flinders university student council meeting agenda of the … · 2020-06-03 · resume building...

FLINDERS UNIVERSITY STUDENT ASSOCIATION Student Council Meeting Agenda

Meeting to be held 01/06/20

The views expressed and statements contained in these documents are those of the Flinders University Student

Association (FUSA) or individual named members of the FUSA Student Council, and do not necessarily represent the views of Flinders University. Flinders University makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any statements made in the

documents, and disclaims and liability for any statements made or comments contained in the documents.

Flinders University Student Council Meeting

Agenda of the Meeting held on 01/06/20

Council Room

Contents

1. Acknowledgement of Country 2

2. Apologies 2

3. Name and pronoun round 2

4. Previous Minutes 2

5. Executive Decisions 2

6. Reports 2

7. Matters for Decision 3

7.1 Employability Support Campaign – Benika Bhoola 3

7.2 Establish a Regulations Committee – Sean Henschke 3

7.3 New Buffs for Clubs - Sean Henschke 4

7.4 Re-Relaunching the Collectives - Sean Henschke 4

7.5 Student Council By-Election Dates and Nomination of Returning Officer and Election Tribunal for Education

Officer By-Election – Ben Smith 4

7.6 Joining hand for international students – Victor Ephraims Duruji and Hoang Minh Son Le 6

7.7 Time for a Face Lift? – Jesy Murphy 6

7.8 Rent Reductions for Students - Kane Abraham 7

7.9 World Environment Day – Amy Tschirn 8

7.10 Juukan Gorge Cave – Amy Tschirn 8

7.11 Together We Stand! - Imogen Deller-Evans 9

7.12 Queer-antine Support - Imogen Deller-Evans 9

7.13 “I can’t Breathe”- Molly Turnbull 10

8. Matters for Discussion 11

8.1 Knowledge is Power: Coronavirus Student Survey for FUSA – Lana Tikhomirov 11

8.2 Fossil Free Flinders - Amy Tshirn 12

9. Matters for Noting 12






9.1 Next Student Council Meeting – Josh Rayner 12

Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3

Previous Minutes Executive Decisions Reports

1. Acknowledgement of Country

2. Apologies Clara Santilli

Che Cielens

3. Name and pronoun round

4. Previous Minutes See Appendix 1.

5. Executive Decisions See Appendix 2.

6. Reports As per notice of this meeting, members of Student Council were encouraged to provide verbal reports of their roles

and duties completed since the last meeting. This recommendation was made to support Student Council members

in transitioning back to on campus activity, and to ensure a supportive first meeting in which we can all discuss how

we progressed the initiatives of FUSA during our time away from campus. Some members of Student Council

preferred to submit a traditional written report, which you will see in Appendix 3.






7. Matters for Decision

7.1 Employability Support Campaign – Benika Bhoola

Preamble The current situation surrounding Covid-19 has resulted in many students having lost casual hours or their jobs altogether. Unfortunately, welfare payments don’t cover living expenses for many students; furthermore international students are currently ineligible for most support and are often discriminated against in the job market. FUSA has the financial capacity to support students in seeking casual or part time employment to support their studies. Through the development of a grants scheme to allow students to be financially supported in seeking resume building qualifications (such as: First Aid Certificate, RSA, Barista Courses etc), FUSA can better support students’ welfare while recovering from the impacts of Covid-19. Platform FUSA acknowledges the financial difficulty students are currently facing during this crisis and further recognises that there is a disproportionate impact on international students who have not been adequately catered for in the current welfare system. Motion FUSA Student Council endorses in principle an Employability Support Grant Scheme to provide financial support for students seeking qualifications such as First Aid Certificate, RSA, Barista Courses etc. The FUSA Student Council empowers Benika Bhoola to work with the General Secretary to allocate FUSA funds that cannot be used, given social distancing requirements, to be allocated toward this initiative.

7.2 Establish a Regulations Committee – Sean Henschke

Preamble The FUSA Club, Collective & Academic Association Regulations have undergone a number of band aid amendments over the past two years in an attempt to further support our clubs community. Despite this, many clubs still struggle to interpret our regulations, and often find themselves afoul without any malicious intent. As such, the General Secretary and Clubs & Events Officer would like to establish an ad hoc committee from the clubs community to redevelop these regulations from the ground up. Motion Student Council endorses the establishment of an ad hoc committee as per clause 13.1 of the FUSA Constitution, for the purpose of amending the FUSA Clubs, Collectives & Academic Associations Regulations. This ad hoc committee shall be chaired by the FUSA General Secretary. This ad hoc committee shall consist of one (1) member of any FUSA affiliated Club, Collective & Academic Association as per funding allows.






7.3 New Buffs for Clubs - Sean Henschke

Preamble After regular emails and phone calls with FUSA affiliate Clubs, Collectives and Academic Associations, it is evident that the community is under stress due to the pressures of the ongoing pandemic. Many clubs note that retaining new members has been particularly challenging. The General Secretary and Clubs & Events Officer have devised a series of steps to boost club outreach, provide greater resources and encourage more flexibility. As per the motion ‘Establishing a Club Regulations Committee’, a new process to affiliation may be determined. Once this process has been completed, the General Secretary and Clubs & Events Officer will be working with the Media Team to communicate this additional support. Motion FUSA General Secretary, Clubs & Events Officer and the Media Team will collaborate to complete a video tutorial series for clubs, collectives and academic associations. FUSA General Secretary, Clubs & Events Officer and the Media Team will create an online media campaign to promote a diverse array of active affiliated clubs, collectives and academic associations. FUSA Student Council approve the following recommendations of the General Secretary and Clubs & Events Officer;

Club, Collective and Academic Association Affiliation Applications will reopen as of June 3rd

Postpone the deadline of Annual Review Applications until December 1st 2020

Postpone the deadline to use General Funding until August 1st 2020

Pool Funding to remain open until the November 1st 2020

7.4 Re-Relaunching the Collectives - Sean Henschke

Preamble Social Distancing requirements did not allow many of our newly established FUSA Collectives to hold their inaugural Annual General Meetings. Additional support is required to ensure our collectives get off the ground and can develop and strengthen our clubs community. Motions FUSA General Sectretary, Clubs & Events Officer, Media Team, and relevant members of Student Council shall collaborate on an online and on campus media campaign to support the launch of our collectives.

7.5 Student Council By-Election Dates and Nomination of Returning Officer and Election

Tribunal for Education Officer By-Election – Ben Smith

Preamble:

Due to the recent vacation of the Education Officer position on Student Council it is necessary to hold a by-election

to fill this vacancy. According to the FUSA Constitution:






15.3. Vacancies must, where possible, be filled within 42 calendar days: (a) in the case of office-bearer positions directly elected by students, through a by-election being held in accordance with the

regulations, subject to Clause 15.4;

NB. 15.4 relates to a vacancy occurring after July 1, which is not relevant in this case.

Returning Officer Appointment

The Manager, Student Engagement suggests Mary Heath, Former Dean (Education) in the College of Business,

Government & Law at Flinders University be appointed as Returning Officer for the 2020 Education Officer By-

election. Mary has the required legal qualification for this position and has previous experience as a Returning

Officer in FUSA elections. Mary has now retired from the University and is willing to take on this role as an

independent contractor.

Election Tribunal Appointment

Following the resignation of current FUSA Tribunal members, the Manager, Student Engagement suggests the

following appoints to the FUSA Election Tribunal ongoing:

1. Professor Christopher Kee (Dean (Education) College of Business, Government & Law)* 2. Dr Luis da Vinha (Lecturer in International Relations in College of BGL)

*Chris has legal qualifications required by at least one member of the Election Tribunal

We hope to have another candidate for the final position on the tribunal to present to Executive for endorsement

within the next two weeks. We will be considering principles of representation and affirmative action in particular

for this third candidate.

Motion:

That the Student Council endorse that:

● Nominations for the FUSA Education Officer position open on Friday June 5 and close on Thursday June 18.






● The FUSA Education Officer By-election be held over three days on July 28,29 and 30, 2020 (beginning of Semester 2).

That Student Council accept the recommendation to appoint Mary Heath as Returning Officer for the 2020 FUSA

Education Officer By-election.

That Student Council accept the recommendation to appoint Christopher Kee and Luis da Vinha to the FUSA Election

Tribunal.

7.6 Joining hand for international students – Victor Ephraims Duruji and Hoang Minh Son

Le

Preamble As international students face challenging and interruption in terms of studying and engaging with the university, the International Students Services (ISS) initiated an online competition call: Share your story to fill in that gap. Following the meeting with ISS recently, there are 71 submissions from international students which shows a significant effort and the motivation of students and ISS to reconnect. However, with the limited budget ISS can only select 10 students to receive a gift card of $30. To conclude the meeting, ISS has expressed the need for further support from the Student Council. Platform FUSA recognises the importance of international students’ experiences during the uncertain time of COVID19 and acknowledges the need for maintaining the engagement of and support for international students at Flinders University. Motion FUSA Student Council approves the expenditure of $300 from Victor’s General Council Member Budget Line towards ISS’s Share your story as a contribution of Student Council to the engagement campaign to support international students during this tim FUSA International Student Officer and General Council Member Victor shall be on the judging panel for the competition.

7.7 Time for a Face Lift? – Jesy Murphy

Preamble

The women’s space has not been updated in a while and could do with a few changes. The women’s officer has

already had a few suggestions from students about what they would like to see and it might be a good idea to put a

suggestion box in the room for the first few weeks in semester two (permitting that the space is re-open) to find out

what other students would like.






Action

Place a suggestion box in the women’s room to see what students would like in the room

7.8 Rent Reductions for Students - Kane Abraham

Preamble

The onset of restrictions in the workforce across Australia, and internationally, has seen significant loss in income and

revenue to people in a variety of situations, of note those studying at University and living on campus. Often students

may relocate from their homes to study and live on campus at University, relying on casual or part-time employment

to pay the rental and living fees to reside in this university accommodation, or from parental support.

The significant rise in unemployment that has been observed during the COViD-19 pandemic has meant a number of

these students are struggling to afford basic welfare needs, and as such find difficulty in paying their rental fees.

Particularly with borders closed, some students may be unable to return home and must continue to reside on campus,

paying these accommodation fees. This may be particularly challenging for those that are ineligible for Centrelink

support payments, and may have been unsuccessful in financial assistance programs.

Flinders Living have taken proactive steps to facilitate the efficient transition from living on campus to returning home,

through early termination of contracts and a reduction in fees/tariffs on these processes. Though these are important

measures, there have not been sufficient measures installed for students who have experienced unemployment or

seen a decrease in income, but wish to remain living on campus in Flinders Living accommodation. These are students

that may no longer be able to afford up to $395 per week for their accommodation, but lack a feasible alternative.

Throughout the COViD-19 pandemic, some landlords and agencies have offered such support as reduced rent fees, or

even rental fee freezes to their tenants. This act of inclusivity is vital to maintain the safety and wellbeing of these

students who are vulnerable and at risk, as an alternative to early contract termination.

Platform FUSA supports the decision of Flinders Livings to permit and facilitate the early termination of student accommodation contracts, and the coinciding reduction in termination fees from the equivalent of six weeks accommodation fees to two weeks.

FUSA calls on Flinders Living to provide rent reductions, and rent freezes, for students who are facing financial difficulties due to the COViD-19 pandemic, but do not wish or are unable to vacate their accommodation on campus.

FUSA calls on Flinders Living to eliminate the termination fee in its entirety for students wishing to terminate their accommodation contract early due to COViD-19 related reasons, rather than reducing the fee to a value equivalent to two weeks accommodation cost.

FUSA calls on Flinders Living to ensure that if such above mentioned changes are implemented, they be swiftly communicated with all residents in a timely manner so as to provide the most efficient and effective support to students.






Action FUSA will write to Flinders Living calling on the elimination of termination fees in their entirety for students affected

by the COViD-19 pandemic.

FUSA will write to Flinders Living calling on the implementation of rent reductions and freezes for students affected

by the COViD-19 pandemic.

7.9 World Environment Day – Amy Tschirn

Preamble

This year, World Environment Day will be held on Friday June 5th, with the key theme being biodiversity.

The global loss of biodiversity has major implications for ecological and human wellbeing. Aside from its intrinsic

value, a biodiverse world provides essential and irreplaceable ecosystem services on which we rely for our lives, such

as healthy soils to grow food, GHG absorption, clean air and water, climate stability, medicines, and future

resources, as well as having cultural significance to First Nations people.

Our world has suffered massive biodiversity decline via anthropogenic factors. Australia is an unfortunate world

leader in this field - of the top 7 countries to contribute to global biodiversity loss, we rank second. This is clearly not

a leadership title we should be aspiring to.

In the lead up to World Environment Day 2020, I would like to host some online content focused on changes

students can feasibly make in their lives to assist in the conservation of local biodiversity. This would include a

student-friendly gardening workshop run by Folk of All Trades at the cost of ~$250, and two $50 vouchers for

Ecolateral as a prize for a socially distanced clean up.

Motion

FUSA Student Council approves the expenditure of $350 from the Environment Officer’s initiatives budget towards

the FUSA World Environment Day Campaign

7.10 Juukan Gorge Cave – Amy Tschirn

Preamble

Last week, a 46,000 year old site of significant cultural heritage to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people of

the Pilbara region, Juukan Gorge Cave, was demolished by Australian mining company Rio Tinto. Although this was a

legal demolition that was endorsed by the Minister’s office, it was morally and scientifically abhorrent.

FOI documents obtained this year show that Flinders University has investments in Rio Tinto.

Motion

FUSA stands in solidarity with Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people and condemns the actions of Rio Tinto in

their destruction of Juukan Gorge cave.






FUSA requests that the Finance and Investments Committee reconsider present and future investments in Rio Tinto,

under section 6 of the Investments Policy: Responsible Investment. The Environment Officer will write to this

committee to urge them as such.

7.11 Together We Stand! - Imogen Deller-Evans

Preamble

The Better Together Conference held earlier this year in Melbourne brought LGBTQIA+ people and allies from all

over the globe together to speak, listen, and learn from one another. The conference provides a platform for queer

folks to engage in intersectional discussions concerning the struggles the community faces, and how these issues can

be tackled together to cultivate positive change.

Better Together 2021 will be held in Adelaide, and is an opportunity for students who are members of the queer

community to participate in these conversations, have their voices heard, and establish connections with other

LGBTQIA+ people at a national and global level.

Motion

FUSA Student Council approves the expenditure of $1000 of the Queer Officer Campaigns/Initiatives Budget Line to

support Flinders Students attending the Better Together Conference 2021.

7.12 Queer-antine Support - Imogen Deller-Evans

Preamble

CW for domestic violence mention? Covid-19 has had disruptive effects for many of us. For members of the queer

community, this disruption to the norm may be huge, and even dangerous. Loss of work, subsequent housing

instability, as well as other factors means that many LGBTQIA+ folks may have had to choose between homelessness

or returning to potentially unsafe home environments for the isolation period. Research demonstrates that during

times of isolation and disasters such as Covid-19, cases of family violence increase, as sustained close contact allows

people easier access to be violent toward their families and partners. While South Australia is currently easing

restrictions, support for the community during this recovery period is crucial, especially in the scenario that a second

wave prompts a return to isolation.

I propose an initiative to investigate the potential for small welfare packages to those Flinders University students

belonging to the LGBTQIA+ who are most in need at this time. These packages may include information concerning

housing and food resources, as well as other supports including help for those who may be experiencing domestic

violence and/or homelessness.






Motion

FUSA to seek to establish a support fund for queer students suffering due to circumstances brought on by the Covid-

19 pandemic.

FUSA Student Council approve the expenditure of $1000 from the Queer Officer Campaign/Initiatives Budget Line to

support this initiative.

7.13 “I can’t Breathe”- Molly Turnbull

CW: abuse, death (motion next page)






Preamble

On May 25 2020, George Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old African American man, was killed by police in Minneapolis

when they were called by a cashier who suspected Floyd was using a counterfeit note. Derek Chauvin, Thomas K.

Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng all participated in the arrest and murder of Floyd. Chauvin pressed his knee

against Floyd’s neck for over 8 minutes while Floyd begged for his life and cried, “I can’t breathe.” He died before

paramedics arrived on the scene. Chauvin has been charged with third degree murder and second degree

manslaughter and all four officers have been fired. ‘I can’t breathe’ has since become a rallying cry around America

as protests and demonstrations formed across the country. Minneapolis, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Los

Angeles, New York and over 30 other cities in the US now host rallies and protests and demonstrations against police

brutality and, more widely, racism. Australia also sees police brutality against people of colour, particularly

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Over 400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in

custody since 1991, the most recent of which was in January this year. #BlackLivesMatter

Platform FUSA reaffirms its commitment to stand against racism in all its forms both on and off campus FUSA Student Council condemns the actions of police that lead to disproportionate deaths of people of colour both in Australia and internationally. Action FUSA Media Team will work with the relevant Officer Bearers to create Social Media post supporting the movement and detail why it is important to Flinders students as well as promote relevant associated events students can attend.

8. Matters for Discussion

8.1 Knowledge is Power: Coronavirus Student Survey for FUSA – Lana Tikhomirov

Over the past few months we have seen some of the most turbulent changes in students' ways of living, including

but of course not limiting to unemployment, social separation, marginalization and increased fear for themselves,

their families and their futures. As restrictions ease and life slowly returns to a new normal (although possibly only

for the time being), we are faced with the return of students to a modified environment, but still a socially distanced

and uncertain one. As student representatives, it can be difficult to know how FUSA can connect with and assist

students when we know that the severity of the fallout from this pandemic will be felt by students in profound ways

for many years. As you would have seen, Vice-Chancellor Clare Pollock has administered a survey to students about

their learning experience during this pandemic, providing insight for teaching and academic feedback. However, as

FUSA is a front for student welfare and representation, I believe it is in our responsibility to enquire about the

Coronavirus campus experience + welfare, and use that information as a signpost when we are feeling unsure of how

students' needs may have changed. The concept of a streamlined, FUSA administered survey could cover everything

from the effectiveness of services FUSA offered during the peak of the pandemic (such as emergency loans and food

parcels), the unique experiences and needs from FUSA while being off-campus and future direction for FUSA during






the next unstable months (and also in case of another return to quarantine). These are just some ideas of where to

start. This is also of importance to FUSA staff and event coordinators, as well as those who take an interest in the

unique ways that wellbeing has been impacted in this time.

Discussion point: What sorts of themes, questions or ideas would anybody (although particularly office bearers in

reference to their position) believe be of importance to enquire after in a possible wide-reaching feedback survey for

Flinders students?

8.2 Fossil Free Flinders - Amy Tshirn

9. Matters for Noting

9.1 Next Student Council Meeting – Josh Rayner

The next meeting of Student Council shall be Wednesday July 1st 2020, location to be confirmed pending social

distancing requirements.

Exec Motions Clubs Collectives and Academic Associations Covid19 Response

Moved by General Secretary

Preamble

In line with the Federal Government and Australia’s Chief Medical Officer’s advice in relation to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and mass gatherings, all FUSA events and gatherings, including club, collective and association activities have been postponed or moved online until further notice. The Student President has already announced that he will not call a meeting of the Student Council until further notice, in line with this medical advice. As such, FUSA does not have the capacity to affiliate or register new clubs. The transition away from on-campus activities will obviously see a shift in how FUSA allocates their resources, and clubs will continue to play a crucial role in supporting student’s wellbeing. Operational changes can be physically and financially draining on clubs, and they will need to be agile to maintain the interest of their members throughout this period. FUSA must play a central role in supporting this club innovation, and providing all the steps necessary to ensure that club culture continues to thrive. Motion

FUSA Executive Committee directs the General Secretary and Clubs & Events Officer to extend the time for clubs to submit Club Pool Funding Applications indefinitely. FUSA Executive Committee directs the General Secretary and Clubs & Events Officer to establish an online software and technology grant process for clubs, collectives and academic associations. FUSA Executive Committee reaffirms that no new clubs will be considered for registration or affiliation until a meeting of Student Council has been scheduled. FUSA Executive Committee reassures the clubs community that no club, collective or academic association will be sanctioned for being unable to meet their Annual Review obligations as per the FUSA Club, Collective & Academic Association Regulations. FUSA Executive Committee directs the General Secretary, Club & Events Officer and Media Team to coordinate the announcement of the information contained herein to be circulated to the clubs community in any manner they deem necessary.

Carried

FUSA Digital Demand Campaign

Moved by FUSA President

Motion

FUSA Executive Committee endorse the attached document as an accurate representation of our discussion agreed position on Thursday 26th March. FUSA Executive Committee directs the Student President and FUSA Media Team to use this document in guiding them to develop a social media post and accompanying graphic that can be shared easily by students, with the aim to get this material distributed to students by the end of today.

Carried

Anti-Racism Digital Campaign

Moved by FUSA President on behalf of – International Students Officer

FUSA Executive Committee endorses the digital FUSA Anti-Racism campaign and attached material FUSA Executive Committee directs the International Students Officer and FUSA Media Team to coordinate a timeline/schedule for this material to be posted at a time suitable for both parties.

Carried

Support for our HDR Students

Moved by FUSA President on behalf of – Postgraduate Students Officer

Motion FUSA Executive Committee endorses the statement and graphic as attached. FUSA Executive Committee directs the Media Officer to post the attached content together as outlined before 5pm today (25/03/2020)

Carried

Budgetary Adjustments for Emergency Financial Assistance Moved by FUSA President

Motion

FUSA Executive Committee approves the amendment of the FUSA SSAF Allocation Budget to remove $20,000 from the unused Student Engagement: Salary Plus Oncosts budget lines to be added to the Student Advocacy & Welfare: Emergency Financial Assistance budget lines. FUSA Executive Committee directs the Student President and Media Team to workshop a social media post to highlight this increase of service accessibility to students to be posted as soon as possible on Monday 23rd March.

Carried

COVID-19 Statement

Moved by Joshua Rayner

FUSA Executive Committee endorses the attached statement to be circulated immediately via FUSA's Social Media Channels in coordination with the Media Team upon approval of the Office of Student Engagement.

The outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has, and will continue to be a challenging time for

our community. FUSA is playing a critical role in ensuring that the student voice is loud and

clear on the University’s Coronavirus Response Steering Group, and we’d like to thank the

University for allowing the frank and robust discussion required to ensure our concerns of

safety and wellbeing on campus and education quality are listened to and actioned upon.

Our Student Assist team has a range of services available to support you during this period,

including emergency financial assistance, food vouchers and interest free loans up to $500.

We encourage all students to reach out and contact your Student Council representatives or

anyone else here at FUSA, and to look out for and support one another as well.

As the University continues to transition to online learning, we’re calling for all attendance

assessment to be reconsidered immediately. Although many Topic Coordinators have already

made this known to students, we ask that all students be made aware of what their on campus

requirements are as soon as possible, and that these requirements are reduced as much as

possible.

We must continue to listen to the advice from the University and relevant State and Federal

Government departments. FUSA will always be here to support you. In times like these, we

must be there to support one another and foster a safe and welcoming space both on and off

campus: racism and xenophobia will never be tolerated.

In solidarity,

Josh Rayner - FUSA Student President

Carried

Date Submitted

24/01/2019

Project Name: Student Experiences during Campus Isolation Task Status Date Hours Spent to date

Inquired after FUSA updates, the possibility of a survey, the general direction for FUSA + its funds Completed25/04/2020

2hr

Total 2hr

FUSA General Council Member Report

Date last submitted

29/05/2020

Total Hours 7.416666667 HPW since last meeting

Tasks for period (01/03/20 - 29/05/20) Task Status Date Hours Spent to date

University Governance Tasks In progress

Academic Senate Ongoing 7

University Council Ongoing 14

CRC and CEC Attendance (increases; BGL, HASS, EPSW) Ongoing 2

PSA constitutional restructure Ready 15

PSA strategic plan Consultation continues 4

CAPA Duties (Board, Standing Committees, SCM design) Ongoing 12

Support for PG students during COVID (email, contact, virtual meetings, executive

lobbying) Ongoing 35

TOTAL 89

Summary Hours Spent this period

Total 89

FUSA Postgraduate Students' Officer Report

Prepared by Aidan Cornelius-Bell

Date Submitted

29/05/2020

For Time Period of the 05/03/2020-29/05/2020 Total Hours 6Total Hours Per week: = total hours/ weeks since last meeting

Project Name Task Status Date Hours Spent to date

Women's Room Revamp Ongoing18/03/2020 - Present

20

Women's Collective Rebirth Ongoing 01/02/2020 - Present 40

IWD Event Complete 11/03/2020 5

General Admin Ongoing 5/03/2020 - 29/05/2020 5

Total 70

FUSA Women's Officer Report

Date Submitted

29/05/2020

For Time Period of the 03/03/2020-28/05/2020

Pride Fest! Task Status Date Hours Spent to date

Liaise with FUSA to purchase Pride Fest Tote Bags, T-Shirts, Wristbands and Plants Completed04/03/2020

6

Communicating with various organisations for inclusion at PrideFest! In ProgressCurrent

9

PrideFest postponing Media Release and Graphic Design (COViD) Completed17/03/2020

3

Cancellation of bookings and venue hire for cancelled dates (COViD) Completed18/03/2020

4

Pridefest Rescheduling Meeting/Discussions/Planning Completed26/05/2020

5

PrideFest Planning Meeting and Discussions In ProgressCurrent

10

Total 37

Flinders University Queer Collective Presidency Status Dates Hours

AGM Preparation and Attendance Completed 18/03/2020 5

FUSA Pool Funding Grant Applications & Treasury Handover In Progress Current 4

Grovin the Moo Cancellation & Correspondance Complete 19/03/2020 1

qsOnline Preparation and Launch Complete 20/03/2020 3

qsOnline collaboration discussions with other organisations In Progress Current 5

qsOnline Event Organising and Execution (event trials, game nights, etc.) In Progress Current 25

Transgender Day of Visbility Online Event Planning and Meetings Complete 28/03/2020 8

TDOV Communiuty Art Competition Design and Coordination Complete 28/03/2020 - 10/04/2020 8

Various informal meetings with members of Collective Board and Executive to maintain

currency and understanding during social isolation In Progress Current 15

Chaired & Prepared Report for Flinders University Queer Collective Meeting Complete 10/05/2020 4

Total 78

General/Miscellaneous Task Status Date Hours Spent to date

FUSA General Councillor Report (Kane Abraham)

Contact Flinders Living residents, and residents at University accomodation across other

South Australian Universities Complete 20/05/2020-28/05/2020 3

Make contact with students affected by COViD restrictions in degrees with placements,

such as nursing, and seek feedback and respond to concerns Complete Current 2

Liaise with FUSA and Flinders Living to validate COViD precautions implemented Complete 24/02/2020 - 26/02/2020 2

Prepare motion regarding rental freeze for upcomming Student Council meeting Complete 20/05/2020-28/05/2020 2

Prepare educational material for students on bus routes connecting outer suburbs to

Flinders In Progress Current 2

Prepare report for upcomming Student Council Meeting Complete 28/05/2020 1

Total 12

Total summary Task Status Date Hours Spent to date

Pride Fest! In Progress 20/01/2020 37

Flinders University Queer Collective Presidency In Progress 20/01/2020 78

General/Miscellaneous In Progress 20/01/2020 12

Total 127

Page 2 of 4

FLINDERS UNIVERSITY STUDENT ASSOCIATION FUSA STAFF REPORT MAY 2020

Flinders University Student Association Staff Report May 2020 Manager Student Engagement Ben Smith It has been a significant two months at FUSA since our last report to you. We are excited to have Student Council back on campus and are looking forward to working with you over the second half of this year. In these difficult times for students and many others in our community, we are acutely aware of the struggles that many students are facing with finances, accommodation, food, and the difficulties with study and mental health. We are committed to continuing to find innovative ways to give voice to students and their experiences, and provide the best services we can.

On reflection the last two months since our last report to Student Council have been a time of growth and change for the staff team. The team efficiently and successfully transitioned off site and then back on site whilst maintaining our services and work with students. Our ever-growing representation work in the colleges transitioned seamlessly online, and our Media, Events and clubs staff found new ways to work together around the FUSA @ Home approach to online engagement and community. The FUSA Assist team, along with support of other team members had their busiest 2 month period ever, their work including providing nearly 2000 Covid19 Emergency Grants to students in need, and Emergency Financial Assistance in the form of Woolworths vouchers to over 500 students. Through this all the team has had the opportunity to explore new ways of working and consider what changes we may continue with even when students have returned to campus. Thank you for your consideration of the report below, and we welcome your input, concerns or comments.

Student Academic Representation

Kate Walsh and Susan Cilento

Student Rep Training

FUSA continues to develop and deliver training for student representatives across the University.

• All student representative training offered by FUSA has now moved online. • Training is delivered exclusively through Collaborate via the Student Representative FLO page

(which all reps are enrolled into). • Over 100 reps have completed training so far in 2020 (including CEC reps, Topic Reps in S&E,

HASS Course Reps & NHS Course Reps). An additional 50 reps are booked in for online training going forward.

• Further training sessions will be available where needed, including later this Semester for reps in BGL & EPSW once their rep structures are in place and recruitment is complete.

• Training evaluations have recorded an average overall rating of 4.75 out of 5 by participants.


Student quotes from online training evaluations in 2020:

“Use of Collaborate…[n]ot just for video and communication, but using classrooms, text, and pictures really made doing the training online more engaging.”

“I liked the informative nature of today's session. Before the session, I was a little unsure about how to communicate with the topic coordinators and staff. Now I am very confident.”

“…that even during the COVID-19 crisis we still help each other, amazing!!”

“[The trainer] was a very kind presenter who delivered her message in a fun and relaxed way, which made me feel more comfortable and less stressed about learning all the new information. I felt like I was in a safe place to share my ideas and learn.”

College Update

1) All Colleges have implemented or are implementing a student academic rep structure this year (with the exception of MPH).

2) Despite COVID-19 related challenges, Colleges have made it clear that student voice continues to be a priority: • Colleges have enthusiastically supported FUSA’s efforts to recruit and embed student rep

structures. • Three Colleges (HASS, BGL & EPSW) are embedding Course Rep structures for the first time

in 2020. • FUSA is adapting current practices to support and enhance recruitment, training and

ongoing engagement with College reps across each semester.

Further Plans for 2020

Recent discussions with a number of Deans (Ed) and within the Retention Working Group have identified a need to map out how students are engaged and recognised across different areas of the University.

The project would likely include:

• A primary focus on student engagement in governance, decision-making, planning and implementation processes across the University (including central units and Colleges).

• Identifying how students inform a range of projects over their lifecycle. • Examining student involvement in course & curriculum reviews and peer mentoring

programs.

An aim of the project will be to explore how students are rewarded and recognised for their input and participation. Currently, there is variation and inconsistency across the institution. This is also an opportunity to identify and meaningfully recognise students for their time, efforts and expertise.


Media, Robin Cole, Jess Nicole, Alexander Ninnes

Website Scoping

Feedback from student council and staff has shown a need to overhaul the FUSA website. The current user experience provides limited functionality to student engagement and the content offers limited relevancy to student needs. The backend systems of the current site have inherent liabilities. These include but are not limited to inefficiencies in staff and student time usage, limited to non-existent work flow and processes, security and privacy concerns, limited data for evidence based decision making, integration issues, and limited scope for actual student engagement in the online space.

Three options are currently being explored with the view to overhauling the Content management system and (CMS) and customer relationship management (CRM). We aim to create a personalised online space where students have greater autonomy over their engagement with each other. The site should better integrate data for more efficient use of time and a more seamless experience for students using FUSA services.

FUSA values

We are exploring ways to collectively define the relevance of the work we do. Workshops with FUSA staff are underway with Student Council workshops being planned for the coming weeks. These workshops should provide some insight into our unique position within the University ecosystem, the combined and varying purposes of staff and students in FUSA, the values with which we conduct our business, and the tone we set in our communications to help steer our core business effectively.

FUSA branding

Work is underway to clarify identify best practice structures for the application of FUSA visual branding across all that we do. From Master branding to sub-branding, endorsement branding and free-standing brands, the eventuating document will provide FUSA media the ability to apply branding in a more disciplined manner. More disciplined application of brand will bolster our positive reputation by visually uniting our currently disparate looking efforts. A revised FUSA visual style guide will be completed in conjunction with the outcomes of the values workshops.

O’week

Media is developing concepts for interactive displays describing the core functions of FUSA for activating the Student Hub for semester 2 O’week. This display will ask questions of the student body to reinforce the idea that FUSA exists to support student agency. A ‘meet your student council’ video of is currently being produced for physical and online O’week inclusion. A short animation is also being planned to run alongside the SC video. These assets will also be used on campus screens and shared through FUSA social media channels.

Disabilities space


New branding in-line with revised and evolving thinking around FUSA sub-branding has been developed. he disabilities space has

National Reconciliation week

A full week of social media posts are being delivered including a video of Indigenous Officer Molly Turnbull that includes reference to Indigenous services on campus.

Pride week

Initial conversations have started regarding how to activate the hub to create Pride Week interactivity that will otherwise e lost due to current limitations on physical social events.

World Environment Day

A short animated video has been produced with FUSA branding that will show on campus screens from Jun 1-5 and will be shared through FUSA social channels on June 5. A schedule of social media posts that incentivise environmental clean-up and recycling has been developed for promotion over June 3-5.

Hoodies and shop

The legacy stock of FUSA hoodies were promoted at a discounted price and all stock has been sold. The FUSA shop is now currently not in use and as such has been removed from public access.

FUSA @ Home

FUSA @ Home is a Facebook group designed to help fill the void left in the wake of social isolation due to COVID-19. Created in early April, FUSA @ Home is an online environment in which students are supported to build community and connectedness, where clubs can continue to flourish and student to student interaction can be conceived. In the last couple of months, FUSA @ Home has grown its membership basis to 497. There has been a total of 117 posts, 148 comments & 630 reactions.

Empire Times

COVID-19 has forced the student magazine to face the pros and cons of its current format and rollout. Historically, Empire Times has been largely platformed through print however the recent events surrounding COVID-19 has shone a light on the need for student media to transition to more online means in order for it to remain relevant in a digital age. The FUSA Media Team is helping the student editors evaluate the sustainability of Empire Times in its current format and length, giving advice on viable means of transitioning online so that the student voice continues to be platformed in the most accessible way possible.


Events Caleb Osbourne, Alex Mibus It has been an interesting and challenging time for the Events Team at FUSA. Events is an area of FUSA that has most noticeably been impacted by COVID-19. Since around week 2, all on-campus events have been cancelled. However, our goal was to find ways to continue to foster student engagement while students were isolated and help keep the student experience alive. In response to this, we focused on the online environment, primarily social media. This led to the creation of the FUSA @ Home Facebook group, a central space where students can interact, share stories, get creative, or simply kill some time. This group aims to build community and connectedness with students and clubs. We are continually looking for new and creative events and ideas to help foster the feeling of a Flinders student community. We will continue to work closely with student council, clubs, and individual students to create student driven and produced content for the page. Two examples of this content creation have been with the University Mental Health and Week (UMHW) and National Reconciliation Week (NRW). A range of content was created to poste each day to engage students. Where we would normally run an event or activity on-campus, we have instead aimed to transition as much as feasible online. All the above has allowed us to evaluate and analyse what we do, and how we can be more effective to provide a greater experience for students. This will help us drive future decision making. It is important that we continue to find more meaningful ways to engage students. For example, we will need to find innovative ways to run Semester 2 O’Week, and factor in how this can happen with a blended model of operations across the University. With restrictions beginning to ease, we will continue to monitor rules around events and gatherings and how we can safely manage these with social distancing. For example, for Semester 2 O’Week, we will focus will be on campus activations such as stalls, exhibitions, and art displays. Rather than large gatherings of people, we will focus on making the campus look and feel welcoming and using creative design to give vibrancy. As the months progress, we are also looking to slowly introduce a range of FUSA events back into the calendar, starting with FUSA Says Relax and Welfare Brunches. From there we will work with SC to run PrideFest and hopefully a range of other exciting Student Council events, activities, and initiatives. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss an event idea please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or call me on 8201 7813.

Clubs and Societies Adam Rau Clubs, Collectives & Associations were understandably affected significantly by COVID-19 restrictions, and were directed to cease all ‘in person’ activities in March. Unfortunately, advice from WHS this week indicates that activities must remain on hold for now; however we will continue to monitor changes to restrictions and update the club community with any developments.

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Based on my ongoing review of club activities for FUSA@Home, it appears that approximately 25% of our affiliated clubs have conducted online activities over the last two months, while around half of all clubs have maintained ongoing communication with (and between) members via social media and mailing lists. As this situation is unprecedented, it’s hard to say whether we should be pleased or concerned about these results. Nevertheless, the clubs that have worked to adapt to this situation should be praised for their incredible work!

Going forward, I have no doubt that the pandemic will have caused some damage to our Clubs program; as many club members will have undoubtedly become increasingly disconnected and executive/committee members become disheartened. In particular, new clubs, clubs with a focus on ‘hands on’ activities and clubs with a smaller membership will likely have been hit the hardest by the pandemic.

Fortunately it’s not all doom and gloom! While some significant work will be required to recover, this time has provided some new opportunities for the program we haven’t had the time and/or resources to do in previous years, including:

• Sourcing a new system for the management of Clubs & Associations (elaborated on by the Media Coordinator). The products we have found present an excellent opportunity to allow clubs both greater autonomy, provide new tools to assist them in managing their affairs, greatly improve our communication and level of service to clubs, and additionally provide us with opportunities to more easily promote clubs and their activities. In particular, the product we are investigating in detail at present has both the Media Coordinator and I very excited about what FUSA can offer to both clubs and students in future!

• An overhaul of our Clubs, Collectives and Associations Regulations is a massive task, and this time is perfect to get this completed. We will be advertising to club executive and committee members for positions on our Regulations Committee very soon, following some clarification regarding the honorarium we intend to offer.

• The renovation of the Club Space has been long overdue, and we’re now in a better position financially to finally see this through. While this will need to be put on hold while it is used as the temporary Adaptive Technology Room, this is a great time to consider any additional work for the space (in addition to getting rid of that damned bench, that is).

• A comprehensive marketing plan for the clubs program, which will be looked into following the completion of the Regulations project. This is long overdue, and some assistance from Student Council will be sought to consider how FUSA can (on an ongoing basis) promote both the program; promote individual clubs, associations and collectives; and how we might seek assistance from the clubs community to promote the program too.

In the interim, please note that I’ve been assisting with a variety of projects within the department (it’s nice to be wanted!). While I’m always happy to help Student Council with any requests, I appreciate your patience while I juggle these tasks for a little while longer. Thanks in advance!


Student Assist

Helen Laity, Josh Elvin, Ally Drew, Hannah Browne, Sue Myatt

During May the impact of COVID19 continued to be felt by many Flinders students, students both domestic and international were without employment and faced challenges with the movement of classes online.

Student Assist continued working remotely from home until 18th May when Campus reopened, we continue to provide student appointments via phone and Microsoft Teams as well as email assistance. No face to face appointments are being offered.

We commenced the use of Woolworths E-Vouchers for Emergency Financial Assistance, this means that students are provided with a voucher on the same day as their request, direct to their Flinders Email address. This change has been well received by students and has improved our admin systems and provides a cost saving as we are not utilising express post services.

We finalised the COVID19 Emergency Support payments, 1825 grants totalling $848,500 were provided to students with final payments being made today.

Student Assist could not have distributed these grants so quickly without the assistance of the wider FUSA team, particularly Alex M, Tristan, Stacy and Adam who all assisted with assessment, we thank them for their assistance.

Mays case number continue to be high, it is worth noting that when filtering financial issues out of our total numbers, we saw a high number of students for academic issues (158 issues compared to 53 in May 2019, this would indicate that students are experiencing difficulties with the transition to online learning).

Casework

This report reflects academic and financial advocacy work from 1st to 28th May 2020. Each case opened in Student Assist’s case management system involves one or more ‘issues’, which fall into the broad categories of ‘Academic’, ‘Financial’ or ‘Welfare’. Any given case will have at least one issue attached to it. In complex cases, a student may have several issues.

It is also important to note that these figures do not include any of the Emergency Grant applications as data has not yet been entered on the CASES database and that that these numbers are new cases only, time spent on ongoing cases is not reflected in these figures.

• 757 new cases were opened, this is up from 83 cases in May 2019 • 811 issues, up from 106 in May 2019 • 158 academic issues, up from 53 in May 2019 • 569 of these cases were students accessing emergency financial assistance • 254 students were using Student Assist for the first time (33%) • 67% of students seeking assistance were International • Issues were predominantly Financial (651:80%) compared to Academic (158:19%)


• 66 students were assisted via the Student Assist email address, these were predominantly Financial issues (30:45%)

• 23 of the emails related to “other enquiries”, most of these were students trying to find out information regarding Matthew Flinders Scholarship and State Government financial assistance for international students.

Financial issues were most commonly –

• Emergency Financial Assistance – COVID19 related (503:62%) • Emergency Financial Assistance – (66:8%) • Student Loan Applications (38:5%) • HECS-HELP/SSAF/Scholarships/Centrelink Queries (18:2%) • Financial Counselling (16:2%)

Academic issues were most commonly –

• Complaint re academic matters (topic/course/teaching/extension issues) – (36:2%) • Placement – (22:1%) • Complaint re administration issues (enrolment/resourcing/staff member etc) – (15:1%)

Other

• We attended one Student Appeals Hearing to support a medical student

Graphs summarising data for the month of May are shown below.

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Num

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f new

cas

es

New cases opened per monthMay 2019 to 28 May 2020

flinders university student council meeting agenda of the … · 2020-06-03 · resume building...

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