20.03.2012 agenda

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Student Council Tuesday 20 March 2012 at 6.30pm in Francis Bancroft Room 1.02.6, Mile End. Agenda

1.0 Apologies If you are unable to attend the meeting please send your apologies to [email protected] 2.0 Chair’s Welcome and Announcements 3.0 Minutes from the meeting of Student Council held on 28 February 2012 (pages 2-25)

Student Council is asked to note the record of the last meeting. 4.0 Officer Reports (page 26)

Student Council is asked to note the activities of the Union’s Student Representatives and Part-time Officers since the last meeting.

5.0 Amendments to the Clubs Sport and Societies Bye-Laws (pages 27-28)

A motion proposing amendments to the Club Sport and Societies Bye-Laws. 6.0 Action Plan for Students with Disabilities (page 29)

A motion proposing that the Union and College develops and adopts an action plan to improve accessibility for students with disabilities.

7.0 Accessibility for Students with Disabilities on Campus (page 30) A motion to lobby the College to improve physical and virtual accessibility.

8.0 Opposition to Health and Social Care Bill (page 31)

A motion seeking Union opposition to the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill. 9.0 Student-Led Commercial Services (page 32)

A motion that proposes to create a Student Council working group to identify how the Union’s commercial services can be more student-led.

10.0 Time, date and place of next meeting Thursday 10 May at 6.30pm venue to be confirmed.

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Student Council Minutes Tuesday 28 February 2012 at 6.30pm in the Milton Lecture Theatre, Garrod Building.

Chair: Eleanor Hallam

Mile End Officers present (7): Ben Richardson (Student Representative) Donald MacKinnon (LGBT Officer) Edoardo Palombo (Welfare Officer)

Michael Gilbert (Postgraduate Officer) Ozzy Amir (Campaigns Officer) Tom Voice (Ethical and Environmental Officer

Ellen Kiely (RAG Officer)

Mile End Officers apologies (7): Caz Parra (Secretary) Ciara Squires (Student Representative) Darcie Tyler-Henley (Volunteering Officer) Dominic Todd (Sports Officer)

Shaun Ramanah (Students with Disabilities Officer) Wanda Canton (Women’s Officer) Wilson Wong (Societies’ Officer) - proxy

Barts and The London Officers present (10): Adnan Aslam (Dental Representative) - part Andrew Smith (Student Representative) Aran Ali (RAG Captain) Hannah Downer (Treasurer) Jon Cramphorn (VP Barts)

Mandi Pal (Secretary) Ramey Assaf (External Affairs Officer) Richard Donovan (SSLC Rep) Rob Zabihi (Dental Represenative) Sam Chequer (Welfare Officer)

Barts and the London Officer apologies (5):Amy Coulden (Entertainments Officer) Eva Pathmananthan Jeeves Wijesuriya (VP London) - proxy

Salem Al-Sawaf (Entertainments Officer) Tim Foster (Clubs and Societies’ Officer)

Faculty and Year Representatives present (3):Alex Schpektor (Humanties and Social Sciences Faculty Representative) Karishma Chouglay (Science and Engineering Faculty Representative)

Nicolas Meier (Year One and Foundation Representative)

Faculty and Year Representatives apologies (1):Andrew Williams (Medicine and Dentistry Faculty Representative) - proxy

Executive Officers in attendance: Sophie Richardson (President) Dominic Bell (Vice President Activities) George Ryan (Vice President Association)

Oscar Williamson (Vice President Education and Welfare) Sam Creighton (Vice President Communications)

Union Staff in attendance: Philip Gilks (Student Voice and Development Manager) Sarah Gifford (Volunteering Manger) Tom Sutton (Representation and Democracy Co-ordinator)

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1.0 Apologies Apologies were noted and accepted. 2.0 Chair’s Welcome Announcements Chair welcomed members to the second meeting of the semester.

2.0.1 Resignations Noted the resignation of Nicolas Blondel (Barts and The London Campaigns Officer)

2.0.2 Campaigns and Student Council Awards Panel

Student Council nominated members of the Campaigns and Student Council Awards Panel:

- The Barts and The London Part-time Officers nominated were Adnan Aslam, and Rob Zabihi.

- The Mile End Part-time Officers nominated were Ben Richardson and Edoardo Palombo.

3.0 Minutes from the meeting of Student Council held on 31 January 2012

Noted and approved as an accurate record. 4.0 Officer Reports

Noted. 5.0 Executive Action Plan

Student Council received the February update of the Executive Officer Action Plan. 5.0.1 Question

Ozzy Amir asked a question on A Election Turnout - what were the Executive Officers opinions on the fall in overall voter turnout?

- Oscar Williamson replied that a review of the elections was underway. Possible factors included fewer Executive Officer posts, and new and unknown Student Representative and Part-time Officer posts.

- George Ryan added another possible factor may have been a lack of competitive atmosphere among the candidates.

5.0.2 Question

Edoardo Palombo asked a question on A Election Turnout - did a reduction in candidate budget have an impact on election turnout?

- Oscar Williamson replied that because a majority of candidates did not take up training opportunities prior to the close nominations, candidates were largely unaware of the limits of the budget which may have impacted upon their campaigning plans.

5.0.3 Question

Ozzy Amir asked a question on F You Talk. We Listen. - what was the status of You Talk. We Listen?

- Oscar Williamson replied that elections had been the focus of Executive Officer’s work above activities such as You Talk. We Listen.

5.0.4 Question

Edoardo Palombo asked a question on A Election Turnout – how could iPads and mobile polling stations be used more effectively?

- Dominic Bell replied that iPads had been more effective than stationary polling stations in Union outlets and will be included in the election review.

5.2 Vice President Communications Action Plan

Student Council received the February update of the Vice President Communications Action Plan.

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5.3 Vice President Student Activities Action Plan Student Council received the February update of the Vice President Student Activities Action Plan.

5.3.1 Question

Ozzy Amir reported that students had found the ticket cost of attending the Club Sport Dinner too high. He asked a question on C3 Focus Sport and D Flagship Events - what was he doing to encourage students from widening participation groups to participate in student activities?

- Dominic Bell replied that the Get Active programme would help encourage students from widening participation groups to participate in sport. He would look at other measures over the summer.

5.4 Vice President Education and Welfare Action Plan Student Council received the February update of the Vice-President Student Education and Welfare Action Plan.

5.5 Vice President Association/BLSA President Action Plan

Student Council received the February update of the Vice President Association/BLSA President Action Plan.

Student Council accepted the report. 6.0 Amendment to the Articles of Association

Dominic Bell spoke for a motion to amend of the Articles of Association on the recommendation of College Council. He argued the changes were not fundamental, but had been sought by College Council to ensure the Union complied with 1994 Education Act. 6.1 Amendment

Noted an amendment proposed and accepted by the proposer of the motion Sophie Richardson.

Dominic Bell waved the summation.

Student Council voted for the motion.

- 21 members voted for - 0 members voted against - 1 member abstained

7.0 Club Sport Bye-Law and Societies Bye-Law

Dominic Bell spoke for a motion to create a separate ‘Societies’ and ‘Club Sport’ Bye-Law outlining the rules for the governance, support development and regulation of Union societies and sports clubs. He argued the bye-law introduced a range of changes, including a tiered funding structure for sports clubs and multiple bidding rounds for societies, that were beneficial to student activities.

7.3 Amendment

Noted an amendment proposed and accepted by the proposer of the motion Dominic Bell.

7.4 Amendment

The amendment was withdrawn. 7.5 Amendment The amendment was withdrawn 7.6 Amendment

George Ryan spoke for an amendment to change the membership and terms of the Societies and Club Sport Committees. He argued the amendment would follow the

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same principle of fifty per cent representation for Barts and The London supported by the General Meeting on reforms to Student Council. Dominic Bell spoke against the amendment. He argued the current membership of the sports committees guaranteed the different types of sport representation. The amendment will create a bigger and therefore unworkable societies committee and club sport committee. George Ryan spoke for the amendment. He argued Barts and The London students would not be interested in standing to be a representative for certain types of sports clubs. The amendment, which would remove categorising different types of sports clubs, would allow keen and passionate people regardless of sports club background to take an active role.

Dominic Bell spoke against the amendment. He argued it was more important that different types of sports clubs were guaranteed representation rather than Mile End and Barts and The London sports clubs. Barts and The London students could seek election to be a representative for a certain type of sports club. The amendment could create structure dominated by big, powerful, well-established and well-funded sports clubs. George Ryan spoke for the amendment. He argued because the current membership allowed for cross-campus elections, Barts and The London students had less of an opportunity of winning election to the committee. Well-established sports clubs could not dominate the structure where one sports club had one vote. Dominic Bell spoke against the amendment. He argued representation for both campuses was guaranteed through the attendance of the Sports Officer (Mile End) and Sports Officer (Barts and The London). Student Council voted for the amendment.

- 13 members voted for - 7 members voted against - 2 members abstained

Dominic Bell gave the summation for the motion. He argued despite the adoption of the amendment the bye-laws proposed were a significant improvement.



8.0 Support for the Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) Campaign

Samson Williams spoke for a motion that sought union support for Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) campaign, a campaign aimed a widening international access to medicines and health technologies. He argued he required Union support to lobby the College to adopt an ethical approach to trading research.



9.0 433,000 Students

Dominic Bell spoke for a motion that resolved to propose a NUS National Conference motion to increase NUS support for London unions. He argued the motion would request additional NUS support for London Unions lobbying the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority (GLA) and other London-wide projects.

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9.1 Clarification Oscar Williamson and Donald MacKinnon sought clarification over how the proposal related to the University of London Union (ULU).

- Dominic Bell responded that ULU was ineffective supporting London unions and NUS was better placed to deliver this support.

Chair moved to a vote.



10.0 Motion for the Proposal of a Budget reserved for Unfunded Societies and Sports Clubs

Edoardo Palombo spoke for a motion that proposed measures to boost the numbers of students involved in Union societies and sports clubs. He summarised the process outlined in the motion and argued that a new ring-fenced £3,000 budget would help new societies and sports clubs develop. Dominic Bell spoke against the motion. He argued the changes to the societies and sports clubs bye-law allowed new societies and sports clubs to apply for grants. Ring-fencing a £3,000 budget for new societies and sports clubs could lead to money being unspent. Edoardo Palombo spoke for the motion. He argued because of the changes to the membership of the societies committee may lead to big, powerful, well-established and well-funded societies could dominate funding decisions, which societies committee was empowered to make. Dominic Bell spoke against the motion. He argued different types of society were still represented in the societies committee. Edoardo Palombo gave the summation for the motion. He argued that a new ring-fenced £3,000 budget would help new societies and sports develop. Student Council voted against the motion.


11.0 A Motion for the introduction of an All Access Membership

Edoardo Palombo spoke for a motion to create an 'All Access Academia' pass to increase participation in academic-related societies. He argued the pass would help improve relationships students have across departments. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.


12.0 Protecting the teaching of students in SBCS

Oscar Williamson spoke for a motion to oppose and take action against the proposed staffing restructure in the School of Chemical and Biological Sciences (SBCS). He argued the plans to restructure would negatively affect the SBCS student experience. Chair moved to a vote.

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Student Council voted for the motion. - 18 members voted for - 1 members voted against - 3 members abstained

13.0 Amendment to NUS National Conference Motion 301 'Postgraduate Funding and

Support' Michael Gilbert spoke for a motion to propose an amendment to a NUS National Conference motion on postgraduate funding. He argued the amendment the motion proposed was in line with current Union policy on free education and NUS should lobby for fully funded postgraduate education and living grants. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.

- 21 members voted for - 0 member voted against - 1 members abstained

14.0 Amendment to NUS National Conference Motion 302 'The Public Role of Higher

Education' Ross Speer spoke for a motion to propose an amendment to a NUS National Conference motion on protecting and promoting the social and economic impact of higher education. He argued the amendment the motion proposed was in line with current Union policy on free education and NUS should work with closely with trade unions and activist organisations. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.


15.0 Amendment to NUS National Conference Motion 305 'Higher Education Bill'

Ross Speer spoke for a motion that resolves to propose an amendment to a NUS National Conference motion on opposing the privatisation of higher education. He argued the amendment the motion proposed strengthened NUS’s opposition to the government’s higher education policy and the withdrawn higher education white paper. 15.1 Clarification

Andy Smith sought clarification on the phrase “indefinite student strike”. - Ross Speer clarified that the amendment the motion proposed that NUS should

call for students to walkout of class indefinitely until the Higher Education bill was dropped.

Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.


16.0 Amendment to NUS National Conference Motion 402 'Defending the Right to Protest'

Donald Mackinnon for a motion that resolves to propose an amendment to a NUS National Conference motion on defending the right to protest. He argued the amendment the motion proposed strengthened NUS opposition to harsh policing tactics and added support for imprisoned students.

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16.1 Clarification Sam Creighton sought clarification on the phrase “support imprisoned students”.

- Donald Mackinnon clarified that the amendment the motion proposed that NUS support imprisoned students arrested for acts of political protest.

Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.

- 9 members voted for - 8 member voted against - 5 members abstained

17.0 Amendment to NUS National Conference Motion 404 'Eden Springs'

Ross Speer spoke for a motion to propose an amendment to a NUS National Conference motion to lobby against the activities of Eden Springs, an Israeli company that has bottling plants in illegally occupied territory. He argued the amendment the motion proposed added NUS opposition to Israeli policy and conduct.

Alex Schpektor spoke against the motion. He argued that Student Council voted against the boycotting of Israeli goods, as the motion proposed, earlier in the year.

Ross Speer spoke for the motion. He argued that Students’ Unions boycott of South African goods contributed to the fall of Apartheid. Students’ Unions should engage in politics and fight against injustices taking place around the world.

Alex Schpektor spoke against the motion. He argued the Palestine-Israeli conflict was so complicated the Union should avoid taking a stance.

Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted against the motion.


18.0 Amendment to NUS National Conference Motion 504 'Building a Generation Ready to

Shout ‘I AM THE CHANGE!’ Ross Speer spoke for a motion that resolves to propose an amendment to a NUS National Conference motion on developing student campaigning and activism. He argued the amendment the motion proposed instructed NUS to work with closely with trade unions and activist organisations and support students in direct action tactics such as occupations and walkouts. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.


19.0 Amendment to NUS National Conference Motion 604 'Prevent’

Ross Speer spoke for a motion that resolves to propose an amendment to a NUS National Conference motion on opposing the government's strategy to tackle extremism. He argued the measures in the Prevent strategy to tackle terrorism and extremism in institutions are unhelpful, inflammatory and discriminatory and the amendment the motion proposed added that NUS should oppose Prevent outright.

Chair moved to a vote.

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Student Council voted for the motion. - 16 members voted for - 2 members voted against - 4 member abstained

20.0 Boycott NSS

Ross Speer spoke for a motion that resolves to propose a NUS National Conference motion to boycott the National Student Survey (NSS). He argued the NSS contributed to marketised higher education and cited criticism of the survey from the former Head of the Higher Education Academy. The NUS National Conference motion proposed that NUS should oppose and boycott the NSS. Oscar Williamson spoke against the motion. He argued the NSS provided useful evidence and information for lobbying for in improvement in the College. Ross Speer gave a summation for the motion. He argued the NSS was flawed and was not an appropriate source for measuring institutions’ quality and provision. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted against the motion.


21.0 Bring Back EMA

Ross Speer spoke for a motion that resolves to propose a NUS National Conference motion to call for the re-instatement of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). He argued government’s cut to EMA was bad for social mobility and effected numbers of students from lower-income backgrounds attending further education. The NUS National Conference motion proposed that NUS call for immediate re-instatement of EMA and support student walkouts. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.


22.0 Twin with Egyptian Universities

Ross Speer spoke for a motion that resolves to propose a NUS National Conference motion to stand in solidarity with Egyptian students. He argued the NUS National Conference motion proposed that NUS should applaud Egyptian students that took action to remove a repressive regime and should support them through organising a twinning programme. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.


23.0 Re-instate Vik Chechi

Ross Speer spoke for a motion to issue support for Vik Chechi, the suspended Queen Mary Branch Secretary of the Trade Union Unison. He argued the union organiser had been suspended four months previous by the College for his Trade Union involvement. The motion called for him to be reinstated. Student Council voted for the motion.

- 10 members voted for

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- 3 members voted against - 9 member abstained

24.0 Come Clean - National Week of Action

Sophie Richardson spoke for a motion to take part in ‘NUS Come Clean Week’, a week of events including a student walkout on 14 March. She argued the action would show student opposition to the government’s higher education policy and the withdrawn higher education white paper. George Ryan spoke against the motion. He argued a student walkout was not an effective campaigning method. Chair moved to a vote. Student Council voted for the motion.


5.1 President Action Plan

Student Council received the February update of the President Action Plan.

5.1.1 Question Ozzy Amir asked a question on C1 NSS Question 23 - when is the net meeting of the group what is the progress?

- Sophie Richardson replied that the next meeting would take place in early March and would include a discussion on the Union’s potential rebrand.

Student Council accepted the report. 25.0 Time, date and place of next meeting

Tuesday 20 March at 6.30pm in Francis Bancroft Room 1.02.6.

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officer: position: 5.0, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 6.0 7.0 7.6 8.0

for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain for against abstain

Ben Richardson Student Representative X X X X X

Donald Mackinnon LGBT Officer X X X X X

Edoardo Palombo Welfare Officer X X X X X

Ellen Kiely RAG Officer X X X X X

Michael Gilbert Postgraduate Officer X X X X X

Ozzy Amir Campaigns Officer X X X X X

Tom Voice Ethical and Environmental Officer

X X X X X

Wilson Wong Societies Officer No record X X X X

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officer: position: 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0









X X X X X

Wilson Wong Societies Officer X X X X X

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X X X X X


14










X X X X X


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officer: position: 24.0 5.1

for against abstain for against abstain

Ben Richardson Student Representative No record X

Donald Mackinnon LGBT Officer X X

Edoardo Palombo Welfare Officer X X

Ellen Kiely RAG Officer X X

Michael Gilbert Postgraduate Officer X X

Ozzy Amir Campaigns Officer X X


X X

Wilson Wong Societies Officer X No record

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Andrew Smith Student Representative X X X X X

Aran Ali RAG Captain X X X X X

Hannah Downer Treasurer X X X X X

Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London No record X X X X

Jon Cramphorn Vice-President Barts X X X X X

Mandi Pal Secretary X X X X X

Ramey Assaf External Affairs Officer X X X X X

Richard Donovan SSLC Representative X X X X X

Rob Zabihi Dental Representative X X X X X

Sam Chequer Welfare Officer X X X X X

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Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London X X X X X







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Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London X X X X X







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Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London X X X No record X







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Andrew Smith Student Representative X No record

Aran Ali RAG Captain X No record

Hannah Downer Treasurer X No record

Jeeves Wijesuriya Vice-President London X No record

Jon Cramphorn Vice-President Barts X No record

Mandi Pal Secretary X No record

Ramey Assaf External Affairs Officer X No record

Richard Donovan SSLC Representative X X

Rob Zabihi Dental Representative X No record

Sam Chequer Welfare Officer X No record

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Alex Schpektor Humanities and Social Sciences Representative

X X X X X

Andrew Williams Medicine and Dental Representative

X X X X X

Karishma Chouglay Science and Engineering Representative X X X X X

Nick Meier Year One and Foundation Representative

No record X X X X

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X X X X X

Andrew Williams Medicine and Dental Representative

X X X X X



X X X X X

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X X X X X

Andrew McWilliams Medicine and Dental Representative

X X X X X



X X X X X

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X X X X X


X X X X X



X X X X X

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X No record


X No record

Karishma Chouglay Science and Engineering Representative X No record


X No record

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Ciara Squires (Student Representative)

- Continued work with Qmequality in building and attending all Festival 51 women's festival events, creating a festival that was much larger and more succesful than last year.

- Leafletting and talking to students about the proposed SBCS restructuring and collecting signatures for the petition.

- Working towards and promoting the NUS walkout on the 14th of march. - Will be attending NUS Women's conference as a delegate, representing women on campus.

Darcie Tyler-Henley (Volunteering Officer)

- Organised a "Team Provide Recommends.." Event to help match students' interests to volunteering opportunities.

- Working with Team Provide members to organise "The Big Volunteer Social" for all volunteers from Provide and student groups.

- Set up a GO QM subteam to create an Olympic teamed CAD, and volunteer on campus filling in tags for the balloon launch.

- Collated and submitted hours for volunteer awards at Awards and Honours. - Worked with union staff and other part-time officers to chose nominees and winners for Awards

and Honours. (volunteering, societies and fundraising)

Ellen Kiely (RAG Officer)

- As part of QM RAG I have launched Jailbreak 2012. We have held an information meeting and drop-in meetings for potential participants.

- I have started hand over meetings with next years RAG Officer - In collaboration with next years RAG officer I have opened applications for the 2012/13 RAG

committee.

Shaun Ramanah (Students with Disabilities Officer)

- Attended the Equality and Diversity Forum chaired by Principal, put forward accessibility, awareness and educational issues affecting students with disabilities which were discussed and taken forward to a higher Steering Group to be enacted

- Held a meeting with Ability to discuss plans for next year, invited and met newly-elected Students with Disability Rep, planned next social event for Week 12

- Had a meeting with Simon Jarvis, Head of DDS and Niall Morrissey, new Mental Health Co-ordinator at DDS, informed them of issues that are still affecting students with disabilities and what myself and QMSU can do to solve this, put forward ideas for disability awareness campaigns which can improve students welfare to be organised next academic year.

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5.0 Amendments to Club Sport and Societies Bye-Law

Proposer: Jeeves Wijesuriya (Vice President London) Seconder: TBC QMSU notes:

1. The Club Sport Bye Law and Societies Bye Law passed at Student Council 2. The continuing high attendance at Whitechapel campus GCM's which was formerly a

representative voice and method of consultation with Whitechapel campus students, clubs and societies.

QMSU believes:

1. Campus based GCM's are both an effective and pragmatic method of achieving wide and representative consultation and informing the student body

2. That the GCM plays a valuable role in feeding back both to and from this board 3. Provides a fair arena for election of candidates for this board 4. Provides a valuable arena for discussion of issues for both clubs and societies 5. These meetings are a valuable to the Whitechapel Campus as a means of consultation and

representation QMSU resolves:

1. To add to the definitions of the Club Sport and Societies Bye-Laws as 1.4.10 and 1.4.8: General Committee Meeting This refers to an open meeting held at least once a term on

the Whitechapel Campus for its constituent clubs and societies. It is attended by a suggested minimum of two officers from each club and society and is open to all students. This open meeting has two main objectives:

(i) The forum for election of club representatives for the Club Sport Committee

(ii) The forum for election of society representatives for the Societies Committee

(iii) A forum which acts as a representative voice for those clubs and societies as well as the larger student body of that campus

(iv) A medium via which changes and information can be distributed to committee members of clubs and societies and the general student body

2. To amend Club Sport Bye-Law

13.4 Representatives from Queen Mary Clubs will be elected at a General Clubs Meeting

by Queen Mary Clubs only. The Barts and the London representatives will be elected in a similar manner by Barts and The London Clubs.

to read

13.4 Representatives from Queen Mary Clubs will be elected at a General Clubs Meeting by Queen Mary Clubs only. The Barts and the London representatives will be elected in a similar manner by Barts and The London Clubs at a General Meeting.

3. To amend Societies Bye-Law

13.4 Representatives from Queen Mary Societies will be elected at a General Societies

Meeting by Queen Mary Societies only. The Barts and the London representatives will be elected in a similar manner by Barts and The London Societies.

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to read

13.4 Representatives from Queen Mary Societies will be elected at a General Societies Meeting by Queen Mary Societies only. The Barts and the London representatives will be elected in a similar manner by Barts and The London Societies at a General Meeting.

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6.0 Action Plan for Students with Disabilities

Proposer: Shaun Ramanah (Mile End Students with Disabilities Officer) Seconder: Ozzy Amir (Mile End Campaigns Officer) QMSU notes:

1. Students with disabilities often feel alienated from university life and may feel their enrolment at university presents a difficulty to both to their academic department and the Student Union due to the special requirements they need.

QMSU believes:

1. As an organisation that champions equality and diversity, there is a need for an Action Plan that states the Union’s provisions and support of students in integrating them within the whole student body and what the Union sets out to do to support them which will greatly strengthen the welfare of these students.

2. All sports and societies should be aware of their need to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities and should this should be made clear to committee members.

3. There is a need for each academic department to illustrate their awareness and support of students with disabilities to both current and prospective students so that these students are aware of their department’s support

QMSU resolves:

1. QMSU to produce a document/guide to students with disabilities about the support and accessibility of the Union. This document should outline the Union’s commitment to ensuring events etc. Are accessible to all.

2. The adoption by the Union of the social model of disability and the use of this in understanding how they can help their students. (The social model of disability explains how people are disabled by the restrictions placed upon them within society rather than by their impairment or condition.)

3. Some departments already have a website link to disability support within their webpage, it links to: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/site/accessibility however, all departments should have this, as currently School of Languages, Linguistics and Film as well as Electronic Engineering and others do not. This information should also be in departments prospectuses so that it is viewable to current students and prospective students with disabilities.

4. Sports and societies should have in their constitution a note of their need to be accessible and non-discriminatory.

http://www.qmul.ac.uk/site/accessibility

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7.0 Accessibility for Students with Disabilities on Campus

Proposer: Shaun Ramanah (Mile End Students with Disabilities Officer) Seconder: Ozzy Amir (Mile End Campaigns Officer) QMSU notes:

1. In December it solidified its commitment to improving the welfare of students with disabilities on campus by passing a motion on ensuring the university college and itself upholds its need to make campus and events/facilities available to all

2. Many, if not all, SU-run outlets on campus are currently difficult for disabled students to access and use: (Ground, Drapers, Village Shop and other places has no automatic doors, the Gym does not have any staff trained to assist disabled students)

3. In the past there has been events that the Union has created which have been inaccessible to students with disabilities (e.g. off-campus Freshers events)

QMSU believes:

1. It is unfair to have facilities/outlets that are not accessible to disabled students and it goes against the Union’s aims and legal obligation.

2. The university’s response has been very slow and ineffective in dealing with these issues that have been put forward by the students with disabilities officer, disabled students, the DDS. So far they have made no formal plans to make changes to these buildings

3. As the Union only rents its outlets from university owned property they must ensure that the university does not stop them from making their services and facilities accessible to their whole student body

4. There needs to be more awareness by the Union and university to ensure they take into consideration and consult students with disabilities to ensure their events/facilities are suitable

QMSU resolves:

1. To ensure they work with Ability (the students with disabilities group) to ensure their facilities/events are accessible

2. To ensure that the university does put accessibility issues on existing venues as a very high priority in construction works in the near future

3. For the SU to liaise with their students with disabilities to ensure that issues that are raised due to inaccessibility are put forward to the relevant university department

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8.0 Opposition to the Health and Social Care Bill

Proposer: Jeeves Wijesuriya (Vice President London) Seconder: Hannah Barton Joy Clarke QMSU notes:

1. The Health and Social Care Bill, which entails a top-down reform of the National Health Service (NHS), is currently in the final stages of passage through the House of Lords and House of Commons.

2. Numerous eminent institutions representing health professionals have already called for the

Bill to be scrapped in its entirety, including the British Medical Association1, the Royal College

of Nurses2, the Royal College of Midwives3, the Royal College of General Practitioners4 and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health5.

3. Many people believe, with good evidence, that the Bill legally opens the way to increased

privatisation within the NHS6, will lead to our comprehensive health service being dismantled

and end the fundamental tenets which the NHS was founded on7 (health care free at the point of delivery and based solely on need, not on ability to pay).

4. Additionally, the current government does not have a mandate for a top-down NHS reform as the proposals were in neither the Conservative, nor the Liberal Democrat election manifestos.

5. It will also cost billions of pounds at a time when the NHS is expected to make extensive efficiency savings.

QMSU believes:

1. That the current government does not have a mandate to make major organisational changes to the NHS.

2. That the proposed changes will undermine the basic principles of the NHS as a service free at the point of delivery and will have profoundly detrimental consequences for health care, public health, and health inequalities.

QMSU resolves:

1. To call publicly for the Health and Social Care Bill to be scrapped. 2. To publicise the issue and this decision to the student body. 3. To lobby other organisations to take a similar position, specifically at this time the NUS and

the United Hospitals committee. References:

1. http://www.bma.org.uk/healthcare_policy/nhs_white_paper/index.jsp 2. http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/news/article/uk/rcn_moves_to_oppose_health_bill 3. http://www.rcm.org.uk/college/about/media-centre/press-releases/rcm-repeats-call-for-scrapping-of-health-bill-03-02-12/?locale=en 4. http://www.rcgp.org.uk/news/press_releases_and_statements/rcgp_calls_for_bill_withdrawal.aspx 5. http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/child-health/standards-care/health-policy/health-and-social-care-bill/health-and-social-care-bill 6. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60119-6/fulltext 7. http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e1729

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9.0 Student-Led Commercial Services

Proposer: Jeeves Wijesuriya (Vice President London) Seconder: Chris Smith (Mile End Student Representative) QMSU notes:

1. The frustration of some students with their ability to influence the way the Students Unions commercial services are run and staffed.

2. The perceived lack of transparency of decision making at QMSU venues and facilities. QMSU believes:

1. That Student satisfaction and involvement should exist at every level and in every area of the Union.

2. That Commercial services must be run pragmatically as a business by qualified staff. 3. The synergy of these two goals is necessary for true success of Student Union Commercial

Services. QMSU resolves:

1. To create a working group to explore ways in which more Student Input and decision making can be accommodated into our Commercial Services and greater transparency behind decision making.

2. That the group should be made up of i. One sabbatical officer ii. Three Whitechapel Officers iii. Three Mile End officers iv. A member of commercial services management

20.03.2012 agenda

Documents

societies officer faculty

london officer apologies

officer reports page

meeting of student council

student council minutes

unions student representatives

disabilities page

london officers present