence, and welcoming the new Vice Chancellor.
Committee Updates
Several committees highlighted that as it was still early on in the academic year, they were focusing on reconvening their committees, holding elections and ensuring equal representation. Some common topics of discussion were UCU strike action, drug policy, responses to spiking and the Freedom of Speech Bill.
Association Updates
Here’s an update on what some of our associations have been getting up to and are planning for this year:
Womxn’s
- Responding to the anti-spiking campaign.
- FemComm to enable communication between college fem socs and female liberation societies.
- Campaign against the Hassockfield refugee detention centre.
LGBT+
- Vigil for Trans Day of Remembrance
- Resolving issues with club security in Durham
- System to share LGBTQ+ fundraisers
People of Colour
- Anti-racism workshops
- People of Colour representatives on JCR committees
- Black History Month
International Students
- Re-creating community after a year of displacement
- Diwali event
- Thanksgiving dinner
Mature
- Family-friendly events, especially for parents
- Cultural exchange in Vietnam
Election Results
There are currently no nominations for Assembly Chair. If you are interested in this role or want to find out more please email dsu.governance@durham.ac.uk.
We welcome into our Open Assembly Places:
Laura Curran: Open Place
Ansh Bhatnagar: Postgraduate Open Place
Maddie Hourigan: Women/ Carer Open Place
Oliver Jervies: Governance and Grants Committee Open Place
The Undergraduate Open Place and Governance and Grants Committee are still looking for student representatives. For information, please email dsu.governance@durham.ac.uk
Drug Harm Reduction Policy and Practices
The motion (what was presented for debate)
Presented by: Sophie Hofels from Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
The motion argues that the SU should lobby Durham University to change its current zero-tolerance drug policy in favour of one which focuses on harm reduction policies and risk mitigation. Sophie quoted that in a recent survey over 50% of students admitted to drug use. She argued that the current policy dissuades students from asking for help when they need it because they lack education or are ‘scared of being caught’. The motion proposes, as a priority, dissemination of drug-testing kits, harm reduction workshops for freshers and promoting awareness of available support systems.
Opposition (argument against the motion)
There was no opposition to the motion.
General comments (any neutral comments for consideration before the vote)
General comments highlighted the focus of this motion on student safety and that Durham SU should prioritise the welfare of its students over any personal opinions on drug use.
Vote (assembly members decide whether to pass or reject the motion)
The motion was taken to a vote and passed unanimously.
Future action (what this means going forward)
The SU will look to work with the University and SSDP (students supporting sensible drug policy) to change University policies around drug use. They will lobby for the University to focus primarily on student welfare in regard to drug use, the provision of drug testing kits and encouraging safe practices and awareness.
