Margaret Bryson

Do We Need an S.R.C.?

S.R.C. is, for the benefit of the uninitiated, the proposed Student Representative Council. It is to be a Senate, a Legislature as it were, where matters of interest to students can be thrashed out and acted upon. An Executive member here answers questions on the S.B.C. Constitution as proposed. The S.G.M. can, of course, change any of the provisions.

How big will the S.R.C. be?

The S.R.C. will have a maximum of 72 members, consisting of 40 elected members; all members of the Executive; 2 members from each of Sports Council, Cultural Affairs Council and Publications Board; the two immediate past-Presidents of the Association; the two student representatives on the University Council; the four student appointees to Student Union Management Committee; and the three student members of Professorial Board. Since it is probable that some positions will overlap the S.R.C. will probably have about 65 members.

What will the S.R.C. do?

The S.R.C. will have power to consider, and to pass resolutions on, any matters raised by any of its members—particularly matters of policy affecting the Association. The S.R.C. may give such directions or recommendations as it thinks fit to the Executive regarding the execution of matters so determined and although in the meantime it may not commit the Association to financial expense, there is nothing to stop it making recommendations on financial matters. The S.R.C. will also have power to set up sub-committees and delegate matters for investigation and report. I, personally, would visualize the S.R.C. taking over the present executive portfolio sub-committee system e.g. National Affairs sub-committee etc.

What position will this place the Executive in?

The Executive will remain as an executive body, i.e. controlling the administration of the Students' Association. The S.R.C. will have power to direct them to do things or to recommend that they do them, but the general day-to-day running of the various portfolios requires someone specific in charge, and for this reason I would see the Executive members as remaining to be sub-committee chairmen. The Executive members will, of course, be members of the S.R.C., but they will not have anywhere near a majority—even if a bare quorum is present. The quorum, by the way, is forty.

Can a General Meeting override the S.R.C.?

Yes, The S.R.C. will be subject to the directions of a General Meeting of the Association. Although this may seem anomalous, since the quorum for a General Meeting, at fifty, is lower than the membership of the S.R.C., it is obviously desirable in practice that S.R.C. quorum action can be curtailed by consensus of the student body.

How often will the S.R.C. meet?

The S.R.C. will hold Ordinary Meetings at least twice in each of the first two University terms and at least once in the third term—but it may meet more often, and may hold Special Meetings.

How will the elected membership be elected?

Representation will be on a major subject level and will be on a strictly pro rata basis. Groups of major subjects will be:— Accountancy; Humanities (English, History, Philosophy); Languages (Classical and Modern) and Music; Law; Natural Sciences (Geography, Geology, Zoology, Botany); Politics. Economics, Administration and Asian Studies (Arts or Commerce; Quantitative Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mathematics); Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Education, Anthropology).

Each member of the Association may vole for only one of the groups of major subjects.

Do we need an S.R.C?

The decision is up to you. There will be a Special General Meeting of the Students' Association on June 11th, at 7.00 p.m. Come along and make your thoughts on the question known. S.R.C. Constitutions are available from the Students' Association Office.