17th February 09: Union Council(with Vice Chancellor as special guest)

This meeting is best reported by three stages:

Pre-Vice Chancellor(VC),
VC,
Post-VC

Pre-VC

Before the VC arrives to the council, the Vice-chair, R. Moger, saw to the apologies being said, the minutes accepted as an accurate description of previous meeting, and awaits for the Vice Chancellor.

Many attended the meeting, the presence of the VC no doubt attracted plenty. There were more quiet chats amongst the councillors than usual.

When the VC arrived, he and the chair, T. Wong, took over the running of the council

VC-time

Before the meetings, Tarquin, the clerk, has received numerous questions for this meeting. Therefore, the questioning sessions begin with them, there were 11 in total.

The eagerness of the councillors ensured 14 more questions followed the initial 11.

They covered many topics, from student bursary, to the VC's own feeling about his career. From his responses, some examples of what the council has learnt:

- The Uni's committed more investment in facilities for students, especially for sport(new football pitch), and a long-sought for increase in accommodation space(1st phrase: 700 units), located near the Quays.

- the Hexagon might be open to be used as a Latin American art gallery, amid some concerns that will means less student spaces

- There is a fear of a freeze/reduction in public funding for University education

- The VC believed the best ways to attract athletes are scholarship and bursary

- The removal of tuition cap, the VC believes, will raise tuition fee to about £5,000.

- The VC saw protesting is a natural form of expression in a civil society.(for that, some within council approved with claps)

After the questions, the VC has expressed his need to depart, and the chair, along with the council, thanked him for his attendance, and wished him to attend again to talk to the students more often.

By then, the room is tense and suffocating, for that, a 5 minutes break was authorised.

Post-VC

After the break, with the majority of the council returned. The meeting continues its business.

Firstly, the ratification of decisions made in the historical General meetings on 5th February. The chair clarified to the council that its role on this ratification is to approve the decisions as law-abiding and legal.

Some councillors had concerned themselves with the law-abidness of the means in which the motion is reached. Yet, explained by the chair, the quoracy(the required number of 150 students to bind any motion legal in the general meeting) has not been raised to questions at then, thus the means are no longer in question.

Some councillors also concerned with the level of intimidation in General Meetings to reach these decisions. This is also clarified by members of the council, and verified by the clerk, that only two reports of intimidation have been received, but were answered, with satisfaction from both parties.
After minor confusion, the council resolved to ratify the following motions:

1 - Governance and Constitution(The New Constitution)
2 - Clingoe Hill
3 - Gaza
4 - Israeli boycott

Also, a proposal by Konstantin Jershov received the council's approval for an eligibility extension of the Essex Opportunity Scholarship, unanimously.

The council then proceeds to Executive Questions. Many issues, old and new, were raised. One particular issue is the need for a new radio facility for St. Johns. Some councillors approved of events such as "silent disco" and wish they would be hosted more often.

One question was raised, on the extent the student newspaper, Rabbit, is biased.

An answer was attempted by the Economic Representative, M. Silva. By addressing to the fact that, insofar the truthfulness of the news is not infringed, bias is tolerable.
This raised great responses from the council, one response was directed towards one article related to international students motive to study in UK, is for a university degree, whilst their language-competence is questionable.

By this point, the council was filled with personal debates, as many felt personally involved. M. Silva, for her part, departs from the Council, after claiming the council "does not respect others".

To restore order, the chair called off the meeting, immediately.

As the council departs, chants are heard and many discussions continued. Including one between Ms Silva and some participants of the council.

Next Meeting: 10th March, 6pm, Senate Room
Note: The Council is OPEN TO ALL, this includes current students of the university

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The Next Entry: 18/2/09(tonight), 19.00
About what? Union Council, 17th February.
Summary: Vice-Chancellor Questions, Scholarships, Student media

The Speaking Chair