Wednesday 09-11-2022 - 14:23

Melissa Rumbold, Assembly Media Observer, reports from Assembly, Thursday 3 November
Chair: Aalaina Khan

Interim Chair: Charles Lawrence

Highlights:

Officer Updates

Committee Updates

Association Updates

Election Results

Motion: Fossil Free Careers

Motion: Standing Orders Corrections

Motion: Pro-Choice Stance on Abortions

Nominated Interim Chair Charles Lawrence began the meeting by welcoming members and attendees. Minutes from the last Assembly meetings were approved, and Assembly was notified of the ratification of new student groups.
 

Officer Updates

This year's cohort of Officers have agreed on a Team Plan and will be working on a number of priorities together. Jack Ballingham (Opportunities Officer) reported on the team's work on strategies to ensure no student goes hungry or cold by reducing the everyday cost of living through free food options, grant schemes, and urging the University to lower the cost of learning.

Joshua Freestone (Undergraduate Academic Officer) explained how the Officer team will be urging the University to commit to lowering the cost of learning. By reviewing the costs required for each course, and establishing a pilot scheme for free lab coats, books and other course materials.

Joe McGarry (President) went on to discuss how they have been focussing on incorporating the student voice into decision-making through visibility and ensuring close partnership between the Students' Union and Durham University.

 

Laura Curran (Welfare and Liberation Officer) updated Assembly on the work on urging Durham University to acknowledge the housing crisis and take steps towards solving it through engagement with the government's Renters Reform Bill, researching plans to enter the housing market, and providing accessible evidence about the condition of student housing.

 

Committee Updates

Academic Affairs are addressing issues contributing to student dissatisfaction, operational learning policies, and clarification around online examinations.

D.U.C.K (Durham University Charity Kommittee) are organising their upcoming events, including the Charities Fair and are looking into long-term partnerships with committees.

 

JCR PresComm are discussing student housing, welfare, academic support, and environmental sustainability and are strengthening collaborations between common rooms to focus on helping students through the cost-of-living crisis.

 

MCR PresComm are working on bringing new MCR Presidents together and looking into engagement with postgraduate common rooms.

 

The Student Groups Committee have approved seventeen new groups and are meeting to decide on new grant provisions.

 

Association Updates

Unfortunately, our Associations were not present for this Assembly meeting. Many of Durham SU’s Associations have not yet elected their committees therefore, apologies were received from LGBT+ Association, Durham People of Colour Association (DPoCA), Students with Disabilities Association (SwDA), Women's Association, Trans Association, International, Students' Association, Working Class Students' Association, and Mature Students' Association (MATSA).

 

Election Results

We congratulate and welcome Aalaina Khan as the new Chair of Assembly.
 

Nominations are still open for the Assembly Procedures Committee (APC) and Officer Scrutiny Committee (OSC), these close midday 9 November and can be voted on by Assembly members. APC is responsible for setting the agenda, approving motions and amendments to be taken to Assembly, and overall ensuring that the meeting is well regulated and acts within its powers. OSC is responsible for scrutinising the work of the Officer team and supporting them in prioritising their workload and reporting to Assembly.

 

Motion: Fossil Free Careers

Poppy Jopson presented a motion to propose that Durham University cease advertisement of career opportunities with fossil fuel companies. Poppy’s proposal argued that this issue is urgent, and action is required immediately to move away from oil and gas production. She warned that by continued advertising, the University is telling students that they are not taking the issue seriously. Whilst the careers department would be advised not to promote these career paths, students would still be entitled to information if they asked for it.
 

Jack Ballingham (Opportunities Officer) spoke in favour of the motion and gave his full support. Jack went on to say he will be raising a meeting on sustainability to the University in December.

Others spoke against the motion and argued that students who are interested in those career sectors cannot be denied opportunities. A debate was had between opposing sides.

 

This motion was taken to vote and passed.

 

Motion: Standing Orders Corrections

Jack Ballingham (Opportunities Officer) presented a motion to approve corrections to the new Standing Orders. The motion asked to change the wording from College Reps Committee to SU Reps Committee, and Jack clarified other corrections. Jack is working on a forum for discussion to encourage JCR members to get involved in this committee.

There was no opposition to the motion.

 

This motion was taken to vote and passed.

 

Motion: Pro-Choice Stance on Abortions

Laura Curran presented a motion to propose that Durham Students’ Union adopt a pro-choice stance on abortions. In 2019, the SU passed a pro-choice stance, and this proposal asks for a refresh of this motion. Throughout Durham city, there have been a rise in pro-life protests targeted during Freshers Week with tactics of graphic imagery. Students have responded with peaceful protest. Globally, as a result of the overturn of Roe vs Wade, abortion rights have been revoked in many US states.

Laura specified that a pro-choice stance would involve the right for people to have control and autonomy over their bodies, including decisions on continuing or aborting pregnancy. The motion asked the SU to provide accessible healthcare, resources, and manage pro-life protests whilst supporting students engaging in pro-choice protests. Laura added that pro-life views would continue to be acknowledged.

There was no opposition to the motion.
 

This motion was taken to vote and passed.

 

Durham SU Code of Conduct

Jack Ballingham (Opportunities Officer) discussed the proposal of a new Durham Students’ Union Code of Conduct which will be voted on at a later meeting. He clarified that other Durham University organisations would still deal with each of its own code of conduct related matters, and that the code would apply alongside Durham SU’s existing freedom of speech policy in line with UK law.

 

The next Assembly meeting will be on 8 December.