More power for students

Joint Committee takes Action

The Joint Committee on Student Participation in the University has taken some action.

It will recommend to the University Council that there be a second student seat on the Council, that the present of the Students' Association be chairman of the Student Management Committee of the University Council, and that meetings of this committee be open.

The chairman of the Joint Committee is Mr R. S. P. Simpson, Chancellor of the University. It is believed almost certain that the University Council will act on the recommendations.

The Committee decided to make these recommendations at its fourth meeting on Wednesday last week.

The Council will have to apply to the Government to have the Victoria University of Wellington Act, 1961, amended to allow another student member of Council. The Minister of Education. Mr A. E. Kinsella, has said he will treat favourably applications from University Councils.

"The two representatives would be appointed by the Executive of VUWSA, for a period of two years each, one retiring in rotation each year," said Mr Simpson.

"The Joint Committee agreed to recommend to Council that until the amendment is passed by parliament, the Council co-opts a nominee of the VUWSA Executive in addition to the current appointee of the Executive.

"This course of action was taken by the Joint Committee so that its recommendation can take immediate effect."

"The Joint Committee did not consider that the President of the VUWSA should be an ex officio member of the University Council. He could be appointed to Council by the Executive of VUWSA under the new arrangement if this was so desired."

"An increase by one of student representatives on Council was agreed to because it would spread out the burden of work Council membership entails. It was felt that student membership of the Council would be less effective if there were a large number of representatives.

"However, the Joint Committee did consider that it was better to make haste slowly and appoint an additional student representative now, with the proviso that an increase in student representatives could take place at some future date." Mr Simpson said.

The Joint Committee will recommend to Council that it appoint both student representatives to the Student Union Management Committee. One is already on the Committee.

The Joint Committee agreed will recommend that the President of the Students' Association become Chairman of the Student Union Management Committee, from 1 January 1969.

"The Committee felt that the concept of the Student Union as a community living together rather than separate entities of university and students should be taken account of in deciding on changes in the constitution of the Management Committee" Mr Simpson said.

"The VUWSA members of the committee felt that a student chairman of the Management Committee would ensure that the Student Union was seen as a community.

"It was also considered that as the President of VUWSA was to be a paid official and was closely involved with the running of the Student Union, it would be advisable to make him Chairman of the Management Committee."

"It was agreed that the Management Committee remain a sub-committee of Council as the improvement in communications and representations could be achieved without any change of label.

"To ensure better communication between members of the Management Committee and the student body the Joint Committee agreed that the immediate past President of the Students or if he is not available, a member of his Executive, be nominated by the current executive in February each year for membership of the Management Committee.

"In order to ensure better communication between student members of the Management Committee and the student body, the Joint Committee agreed to recommend to Council that the four student representatives on the Management Committee each be appointed by VUWSA for a period of one year only, but that their terms be subject to renewal for subsequent twelve months periods.

"The Joint Committee agreed to recommend to the Student Union Management Committee that a student be appointed to the Dining Room Sub-Committee.

The University Council has already agreed to authorise the Student Union Management Committee to admit the student press to its meetings with the provision to move into Committee when confidential matters arise.

The Joint Committee agreed to recommend to the University Council that at the Student press could now attend meetings of the Student Union Management Committee, they should be open to all students with provision to move into Committee.